China Travels | Phil & Sabine's Excellent Adventure
December - Winter but decidedly "summery"!
1st- 7th December
Today is World AIDS Day. For both the junior and senior school there was an information display and a quiz for students to participate in. HIV and AIDS is not seen as an issue here but I felt there needed to be some sort of awareness for students who if not already, would soon be sexually active.
The day after, we set off to Beijing via Xian. Having arrived in Xian late afternoon, we went for one of our favourite dishes in China – “shao kao”. It’s not so much the BBQ that we enjoy, rather the delicious peanut satay that accompanies it. It’s a bit of a spit and sawdust place and not an obvious choice, but sitting outside on tiny chairs, wrapped up in our winter coats and hats, eating from a tiny table, drinking beer and eating our food, we forgot time and suddenly had to rush to the train station to catch our night train to Beijing!
Once in Beijing we got up to speed with what we would be doing for the VSO strategy launch. On Saturday evening there was rather a posh dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel where we hobnobbed with rich Chinese businessmen and women and representatives from other charities. The aim was to inform them who and what the new VSO is and how businesses and individuals could be involved in volunteering. On Sunday, there was an EXPO for the general public at Beijing Normal University. Its aim was for the people to find out more about volunteering in general but also to publicise and extol the virtues of the new look VSO to a wider audience.
The days in Beijing were successful and a positive step forward for VSO China. There was good press coverage and Phil and some other volunteers were even interviewed by international radio. Oh the limelight!!
Whilst there we were also able to meet up with our former colleague and friend who is now a roving reporter for China Education Daily. Great to see you again Emma!
Today is World AIDS Day. For both the junior and senior school there was an information display and a quiz for students to participate in. HIV and AIDS is not seen as an issue here but I felt there needed to be some sort of awareness for students who if not already, would soon be sexually active.
The day after, we set off to Beijing via Xian. Having arrived in Xian late afternoon, we went for one of our favourite dishes in China – “shao kao”. It’s not so much the BBQ that we enjoy, rather the delicious peanut satay that accompanies it. It’s a bit of a spit and sawdust place and not an obvious choice, but sitting outside on tiny chairs, wrapped up in our winter coats and hats, eating from a tiny table, drinking beer and eating our food, we forgot time and suddenly had to rush to the train station to catch our night train to Beijing!
Once in Beijing we got up to speed with what we would be doing for the VSO strategy launch. On Saturday evening there was rather a posh dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel where we hobnobbed with rich Chinese businessmen and women and representatives from other charities. The aim was to inform them who and what the new VSO is and how businesses and individuals could be involved in volunteering. On Sunday, there was an EXPO for the general public at Beijing Normal University. Its aim was for the people to find out more about volunteering in general but also to publicise and extol the virtues of the new look VSO to a wider audience.
The days in Beijing were successful and a positive step forward for VSO China. There was good press coverage and Phil and some other volunteers were even interviewed by international radio. Oh the limelight!!
Whilst there we were also able to meet up with our former colleague and friend who is now a roving reporter for China Education Daily. Great to see you again Emma!
8th - 15th December
Back in Xifeng, we pick up our usual routine again. On Saturday evening we cook “Houguo” (hotpot) and invite out two Tibetan friends round for tea. We spend a nice evening together; singing, dancing and speaking a mixture of English and Chinese.
This week I get invited to the new gym in town to do a yoga class. It’s a little different from the one I used to do in England and involves more mediation. It soon became noticeable that I was by far the least flexible person in the class…..
On my birthday, we try and go rooftop roller skating. Unfortunately, due to the arctic conditions, it was closed. It is five floors up and I have to say that it was rather cold, at least minus 5. Big disappointment, but only short lived as we go to one of my favourite restaurants in town. I have since found out that the largest skate they do is 43 – just a bit too small for Phil!
Back in Xifeng, we pick up our usual routine again. On Saturday evening we cook “Houguo” (hotpot) and invite out two Tibetan friends round for tea. We spend a nice evening together; singing, dancing and speaking a mixture of English and Chinese.
This week I get invited to the new gym in town to do a yoga class. It’s a little different from the one I used to do in England and involves more mediation. It soon became noticeable that I was by far the least flexible person in the class…..
On my birthday, we try and go rooftop roller skating. Unfortunately, due to the arctic conditions, it was closed. It is five floors up and I have to say that it was rather cold, at least minus 5. Big disappointment, but only short lived as we go to one of my favourite restaurants in town. I have since found out that the largest skate they do is 43 – just a bit too small for Phil!
16th – 23rd December
This week, after what felt like many weeks of practice, I can now complete my “wushu” routine. It’s far from perfect, but I feel quite pleased with myself! Being able to co-ordinate my legs and arms at the same time, may be easy for some, but for me it is a challenge, especially when” left” and “right” are involved! I have to say that I couldn’t have done it without my “substitute teacher” Jennifer, so if you read this- thanks very much!
On Saturday evening at the local college we watched the English Department perform a Spring Festival Concert. Despite there being less of an emphasis on “English”, the troops, who were all students, did quite a good job. It was a mixture of traditional and modern dance, plays, and short sketches. The following day, we were invited by a friend to visit his family in the countryside. We always enjoy visiting the countryside; it is much quieter and peaceful than the sometimes loud and hectic cities. In winter, country people only eat twice a day; at about 10AM and 4PM. When we sat down for our lunch of “houloumian” (local noodle soup), and a variety of side dishes and the local firewater, “huangjiu”, it was only a small affair and not the whole family. However, from our experiences, when invited to someone’s house, it is quite rare for the women to sit down with the guests. They are always too busy preparing and serving the food. Even when they have finished, it is unusual for them to join us. It seems their priority is making sure we are fed and watered sufficiently. It is only when we are, do they feel happy!
After lunch we played some football and went for a walk in the countryside.
I have to say that going to the toilet was somewhat problematic. There was a guard dog right next to it and the dog’s chain when pulled tight, meant that you were being barked at whilst doing the deed. The toilet was outside and did not have the usual curtain or door. The dog was probably as surprised as I was!
This week, after what felt like many weeks of practice, I can now complete my “wushu” routine. It’s far from perfect, but I feel quite pleased with myself! Being able to co-ordinate my legs and arms at the same time, may be easy for some, but for me it is a challenge, especially when” left” and “right” are involved! I have to say that I couldn’t have done it without my “substitute teacher” Jennifer, so if you read this- thanks very much!
On Saturday evening at the local college we watched the English Department perform a Spring Festival Concert. Despite there being less of an emphasis on “English”, the troops, who were all students, did quite a good job. It was a mixture of traditional and modern dance, plays, and short sketches. The following day, we were invited by a friend to visit his family in the countryside. We always enjoy visiting the countryside; it is much quieter and peaceful than the sometimes loud and hectic cities. In winter, country people only eat twice a day; at about 10AM and 4PM. When we sat down for our lunch of “houloumian” (local noodle soup), and a variety of side dishes and the local firewater, “huangjiu”, it was only a small affair and not the whole family. However, from our experiences, when invited to someone’s house, it is quite rare for the women to sit down with the guests. They are always too busy preparing and serving the food. Even when they have finished, it is unusual for them to join us. It seems their priority is making sure we are fed and watered sufficiently. It is only when we are, do they feel happy!
After lunch we played some football and went for a walk in the countryside.
I have to say that going to the toilet was somewhat problematic. There was a guard dog right next to it and the dog’s chain when pulled tight, meant that you were being barked at whilst doing the deed. The toilet was outside and did not have the usual curtain or door. The dog was probably as surprised as I was!
There is a recently opened gym in town. One of out friends was able to get free membership as she is a foreigner. She invited her to join us for the spinning class. To the uninitiated, “spinning” is cycling on a stationary bike in a fitness room with funky music and an instructor, motivating you and telling you to cycle faster and harder. Having never taken the class before, I was a little unsure as to what to really expect. For almost one hour, myself and about 8 other “athletes” cycled our hearts out to loud techno music whilst being dazzled by flashing nights. The lights would have been no good had you have been an epilepsy suffer. It was easy to feel mesmerised by the music and lights that several times I was in a trance like state. It was hard to pace myself and at the end of the class, I certainly felt exercised. It was slightly amusing to see overweight Chinese men “sporting” their long johns, pumping away, baring their upper, hairless bodies to all and sundry. This class pretty much blew my theory that the Chinese don’t sweat. Would I go again…. Not sure!
24th – 31st December
Today the first snow of the winter fell. It came as a surprise too. I was due the other end of town first thing that morning to team teach with a friend. The roads were pretty bad, but at least the cars drove carefully. The main difficulty was pedestrians who, for whatever reason, felt it safer to walk on the roads. The Chinese have a dangerous habit of not looking when they cross the road. Well, that’s not quite true. They tend to look whilst they are crossing which makes them rather unpredictable. Stopping suddenly, or rather sliding and sliding suddenly to avoid a collision, became rather a hazard during the 25 minute cycle across town.
The two lessons were a Christmas lesson. We compared Xmas and the Chinese New Yea, looked at different customs and manners between China and England and played pin the nose on the reindeer. It was good fun.
Did some baking for our Boxing Day party; flapjack, lemon cheesecake and apple crumble. I even made some homemade hummus which was delicious. What a shame we can’t buy chickpeas here……
In the evening we were invaded by our neighbours children. Whenever they see us, they always say “Hello” in English and that’s the way it has been for nearly two years. No other words ar spoken. This evening they were brave enough to knock on our door and bring us an apple which is a Chinese tradition on 24th December. We invited them in and gave them some sweets and drink. We thought they would only want to stay a short while. Two hours later, at 9.30, I suggested that their parents may be worried about them. They shrugged, reluctantly agreed and disappeared, as quickly as they arrived!
Christmas Day arrives and it is a white Xmas. As the Chinese don’t celebrate, today felt pretty much like any other day. We worked until early afternoon and then started to prepare our “Xmas dinner for two”; chicken, roast potatoes, veg, chestnut stuffing and gravy. Very nice indeed. No Xmas pudding or mince pies, but a generous helping of cheesecake instead. After speaking to friends and family, we settled down to “Shawshank Redemption” and some popcorn!
Today the first snow of the winter fell. It came as a surprise too. I was due the other end of town first thing that morning to team teach with a friend. The roads were pretty bad, but at least the cars drove carefully. The main difficulty was pedestrians who, for whatever reason, felt it safer to walk on the roads. The Chinese have a dangerous habit of not looking when they cross the road. Well, that’s not quite true. They tend to look whilst they are crossing which makes them rather unpredictable. Stopping suddenly, or rather sliding and sliding suddenly to avoid a collision, became rather a hazard during the 25 minute cycle across town.
The two lessons were a Christmas lesson. We compared Xmas and the Chinese New Yea, looked at different customs and manners between China and England and played pin the nose on the reindeer. It was good fun.
Did some baking for our Boxing Day party; flapjack, lemon cheesecake and apple crumble. I even made some homemade hummus which was delicious. What a shame we can’t buy chickpeas here……
In the evening we were invaded by our neighbours children. Whenever they see us, they always say “Hello” in English and that’s the way it has been for nearly two years. No other words ar spoken. This evening they were brave enough to knock on our door and bring us an apple which is a Chinese tradition on 24th December. We invited them in and gave them some sweets and drink. We thought they would only want to stay a short while. Two hours later, at 9.30, I suggested that their parents may be worried about them. They shrugged, reluctantly agreed and disappeared, as quickly as they arrived!
Christmas Day arrives and it is a white Xmas. As the Chinese don’t celebrate, today felt pretty much like any other day. We worked until early afternoon and then started to prepare our “Xmas dinner for two”; chicken, roast potatoes, veg, chestnut stuffing and gravy. Very nice indeed. No Xmas pudding or mince pies, but a generous helping of cheesecake instead. After speaking to friends and family, we settled down to “Shawshank Redemption” and some popcorn!
The following day we had Boxing Day and invited friends, colleagues and neighbours. As with the last party, there were the local under 10 gatecrashers, but they were heartily invited in to join the festivities. Each guest was encouraged to wear a Santa which a lot did. As most were at work the next day, the party started to wind up at about 10pm. As with most parties, we appeared to have an enormous amount of food left over and much more than what we started with! Bags and bags of bananas, apples and oranges. Time for some more baking! A big thank you at this point needs to made to our neighbour Mrs Fan who insisited on cleaning our flat at the end of the evening.
The rest of the week was spent eating out and saying our goodbyes to various people. On Monday, we were unexpectedly invited out by the local Education Bureau to the poshest hotel in the town for a banquet. They wanted to thank us for our efforts over the last two years – if only we could have worked with them more effectively…….. In addition to eating, we also got interviewed by the local TV station who were making a programme about foregin teachers in the local area.
Tuesday, was a hotpot with the senior English teachers at Number 4 School, Wednesday was a quiet night in and Thursday was another hotpot but this time with one of Phil’s schools. Friday was another banquet with all the teachers in Number 4 School and KTV (singing and dancing!) We only just saw the new year in, as tired as we were!
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, was a hotpot with the senior English teachers at Number 4 School, Wednesday was a quiet night in and Thursday was another hotpot but this time with one of Phil’s schools. Friday was another banquet with all the teachers in Number 4 School and KTV (singing and dancing!) We only just saw the new year in, as tired as we were!
Happy New Year!
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