Today was full full - we got into the meat of teaching - more experienced teachers relate tales of horror and success. I tried to listen to the success...but people are people, teachers, students, adminstrators. Any one of them can have a bad day...
Then we went to he Nanging museum on the Rape of Nanjing. Dark and angular and very sobering as was the event. I must read the book when I get back. It was moving.
There is a line for the computer tonight. Friday we fly to Nanking and then a bus to Jingdezhen. Tomorrow is more teaching skills. The brain is full. I hope I am up to this task - Prayers welcome!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Tuesday - or maybe Wednesday
Still July I think - still Nanjing. I'm hoping in the next 24 huors to unlag this jet and be in the same time zone - body, mind and spirit.
Today was long - introduction of various Ministers of Things and prepared statements. All interesting but some significan wiggling required for bodies who think they ought to be sleeping...this afternoon was a tour of a large Bible printing plant.
The food is all delicious and the Lazy Susan Family Style means we can sample what looks reasonable and skip the jelly like substances in favor of Recognizable Rice. Next week we'll be more adventuresome. Watermelon 3 times a day.
Tonight was a very good session teaching us basic (REAL basic) Chinese. I had tried a CD of Chinese for Dummies and have several Emergency Cards but nothing beat actually being forced to say out loud what we want to convey - right or wrong. It is the first real taste of what our students - teachers themselves - will experience. Now the challenge is to use the Chinese in public in the next 72 hours. Then we will really understand what the learners are up against. I have new respect for the task ahead - theirs and mine.
Today was long - introduction of various Ministers of Things and prepared statements. All interesting but some significan wiggling required for bodies who think they ought to be sleeping...this afternoon was a tour of a large Bible printing plant.
The food is all delicious and the Lazy Susan Family Style means we can sample what looks reasonable and skip the jelly like substances in favor of Recognizable Rice. Next week we'll be more adventuresome. Watermelon 3 times a day.
Tonight was a very good session teaching us basic (REAL basic) Chinese. I had tried a CD of Chinese for Dummies and have several Emergency Cards but nothing beat actually being forced to say out loud what we want to convey - right or wrong. It is the first real taste of what our students - teachers themselves - will experience. Now the challenge is to use the Chinese in public in the next 72 hours. Then we will really understand what the learners are up against. I have new respect for the task ahead - theirs and mine.
Monday, July 7, 2008
train to Nanjing
The train from Shangihai to Nanjing was wonderful but the train station was amazing! I was given complete oral directions and sent in a cab as leader of the pack. To the cab stand, up the ecalator, past the iron bars where you show your ticket, through the x-ray security, up more escalators, find the waiting room for the train number. "Waiting Room" does not begin to describe this! Imagine July 4 on the lakefront only in orderly rows by train numbered section. When the sign on your section turns from red to green the crush through one tiny turnstyle begins and somehow we all come out on the right platform and get on the train. The ability to move mass numbers of people in an orderly way - not to say without pushing, that is - astounds me. Tonight we are in Nanjing which I love more than Shanghai - but that might be the section we are in. Very new and safe, wide plazas and lots of people out walking. I only have 2 hours access for 4 days at this hotel so I'll be brief and probably not even spell check! But we are here safely and it is really beginning!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
First days
We arrived in Shanghai after 13 hours in the air - the flight was easy and seemed short compared to the taxi ride from the airport! Lots of highways where all we could see was the tops of big buildings. Once we got off the major roads the area around the hotel was more what the guidebooks describe - a Sunday afternoon of stalls below the living quaters of the sellers. they are like one dark little closet after another of shoes or live crabs or dead chickens or electric meters. Laundy hanging out from most apartments. We walked for an hour and I did not see another Westerner - but did not feel uneasy. Everyone looked - no one spoke. Today we take the train to Nanjing.
Friday, July 4, 2008
last minute flurries
The phone and DSL went out. The ATM folks expediated the card but snail mailed the PIN. Will the Chineses adapter be enough or do I need a transformer? Give up the plan to take the lap top. Lists turn into piles spread on the bed - too much for one suitcase!
The phase of the experience that is planned on paper is almost over and the reality of unknown begins. This is the adventure I have been thinking about for a year, worked diligently with everyone from the bank to the Chinese cousulate to accomplish. And now - all I have to do is get on the plane - tomorrow.
From the Ballad of the Hobbit:
The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.
Today and tomorrow are yet to be said.
The chances, the changes are all yours to make.
The mold of your life is in your hands to break.
If you are reading this, a small prayer would make a big difference!
The phase of the experience that is planned on paper is almost over and the reality of unknown begins. This is the adventure I have been thinking about for a year, worked diligently with everyone from the bank to the Chinese cousulate to accomplish. And now - all I have to do is get on the plane - tomorrow.
From the Ballad of the Hobbit:
The greatest adventure is what lies ahead.
Today and tomorrow are yet to be said.
The chances, the changes are all yours to make.
The mold of your life is in your hands to break.
If you are reading this, a small prayer would make a big difference!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
will eat the flavor to be tasty exceptionally
http://www.jingdezhen-hotels.com/en/food.html
Reseaching the Porcelain Capital of China and our teaching location uncovered the above guide to local food. Got the Imodium.
About 2 hours south of Nanjing, it is a small city of 1.4M. We stay on a campus of some kind and walk to class. Each day we teach the same 45-minute lecture 4 times in the morning to groups for 25. In the afternon we have the entire 100 students together and do activities to encourage conversational English speaking. Guess who is teaching the Hokey Pokey!
Reseaching the Porcelain Capital of China and our teaching location uncovered the above guide to local food. Got the Imodium.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Swing your window open...
A friend sent journals - one titled, "Then swing your window open, the one with the fresh air and good eastern light and watch for wings, edges and new beginings." An encouraging thought at the moment as the reality of a month away from "normal" is setting in. What was I thinking? Maybe I should stay home and just watch Ranma 1/2.
Saturday we* fly direct from Chicago to Shanghia. (NOTE: remind the pilot to make sure the tank is full.) We travel on our own from the airport to the Green Tree Inn via taxi. http://hotel.travelchinaguide.com/shanghai-hotels/greentree-inn-shanghai-wuding-road-200708090858210462.htm It looks pretty western - but there is no close up of the bathroom...
* My ELCA travel companion is Cadi from Minneapolis.
Saturday we* fly direct from Chicago to Shanghia. (NOTE: remind the pilot to make sure the tank is full.) We travel on our own from the airport to the Green Tree Inn via taxi. http://hotel.travelchinaguide.com/shanghai-hotels/greentree-inn-shanghai-wuding-road-200708090858210462.htm It looks pretty western - but there is no close up of the bathroom...
* My ELCA travel companion is Cadi from Minneapolis.
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