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VACASIAN!

Since last being in touch I hope you have recovered from a wonderful holiday season. Here in China the big holiday is the Spring Festival, which occurs after the 12 lunar month comes to a close. This year the date happens to fall on February 14th, so this year Chinese will be eating chocolate truffles along with the typical festival dishes.

Along with Spring Festival comes a nice long break from work. And after two weeks of being on the oppossite end of the examination process (trust me, this is a lose-lose situation) it is in need. Already a week into the trip, I've since headed to two Southern Chinese provinces. First to Sichuan which is better known to the Western world for its Kong Pao chicken, the 2008 earthquake, and Giant Panda bears. Within the country Sichuan is known for beautiful scenery, beautiful women, and beautiful food (this is a literal translation). The scenery was indeed eye catching including a trip to Leshan where the largest standing Buddha (71Meters...240 feet) looks out over a river basin. It was a very impressive sight indeed, and I did my best to shake the big guy's mammoth hand. The women were an interesting breed as well, and the downtown area even had a fashion center to check out. Shiny down vests, trucker caps with English writing, and glittered glasses without lenses are just of the few 'in thing' noticed...go figure. Considering the 'beautiful food' I must say that despite enjoying the fine cuisine I would hardly describe a violently spicey hotpot as being anything but beautiful...something beautiful usually doesn't make you hiccup for five minutes and nearly bring you to tears!

In Chengdu I met another English teacher from America with an interesting story. Jeff the recent graduate student in Sweden and former investment banker from Colorodo was on a similar travel plan and schedule in Sichuan and had the same intention to head south to Yunnan...a place that Chinese call 'eternal spring'. We decided to take a 22hour train to the capital of Kunming, and what an adventure that turned out to be! Because we had the bottom 'communal' beds we had a good chance to get to know everyone with the best of our communication and language abilities. In the open bunk of 6 with us were two people from a separate minority group of China (Yi), two business men from the area, one guy that said nothing but snored the whole time, and no one that spoke a word of English other than Jeff and I. A good portion of the ride was spent speaking to one lady of the Yi ethnicity. She and I could actually communicate quite well because our mandarin is both at about the level of a three year old! She was kind enough to teach the basics or her language (mom-ama, dad-ada, thank you-ka sa sa, etc.) as I ended up being teaching the alphabet. You may also notice that including the two of us foreigners I listed seven people. This is because the two Yi ladies bought one 'sleeper' bed ticket and one sitting ticket between them...and continuously changed postions throughout the 22 hour journey. Finally we made it to Yunnan which is a province where I currently am, and I must admit that winters here are a great time to be here. (75F degree highs and 60 in the eveing. Everywhere lies a background of snowcapped mountains and a striking blue sky.)

After parting ways with our new friends (and trust me, everyone was overly friendly and curious about two foreigners) we headed to a youth hostel. En route to our accomodation locals we happened across a fellow traveler looking for the same destination. This is how Silk, the full time traveler, part time tutor, and former hydroponics practicioner from Korea, became part of our three person traveling group. The following day we enjoyed a trip out to Shilin stone forest, which is a labirynth of stalagmite-like rocks that stretch over acres and acres of land and reach at least two stories in the sky. The most fun was finding peculiar shapes within the stone....the states of Maine and South Carolina were recognized, along with a cat, rabbit, and the outline of Australia (photos to come for validation). Next on the tour was Dali, which was compared by another American traveler as the 'Chinese Santa Fe' for a colorful historic town sandwiched between a wall of mountains and a picturesque lake. Unitentionally, I arrived at the 2010 China Flower Exihibition which had the city covered in rose bushes, camelias, orchards, and magnolias. There's also ample opportunity to get to know the local ethnic minority of bai people and see there vibrant way of life. A trip to the local park especially revealed the close relationship the oldest and youngest generations enjoy seen throughout the province. There were a few incidents further in the countryside when small children pointed to us and said to their mother, /na shuh shen ma/ or...'what is that!'..followed by a good chuckle from their parents or grandparents, and us foreigners.

Next on the stop was Lijiang, once a sleepy city hidden in the Himalayas, but now a thriving tourist destination. The change came after a devastating earthquake in the early nineties and the visit of many relief workers that it attracted so much attention from the outside. The visitors were so impressed with the scenery and the many different cultures living in harmony that enough support was gathered to declare it a UNESCO world heritage site. Since then the city was completely renovated into a historic tourist destination. Only one day was spent in the town, before I flying out and touring a little of SE asia... I'll be sure to update you on the trip then. The final end of the trip is a long anticipated visit from my amazing grandparents and dear mum and a trip to Hong Kong, Hangzhou, and Shanghai. Surely, more good stories to come! Hopefully you can update me on some of your happenings too, it's great to hear from good people!

As always...wishing you the best!

-Trevor

November/December together!

Seasons Greetings!

Amidst the holidays I hope you find enough peace, health, and happiness ready to begin a fresh new year. It’s always great to hear stories and updates from you, and I hope you enjoy the photos and stories from this end as well.

Where to even begin? It’s been ages, but all the same that only means there are plenty stories to share! As we approach a new set of holidays the first one comes is a blast from the past of Thanksgiving (yes it has been that long). So thanksgiving in China is the same anywhere else besides the US and Canada, nonexistent. Nonetheless I managed to find a quality restaurant that supplied ‘takeaway thanksgiving meals’ and ordered cranberries and a whole roast turkey. Fortunately, Jane, a current resident of my hometown Westport, CT happened to be visiting her family in the area and brought some goodies with her. Together with our mutual friends Dan, Jane, and daughter Mia as well as my Australian colleagues, Brett and Jeremy, we sat down to have a proper Thanksgiving dinner with good peoples. In doing so I of course was responsible for explaining why there was a big bird in front of us.

The same weekend was a great opportunity to watch the Chinese National football/soccer team live in Hangzhou. Dan was kind enough to join, warning that the Chinese National team is a common denominator for Chinese people to relate and joke about. However, the visiting Lebanese team had an even more disappointing history in qualifying for the Asian cup. Well, after going up on an early goal China struggled to finish the game off, and before the final whistle everyone was up in arms yelling ‘la ji (insert name of coach, player, or team here) which means ‘trash (name)’ and laughing hysterically after a 1-0 victory.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe Staples high school soccer team, of Westport, CT, went on to win the CT LL state championship 4-0, finishing first in the region, and 6th in the nation. Congratulations boys. And since we are on the topic of giving shoutouts, I’d like to also congratulate my colleague Jeremy on a new generation of family after the birth of his first grandson, Kaiden.

Ok, officially done abusing the update for personal reasons, now onto the juicy stuff! Recently, some of the Chinese English teachers have begun an English Newspaper Publication ‘Eyes Around’ and naturally asked for some assistance in editing, lecturing on writing, and an interview to be published in the first edition. Attached is a copy of a flattering and ‘interesting’ dialogue between two students and myself. This was their first interview with a native speaker, so give them a break, especially on some of the questions. Also, keep in mind that I edited most of the articles, including my own words, which is a very bizarre experience. In future issues I will certainly take more advantage and insert puns, quips, and other jargon…in a professional manner of course.

Last story, I promise! Every year the college has a Christmas party for faculty and students. Apparently it is quite a classy event with evening gowns, suits, and of course classy entertainment and the president and the vice president of the college are usual guests. For whatever reason they elected yours truly (the youngest, least experienced, and most bearded faculty member) to host the party. Hosting includes the normal jobs of an MC, but on this occasion I will also be singing Christmas carols and reenacting the nativity scene. What role will I have? You guessed it…bearded baby Jesus. So enjoy the company of friends and family, and feast your heart out on gifts and good eats, while I relish as a cultural ambassador. BAH-HUMBUG! ;-)

Happy holidays to you! Catch up in the New Year!

Trevor

Singles Day

Happy belated Veteran’s and Armistice Day to you and happy belated singles Day from Hangzhou,

While the rest of the world reveres the triumph, defeat, and struggle through history China seems to have found it’s own meaning for 11-11. The holiday is ‘unofficial’ and celebrated by the younger generation. What the celebration entailed was at least for me, nothing special…a night at the movies with some new friends.

Since last being in touch I hope that all has been well as the New Year fast approaches. China of course, celebrates its own new year, the Spring Festival. Unfortunately, this means that this year will be a white (rice) Christmas and holiday season. However, according to the Chinese Calendar 2010 will be the year of the tiger, of which I an all others in the 12 year pattern will enjoy good fortune. So I figure that while making into through 3 months of blue holiday season will be worth 12 months of good luck.

So far so good in teaching. They’ve given me a stamp of approval and ‘foreign expert permit’ which means that I am officially worth keeping around for a year. In addition my ‘personable’ teaching methods has led to several fans, both faculty and students. And one student in particular seems to have taken a liking. Because she comes from a graphic design class full of ‘creative’ people please do not misconceive her choosing of the English name ‘Devil’ as anything more than self-expression. Needless to say I insisted she and ‘Whiskey, the letter ‘W’, and Bottle” also change their names, to which she choose the most logical alternative…Jacqueline. Sorry, Aunt Jackie! Getting back to the story Jacqueline stays after class one day and asks me if I eat meat…on the bone, to which I reply, ‘Yes’. The next class she returns with the flattering gift of…3 duck heads, nicely cooked and marinated. I have since gone back to using her original name.

Other entertaining stories include having a photo featured in the local foreigner magazine with a couple of ‘side-shots’. It turned out me and some colleagues were simply in the right place at the right time at another colleague’s sculpture exhibition. However, even more amusing from this week’s edition of ‘More’ magazine was an open, back-page advertisement for a local football club.

And I quote, “The newly formed Hangzhou Football Club (current membership: 1) is looking for new players to fill its squad. Overweight, talentless smokers preferred, but we will consider people with genuine skill and fitness. If we can scrape together 11 players, we can join a local league. Any level of ability and health accepted.” Maybe I’ll give them a call.

Of course there are new photos too, I hope you remember your snapfish account info.
http://www5.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=2166031008/a=56536267_56536267/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Settling In...Pat and Dennis come to visit!

The national holiday has officially finished since last week, however it has not ended without its share of stories! Hangzhou has proved to be a place with much to offer and as one of China’s most progressive, modern, and scenic cities it has drawn visitors for thousands of years. One of the city’s most historic mantle pieces is the Grand Canal. The manmade waterway began its construction over two and half millennium ago, and now stretches over 1,000 miles, easily making it the world’s longest artificial river. Hangzhou is the southern most destination of the canal, and the northern most end is Beijing. (Check out map on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Canal_(China)) Dan, a friend of a friend from Westport, CT (small world), was kind enough to bring me to the canal and tell me some of the history surrounding it. Legend has it that the canal was extended to Hangzhou so that the emperor at the time could have access to the city’s famous scenic West Lake area (some of the Beijing summer palace is modeled after the natural landscape of Beijing) and beautiful women. Thus, I have dubbed the canal, the playboy waterway.
As evidence to the frighteningly small world this planet is becoming, my Aunt and Uncle just so happen to be in China during the month, and just so happen to have already planned to visit Hangzhou in their tour of the country. Dr. Dennis Lamb, a recently retired scientist and professor at Penn State in atmospheric physics has been visiting several former graduate students in China, and lecturing at their respective Universities. Having already spent a week in Beijing and then traveling to Taipei, Taiwan, and Shanghai, the next place to visit is Hangzhou before going to the yellow mountains. The timing also worked out that the first day of their trip fell on the couples’ anniversary, so happy anniversary Pat and Dennis and welcome to China!
The Chinese are famed to have invented several advancements in culture and technology long before other civilizations. Of these innovations are noodles, gun powder, and FIREWORKS! Seemingly every single night there seems to be a celebration that warrants a legit firework show. It would appear that the Chinese equivalent for a couple of friends lighting off roman candles in the states would be buying a dozen ‘real fourth of the-light-up-the-sky July” and setting them off for evey baby born in China (you do the math). On one occasion while socializing on the patio of a restaurant everyone outside was suddenly startled by a barrel of fireworks going off just 20 yards away. Below is the picture from a cellphone…notice the lights easily clearing the treeline.
Now that students are back on campus the place is crawling with the little buggers. Enrollment this year includes some 10,000 undergraduates yet the campus is less than a square quarter mile, so you can image the volume of people moving between classes and at the school’s single canteen for meals. With students back that means I have had to begin doing something except enjoy Hangzhou. The classes are all oral English, so the students basically listen to me speak for 2 hours, only kidding. The proficiency of most students is actually quite surprising, and sometimes even impressive. With that said I can’t pronounce their names if my life depended upon it, so students have been given English names. Where they get them seems to vary. Reading off the attendance sheet I had to hold back a few chuckles as I read, “Butterfly, sword, shiny, and soso” Obviously Chinese names don’t translate well. Then there were the miscommunicated names. Jenny turned out to be a boy, and Dan was a girl. Then there was my own personal change of name. Since Trevor comes out more like, “Tervwa” I decided James, my middle name and Grandfather’s namesake, would be more appropriate, especially if I ever wanted one of the students to ask a question in class. Despite mixing and matching names classes have been enjoyable. For many of the students it is their first opportunity to extensively interact with a foreigner and therefore fun for them. I too am trying to enjoy the experience as much as possible, and I have assigned my first assignment of finding and preparing for next class…an English joke.

Flight and Arrival

Four meals, two plane rides, and zero conversations later I made it to Hangzhou alongside my fellow travelers, primarily Korean. The Asiana airline flight was comfortable and typical with the exception of two video tutorials presented mid-flight. One immediately followed the standard emergency instructions (life vest, exits, etc.) and basically told everyone to behave, depicting a scene of one parent allowing their overzealous child to parade around the aircraft and another of young students giggling and taking pictures of nude sculptures at a museum. The moral of the story was to ‘behave accordingly’ after the Asiana Airlines’ logo, ‘Behavior accordingly, travel beautifully’. If traveling beautifully means having on board entertainment of recently released films and albums, then I can’t disagree with the beautiful service. The other interesting video was when they showed an in-flight exercise video. In itself an in-flight exercise video is not so strange, but when you watch an entire plane full of people pulling their head left you almost wish you had a camera at the ready.
After arriving in the airport Jennifer, the secretary of the foreign affairs department at the College picked me up and we rode directly to the school in a taxi van. During the 40 minute ride the cab driver cut off the same driver at least 4 times, demonstrated liberal use of the horn, and before pulling away put the window down to yell out something that although semantically unintelligible clearly was not along the lines of, ‘Have a nice day.’ For the first week of being here accommodations will be at a hotel located on the campus of the college. How’s that for convenient! On top of this they’ve put me up on the top, 8th, floor with a great view of the city. The hotel is run by the hotel management department of the college and it hosts teachers as well as normal guests. Low and behold there is free wifi access (i.e. some one in the neighborhood has not locked their wifi service) so except for youtube, facebook, blogspot and some other sites all the luxuries of the world wide web are available. During this week I’ll be apartment hunting and enjoying the week off of holidays.
Happy National Day! October 1st marks the first day of a week of vacation, and the 60th anniversary of the CCP reign. Six decades ago Chiang Kai Shek and his nationalist party was removed from power and replaced by the CCP and Chairman Mao Zedong. 60 years later and this country has been transformed and retransformed to its current state. Click links for full stories…http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8284087.stm…http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/world/asia/02china.html?_r=1&ref=world. To celebrate the day everyone turned to the television and witnessed the parade in Beijing. Actually, despite the amazing military and choreographed dance spectacle on TV, waves of people spent the day off by flocking to the biggest tourist attraction in town, the West Lake, to enjoy its natural beauty and endless monuments, museums, and shops. There are a reported 6 million people in the greater Hangzhou area, and plenty of them were alongside the lake today. After doing an entire lap of the lake, which is a few miles, I figure that if I continue crossing paths with this many new people every day, a year from now almost everyone in Hangzhou will be able to recognize me as the foreigner who wears soccer jerseys.