Two Tickets to Paradise

We have returned from a three day trip to what I can only describe as the paradise of China. Since we were officially done student teaching, we took a little trip to the Zhoushan Islands in the East China Sea. 

After packing up two backpacks the day before and getting some important phrases translated by a teacher at the school (such as beach, mountain, and bus station), we set off early Thursday morning in a cab to the bus station.  We bought our bus tickets and spent four hours on a bus to the big island of Zhoushan.  To get there, we crossed a ten mile bridge!!  The bus dropped us on the southern tip of the island, and from there we took another bus to our hotel on the island of Zhujiajian (reachable by bus).  Our hotel was beautiful complete with a balcony that looked over the golden beach.  The beach we stayed at is famous for the annual sand sculpture competition held there.  We spent the rest of that day walking the beach and returned for truly unique dinner.  

Another Picture

I forgot to add that on Friday night we climbed up on the mountain that is lit up at night. It was a beautiful night. Here is a picture of the city from the top.

Another Weekend and the Last Week

This recap of the weekend is a little late as things have been a little hectic because of a change in scheduling.

This weekend was spent staying close to the school. On Saturday we helped the school with their incoming student testing. All the potential first graders who want to come to the school are tested for aptitude. Frances and I were assisted with entertaining the students while waiting for open testers with small English activities. From 7 to noon, we saw over 600 students. Only 140 will be able to come to the school in the fall. Most of the students didn't know any English, but it was extremely fun to teach them some words and phrases.

That evening we went to a great dinner at an Italian/American restaurant and then took in some Jazz at another local club. It was great to unwind after a long day of little kids.

Mid Week Check In

Even though nothing very exciting has happened since this weekend, I thought I would check in and tell everyone I am still doing well.  I am currently watching Finding Nemo with over 100 first graders.  Even though they don't understand the words they can't stop laughing.  

It has been a strange week of teaching with many cancelled classes, but we are making up for it by helping out with new student testing on Saturday.  Since the school is private, students must test in before they enter first grade.  A few of the English teachers are arranging activities to keep children happy before and after testing.

Since I don't have much to update I will just give a rundown on a typical day of teaching here.  Frances and I wake up around 6 before the students are up and sneak out to go running/exercising.  There is a canal near our school that is the hot spot for the senior citizens of Hangzhou.  There are many interesting morning workouts going on including tai chi, working out on exercise equipment provided by the government in various locations along the canal, even a very wonderful lady who gets all worked up then bends back then forward then yells at the top of her lungs.  But our running is evidently not the standard exercise and we get very strange glances as we trot down the path.

After our run we come back to the school and grab school breakfast which is usually some sort of hard boiled egg (usually cooked in vinegar), and bun of some sort either filled with meat or seaweed or red bean paste.  Then it is up to our rooms to shower and get ready for class.  This is the prime time to talk to people back home because it is evening in Montana.  

I either have class starting at 8:10 or 10:10.  I walk to the middle school campus which is about 10 minutes away (depending on traffic, and yes there is traffic I have to deal with even while walking).  I teach usually all morning then Frances and I meet at a local dumpling shop for some soup that costs about $2.  Then either back to my room to work for the afternoon or back to the middle school to teach some more.  

I try to take a little nap in the afternoon.  If we have a free night, Frances and I like to get out and have dinner at one of our favorite places.  Even though food is served at the school, life gets really boring sleeping, working, and eating at one place.  Food here is so cheap so eating out isn't a problem.  Sometimes Frances and I have to do evening activity with the students which is a hour with the whole grade to either teach them a song (or in tonight's case we are watching Finding Nemo).  Then it is back to our rooms for a little evening work out, reading, and lights out.

Days all run together during the week especially because I teach the same lesson around 12 times.  My weekends are much more enjoyable and fun to write about.  I am just a teacher in a middle school five days out of the week.  

Even though I am still three weeks away from my return trip, I am starting to get eager to return.  I've booked my hotel in Shanghai to stay in on Friday before my Saturday flight.  I am also trying to figure out how to bring back the stuff I bought!!!  As exciting and wonderful as this trip is, it really makes me appreciate Montana.  

Here are some more pretty flowers from this weekend!

It Feels Like Summer

It's been awhile since my last post because not a lot has been happening aside from school. It is really starting to warm up here with temperatures in the 70's. Currently is it 88. Frances and I biked down to a cafe that has great gelato and we are spending the afternoon staying cool and working on school stuff.

After an average week of teaching, Frances and I went to a little place called La Luna that is right on the lake. We enjoyed some cool drinks and got some sunshine (I even got a little sunburn but after a long winter in Montana it felt spectacular).

Exactly Half Way!

Today is the exact half way point of my trip.   I have been here for 32 days and will return home in 32 days.  When I first arrived here over a month ago, scared and completely out of my comfort zone, I though it would take forever to start thinking about the end, and even though I still have a month to go, I am so proud of myself for doing so well. 

With that, a few interesting things have happened since yesterday's post.  After my wonderful hike, I came back to the school to get ready for what I though was a test proctoring.  One of the first grade teachers walked me a few blocks to a university building where I found out that what I was doing was reading dialogues while being recorded.  These recordings will be used for the high school entrance exams for the ENTIRE COUNTRY!!  Another college student from San Francisco was there and we spent thirty minutes reading the most boring scripts while trying not to just lose it and start laughing.  I got through it and actually got paid for my time! 

That money was just burning a hole in my pocket so after dinner Frances and I trundled off to the night market for some shopping.  If I haven't already explained it, night market is this huge outdoor market set up every night where vendors come and sell practically everything from socks, to clothes, to jewelry, to designer purses (but very fake).  It is always busy but a fun experience.  I found a few great little things and used my bartering skills to get great deals.   I also ate the best pad thai.  It was just spectacular.  Freshly cut noodles and a mix of sauces and fresh ingredients!! All for about $1.40.  I am getting really used to this deliciously cheap food.  

Already in Week Five!

I can't believe I am already in the fifth week of my time here in Hangzhou. As time goes on here I am starting to further explore the surrounding areas such as Beishan Mountain that looks over West Lake. Since I had today off due to the strange holiday weekend (I had school on Sunday but not today).

After a little early morning workout with Frances on the canal near our school, I grabbed breakfast at the school and packed up for a little morning trip to the mountain. I hopped on a red bike and rode as close to the lake I could before my bike chain broke so I turned in my bike and walked the rest of the way. As most of the maps are in Chinese, I had a difficult time deciding which path to take up. After taking a few hundred steps up to the top of the mountain, I came across a huge temple that you can see from miles around. The architecture is just amazing!

The Art of Making Tea

Today has been one of the most wonderful and authentic experiences I've had since coming to China. 

During her home visit, Frances stayed with a family who had a connection to a tea farmer close to town.  The Dad invited us out to spend the day picking tea and learning about how green tea is processed.  We lucked out with the weather and were able to go today. 

The dad and daughter picked us up and we headed west about 30 minutes to the more rural part of town.  The landscape is covered in tea plants, which look like leafy, well-groomed bushes.  When we arrived at the farmer's home, we were treated to tea drinking as well as some snacks of fruit (very exotic fruit) and sunflower seeds. 

The four of us headed out (well walked down the road for a few minutes) until we came to the farmer's tea plants.  We learned what to look for when picking.  The little leaves are the best.  We spent an hour picking and didn't have too much to show for it but it was enough for us.  Many workers were in the field.  The father informed us that workers come out and pick all day for a pay of 150 RMB (which is about $25 USD).

We returned to the house for a wonderful and huge lunch of about 11 dishes ranging from bamboo to fish and even pig's tongue.  They were all very good and filling. 

The father showed us a park  area and Frances and myself spent about two hours exploring the paths and finally found a stairway that goes over the mountain.  We didn't have enough time to climb over the top but we will surely return another day.  Being out of the city did wonders for my sinuses!  We also had a great time looking at all the landscaping and statues that seem to be everywhere. 

After our climb we headed back to the farmer's house to see how the tea leaves are processed. They had spent some time drying already but they were then put into a drying bin for about ten minutes to get the rest of the moisture out.  From there they went into another hot drum to be hand pressed.  They were then ready for drinking!! The farmer packaged them for us to be shared between Frances and me at a special time.  


The farmer and his family also gifted us with a package of tea.  Green tea comes in many varieties but we specifically picked West Lake Long Jing, which we are told is the best and very healthy.  I also bought two more packages to bring back and share with my family and friends in Montana.  

With the day closing in, we were driven back to the school happy, full, and with much tea to share.  Today was so relaxing and invigorating.  Tomorrow (which is Sunday) we have classes again but I am feeling great and ready to continue with my time here.  China can get quite overwhelming at times with all the people and the feeling of being an outsider and not being able to understand what anyone is saying, but experiences like today make me feel truly happy and blessed that I am able to be here and experience a completely different culture. 

The Art of Tea

Today has been one of the most wonderful and authentic experiences I've had since coming to China.

During her home visit, Frances stayed with a family who had a connection to a tea farmer close to town. The Dad invited us out to spend the day picking tea and learning about how green tea is processed. We lucked out with the weather and were able to go today.

The dad and daughter picked us up and we headed west about 30 minutes to the more rural part of town. The landscape is covered in tea plants, which look like leafy, well-groomed bushes. When we arrived at the farmer's home, we were treated to tea drinking as well as some snacks of fruit (very exotic fruit) and sunflower seeds.

Just Blame it on the Internet (This Post is a little late)

I was recently informed that I didn't post since March 27th which really confused me because I posted about last weekend and my home visit.  Well evidently my post didn't go through so here it is 5 days late…. 

This weekend was my home visit with one of my sixth grade students named Helen.  It was a fun experience to see what life was in a Chinese home.

Students are picked up from school on Friday afternoons.  Helen and I were picked up by her father who is an engineer and driven by their driver to her grandparent's home north of Hangzhou. It was my first time in a Chinese home and some of the customs were very new to me like wearing slippers when going into different rooms.  We just relaxed until dinner which was served on the round spinning lazy susan with many dishes including pork, beef, vegetables, rice, and fish.  The meal was very filling and different from the foods I have been eating at the school and at restaurants.  We were joined at dinner by Helen's parents, aunt and her two daughters, and grandparents. 

After dinner we went to the cinema to see The Great and Powerful Oz.  It was so enjoyable to get a full two hours of English!!!! There were Chinese subtitles but listening to English made me so happy. 

We retured to Helen's grandparents' house to sleep.  They set me up in my own room which was very big!  I had a full night of sleep and woke early (like I seem to do almost everyday). 

The next morning Helen's grandmother made me homemade dumplings which I love!!! They are served with vinegar.  After a full bowl we headed out to an older part of town on a canal.  There were many shops and Helen's family spoiled me by buying me a bag of Chinese sweets like peanut clusters and sweet breads.  

A Holiday Weekend in Hangzhou

Another very short weekend has come and gone at New Century. This weekend is Tomb Sweeping holiday in China so our week was only three days long. Since we have no school on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday (but we do have school on Sunday) we have had a lot of time to further explore the Hangzhou area.

After a fun night of Mexican food at a nice little place called The Maya, we woke up early on Thursday for a Tour de West Lake on the rental bikes. These bikes are not the best by any means, but a fun and cheap way to get away.

We worked our way around the lake, stopping at different points of interest including the West Lake Museum (where we finally found out that West Lake is a naturally occurring swamp but that people have scooped out the silt to make it a lake). Once again, we were the center of attention and many people asked to take pictures of me because of the blonde (or yellow as they see it) hair. My new way to combat this is to also take pictures of them. It is quickly becoming a fun game.