(Ms. Arkin)
“Ni Hao” really goes a long way. Whenever I see people and they look at me sternly, I just say in my best pronunciation possible, “Ni Hao” and their facial expressions soften immediately. They say, “Ni Hao” or “Hello” or even start a conversation with me. Sometimes people try to start a conversation with me in Chinese and then I just say “Wo bu mingbai” ( I don’t understand) and they laugh and smile warmly. I think just the effort of saying hello to people in their own language is appreciated.
Today was my first day by myself in Hangzhou. It is strange to suddenly switch from non-stop activities to all of a sudden being on my own! I like being by myself though, so I enjoy the opportunity and challenge of exploring a foreign city on my own. I am still trying to get my bearings and figure out what is around me (shops, restaurants, cafes, etc.) and how to get there (and back). For those who know me, you know that my sense of direction is somewhat compromised - to put it mildly. I wish I could implant a GPS system into my brain so I wouldn’t get lost so much. Actually, today I did not get lost at all, but I’ll admit I was not very daring in my ventures. I remember when I was in Bangkok two summers ago and it took me three days of solo venturing to get up the courage to take a motorcycle taxi. But after 2 weeks there, I was perfectly comfortable taking taxis and the subway and somehow making myself understood. I am sure I just need a little more time in Hangzhou to feel the same way. Although, it seems there was much more English spoken and written in Thailand. Here, very little is written in English (signs, maps, menus, etc.) except numbers. Anyhow, I am getting sidetracked.
I made my way out of the apartment around 11:30am. It was nice finally being able to sleep lateJ. No matter what time zone I am in, or how hard I try to overcome this, I will never be a morning person. I am entirely sure of it. Anyhow, I explored the “warehouse” marketplace across the street from the school where they have all sorts of stuff from functional clothing to souvenirs to household supplies. Of course, you need to bargain and I really wasn’t in the mood. I find it hard to bargain when things are less than a dollar to begin with. But I also know they see a westerner and quote me a price 3 times the regular price. It is annoying that they don’t put price tags on the merchandise so that it would it at least level the playing field from which to start!
After my marketplace adventure I walked around a few blocks and found a bakery that I liked (made a mental of note of how to get there). Then I went to school to get my bike (which I left there yesterday after the field trip) and went for a long bike ride. I decided to try to find the big grocery store that Rose took me to, so I could get some more diet coke and also be comforted in the fact that I could get there on my own. It was much quicker on the bike. I found a drug store which I didn’t go into, but think might be the place for the headache pills.
News about Hangzhou and China
Pertinent news about Hangzhou and China from the Shanghai Daily
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Hangzhou - First Impressions
(Ms. Arkin)
Where do I begin? I have been in Hangzhou for 3 days now. I think. I am losing track of time and the days of the week are beginning to blur together. I guess I’ll back up and start with the 24 hour train ride from Xi’an to Hangzhou. Ugh. I have to admit I was DREADING this. 24 hours cooped up anywhere but at home with TV, phone and internet is way too long for me. Anyhow, the train station was an experience in itself. Our guide, Richard, tipped one of the station employees 100 yuan (about 13 dollars) to help us get all of our bags onto the train (we have a lot of bags….heavy bags) in time. The trains don’t stop long at each station and masses of people charge onto the train so you have to be quick, tough and very pushy. Anyhow, the young man that Richard tipped was delighted to take on this task. He kept holding up the money and admiring it, then putting it in his pocket and taking it out again. He did a good job – he plowed through the crowd carrying two huge suitcases and arranged them all in the cabin so we could have space for our feet. Well not to bore you with the train details as there is really not much to say. Fortunately, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. I read a book, did cryptoquotes, ate junk food (unfortunately I ate all my food in the first two hours) and slept. Before I knew it. we were there. No one on the train spoke English so we were lucky we noticed that we pulled in to Hang zhou station about 35 minutes early. We shlepped our suitcases down two flights of stairs and nobody was there to greet usL.
After about 5 minutes of standing in one place, we were swarmed by the Hangzhou High School welcoming crew. DS has some competition here in Hangzhou when it comes to hospitality. I have never felt so welcome to be anywhere in my life. We all got huge bouquets of flowers and our bags were whisked away by other people so all we had to carry was our flowers. The host brothers and sisters were there to meet the kids and also many administrators from the school. It was a big flurry of commotion and soon enough we were on a warm bus on our way to lunch. Candice had a big smile when they came out with many baskets of French friesJ.
Where do I begin? I have been in Hangzhou for 3 days now. I think. I am losing track of time and the days of the week are beginning to blur together. I guess I’ll back up and start with the 24 hour train ride from Xi’an to Hangzhou. Ugh. I have to admit I was DREADING this. 24 hours cooped up anywhere but at home with TV, phone and internet is way too long for me. Anyhow, the train station was an experience in itself. Our guide, Richard, tipped one of the station employees 100 yuan (about 13 dollars) to help us get all of our bags onto the train (we have a lot of bags….heavy bags) in time. The trains don’t stop long at each station and masses of people charge onto the train so you have to be quick, tough and very pushy. Anyhow, the young man that Richard tipped was delighted to take on this task. He kept holding up the money and admiring it, then putting it in his pocket and taking it out again. He did a good job – he plowed through the crowd carrying two huge suitcases and arranged them all in the cabin so we could have space for our feet. Well not to bore you with the train details as there is really not much to say. Fortunately, it wasn’t as bad as I thought. I read a book, did cryptoquotes, ate junk food (unfortunately I ate all my food in the first two hours) and slept. Before I knew it. we were there. No one on the train spoke English so we were lucky we noticed that we pulled in to Hang zhou station about 35 minutes early. We shlepped our suitcases down two flights of stairs and nobody was there to greet usL.
After about 5 minutes of standing in one place, we were swarmed by the Hangzhou High School welcoming crew. DS has some competition here in Hangzhou when it comes to hospitality. I have never felt so welcome to be anywhere in my life. We all got huge bouquets of flowers and our bags were whisked away by other people so all we had to carry was our flowers. The host brothers and sisters were there to meet the kids and also many administrators from the school. It was a big flurry of commotion and soon enough we were on a warm bus on our way to lunch. Candice had a big smile when they came out with many baskets of French friesJ.
We went to the school and had a meeting with the principal who told us how happy they are for us to be here and how they want to do anything and everything to make our stay comfortable. After a tour of the school, Rose (an English teacher here) took me to a supermarket so I could buy some drinks and snacks to keep in the apartment. Then Rose and Wang Huo (also an English teacher) took me out for dinner for more food. Eventually I got to go to my apartment! I was a little worried when I first entered the building as there are no lights in the common areas (unless you know where the light switch on the wall is) and the cement hallways are dark and scary. But once you get in the apartment it is bright and cheery and warm. I haven’t spent much time here yet because as usual I am too busy. I have already had Chinese class, Handwriting class (flashbacks to elementary school), Physique (Chinese dance / boxing) and Hangzhou History. I will start to teach in the afternoons next week
Oh. The banquet. I can’t believe I almost forgot to mention the banquet. In addition to all of the welcoming attention we have received, we also had a formal banquet last night at another restaurant. The administrators went along with all of the host kids and some teachers. Once again too much food, but we also had wine . Mr. Hoover told me before I left that I should order wine. The reason…… whatever the guest of honor (yikes ME?) orders to drink, that is what everybody will drink. Apparently when Mr. Hoover ordered orange juice, there was some disappointment among the group. The principal made toasts through the entire evening and Naichuan (the exchange program coordinator) sat next to me and translated. He also coached me on some much needed proper etiquette as well as explaining things to me (like the constant toasting). The only thing he didn’t warn me about was the chicken head that I scooped out of the bowl of soup.
Everyone here is so nice and helpful. At school, I get breakfast lunch and dinner. The chef puts a whole festive display together at the table where we eat. While I appreciate the special treatment, I also feel bad because I don’t want to make a spectacle of myself. And when I am the only American eating breakfast in a cafeteria of Chinese people and my place setting has bright colored napkins fanned out of a glass along with paper umbrellas and long plastic curly straws with glitter trimmings, I feel like a spectacle. The chef is so cute though. He always comes to make sure I like the food and give thumbs up. The food is always good but he gives me too much and sometimes I don’t know what it is I am eating. Tonight I had chicken nuggets and ketchup. Big thumbs up!
I have been getting headaches for some reason and it is funny that no one in China that I have asked understands what Advil is. They don’t sell such products in convenient stores or even in huge supermarkets. I think they don’t get headaches here. Maybe I should drink more tea.
Hangzhou MARCH 9, 2007
I had handwriting and paper cutting classes today. They were fun but my hands were cold and my fine motor skills are pretty lousy to begin with. Oh well.
Today is International Woman’s Day. The school had a field day for all of the women teachers and I got to play badminton, jump rope, shoot baskets, pick up marbles with chopsticks and play hackey sack with a magnetic feather. I didn’t win anything but I got prizes for trying - pantyhose and dish towels. Then all the women teachers went on the bus to a fancy hotel for a huge buffet dinner to celebrate Woman’s Day some more. Helen (one of the English teachers who has been helping me with all of my questions) pulled me off the bus at the last minute and we got in a car with two computer teachers and drove to the restaurant. We drove through Hangzhou in a little red Chevy.
Hangzhou (Saturday, March 10, 2007)
I rode my bike to school at 8:30am to meet for the trip to the West Lake. I like riding a bike by myself in China. It makes me feel like I live here even though I can’t speak Chinese and my blonde frizzy mop hair is about as un-chinese as it could possibly be. Anyhow, I went to the Lake with all of the kids and their hosts (Tracy, Charles and Natalie). William (another English teacher) went too along with two of the school administrators in charge of student activities.
I have to admit, my cynicism led me to believe that the west lake was not going to be as beautiful as everyone says. I’ve heard and read so much about how gorgeous it is and read the famous quote so many times that compares the West Lake to “paradise on earth” that I was convinced I would be let down. Not true. It is stunningly beautiful. Even on a gray, dreary day like today. Some of the trees are just beginning to bloom. The willow trees are my favorite.
Everyone here is so nice and helpful. At school, I get breakfast lunch and dinner. The chef puts a whole festive display together at the table where we eat. While I appreciate the special treatment, I also feel bad because I don’t want to make a spectacle of myself. And when I am the only American eating breakfast in a cafeteria of Chinese people and my place setting has bright colored napkins fanned out of a glass along with paper umbrellas and long plastic curly straws with glitter trimmings, I feel like a spectacle. The chef is so cute though. He always comes to make sure I like the food and give thumbs up. The food is always good but he gives me too much and sometimes I don’t know what it is I am eating. Tonight I had chicken nuggets and ketchup. Big thumbs up!
I have been getting headaches for some reason and it is funny that no one in China that I have asked understands what Advil is. They don’t sell such products in convenient stores or even in huge supermarkets. I think they don’t get headaches here. Maybe I should drink more tea.
Hangzhou MARCH 9, 2007
I had handwriting and paper cutting classes today. They were fun but my hands were cold and my fine motor skills are pretty lousy to begin with. Oh well.
Today is International Woman’s Day. The school had a field day for all of the women teachers and I got to play badminton, jump rope, shoot baskets, pick up marbles with chopsticks and play hackey sack with a magnetic feather. I didn’t win anything but I got prizes for trying - pantyhose and dish towels. Then all the women teachers went on the bus to a fancy hotel for a huge buffet dinner to celebrate Woman’s Day some more. Helen (one of the English teachers who has been helping me with all of my questions) pulled me off the bus at the last minute and we got in a car with two computer teachers and drove to the restaurant. We drove through Hangzhou in a little red Chevy.
Hangzhou (Saturday, March 10, 2007)
I rode my bike to school at 8:30am to meet for the trip to the West Lake. I like riding a bike by myself in China. It makes me feel like I live here even though I can’t speak Chinese and my blonde frizzy mop hair is about as un-chinese as it could possibly be. Anyhow, I went to the Lake with all of the kids and their hosts (Tracy, Charles and Natalie). William (another English teacher) went too along with two of the school administrators in charge of student activities.
I have to admit, my cynicism led me to believe that the west lake was not going to be as beautiful as everyone says. I’ve heard and read so much about how gorgeous it is and read the famous quote so many times that compares the West Lake to “paradise on earth” that I was convinced I would be let down. Not true. It is stunningly beautiful. Even on a gray, dreary day like today. Some of the trees are just beginning to bloom. The willow trees are my favorite.
I had a really good day. We took little wooden boats to an island within the lake that has another lake within the island. It was very calm and relaxing. I like thatJ. Of course we had another feast for lunch! We went to a restaurant and had a private room and more food than you can imagine. I have learned the Chinese word for “full”.
I wish I spoke more Chinese but every time I try to say something in Chinese, people either answer me in English or have absolutely no clue what I said. It is hard being tone deaf and trying to learn a tonal language.
I wish I spoke more Chinese but every time I try to say something in Chinese, people either answer me in English or have absolutely no clue what I said. It is hard being tone deaf and trying to learn a tonal language.
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