Hangzhou is a very cosmopolitan city with lovely architecture and areas of great natural beauty. (As we drove through the city that morning, however, we weren’t able to fully appreciate it until a day or two later.) We drove through the school gates past impressive academic and administrative buildings. Founded in 1899 Hangzhou High School is considered one of the best private high schools in the Zhejiang Province. With over 2,000 students, some 175 faculty members and a rigorous curriculum, it more closely resembles a university or college than a high school.
We were delighted to find our Hangzhou Exchange Students, Sunny, Jason, Mia and Rosella, were there to greet us with lovely bouquets of flowers. We were escorted to the main conference room where we were introduced to some of the key staff and administration and treated to several videos presentations about the history of the high school and it’s impressive achievements and alumni. After a welcoming address by their Vice Principal, we were presented with gifts including Hangzhou High School Jackets which are worn by all students. (Interestingly enough, their school colors are also blue and white!)
Our next stop was at my “teacher’s” apartment a short walk from the school campus. When we arrived the superintendent was busily working on final details to ready it for occupation - specifically, a new dead-bolt for the door. It is a two bedroom apartment (I use the second bedroom for storage.) with a living room, kitchen, laundry and bathroom. As a end unit on the 7th floor, it has views of the city to the North, South and West. It is very spacious and the administrative staff from the high school had stocked it with everything one needs to “set up house” including new towels, a toothbrush and toothpaste, detergent/soap, bottled water, instant Nescafe, tea and a packages of croissants and little sweet breads to “tide me over” until I get to the store.
After everyone left, I explored all the nooks and crannies and found a wide array of things left by previous teachers including: a 10 foot long wall hanging with Chinese characters which I hope say something nice, assorted wrapping paper, ribbon and tape, a green and yellow bear night-light, a copy of “One Hundred Years of Solitude”, “Beginner’s Chinese with 2 Audio CDs”, an assortment of dishes, utensils and cookware, about 10 sets of chop sticks and…for reasons unknown…about seven empty tea set presentation boxes.
I was picked up later that night by Tracy, the Hangzhou teacher who visited in 2016, for dinner and a trip to the supermarket. Her charming daughter, Wendy, accompanied us and we all had a wonderful time catching up and hearing about life in Hangzhou.
Well, better close here. Tomorrow is Monday and I am to be at the 7:30 AM weekly meeting of all students and staff at the soccer field. In the afternoon, I’ll “teach” my first classes here in Hangzhou. I will be making a presentation and then helping students practice their English in 2 English classes per day. (On Tuesday I’ll present to 4 classes.) There will be about 40-50 students in each class and I hope they enjoy the class! I’ll let you know how it goes!
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