Thoughts on a Sunday

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Hello residents of blog-land:

First off...Happy Mother's day 2006 to all the mother's out there! No offense to all the mother's reading this, but my mom is the world's best. (And since I'm on the other side of the world, I can definitely say that with some authenticity).

So....as I sit here at my computer on a beautiful Sunday day...I'm starting to reminisce about my time here in Beijing, and I offer you this anecdote for the day of how far I've come in four months.

I was sitting in the park next to my apartment, finishing up a John Grisham book I have been engrossed in. Out of the corner of my eye I see an old Chinese man very very slowly hobbling along. Sure enough he sits down next to me on the bench. I continue to read. (I only had 4 pages left and had to finish). Again, out out of my periphery, I see him check the luggage tag on my backpack. I finish the book, and then turn to him and offer him a smile and a warm "ni-hao."

Now...for the progress I've made. Admittedly, my Chinese is very poor. I'm precisely good in two situations...bargaining and food. This was not either of those situations. However, that being said, the truth is I understand a lot more than I let on. (Just because I can't speak, doesn't mean I don't know what's going on). Sorry to tell all you folks reading this who thought I was clueless, but I do understand. That being said, almost everything does go over my head, and I can occassionally pick up a word here and there, and even more rarely can respond. So....I used to be intimidated by situations like this....but no longer. The man starts talking to me. Bottom line, he spoke 10 words of English, and I spoke about the same amount of Chinese. However, I was able to garner the following info and relay sonme information as well by using my Chinese.

1. He was 78 years old and that I told him I was 27
2. I am a history teacher and he used to teach Chinese calligraphy
3. I am from Boston
4. He used to teach 12 year olds, and I too currently teach 12 year olds

My favorite part of the conversation was when he pulled out 2 Euro coins to show me. Why? I don't know. But he proudly pulled them and showed them. Interestingly, I happened to have a Massachusetts quarter on me for such and occasion and gave it to him. He was grateful for the addition to his collection. Following that he pulled out his water and giant brush and started showing me some caligraphy. He then pointed across the street and asked if I liked Beijing Roast Duck. I do, and in Chinese said "I love Beijing Roast Duck!" He was pleased with the Chinese and that I liked the food. As one couple passed by, he pulled them aside and explained my life story as if he and I had known each other for years, and I was some sort of grandson-like figure for him. It was funny. "He's a history teacher from America," he explained. In a bizarre, but touching moment, somewhere along the line he pulled out a handful of peanuts from his pocket and gave them to me to eat. He then taught me the word for peanut. (I played along because that is actually one of the few words I know. Remember....food and bargaining).

Before we departed I got a picture, and of course had given him my card. On the back of the card it has my given Chinese name. "Xiao Ming" or laughing brightness (don't ask). This always amuses the Chinese people I give the card to, not only because I even have a Chinese name...but that that is it. Usually they love it and it elicits laughter.

Okay,
Until Next Time,
Brett

ps....I will include photos of my apartment in this entry and next entry offer some explanations and anecdotes about my residence.

pps...please excuse any spelling mistakes on this entry...I fixed them and then had a saving problem with the entry.

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