February 2008

Kia ora all!!

I've been meaning to write a group email for some considerable time now. I am in Zhongshan city in China, if you didn't know, and I am loving every moment of it. I left on February 18 to arrive in Hong Kong city where I stayed a night before making my way to this small city of four million. Hong kong's cool as. Lots of people and foreigners and lights. I'm sure I'll go there some more tis year! I arrived on Tuesday 19th via a ferry to Zhongshan where I was greeted by a number of teachers from the school I am teaching at, and important figures in Education. I am teaching at the Zhongshan Experimental Primary School (www.zssy.net) where I am teaching mainly 6 and
7 year olds basic English.

So many aspects of this culture have amazed me. On Thursday 21st I took part in the annual Zhongshan charity march. It was mazing!!! We walked for perhaps 4 kms to arrive at the stadium where the most amazing concert I have ever seen occurred. This concert had everything from 400 people fan dancing in synchronization!! This was soo cool as when they opened their fans the collective effort created a booming noise!! There was also some fantastic kung fu. I wanna learn some I think? The dragons were amazing. The field was
filled with people dressed up in specific colours running to specific postions creating the most amazing effects. The costumes were amazing!! I tell you what, this Olympics I am sure will have the best opening ceremony of any Olympics ever!! I tell you this now. I was just amazed and buzzing in my seat watching this most amazing concert for charity!!!

Just today I also climbed Dagun mountain. I know I have spelt that wrong but it is something like that. It was pretty amazing but I think when you compare it to the bush walks of New Zealand your almost comparing oranges with apples. As nice as it was I think I appreciate more just how beautiful NZ is. Fresh air is something I definitely took for granted back home. NZ has such a crisp air which I didn’t really notice til I came here. Although Zhongshan is way better than most cities!

I am loving the friendly nature of these people. There isn't a heck of a lot of foreigners. More and more you notice when there is a foreigner because it is soo weird to see. It's strange to think that I am the first foreigner many kids from the school would have seen!! In NZ we often go on about diversity until we go crazy but I so think that diversity is something we ought to cherish so much. NZ is a place where the world comes together. I am beginning to realize how awesome it has been for me to have grown up with people of various nationalities.

I don't know really what else to say! Everything here is ridiculously cheap!! I got me a mean pair of Pumas for 10 bucks!! Score!! Food is just crazily cheap. I'm eating soo many dumplings I swear its bad for me. There is a place near where I am living which does mean dumplings for 3 yuan, which is like 80c. So sweet!!!

I am doing lots of thinking which you might be surprised to hear!! Stuff about equality of people and other big topics. A lot of my own values are being challenged and I am also starting to open my eyes up to perhaps the not so perfect aspects of life.

But all in all, this decision to come to China is definitely paying off. I do plan to go to Uni next year but this is the most perfect way to spend my time between high school and Uni!! I am learning heaps about myself and others and just enjoying my life soo much!! Thanks soo much for all the support back home. Knowing I have the support is probably what is making this experience so memorable!!

Your Chinese Mate,
Sam Jackson.

Btw the following is an email I received. It cracked me up!! Oh and I bought
an electric bike!! It’s wicked as!!!

Dear Sir samuell jackson
We are your admirers(fans) from Bulgaria - a little country from South-East
Europe with friendly people and beautiful nature.You are very famous in
Bulgaria.(You have a lot of fans in Bulgaria.).We are delighted with yours
unforgettable characters in films like ……….. .We would be grateful if You
have a little time for correspondence.We like to have your photos or some
materials from your recent films.
We wish You success in your future work.

Sincerely,
Name:[blank]
Address:Bulgarian
e-mail:[blank@blank]

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