Day one in Nanjing

Wow, what a day! So to pick up where I left off...after breakfast we took to the streets. I thought that I was in the company of a few Nanjing frequenters...turns out that this was a new experience for the entire group. Ming is questionable since he did come on this trip last year with the same program...but if you know Ming at all...it is safe to say that we were all on our own out there. We walked all around (with a map) and stumbled across some beautiful parks and temples and also found some very "local" flare along the way. We were getting a lot of stares...saying something along the lines of "we dont see many of you around these parts." We were off the beaten path if you will. But, it produced some great photos and some even better memories. One memory in particular...while we were walking along on the side of the street (sidewalks are hard to come by in some parts) we saw a few little boys playing. Iwould put them no older than 6 and they started to run and hide from us. As we were passing them they jumped out and started yelling. The funny part came when they followed us...got in the middle of us...then started to SCREAM at the top of their lungs. I could not get my camera out fast enough to video tape it but it was classic!

We got back to our rooms with about 2 hours before we had to meet to go to our first meeting with the JIE (Jiangsu Insititue of Education) administrators. I wanted to badly to take a nap but I had a powerpoint presentation to finish...or basically start if I am being honest. So, i worked the whole time...threw on a nice shirt...some make-up and headed out the door.

I was VERY nervous about this meeting/meal. The meeting was fine. A little strange to get used to the constant translating, but nice. They had a photographer with us the whole time to document the event. It was clear that they were very happy to be hosting our visit. We had banners that welcomed us at the entrance to the building as well as inside the building. So, after the meeting we make our way to the building that will host our meal. Along the way we were educated on some of the history of the campus and the buildings. There was the one building that I have wanted a picture of (with my finger on top...see previous blog entry) but all day we could never get a good vantage point. So, while we were walking the campus...there it was...the perfect vantage point for this picture...BUT we were with the administrators and would be totally inappropriate to do something as silly as taking this picture...but when they over heard us talking they were very interested in this picture so we took the picture (multiple time since people in my group cann ot seem to take the most simple picture...LOL) We had to try like times and still did not wind up with a good shot, but I will post them just to proove my point that Ming and Martin are very poor photographers when it comes to fingers on buildings shots anyway.

So, my anxiety is rising as we get closer to banquet hall...I am turning flush and I am getting a little dizzy and I am thinking that there is no way that I am going to make it through this meal. Just as I guess the panic was setting in on my face, my dear dear friends Ming and Martin proceed to make fun of me...saying TD...TD...standing for travelers diarrhea. So so funny boys. The table and the room were beautiful! They started with the alcohol...a special "wine" made in Nanjing that is 45% alcohol. HAHA...fat chance I was going anywhere near that stuff...so thankfully I am on medication that suggests I do not mix with alcohol. I have never been so happy for this excuse in my life. It is tradition to toast everyone and everything and everyone again and so on. The hosts would go around the table and toast each person individually. They had to fill this little shot glass and go "bottoms up" to complete the toast. I did it...just with OJ :) The food was traditional Chinese food and it was everything I had fears and more. To make t he situation more intimidating, I was sitting next to Dr. Hua...one of our hosts and the dean of the department of science and education at JIE. Turned out that it was wonderful sitting next to him and he did not presure me to eat anything I wasnot comfortable with, but he did want it to sample everything. I sampled about 40% of it and was VERY proud that I did that!!! There was laughter and good food and great company and a wonderful introduction to the JIE administration and to the Chinese culture.

It is 8:40pm right now and my bed has never looked so good so I am posting this entry then hitting the sack for a GIANT day tomorrow. We are leaving Nanjing and traveling to Wuxi and I am not sure if I will have internet there, so my next post might not be until Thursday night (my time).

Cheers!

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