A-begging I will go

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Photos:

…..there seem to be more beggars on the streets of Yangzhou lately. Some say they are not really in need & make a good living out of filling up their plastic cups with coins. I'm sure some, the obviously lame, deformed & disfigured can't be having an easy time in a communist country where it's every man & woman for his or her self, there appears to be very little provision made to look after the unfortunates who just can't work. Full marks to the young man with a grotesquely deformed head, set up near the centre of town on a Saturday night with a microphone & amplifier & singing ballads in a quite sweet voice to the crowds passing by Wenchang Ge.....

…..my students are getting the message. If you don't turn up for detention you get to come the following evening, with the possibility of a second one to follow. I'm advancing slowly to the stage where glancing around the class & writing names of those who can't bear to listen for more than 15 seconds is beginning to work &, while by no means perfect, it's getting better. Easier on the vocal chords too.....

…..we have the first of the special “Elite” classes tomorrow, (Sunday), to train the best of the English speakers from the Middle & High school in discussion & debate. Mike, John & I are the vanguard in an attempt by the school to create a group who will not only bring in some extra income for the school, (& us!), but will prepare the ones likely to study overseas for the type of speaking & thinking they'll have to do to survive in a western educational environment where there's not so much rote learning & memorisation but more discussion & creative thinking involved, something the Chinese educational system doesn't excel at.....

…..winter draws on. The evenings are getting really cold & the padded, hooded coat has had its first outing this season, as has my beanie. Even more incentive to organise a trip to the tropical south this coming Chinese New Year holiday. I must contact my new friend from Hunan province, the Public Prosecutor whose energetic 80 year old father accompanied us on that most strenuous walk among the peaks of Hua Shan, in Shaanxi province during the summer break. It'll make an interesting halfway break in a very long train journey.....

…..hey, I don't have much to add this week so I'm not going to say any more, other than, if you're after a Christmas gift idea there are calendars available to be bought & shipped to a recipient of your choice, (including yourself!). Just click on:



Click on the calendars to flick through each month's pictures.

…..having seen our English English teacher, George, making a beeline for Maccas at every opportunity the following article struck a chord:

Most Brits shun local cuisine on holiday

November 25, 2011, 1:59 pm Yahoo! New Zealand

We all know the British aren't the most adventurous travellers, but a new survey reveals just how much they like their home comforts.

A survey by Dubai Tourism has found 65 percent of holidaymakers from the UK will make a beeline for the nearest familiar fast food chain and more than half completely boycott local food, the Daily Mail reports.

Two thirds of those questioned say they refuel at KFC, Burger King or McDonalds and 59 percent admit they completely avoid the foreign cuisine.

Half will opt for the staple Irish or British pubs for a beer rather than try out a friendly local.

And 29 percent say fear of the local food strongly influences their decisions on where they holiday; Japanese and Middle Eastern food appears to be the most intimidating.

Dubai Tourism's UK and Ireland director Ian Scott says it is a shame British travellers are so weary of treating their tastebuds to something new.

"We understand it can feel overwhelming to try new food but by not branching out, holidaymakers are not only missing out on exciting and delicious culinary delights, but also from experiencing local culture."

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Photos

Street food
Spoilt for choice

Tailors Shop, Caiyi Lu
Helping Jenna to buy a new winter coat with my limited Chinese

Chinese Lanterns
Near a Laoma restaurant

Cool hair
...and earmuffs

Mobile workshop, Siwanting Lu
Get your bike fixed as you wait

Street food
So much food, so many slim people

New band, Gloria Jeans
Trying out a new Chinese band

Wenchang Ge
The centre of Yangzhou at night

Comments

[Jane Manifold]

Good to hear...
As usual it is good to hear from you Dave.... And I like the photos too. Have a great Xmas. Cheers, Jane