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Published: March 22nd 2009
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Song and Dance
Outside the park people are "exercising" by dancing and singing to some music A few of my students wanted to invite me out over the weekend. Originally I *thought we were going to journey somewhere to see the Pear Blossoms, but either I was confused or they changed their minds. We ended up taking a cab about 10 minutes away to a nice park. The name of it I think involves a B, I, G, and U-maybe an O in there somewhere, but it is the place to go on weekends to relax and kick back. It's very large with lots of walking trails and benches to sit and relax. There is a nice river way passing through the park and rocks with poetry etched into them. The most popular activity is to sit and drink tea and play cards or maj jong (which I saw many people doing). So after walking through the various paths and admiring the sunny day (only slightly humid and about 75 degrees) we come upon the 'watersports' area. There are these giant clear balls that kids can climb into and run around on the water in!! It was probably the most fantastic *toy I've ever seen!! I was so excited; my students asked if I could get in
funny sign...
basically, it says 'please stay off the grass' one, but sadly, I'm not a 45 pound child...So we settled for activity #2, which was rowing around the pond. The five of us climb into the boat and set off. There were two types of boats; one was covered and had swan or duck heads on the front and you paddled with your feet or the second type, a rowboat. Being that we were in an open top rowboat, I was quickly the object of affection for many children. They began ramming our boat and yelling 'hullo!!' and 'see ya!!' Very cute...for the first 2 minutes. Then it got a little absurd. At one point, we were being rammed by 4 swan boats full of screaming children, which then caused a traffic jam for all the other boats attempted to float by. And then everyone on shore and the bridges had to turn and stare at the debauchery unfolding on the pond.
Once we made it off the water, Sophie (my student), had to dash off to meet her uncle. The remaining 4 of us continued to walk around until we received a phone call from Sophie saying her uncle would like us to join them for dinner.
So we jump in a cab and head back to the school, we meet a few more of my students and walk across the street to the restaurant. I meet Sophie's uncle, a Chinese businessman, and we sit down to dinner. My students and I take one room and Sophie's uncle and business associates take another room. From there we wait for the 20 or so food dishes to arrive. Sophie was very good about ordering me vegetable and tofu dishes and it was all very delicious. The oddest thing at the table was cow stomach, which are white stringy things. Then she ordered some rare mushrooms that are only found in the Sichuan providence, which tasted like...mushrooms. It was a very nice dinner and of course was then invited back to Sophie’s uncle’s home town (which apparently is the home of tofu!! So I will probably have to check that out). Adventures for this upcoming week include a trip to the police station in downtown Chengdu! I guess I have to register as being here in China…or something. Either way, adventure.
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