Let me comment on some additional impressions: All streets were very clean, though it will take some time for the waterways and canals to be cleaned from hundreds of years of pollution and neglect. Travelling through the country-side between Nanjing-Suzhou-Shanghai, in Jiangsu Province, I noticed an immense amount of tree-planting. An enormous, noticeably- enormous, amount of young trees are beeing added to the trees, that have survived a turbulent Chinese history. When one is poor and cold, both, man and nature suffer. The road and super-highway-system, and super-bridge [View Full Entry]

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As a retiring Foreign Language Teacher in Florida, it was not possible for me to refuse a teaching-contract at Taizhou Normal (Teachers) College in Jiangsu Province, China for June 2006. This reality pre-occupies me as I leave Coral Gables Sr. H.S. every school day, and I know, I will truly miss the special people I am privileged to work with. The loss of my "students" after so many years will be irreplaceable, for how does one replace a "treasure". Maintaining this travel-blog is becoming a therapeutic exercise and provides personal encouragement. It also privides an avenue for my fa [View Full Entry]

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A number of you have asked me for some additional information on how to search for further information regarding the teaching of English at Taizhou Normal College in Jiangsu Province, China. Please take a few minutes and take a look at the College's Website: http://www.tzsz.net or contact Mr. Arthur Lee of the International Exchanges and Cooperation Department: arthurlee65@yahoo.com.cn The school's Website contains great information, photos of the campus, and other relevant statistics. You are also welcome to contact me personally here in Florida at: s_hans@bellsouth.net [View Full Entry]

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Thought I would continue my previous entry about my visit to China this past summer. No doubt, there are some of you who might consider a similar adventure, preparing to teach in China after retirement, and I would like to give as much encouragement as possible. I have heard from individuals, who are presently involved in teaching English in various places in China, and I have great appreciation for all of the commentary. Please keep the many comments coming, and feel free to quiz me on any of your thoughts and concerns. ..... My first day in China was filled [View Full Entry]

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Having visited China in July of 2005, I am giving thought to some of the challenges that will face me as I prepare the journey. No book I have read about China, nor any conversations I have had with Chinese Nationals in Miami prepared me for that first visit. Perception will never equate to the reality surrounding a foreigner on first arrival. I was not attached to any tour group, but made a personal visit and so was given the opportunity of a very personal experience. There was no set schedule, only the one agreed to by Mr. Lee and [View Full Entry]

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2006 has officially arrived in Miami, Florida. As always, the weather is sunny and warm, perfect for the many tourists from around the world, all recovering from a strenuous night. But for me it is the official beginning of my travel and work plans to China. Within a few weeks I have to make the deposit for the Freighter ANL GEORGIA, where a few cabins are available for passenger-travel from the East Coast of the US via Panama Canal to Hong Kong, China. Because my teaching contract is for a year, I will now have to make visa arrangements with [View Full Entry]

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This will become the adventure of my life-time. Retirement commences this New Year. I have loved my job as a Foreign Language Teacher for the past 38 years, but the time has come for me to decide the direction of my life's journey, and perhaps it will develop as the journey of my life. This past year has brought me to this point of preparations: 1. Voyage as a passenger on a Freighter from the Port of Miami to N.Y. to Kingston on through the Panama Canal to Korea and ending in Shanghai/Hong Kong, a journey of 35 days. (June [View Full Entry]

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