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Four outdoor basketball courts! And NOBODY can slamdunk :(
The building behind me dates back to 1366!!! It's the other side of the courtyard in which I'm staying now, which also has an exercise gym, football pitch, FOUR outdoor basketball courts, a badmington court, athletic climbing frames (woo!) and tabletennis rooms! All enclosed in one historic compound, where nothing ever changes. WooHoo!
I've managed to add this town into this website, and I feel all proud..
Seeing as I lived here 16 years ago, lots of the retired teachers seem to expect me to remember them!
C'mon, I was three years old!
I feel a bit strange about constantly being praised about things I feel I have (or had) no influence/control over -such as my height, (I seem to tower over most chinese) and my English, which I was inevitably going to pick up, seeing as that's where I grew up.
Things I actually worked for (like exams, extra-currricular activities and voluntary work) amount to little, which might say something about the nature of life.. if I wasn't heading back to the world of CV's and Degrees, in September.
The place itself is beautiful, but none of the wealth and commerce of Shenzhen. My family have been having breakfast at the same noodle shack for half a century, and they took me there this morning. Apparently I really missed their rice noodles (
mi fen) when I first arrived in England.
Well, it was delicious, but it was the kind of place the travel guides tell you to stay away
History repeats itself
Apparently I used to sit on that stone dragon all those years ago, as a 3yr old. I couldn't resist.. from, for hygeine purposes..
An unexpected excursion was a VIP invitation to view a local animal museum -the animals are real, passed on by zoos when they die, and it was cool to be able to touch what would usually be behind security glass. Pandas are ^not^ cuddly, their skin is quite coarse! They just look cute.
Later I played tabletennis and basketball, although i'm being exploited by professor Wang (think of the guy from tekken, but also happens to be an expert tabletennis player. I've never seen an eighty year old with a six pack before!) to teach his grandson English. >.<
I'm also experiencing that sense of deference to elders often spoken of by my parents -A kid is nothing here, ignored or pushed aside at leisure, let alone allowed an opinion of their own, and every time there are odd numbers in the tabletennis room, I'm only allowed a rally when someone is tired or getting changed, and only AFTER i've taught Wang's grandson some English. I had the privilege of 15 whole minutes today, :S
I've spared you the pictures of people making a living out of collecting used plastic bottles and
Meet Roxy, my pet Tigris Pantheris!
This was pretty amazing, being able to touch a real tiger. I love those creatures. Does everybody know that I was born in the year of the tiger? The Chinese have a special respect for them, as the chinese character for King (Wang) can be found on it's forehead, thus crowning it king of the animal kingdom. whole familes living in a shack, but still generous enough to offer me sliced watermelon.
Instead, enjoy some more scenic ones of China that Chairman Mao* would be proud to see distributed.
I've just watched the news, and it seems there are two escaped Tigers roaming Tai Shan, which I'm planning to climb next month, nice! They better not catch them before I get there!
Finally, Because I had a little extra time, I've written a little note to most of you that have left comments, and will do so again when I can. Watch this space!
Everyone, thanks for the comments, I think it's a great idea too, and it's really nice to get everyone's comments like this. I can't wait to and see you all again and share my new dvds with everyone!
James B, I haven't had any kung fu training yet actually, as my teacher seems to have a cold. hum. but basketball is happening every day, tho i tend to spend a lot of time watching, as i don't have a ball here. and nor do i understand Xiangtan-speak, this wierd dialect that not even my grandparents can speak.
RAAAAAAAAAA
RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! How's things? we haven't had a chance to catch up in a while, hope everything is going ok. How were the exams?
James M, let us each begin our influence upon the modern world from our home countries! And so it begins...
Hai Li, I'm glad we're able to chat on msn, since the time difference means that only ppl that sign in at strange times will see me online!
Frederique, your comments are obscure and their meanings are clouded. Can't wait to see you again so you can explain them to me. keem em coming!
Suzy, i know we haven't kept in touch much, but we gotta meet up sometime ok? i saw u on James M's msn space too, and is the killbordum forum still up? and how's Marwa? And yes, both comments came up, they just don't get displayed until i acknowledge them. ha, power!
Andy, China is brilliant for travelling, but every experience is different. how about Australia or New Zealand? or Europe, for Easyjet air fares? I can't get enough of travelling!
Kiet, how's it going? i've stil got pics of that night u got utterly smashed, wanna see?
Harmony
This is the lake in Xiangtan. Look how beautiful this place is -It's really worth having a look at the full size picture, to really appreciate it. Much more scenic than the Thames in London, isn't it? Then again, I'm an excellent photographer.
:P and what's Guild Wars like?
Faiza, thanks for the advice, where are you now? Crawley? Pakistan?
Ben P, i see no reason to disappear from view, philosophical or otherwise, and hence i'll keep those thoughts coming! i'm particularly looking forward to experiencing the sunrise on each of my 8 mountains.
Mya, yes, the sky is pink! it's not an effect on my digital camera lens caused by excess glare from sunlight, it's really pink!
Jez, i have a few "interesting things to marvel and gawp at", don't worry! glad to hear from you, and sorry for not returning those dvds for so long!
Cheng Pei, it was great meeting you and Bo Jia, and thanks again for those pictures. Please thank your dad for me as well. It's amazing to see things that I never expected to see, and I'm sure that despite watching western tv or films you would find lots of things abroad strange and surprising as well! I'll be sure to put more such things on the site, as i find them.
Louis, I'm glad you found the site interesting, as I knew there were a couple of ppl I had forgot to tell about the blog. When you do go travelling, maybe a bunch of us can go together!
All of you, please keep those comments coming!
*hey, the guy was born around here! Just like me! wait, is that a good thing? History has yet to decide..
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James B
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Four courts!
Four basketball courts, thats more than the whol of Cambridge I think. Exams went ok, got a 2nd class overall. Am well pleased. Play loads of basketball, as will I and then when you return I will challenge you to a showdown! Have a great trip. James