#98 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (My colorful Spring-2008 in Taizhou, the City of the Phoenix, Part 2)

Asia » China » Jiangsu » Taizhou » Taizhou University
May 7th 2008

Published: May 7th 2008

In Part 2, TAIZHOU - THE CITY OF THE PHOENIX, let me present you a "mosaic" of my "2008 Spring Activities" in- and around my home-city in China. These warmer months have been a long awaited in all parts of China, with the nation having survived the coldest winter in 50 years. My many special and wonderful activities surrounding Taizhou during the spring months have been varied and memorable. Th... Read Full Entry

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Hans J. Schneider

Hans

After 38 years as a Foreign Language Teacher and Foreign Language Dept. Chair at Coral Gables Sr. H.S., and A.J. Professor of German at the University of Miami, I have left Florida in June of 2006, where my home is in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. I have just signed another year's teaching-contract (my 8th year now) with Taizhou University in the city of Taizhou, located about 3hrs north of Shanghai, in Jiangsu Province, CHINA. I thought it would be informative for others and rewarding for me personally, to log the progress of my efforts from beginning to end, as a Travel and Photo Jo... full info

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Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #6

From the observation tower, we can see, that Eastern-Jiangsu Province is flatt and criss-crossed by countless water-ways and canals, making it the bread-basket of China.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #7

To facilitate spring tourism, walk-ways and observation towers are under construction. These lead directly into the rape-seed fields. The sea of the golden flowers are famous during their display of color every spring.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #8

We all agreed, that perhaps we should have waited one more weekend to enjoy the "full" display of yellow, stretching for miles and miles. The cold winter and the later spring delayed the profuse flowering of the rape-seed fields.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #9

The fields are criss-crossed by navigable canals, facilitating an easier harvest of this important spring-crop.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #10

Our visiting group from TTC was invited on a boat-ride through the rape-seed fields. A closer look will tell you, that most of the boats along all canals in Jiangsu Province are not made of wood, but rather are made of concrete.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #10

On our way through the canals, we pass local farmers on their "concrete" boats, surveying their rape-seed fields.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #11

Some of the "concrete" boats we pass are larger, and are used to house workers, who are constructing the walkways and towers for the growing and expected tourism.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #12

A lonely farmer sits on his small boat among the fields, not quite sure what to make of us.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #13

Another small boat approaches us, the wife doing the rowing, while her husband casually surveys the rape-fields and us.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #14

The canals dividing the rape-fields are wide and easily traversed by boat.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #15

Rape-seed plants are used to make prized cooking oil, and much is used to feed local life-stock.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #16

We have finised our visit through the canals of the rape-fields, and we will remember it as an exciting and unique experience during our spring of 2008 at TTC.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #17

One last pose after our visit to the fields. We had a happy day, and were on our way to lunch for some of Jiangsu's exotic morsels.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #18

Our friend, Susie, who helps Arthur organize much of what the foreign teachers do, also enjoyed a happy, though windy day.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #19

To the right of me is one of my special friends, a teacher from the music department, who often entertains our college with his wonderful voice. To my left is one of the hosts for this day.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #20

Mr. Xu, the vice-president of TTC made this day more special, and he too enjoyed this outing with us to the rape-seed fields. He is certainly one of these leaders, who makes the campus of TTC such a special place.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #21

From our van, this photo provides one last glimpse along the rows and rows of canals, making the planting and harvesting of the crops easier. These have existed for hundreds of years, and little has changed over time.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #22

From our van window, I quickly shot this last photo. To the left are white tombs, that are the sites, where the ancestors of the local farmers are buried among the fields. Ancestors are revered by their families, never to be forgotten, as local farmers tend the fields.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #24

Our local hosts invite our group to a local restaurant, where lunch is waiting for us in one of the many private rooms, giving us privacy, so valued by the Chinese.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #25

Our group enjoys the lunch offered us. We speak about our morning's exerience among the rape-fields, and thank our local hosts for their time, efforts and hospitality.

Outing to visit the Rape-seed fields of Taizhou, Photo #26

A closer look at one of our dishes makes us smile, and we comment about "this duck" quacking out of its "behind". We were reluctant to disturb its "awkward" position in the soup bowl.

7th May 2008

Sue
non-member comment

Wonderful memories!
Yes, I also love spring time in Taizhou- particularly on our little campus! One of the many things I will miss when I leave in just 6 short weeks time! I'm getting teary just thinking about it! I wish you all the best in the coming years and I feel this will not be goodbye but see you sometime in the not too distant future! Sue

7th May 2008

wolfe
non-member comment

enjoy ur observations and look forward to them. Still hope to wee them in book form. Warmest Greetings. Gregory and mary Ann

8th May 2008

goodsue
goodsue

I enjoy your blogs
Lately, I've been considering returning to China to teach again. I enjoy your blogs. Taizhou seems a clean, and beautiful city. I was in Nanjing before. If you're interested in meeting other TEFL teachers, here's a group site TEFLChinaLife@yahoogroups.com.

19th May 2008

Genevieve Reyes-Illg
non-member comment

earthquake sadness
Hallo mein lieblings lehrer, I was thinking of the tradedy that happened in China, and I know you are still there. I hope you are ok! The news makes me cry. Viele gruesse von meine Familie! Genevieve

24th May 2008

Tracy---Han Wei
non-member comment

Enjoy!!!
Hi! My dear, Schneider. I am so suprised when I see there are so many comments in your blog! That means you were concerned by these friends. Wow, that is wonderful! Hoperfully everything goes on well with you! I am always missing you and I want to marry you!!!ha ha ha.....: D

24th May 2008

Bruno Silva
non-member comment

Earthquake
Herr Schneider, I have been hearing and listening about the earthquake that has taken so many lives in China and at this moment remembered that you were still there. I wanted to know if you were well. I hope that you are and to hear from you soon. Best wishes, and hoping you are safe. Best wishes, Bruno

27th May 2008

Joe Datko
non-member comment

Herr Schneider, I admit, I have been lax in my attention, though not my memory of you over the years. It's been a long time, and I hope it isn't too late. These are trying times, especially in your current home, and I have a sneaking suspicion you would do what you are capable of to help alleviate the immense human suffering in China due to natural chance. I fear that might be risky. At any rate, I have no knowledge of your status now, and I hope you are well and safe, as are your friends and colleagues over there. If you are, and you are not consumed by work, I would be pleased to hear from you, both to alleviate my concern for your health and to catch up with you. I'll leave it at that for now; a reliable email address should be listed along with this. Your student, Joe

29th October 2009

LI JING
non-member comment

YOU TAKE PHOTO VERY GOOD.I DO NOT KNOW THERE ARE SO MANY BEAUTIFUI PLACE IN Tai Zhou .I SHOULD GO THERE WITH MY FRIEND IN WEEKEND.

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#98 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (My colorful Spring-2008 in Taizhou, the City of the Phoenix, Part 2)

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