#100 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (Olympic-Torch-Relay in Taizhou; an historic day for the home-town of China's President, Mr. Hu Jintao)

Asia » China » Jiangsu » Taizhou » Taizhou University
June 15th 2008

Published: June 15th 2008

One of the most joyfull days during my teaching assignment at Taizhou Teachers College came on Monday, May 26th, 2008. The Olympic Torch Run through China was about to reach the city of Taizhou. There had been a delay, since China was still deep in mourning on the 23rd of May, the day originally scheduled for the presentation of the Olympic Torch Run in Taizhou. Taizhou, the "City of the Phoe... 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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My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #12

The students, even in college and university are disciplined, as they walk in two's. The lines stretch into the distance, and each group is flanked by their monitor and their head-teacher, to make sure every student is safe.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #13

This is one happy and not-so-small English teacher, holding an Olympic flag, featuring the Olympic mascots, the 5 Friendlies.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #14

Along the way, we are cheered and greated by the locals. Sorry, but I am still not able to read the Chinese language, one of my greates barriers of being in China. Our happy group catches the eyes of a new-photographer. I later found my photo on a major Chinese web-site.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #15

The "humidity" of the day is high. From behind, it becomes obvious, that we are like a moving river of white and red, all flowing to a common destination.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #16

We pass cheering crowds of thousands lining each side of the street. Here we are crossing one of Taizhou's major bridges.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #17

Some of the locals have been waiting for hours, making sure they have the better spot for Taizhou's historic moment. The PLA is standing ready to provide security, once the torch is on its way.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #18

We continue to parade through some of the beautiful tree-lined streets of Taizhou, lined on both sides with spectators, who have been reserving their space for hours. Looking ahead of us, it is a sea of students in their white and red T-shirts, being cheered by the locals.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #19

The event brings to the streets both young and old, and there is a spirit of overwhelming pride.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #20

The red banners "might" read, "... so happy to see you here in Taizhou, Mr. Hans..." or they could say many other things. As you can see, my Chinese is still very very limited.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #21

Every stretch of the Olympic Route is lined with excited fans who applaud us as we pass.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #22

One of my English classes is almost at our assigned location. Notice, that only one boy is in the class, surrounded by his adoring female class-mates. I keep telling him, how lucky he is, and he agrees. There is fierce competition among the girls for the few boys on the campus. Typically it is suggested, that girls should study languages, and boys should study the sciences???

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #23

We now reach our assigned location within the city center. This is our location, from which we will cheer the passing of the Olympic Torch, as it makes its way through the city of Taizhou.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #24

Local parents bring their "one" child to witness the event. The massive crowds make the little girl a little shy, though the parents not any less proud.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #25

Sporting a "Mei LanFang" T-shirt, Arthur is visible proud of the day's event. The T-shirt has the mask of one of Taizhou's most famous residents, Mei LanFang, the former super-star of the Beijing Opera, who made is home in our city. You will remember Mei LanFang's name from the many times I have written about her in my Blogs.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #26

Sue, Stef, myself, Arthur and Ken are posing at our street-location as the excitement mounts and the hour of the torch-passing nears.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #28

Packed tightly together, these are some of the students from my English classes, each hoping to get the best view.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #29

Every shred of paper and every cigarette-butt is carefully swept by an un-noticed army of street-cleaners, who take pride in their efforts to keep Taizhou clean.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #30

"What comment can one make to this photo of a young aficionado of the Olympic Torch Relay in Taizhou?"

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #31

This elder fan of the day's event told me, that she was 95 years old. I wish I could speak Chinese, to share with her some of the history of China she has experienced in her life-time. She was such a sweet and happy lady.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #32

The vendors were out in force this day, selling banners, flags, and trinkets of all kinds. Chinese are experienced bargainers, and every sale, no matter how small, is theater.

My college prepares for the Torch-Relay, Photo #33

Dean Fan, in red sweater, and other "members" of the English Department pose again for this historic moment.

16th June 2008

Sandra Cordoba
non-member comment

This is pretty amazing :] i'm sure you never imagined yourself viewing the Olympic Torch in China when you were my age, huh?

18th June 2008

Sue Storr
non-member comment

Finally got a decent internet connection!
Hi Hans Free Wifi at my hostel has now reconnected me with my cyber world! Lucky you with some of those photos! It truly was a wonderful experience, wasn't it? Can you please email me the full size photo you took of me with the Taizhou granny. I want to put her on my upcoming blog as well!

24th June 2008

yang
non-member comment

wonderful experiences, I wish i had the chance to attend the torch relay in nanjing.

16th July 2008

sybil
non-member comment

wonderful
the experiences are really memorable

16th July 2008

Cristina Pena
non-member comment

Media Request
Dear Photographer Hi my name is Cristina Pena and I’m apart of American Public Media’s nationwide radio show called “Weekend America.” Every month we run a short piece on the various weekend photos we receive on our Weekend America Flickr. However, for the month of August, we would like to have a special “Olympics in Beijing” photo theme. Your Olympic photos sparked our interest and we would like to speak to you, if possible in the coming days about why you took the photo, what was going on at the time and exactly where and how long you where there. If you are interested in sharing your Beijing Olympic photo flickr story, or know of anyone else traveling to Beijing during the Olympics, please contact me at cpena@americanpublicmedia.org or 213.621.3523 x 523 Thank you. Here is a link to give you an idea of what we do! http://weekendamerica.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/04/24/americas_weekend/ Cristina Pena Weekend America 261 Figueroa Street., Suit 200 Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 621-3523 x523 cpena@americanpublicmedia.org

18th August 2008

Jorge Barrera
non-member comment

What a gret experience.
I loved this blog, it's not a fun as being there huh? Thanks for sharing something that I would never have known. It was very interesting seeing someplace different than here.

29th August 2008

Mark Mark
Mark.Ma

I'm moved deeply
Until to now , I still not finish reading and touring this place, thank you Mr.Hans Schneider , I read many many story and got many many knowledge, just like a piece of sponge, I'm still absorbing the nutrition of the knowledge, thank you give me the chance to visit here, I will never gorget.Good luck

12th May 2009

michael
non-member comment

hello
i am michael.i am so happy to see your blog

21st July 2012

anonymous
non-member comment

Torch relay again
Just took some pictures near royal artillery barracks. The torch bearer held the flame high, followed by artillery guards on horses. This was the first leg of the torch-relay in London, started from the Cutty-Sark in Greenwich. The archery and shooting games will start on Woolwich common here from next Sturday and the equestrian at Greenwich park. Hi, not good for taking photos on a mobile phone, just rushing mad tried, hope one day could upload these to share with you all.

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#100 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (Olympic-Torch-Relay in Taizhou; an historic day for the home-town of China's President, Mr. Hu Jintao)

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