# 115 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (The Dragon Boat Festival of Qintong, Jiangsu)

Asia » China » Jiangsu » Taizhou » Taizhou University
May 1st 2009

Published: May 1st 2009

The Spring 2009 Qintong Dragon Boat Festival Extravaganza attracts visitors from near and far, and they witness one of the great colorful out-door spectaculars in the Province of Jiangsu, only an hour from my home in Taizhou. This Dragon Boat Festival has become one of those special cultural highlights, most unique to China, a presentation I wish never to miss. I truly appreciate the effort... 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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Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 9

I have found my seat among some very friendly and happy spectators.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 10

It is a large Grand Stand, with a panoramic view across the crowd, the stage, and the lake. TV cameras are everywhere, and as the morning mist begins to lift, the colors of the day appear.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 11

The festivities are about to begin and the Masters of Ceremony introduce today's event.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 12

The Mayor of Taizhou greets the guests, gives a speech and officially opens the Qintong Dragon Boat Festival. Notice the throng of boats ready in the background.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 13

Ultra-Lights and Hang-Gliders streak across the crowd to the delight of everyone. I counted 10 of them, and they stayed above us for most of the morning.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 14

Under the sound of colorful fireworks, the boats begin to approach the Grand Stand and pass in a parade.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 15

Thousands of locals are manning these traditional boats. In their colorful costumes, they turn the lake into a colorful spectacle.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 16

Each color proudly represents the country villages of Jiangsu, participating in the annual event and competition

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 17

In lovely pink!

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 18

This group is more agressive and determined to make an impression on the spectators.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 19

China's famous Eunich General, on his way to discover America first? It is a much discussed possibility!

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 20

Buddha and deciples remind of the most practiced religion in China.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 21

The perfomances on stage are no less wonderful, and these young guys thrill the audience with their skills.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 22

"Is that me they are holding up?"

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 23

One beautiful boat after another passes us, each offering their own form of entertainment. One of Jiangsu's well known singers entertains us with her hit.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 24

A scene from the beautiful Bejing Opera piece, "The Peach Blossom Fan", passes the audience. Beijing Opera is at home in Taizhou. Mei LanFang, one of the great Beijing Opera performers has his house in Taizhou memorialized.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 25

It is often difficult to look everywhere at once. We are surrounded by sound and color, and it becomes intoxicating.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 26

A telling look into the past of China's navy during the dynasties.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 27

Though I cannot understand much, I do enjoy and appreciate Chinese music and Chinese voices.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 28

There are moments when a collision of boats seems immenant. There are so many. But as on Chinese roads and streets, the ships in rivers and canals also, somehow and "almost" always, manage to avoid each other.

Dragon Boat Festival, Photo 29

If you look closer, you will see a life-size, mechanical water buffulo tamed by his handler.

1st May 2009

Shane
non-member comment

HAPPY MAY DAY, HANS! :-)

1st May 2009

anonymous
non-member comment

Your historical knowledge is amazing. The Chinese General is Yue Fei. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yue_Fei By the way, Chinese dragon is different from western dragon. The Chinese dragon has no wings but can fly. The Chinese dragon is luck/good animal while the western dragon is an evil in westerners' eyes. Also Han Chinese also call them the offspring of the dragon(long).

1st May 2009

Alex Bello
non-member comment

Hans hope you are enjoying yourself hope to see you soon here at gables sr high for a visit lots of love alex

2nd May 2009

zhangrongrong
non-member comment

Happy every day!
You are a very good teacher and i like you so much !

2nd May 2009

shionbine
non-member comment

Best wishes
I wish I could be there to enjoy the scenery as well Mr. Schneider .And happy labor-day!

2nd May 2009

Maria Fernandez
non-member comment

Just hello!!!
Just a couple of lines to let you know you're truly missed!!!...Happy to know you're doing well!!! much love, Maria

5th May 2009

June
non-member comment

This is a lavish banquette and the happiness is truly infectious. Looking at your bound-foot shaped zongzi makes me just hungry! Surprisingly, there're so many stories around the Duanwu festival. Whereas the legend of the Whitesnack-lady has been always romantic, the roaming ghosts in the court are pretty scarry! Above all, the soul of the patriot and pioneer poet Qu Yuan must be resting in great satisfaction, as he's been adored so loyally by all people cross the country.

19th May 2009

Lesan
non-member comment

The Dragon Boat Festival looks cool and stuff, but it needs more to it..and the food looks nasty, i wonder if cuban food is acceptable there?? if so, then i would go lol -Lesan Sierra ,CGSH Mr.Wangs Class (P.4)

1st June 2009

Ed Martin
non-member comment

I was student of Herr Schnieder 25 years ago at Revere High School in Massachusetts. He is a great teacher and I only wish my children could have had the chance to be taught by Hans.

9th June 2009

Rebecca87
non-member comment

May you happy,Hans!
Hans,I am one of your students in the Nanjing Normal University Taizhou College.Yesterday,I came to your travel blog for the first time.The beautiful pictures and words really impressed me. You have travelled so many places in China,and left your footprint in that place.You view everything so beautiful,and consider the people so beautiful.Actually,you yourself is so cute.Because in your heart,there is full of love and enthusiam. We are really honored to be your students,although just for the short one term.During the past term,you give us too much.Before every lesson, you gave us some realistic suggestions,which is very useful. No exact words can reveal the very feeling of my heart now.Just extend my sincerest wishes to you.Hans,may you happy and healthy for good!May your family happy forever~

29th June 2009

Kevin
non-member comment

I'm coming! My Hans!
This is my first time coming to your travel blog. I'm happy you are fond of our country,maybe now you regard China as your second motherland. That will be amazing! You have a complete trip on Dragon Boat Festival, and you've made a wonderful description. Yeah,I'm proud of being a native of Taizhou! But you might know more about my city than me. So whatever else happens, I'm always with you ,when you need me, I'm here! Keep contacting!

14th July 2009

wanghan
non-member comment

miss you my dear hans
I'm very happy during my summer holidays in my hometown YangZhou .I'm glad to visit your travel blog ,what I have to say is that your blog is very beautiful!At least yours is much better than mine.In your amazing travel blog I can leran much than you have told us in the class,it's not flatter ^_^.happy summer holidays,and enjoying youself!

5th May 2010

Lucy
non-member comment

Festival
Hi there, I am in Taizhou and was wondering when this dragon boat festival occurs? I am from New Zealand and new to Taizhou, teaching English for a year. This looks like an exciting event!

12th May 2010

The 2009 Qintong Dragon Boat Festival in Taizhou

Langyi
Andy Yao

So wonderful!
I have been there last week ,but it is a pity that I cannot see the grand festival of dragon boat!

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# 115 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (The Dragon Boat Festival of Qintong, Jiangsu)

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