Blogs from Taizhou, Jiangsu, China, Asia - page 12

The American Postal Office has a service called "the M-Bag". A strong and frosted plastic sack provides the opportunity to send books to China cheaper, in larger and heavier quantities. The use of this service helps to keep the weight of my travel-luggage to clothing, personal items, and gifts. I am carrying a 4 cup coffee-maker with me, along with a few pounds of coffee as well as the lap-top. Men have become very loyal to their personal toiletries, and I will be packing a several month supply. Visiting a number of stores around the College on the last visit to Taizhou, I noticed few empty shelves and ample wares around the city. The consumer-selections do have limitations, and if one might look for "fresher" markets, plan on not being dissappointed. For a Western first-time visitor, ... read more

Since the last entry, I have been receiving some extra-ordinary commentary from an Australian teacher of 30 years, who is presently teaching at the same college, Taizhou Teachers College in Jiangsu Province of China, where, so it seems, I will become her colleague in only a few weeks. If there have been any lingering doubts or concerns about my time teaching in China, her encouraging and kind words have settled these apprehensions. She shared with me, that she had been a teacher in Australia for 30 years and semi-retired, and upon contracting with the College this past semester, made these observations about her experiences: "...I have been a teacher in many "guises" for over 30 years in Australia, and I can honestly say this (teaching "communicative" English at Taizhou College) is probably the most satisfying teaching ... read more

It's around the middle of April and the weather is finally consistently warm enough to say that spring is really here! Earlier this month the Rolling Stones performed for the first time in mainland China with a concert in Shanghai. I had hoped to snare a ticket through the Shanghai H3, but just missed out! As a consolation I met up with the hashers for pre concert drinks at a local well known H3 watering hole about a 20minute walk from the stadium. I then wandered up with them on the off chance I could talk my way into a reasonably priced ticket from the "yellow bears" (read "scalpers"). Needless to say, mission unaccomplished, even 30minutes after the show had started. Had fun checking out the "clientele" though. Every "wannabe" and "has been" rocker in town ... read more

Birthdays have always been of importance to me, not only mine but of those near and dear to me as well. After all, our birthday is our day and celebrates each of us coming into this world. Something definately worth remembering! Despite a number of interesting variations around the world in the way birthdays are celebrated, it seems there are a number of common factors that transcend many cultural barriers: the birthday cake with candles, birthday card, birthday song and ,of course, birthday presents! My students inform me that, in China, they celebrate their birthday twice, once on the day and the other at New Year, where everyone celebrates the start of another year. Children are given money in red envelopes and treated to new clothes as well. I have asked them all to write their ... read more

I have been able to download some additional photos on the Jiangsu Province of China, and perhaps they will add some additional visuals to my last entry on the city and gardens of Suzhou. I hope they are informative and you will enjoy them.... read more