# 9 Retiring Teacher preparing to teaching in China (Early photos of Taizhou)

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With the arrival of the Chinese Lunar New Year this Sunday, the Fall College Semester comes to an end. Emails from my friends in China tell me about the travel plans among the Chinese population, a time of very crowded travel. It is an important time for family gatherings, concluding unfinished business, and paying off debts. All of this reminds me that time is simply passing very quickly, and by this time next year I will be able to share my experiences of the Chinese Lunar New Year with you, for I have already received a number of invitations to share this holiday with Mr. Lee's family.
The process of packing and sending items in advance of my arrival in China has already begun. Personal toiletries, my menthol Ciggarettes, coffee, are just some of the things I have reminded myself to bring after my last visit.

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Photos

the city of Taizhou
the beautiful city of Taizhou, 3 hrs. north of Shanghai, where Taizhou Normal (Teachers) College is located

street scene
everything attracts a small crowd

television tower in Taizhou
the new amidst old

Riverview in Taizhou
one of many beautiful views as one paddles along the river in the city of Taizhou

Street-side shopping stores
small shops found in every street's first floor selling everything from plastics to clocks

street-life
small shops and family street-restaurants line most streets

Comments

[Dawei]

There's a long way to go
Hans, I'm amazed by how many of your students have wished you well on this journey so far -it seems that you are a very inspiring teacher! I'm really looking forward to hearing about how the actual teaching goes. Your comments on US politics are interesting too -what negative aspects of China have you encountered? A chinese local making the same criticisms about 'the party' on the web would probably get his article blocked across China. It's the way people feel so tolerant of such restricted freedom of speech that often surprises me. Happy Chinese New Year!