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Published: April 18th 2007
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Today was my last lecture day. That gives me sort of a sad/happy feeling, as they have worked me to death, but I've enjoyed every minute and they've practically killed me with kindness. Tomorrow Shu Fong and I will tour around Qingdao. I haven't been to the city yet and am looking forward to it. We were to have a car take us, but apparently there is a big event and all the cars are taken . . . So we'll go by bus, ferry, and bus to the city!
The day started bright and early. Once again Shu Fong picked me up at my apartment at 7.30 for the walk to the campus. After breakfast in the canteen, I lectured to about 20 teachers. The topic was business-to-business marketing. The room was quite nice with computers, so that each teacher had his/her own computer to look at while I controlled the PowerPoint from the lectern. I really would have preferred to just talk and discuss with them, but we had some time to do that after the lecture. My translator was, again, quite good and I'm very impressed at how well all my translators have been able to
The teachers
These were the teachers in my afternoon lecture, plus Shu Fong (David), sitting. translate on the fly. The teachers are quite eager to know about InHolland and how our curriculum is set up. They are also interested in how to get information to use in their lectures. I told them about my new favorite website, bnet, but of course it's all in English and that makes it a bit difficult for them.
Because we were unable to dine together last night, the directors took me for a luncheon banquet today at the same restaurant in which we had dinner on my first night. It's really a bit surprising to me that I have not yet had any food that I did not like. Everything is delicious. Lunch included mushroom soup, a beef dish with spicy green peppers (they know I like spicy things), pumpkin that had been fried like french fries in strips and battered with duck egg. Really yummy. There was roasted shrimp, steamed scallops in the shell, radishes, an interesting sort of pizza-looking thing that had sweet potato and vegetables on it, and there was more but at this point my memory is failing me. Of course, fruit for dessert.
One interesting thing I had not tried before .
A very sweet server
This sweet young woman served us at both dinner the first night and lunch today. It was apparent that she was fascinated with the "foreigner" (that's me) and was very happy that I asked to have my picture made with her. . . there was a plate with little tiny bottles lying on it. I was encouraged to try it. Mr. Li put a tiny straw into the foil covering the little bottle and indicated that I should drink it. It was apply cider vinegar! (My Mom Dottie loves apple cider vinegar)! But this was not like what we have at home, it tasted milder and a bit like balsamic vinegar. It is said to stimulate the appetite and keep you young and beautiful. I wonder where I can buy a case!
After lunch I lectured to students who were studying business English and some who were studying tourism. I spoke about (one of my) other careers in the hotel business and the importance of good communication in any type of business. Of course, photos followed, both in the morning and afternoon lectures.
Each time I lecture, someone puts a cup of tea on the lectern for me to drink. It's really nice and I've grown to like it a lot. It's not teabag tea, but tea-floating-around-in-boiling water tea. This afternoon, someone put a cup on the lectern and when I looked at it, it looked suspiciously like coffee!
And, wonder of wonders, it was coffee!! Nescafe, but still coffee! I went to the teacher who had put on the lectern and thanked her profusely. It might have been really strong, and with no sugar or cream, but it was coffee and tasted like nectar of the gods to me!
After the lectures were over, Shu Fong took me to a "famous" dumpling restaurant for dinner. We had dumplings with beef, dumplings with shrimp, and dumplings with fish. Dipping sauce was vinegar, soy sauce, and fresh garlic all together. There were more dumplings than we could possibly eat . . . probably about 8 of each kind. We had a big watercress salad. I saw the watercress growing in the restaurant -- it was that fresh. Nothing else in the salad but a little vinegar and oil. Really, really good.
My last day of teaching is now at an end and I'm preparing for a day of fun (and walking) tomorrow. I have been allowed to walk to the canteen on my own to meet Shu Fong there at 8.00. This is the first time I have been allowed to go anywhere on my own, even to
the bathroom! I was told today that it would not be polite to allow me to go anywhere by myself as I was an honored guest. If this is disrespectful, then I'm all for it! My independent nature rebels at this level of kindness, but I understand that this is a different culture and that it is extremely well-intended and polite.
The Dean of Education has booked a hotel for me in Beijing in a central location, with Western facilities and breakfast. She is a member of the hotel chain and, as such, has been able to secure a discount for me. The price per night is the equivalent of about 28 Euro. I can't wait to see this! The only thing I forgot to ask about is internet access. We'll just have to wait and see, won't we?
At any rate, I will have one more blog before I leave Qingdao on Friday. Stay tuned for Thursday's edition: Qingdao, beautiful city by the Yellow Sea.
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Willa
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Great!!!
Sally, I have kept up with your travels and have really enjoyed them. It does make me envious but I am enjoying your travels vicariously. You have the most interesting life of anyone I know. HAVE FUN.