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The 1st weekend in the city Taizhou, Jiangsu Province and on the campus of Taizhou College was a kind of Star Treck moment with: " Beam me up to another planet, Scotty". The culture shock this time was less momentous, thanks to last summer's first visit to the city. Never-the- less, it is a serious awakening. There is a bombardment of sounds, sights, smells, tastes, that make quickly clear: " Life will not quite be the same again". The butterflies of anticipation are now the butterflies of reality, and the eagerness to embrace all that is offered to the senses, is THE cure for the butterflies. What was only an after-thought one year ago is now dimensional fact.
I am sad, that I have not been able to link the photos of these first days, but as they say in China "soon" :-) My new environment has little similarity to previous addresses in my life, and perhaps that is why it was such an inviting proposition. There really IS another side of the planet, and these sounds, smells, looks, and tastes of that East are inviting and exiting.
I have settled into my comfortable college-apartment on the 8th Floor of the campus hotel, graciously provided to me by the college. Understanding the spartan conditions of my Chinese collegues, I have great appreciation for what has been provided. The bathroom is quite sufficient and has shower, hot and cold water, a small washer/dryer, and a much-appreciated western-style "Throne" :-) . The main room has great closet space, a large TV, a desk-top- computer with access, and king-size sleeping arrangement. The A/C makes the apartment a wonderful retreat from the heat of Taizhou, and makes me realize how spoiled I was in Miami. Of special pride is my glassed-in-balcony with its sliding panes, and it has been brought to life with my first tree, a Pony-tail Palm. The balcony overlooks a city street, with an ever-changing vista below. Across the street stands a restaurant with hotel rooms, four floors tall.
Every night I have seen a wedding party using its premises, with traditional fireworks after dinner, always directly in front of my balcony. As a child, I have always loved and looked-forward to fireworks, but as often said, "Be careful what you wish for, you might get it" ! :-)
I enjoy my new little home away from home, and I have been received openly, kindly, and graciously by everyone. I have taped photos of my family and pets, friends, and students around my apartment to transport me often, though in spirit, to all who have made my life meaningful these many years. My life has been elevated by all the gentle people around me, they have been and always will be my daily grateful blessing.
Today, Arthur presented and registered me with the local police at the station, quite a friendly bunch, tackling the same kinds of incidents and challenges found in any police station. Their interaction with the locals was amusing and helped pass the time. There are a few more formalities, before temporary residency is established, but with my friend Arthur, I am in good and capable hands.
My ONE other Western Collegue at the Taizhou College, Sue, from Australia, continues to be the appreciated source and fountain of information and advice. She offers it freely and I accept it gratefully. While walking to the College-Campus-Cafeteria, it became quite obvious that she was deeply appreciated by her students, each of whom she remembered by their name. They are college students, preparing to become English Teachers in China. There are some 8,000 students, all in their twenties, living a spartan life in search for a competitive education to secure their personal and their families future. A larger percentage are girls, and all look younger then my students at Coral Gables Sr. High School. I sense dedication and enthusiasm in their search for knowledge and a serious desire to improve their English.
All must prepare for competitive and formidable state examinations, the one key to potential economic advancement.
Over the next days, I am given the opportunity of observe teachers at local High Schools, and no doubt, it will be an exiting learning-experience.
My daily thoughts are with my sister Resa and her husband Ron, my brother Gary and his wife Dora, my niece Monika and her partner Corinne and their child Nicole, my friend Gregory and Mary Ann and Barry, my cats Baxter and Wolfie, all my wonderful friends and my great treasure of students.
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Celia Almeida
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Schneidipoo!
Hallo Schneider! I'm so glad to see how well things are going in China. You deserve all the best. I miss you dearly and think about you daily. Glad to see you got "a much-appreciated western-style 'Throne'"... I'll bet that's a relief. This, however, scared me: "...the heat of Taizhou, and makes me realize how spoiled I was in Miami." WHAT?! Love you and miss you. Hope you can get pictures up soon :(.