#29 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (The streets of Taizhou)

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Pictures often say a thousand words. Let me share a few I have accumulated. Each of the some 25 photos is a glimpse of the daily smoreges-board of sights and sounds and tastes and smells, that surround the visitor in the city of Taizhou, Jiangsu, China. :

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Photos

the wheat harvest
In the older section of the city of Taizhou, this is a common sight. The method for cleaning the wheat has not changed for a thousand years.

the neighborhood
Small "Mama's Little Kitchen" prepare their afternoon specials. These are daily chores and preparations, and food prepared with love.

the daily life
One is never quite sure the type of commerce to be found, but their is a daily struggle, which has not changed with time.

bicycle repair man.....
Directly across the street from my windows, every morning a mobile- bicycle shop on wheels offers his services (front), and under the umbrella behind sits a woman, offering her sewing services on wheels.

the local dent-wizard
Though I have never seen an accident here, and I am amazed at that, the car-body-shop below my window always seems to have a few customers.

which belongs to whom?
Each moped is a pride and joy for its owner, but no Western could negotiate them in the molasses of traffic here.

local news reporters
My fellow teacher Sue, on the right, as we are being interviewed by the Taizhou Newspaper reporters, on left.

traditional costumes
Proud Taizhou College students pose for a quick photo before a competition of English plays this past Thursday.

a very special restaurant
5 attendents greatet us at the front door, and showed us to one of the private rooms on the upper floors.

new friends
Meeting Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Zschietzschmann and his niece, Stephanie, was one of the highlights of this day. His young niece Stephanie will be one of our teachers next semester. By the name you can tell he is a fellow German, doing business here in Taizhou. Mr.Xu, President of Taizhou College, between aunt and niece, and the gracious hosts, Mr.and Mrs. Lee on far right.

Anti-room to the private dining room
A place to be introduced to other guests, and sip a friendly glass of tea.

ready for dinner
Typically, friends are invited to sit in private rooms, and the seating arrangement can become a delicate point of discussion. Much emphasis is placed on customs and traditions.

appetizers
Just a few of perhaps 20 delicacies for the visitors at a banquet. The presentation of exotic foods honors the guests.

frog-legs
The guest should have a taste of each dish presented, and the rest will wait until you have selected the choisest morsel.

more wonderful treats
Focus should be on the upper smaller bowl. Sue related to me that we were about to be invited to taste the sliced testacles of a bull. Mine began to hurt.

life is a banquet
This was the second banquet of the day, ....and I was hoping to shed a few pounds?

the college apartment
These are some of my living arrangements, with all of the modern conveniences of home. AC/heater mounted on upper right hand wall.

the kitchen
The kitchen is available for common use by the visiting teachers.

my pride and joy
My throne straight ahead has become the engine of the apartment. For now, it is regularly supplied with "rocket-fuel"!

view to the balcony
The Walt Disney bed-spread needs replacement soon. The bed is hard, but becoming ever-more comfortable.

Ms. Sue
All her students love her and call her Ms. Sue. Dedicated to her students, she is "the fountain" of good advice and information. Behind her one of the large administrative buildings.

Comments

[Ms. Polo]

Wow! Schneider it is so amazing and the exotic meals must be tempting for you i assume hahahaha. Is that the school in the back of Ms. Sue? I am guessing you probably did not want to try the frog legs! Wow!! Schneider i hope you have a great time over there. I miss you soo much!!

[Sandra Cordova]

Pictures yay! ^___^ Great post!

[David Kirsner]

Corned Beef Hash
Hans: You are right. A picture says a thousand words. What a different world you are living in. I'm curious. It is Sunday morning, I just opened up a can of corned beed hash and cracked two eggs for breakfast. Do they have any canned foods or is everything fresh? What is the typical breakfast over there, and when do they customarily eat their meals? Do they have 3 meals a day? We all admire you for your fortitude! David Kirsner

[Celia Almeida]

"we were about to be invited to taste the sliced testacles of a bull. Mine began to hurt." hahaha great to see all the pictures schneider. we miss you:(. love you. wiedersehen

[Chandler Villaverde]

The college seems to be amazing! The culture is interestingly different, but i dont think i could handle the food.. haha. I miss you!

[wayne]

smorgasborg
Hans,you are going to be impossible to cook for when you come home,I will have to make 40 dishes,do they have any thing that resembles SAUERBRATEN? Perhaps some sort of pickled beef dishserved with a sweet and sour bok choy.I envy you the unique dishes you are being served.Don't be a finicky eater try everything,you have been blessed with the opportunity of experience. Chef Wayne & Geri.P.S. I give Risa copies of your letters.

[Sandra- again]

yay they worked
ok the pictures worked now. comments: 1) they treat you like a damn celebrity over there! they must be amazed at the greatness and mystic nature of your head's gleam. 2) good luck getting used to that food. 3) i'll trade bedsheets with you! i think they're pretty awesome. 4) i love you

[Gabriel Pupo]

Wow I write
Hello Mr. Schnieder, It seems some one is having loads of fun. I can't wait til I can travel. Hope your doing well and that their're treating you good. From what it looks like, you seem okay. But the foods looking kinda harmful ;) j.k. It sucx to have losed you to the chinese but I sure did have fun our two years. Sorry I was such a pain. But trust me, you certainly made me a better student person. Enjoy life and have fun as long as you have goals and morals to guide you. Miss you baldy dude. Let us know when your flying back aroud this way. Laterz