Learning to Speak English

My students here are pretty amazing.  They love to learn, and they are eager to please.  They may fall asleep at times...but who blames them?  I would fall asleep after 7 hours of classes too.  I have started to collect a few lines that have made me laugh or pause, and a few interesting facts.

They choose their own English names, and some of them choose words rather than names.  It was certainly much easier to learn these strange names than the constant repitition of Jerry, Bob and Sam - but they are pretty strange.  Here are some of my favs.

1. Apple
2. Castle
3. Bright (he says it is because he is so smart!)
4. Verile
5. Treble (so that people do not think he is trouble...)
6. Brahma
7. Scofield (after the main character on Prison Break)
8. Jolient (prounounced without the 'N')
9. Isaacs (no typo, that is Isaac - plural)
10. Austere

This kids are incredibly hard-working, but English is a tough language.  They make some hilarious mistakes in their writing, and sometimes I just have to enjoy a laugh.

"This is my family.  They are my best lovers."

"Solve the case successful just because Roald Dahl bless her soul.  Mrs. Mary jump over justice in the story."

"I think they are the conjugal relation."

"Sandra loved the flavor of competence."

"I left my hometown that is a beautiful and full of my wish."

"The problem was the rods of fish."

They are cute mistakes, and compared with the 10 words of Mandarin I know...this kids are rocking the English language.  It can get frustrating marking a stack of nonsensical essays, but for the most part they are coherent - and just contain a few laughs to spice up a night of marking.

When I get too frustrated I just go to the store and soothe my English teaching pain with a box of pocky.

Seeking out Shanghai

The last destination on our trip was the massive city of Shanghai!  Part of the reason was that our flights routed through the city, and part because Shanghai is awesome.  Though I did not know that when I booked the flight...  This city gave me a serious case of jealously.  Jinshitan is a fishing village.  Shanghai is a mecca.  A shopping mecca.  I must go back.

Checking out the sights

Although we only had a day in Shanghai (and by a day, I mean a literal 24 hours), we made the most of it. After freshening up at our hostel we headed out to see the city.  First, we stopped at a strange coffee shop/bakery that served strange delights.  I bought a sea salt coffee.  I thought it was going to be hot, but it was served iced.  It was actually quite tasty, but very difficult to describe.  It was not salty, really, but it certainly was strange.  Next we headed towards the giant market.  The market is filled with all sorts of fakes.  This market is the China I dreamed about!  I know it may sound ridiculous...but seriously.

At the Bund

We quickly ditched the boys, and the girls and I conquered the five story market.  I bought a Jimmy Choo purse, some sneakers, new Burberry perfume, and a Louis Vuitton scarf.  The fun part is that everything is negotiable.  They start soooo high, hoping you are stupid enough not to bargain with them. (It does happen, we heard an American bragging loudly about paying only 500 kwai for a sweater.  It is likely she should have paid 70). I enjoyed the bargaining because I wasn't intent on buying anything.  If they didn't offer a price I liked I simply walked away.  Usually they run after you, and drag you back by the arm.  I got my silk scarf for only 60 kwai after a little Chinese woman realized that she could not physically move me!

Some of the sights

After exhausting the market, we headed to some real stores.  I know it seems a strange way to spend our time in a new city, but I was so excited to be back around brands I know!  When we were done we headed to a great restaurant and loaded up on fresh veggies and Perrier (my favorite).

The Bund

We then headed to the Bund to see the architecture at night.  There are some crazy buildings in Shanghai.  Unfortunately my camera does not seem to take great night photos, but it was a pretty amazing sight.  The Bund is one of Shanghai's most famous sights.  Overall Shanghai has some crazy buildings.  We went to a converted bomb shelter (a bit creepy, but cool to see), and a makeshift Manhattan apartment restaurant (beautiful rooftop patio, New York prices!).

The next morning we only had time for breakfast and then a ride to the airport.  The exciting part was the airport ride.  We took the Mag luv, which is a bullet train.  It goes over 300 km/h and it only takes 8 minutes to get to the airport on it!  At one point it was almost completely sideways, but it didn't even feel like it!  Although there have been some recent bullet train crashes here in China, I survived and was pretty excited about my experience!

Reading to ride!

Bullet Train

We arrived back in Dalian late Saturday night, exhausted and dreading heading back to work on Monday.  The vacation was great, and the return to work has been manageable!  Though I will admit, I am counting down the days to winter break!

The Exploration of Yangshuo

Ready for a rafting adventure, shortly before the driver told me to get back in my seat...

Some of the hundreds of rafts

To travel from Guilin to Yangshuo we chose to travel by raft.  For an unknown reason, we were under the impression that this was going to be a day long, relaxing journey.  We thought we would be able to stop whenever we liked, jump off the sides if we so wished, and generally pilot our own raft down a quiet river.  I am not sure where we ever got that idea - this is China.  We were packed onto a bus and driven a few hours to an opening in the river.  Then we were shuffled into groups of four and loaded onto the hundreds of rafts that awaited the slew of tourists.

The beautiful Li River

I am painting a terrible picture here, but really I loved it.  It was a definite tourist trap, but the mountains were absolutely gorgeous.  Despite the highway feeling, I thought it was worthwhile.  We also met up with an awesome group of Germans and Australians who we spent the rest of the day with.  

After getting off of the rafts (which didn't stop once) we were offloaded onto a shore covered in little shops selling random junk.  I got a random piece of tofu on a stick...but it was not so tasty.  The best purchase of the day was a set of four flower crowns for our heads.  For under a dollar, I wish I could wear one every day.

Flower Crowns on the Dragon Bridge

Next we were taken to a quieter part of the Li river.  We took a smaller raft boat, which was significantly more authentic.  The raft stopped so that we could watch the commarant fishing show.  The birds are trained to catch fish and then bring them back to the fishermen.  It was really interesting to see the intelligence of the birds, but it was also inhumane.  The birds had some type of string tied around their neck so that they could not swallow the birds that they caught.  The man would squeegee the fish out of the birds necks, and then throw them back in the water to catch some more.  Apparently the fish know how many fish they catch every day, and will quit working if they are not given the same amount to eat. The owners feed the same amount of small fish to the birds at the end of every day.

Commarants ready to fish

Our Crew we gathered for the day

Lastly, I got to sit atop a water buffalo.  Water buffalo's are like a cross between a cow and a hippopotamus, and I think they are pretty amazing.  They were so cute!  I was told I was able to ride the buffalo....but really they just walked me around a few steps.  I was still pretty stoked about it though!

Me and one of my new favourite animals

That night we checked into our hostel (which was a wee bit troublesome, but it all worked out) and then went back into the town to check it out.  It was packed with people, but was actually really lovely.  It was nice to be in a small town, that still had all the amenities.  

A very packed Yangshuo street

The next day we went to a large cave in the area.  A guide took us through, and then we were able to swim in the mud caves and bathe in the hot springs (all inside of the cave).  I loved it!  I don't know if the mud came out of my hair for the rest of the week, but it was worth it!  

On Wednesday we rented scooters to explore the area.  I, unfortunately, really did not like the scooter ride.  I have never been one for small motorized crafts, and this one freaked me right out.  After about an hour I managed to crash my scooter into the side of the road, and I got muddy and mighty scared.  I tried to keep going, but I really wasn't enjoying the scenery because I was too scared of my imminent death.   I chose to turn around and relax a bit at the hostel.  

            I quickly traded this.....

....for this.

                                                                                                       
Thursday was our last day in Yangshuo, but it was raining for most of the day.  Unfortunately the town really depends upon good weather to enjoy the activities it has to offer.  I had been looking forward to more hiking and climbing, kayaking and swimming - but that was just not to be.  I spent Thursday exploring the town, visiting the market, and eating a lot of good food. 

Tofu snacks

Banners in the street

The oldest of ladies selling some veggies

Some of the treats you can find in the marketplace

Overall Yangshuo is a great place to visit, but I just wish it had been better weather.  I was able to spend a good amount of time exploring the area, and we met up with another group from school for some delicious dinners in the evening.  After four days in a small, but touristy area, we headed to Shanghai!

Galavanting through Guilin

Hey Friends,
I am home from vacation and back to the grind!  Vacation was lovely.  It was so great to see a part of China.  Although I have been here for almost two months, I have had very little time to see much of the country.  It was great to see beyond my home in Jinji.

I am going to break down my holiday into a few posts, simply to stop you from being overwhelmed with pictures!  I probably should be marking holiday homework right now...but what can you do?  This is what I did in Guilin.

I wish this was our hotel...

We arrived on Saturday night, and got picked up by the tiniest, cutest little Chinese man named Mr. Liao.  He spoke no English, and simply had a sign that said "B." He drove us to our hotel.  Our truly truly disgusting hotel.  I had been emailed a few days before saying that they had no room at the place we had originally booked, but they would rebook us at this hotel.  Having not many other available options, I had no choice but to go with it.   It was National Holiday week, meaning that every one in China was travelling.  I am sure it is a scam, and they put every person who books into this junk hole.  My floor was held up with newspaper, and the mold was crawling up the wall - but I survived!  It was only for two nights, fortunately.  

Vegetarians should avert your eyes for this dinner section.  For a late dinner we ordered two frogs.  We thought it would be an exciting way to start off our trip.  You could choose your frogs out of the basket, and then they would cook them up.  I have eaten frog already here in China, and I knew that I liked the taste.  What I was unprepared for was the fact that they smack them on the ground to kill them.  The ground right in front of you.  The ground that millions of Chinese spit on every day.  One of our choice frogs did not want to die - and so the woman smacked the poor little froggie repeatedly upon the filthy sidewalk.  And then proceeded to chop it up - bones, skin, vertebrae and all.   I convinced myself to eat a bite...but couldn't do anymore.  All I could picture was the poor thing being pounded to a lonely death on the cold ground.

Frog!

We only spent one full day in Guilin, and we used it to walk around the city.  We found a beautiful lake with a walking trail around it.  Then we climbed up one of karsts in the middle of the city.  The mountains in the area are limestone deposits, so they are very uniquely shaped.  It was a gorgeous view from the top.  We then toured a temple area - but it was not as exciting as the other mountain with no trails.

Guilin's version of the sea wall

Almost at the top

Our crew

Top of the city

 We paused for a break and got foot massages (super cheap here in China).  However, super cheap was what we got at this place.  I came away with bruises on my shins and sore toes.  This is saying a lot, since I haven't had feeling in a few of my toes since my Marathon!  It takes a lot to hurt my feet!

Mountain view, with a baby pagoda on top!

After a quick dinner we went out in search of an elusive night market.  Throughout our trip we travelled on converted motorbikes, made into pedi-cabs.  They are the best way to get around a touristy city!  However, our cabs kept taking us to the wrong places.  We eventually gave up and went to get some french fries.  But when we got to the french fry place, we realized that the market was right beside us!  It was too early in the trip for me to commit to any souvenirs, but it is certainly fun to look. 

Horrific picture...but accurate to show our cab rides

Looking up on a night walk in Guilin

Me and the city

This is a major attraction in Guilin, pagodas lit up like the Eiffel Tower

The next morning we headed off on a boat trip to Yangshuo, and waved goodbye to Guilin.  It is a beautiful city and definitely worth a visit.  However, it was ridiculously busy for the holiday.  My only regret about the trip is that we were not able to visit the rice terraces from Guilin.  The day we were there the trip was all booked up and we couldn't get on the bus.  Apparently they are beautiful, and worth spending a day at.  I am living in China though, and I am sure I will spot some rice terraces another time!

Words cannot express how much I wanted to buy this hat.  I don't think it would travel well back to Canada, however.