Wednesday, February 20, 2008
can't take it in...
Just went I feel myself getting comfortable with my surroundings here, I am confronted with the reality of this country. On a recent day trip to the city of Foshan, about 50 minutes outside Guangzhou, my friend and I visited the main temple there, Zumiao. Having visited temples before in Japan, I was expecting something similar to come my way. As we approached the gates of the temple, sun beaming down, there was a young man sprawled out in the middle of the crowd of people, begging for money. This is not an uncommon thing in China. But, he had open sores all over his body, clubbed feet, and was slowly trying to make his way around using a board with wheels on the bottom. I have been faced with poverty before, but the image of this young man has been burned in my mind for the last week. Maybe its not even the sight of this man, but others reaction or lack there of. I include myself in the "other" category. This is the most ambiguous thing I find myself faced with here. Its as if you find every piece of your heart unraveling into many small pieces. This is always a sobering reminder for me that we often take our lives of comfort for granted, and it teaches us about the things we value and what we spend our time on. I realized today that my starbucks coffee can literally feed a family of four here...it makes me think twice about every sip I take...
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
for Mme. Leffelaar's class!
A friend of mine, who is a teacher in Calgary, informed her students that she has a friend who is living in China and her class compiled a list of questions for me to answer. In my limited knowledge of this country, I tried my best to answer their interesting and cute questions. I thought I should share it with you...
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Bonjour Mme. Leffelaar's class! Hello from China!! I'm excited to answer your questions about this exciting country. Your teacher tells me that you are interested to learn about Chinese food and culture! I hope you enjoy reading my answers to your excellent questions!
1. Do they have sumo wrestling in China?
Good question! Actually sumo wrestling is in Japan, another asian country where I was living before this! I think some of the main sports here are ping pong and Kung Fu! I would like to learn both but I think it might be difficult! I did go to a Kung Fu museum yesterday and it was very interesting to learn about this sport!
2. What kind of shops do you have there?
There is so many shops everywhere! In the city I live in Guangzhou (pronounced Gwang-jo) there is a fabric market, a jade market, a shoe market, and a clothing market - you can have clothes made to fit you perfectly! It is so different from shopping in Canada. You can get the price as low as you want. It makes shopping fun and exciting!
3. Is it clean in China?
To be honest, no! It is so important to wash your hands here. There sometimes alot of garbage on the streets and pollution in the air. There is the tallest building in Guangzhou close to my apartment and some days you cannot even see the top it is so polluted! Many people walk around wearing masks to protect themselves.
4. Do much people talk in English?
Many Chinese have learned English in jr high and high school, so they have some basic reading and writing skills, so they can speak a few words. But, I am taking Chinese lessons so I can ask questions and get help when I am travelling or shopping for groceries.
5. Is there better technology than you've ever seen before?
There is alot of technology here. There are many electronic stores - sometimes with 8 floors of every kind of electronic you can imagine! So many kinds of computers, cameras and toilet seat heaters! Ha.ha. You can pretty much get anything you want here.
6. What are some of the main differences in China then Canada?
The biggest difference I have noticed is that Canada has very clean air! In Canada we are so lucky to have many green trees and not too much pollution. The air is very thick here and sometimes if you have a cold or a cough it takes longer to get better. One thing that I love about China is that it is very cheap to live here. I can have a lovely Chinese meal for about $2.00CAN. In China, people also travel on the train everyday. In Alberta we don't really have a good train system, and we have to start our cars on cold winter mornings! In China, you can just hop on the train and go anywhere you like! It is fun and exciting to look out the window and see rice feilds or temples! Another interesting thing I have noticed is that in Canada, I am considered to be short amoung my friends and I have to look up when I speak to people, but in China people seem to be shorter than me! I was standing in an elevator the other day, with some important looking business men and I was taller than all of them!
7. How do you talk (crossed out) communicate to them when they only speak Chinese and you only speak English?
Good question! Since many Chinese have learned basic listening, writing and reading skills in school, they can understand generally what I am saying. My job is to help give them more vocabulary to use in conversation and situations when going to an English speaking country - example, ordering in a restraunt, telling people about Chinese traditions or giving a speech in English. Its also about giving the students more polite language when speaking with strangers or in a professional setting. Many of the students I teach are high level, and they teach me about Chinese culture. At the school I work at, we have local Chinese English teachers to help the lower level students. Its fun and interesting to work with Chinese and many other teachers from around the world - Australia, England and America.
8. What kind of house do you live in?
I live in a very nice 2 bedroom apartment with my friend from Canada. We live in downtown Guangzhou on the 20th floor, and our view is of a large park below. And there is a train station close by, and many cheap restraunts below. But, its a little cold now because many apartments here do not have indoor heating! Its only 8 degrees, but its hard to stay warm, so I have to have a space heater in my room to stay warm. And I drink alot of tea and coffee, which also helps. And I frequently wear a toque to bed! Ha.Ha. But, its not so bad!
9. Have you been on the Great wall of China?
No! I live in southern China, and the Great Wall in more Northern and a little far away! But, I really want to go when it gets warmer! That is one of my goals while living here! I would love to climb the great wall!
10. Do you like their food? (I love won-ton soup!!!!-from Marya)
Marya, I like won-ton soup too! Traditional Chinese food is so delicious! And very cheap. While some can be a little strange (chicken feet or ducks head or pig insides!), most is very tasty! My favorite so far is Hong Kong style peanut curry!
11. Is there clothing different then ours?
It seems that their clothing is very simliar to ours in Canada. What is very different, however, is the hairstyles! Some of the craziest I have seen. Some girls have pink hair, some have very big hair and others style their hair like a cartoon character! Its sometimes very strange, but very entertaining!
12. Are there lots or any hotels there?
Yes, China is a very popular place for people to travel, so there are many hotels and hostels for tourists. You can stay in very traditional Chinese hotels or very new and contempory hotels. Lots of variety!
13. Do you eat a lot of rice? Do they have McDonalds?
Yes, I eat alot of rice. Its one of China's staple foods. Its used to compliment many styles of food here. I have never eaten as much rice before! And also McDonalds is everywhere. It seems at every corner there is one. They have the regular cheesburger and chicken McNuggets, but they also have Chinese style food too. Its a little expensive so I try not to eat there, but the Chinese sure seem to like it. Its always busy. And it seems like everytime I go in, many of the children like to look at me because I am a foreigner and they see I look different from them. They often like to say "hello" in English to me and watch me eat! It feels a little strange sometimes. But I know they are just curious.
14. How's it going with the language thing? Can you send us some words?
It is difficult sometimes because I don't know alot of Chinese. I would like to study the language and be friendly to the local people here. But I have learned some basic words to help me with day to day living.
Here is some Chinese for you to practice with your friends (I don't know very much!):
Ni-how (hello)
Shey-Shey (thank you)
Bye-Bye (goodbye - yes, its like English!)
Once I learn more, I will let you know!
15. What is the culture like?
The Chinese are mostly very friendly and outgoing. I have noticed they like to have a goodtime and laugh and play games. But, its very interesting, they can be very loud sometimes. And I sometimes can't tell if they are angry or really really happy! I don't know alot about the culture yet because I have only been here for a month. But, I do know that the Chinese like to eat, be together and laugh together. Its fun to watch Chinese interact together - there is sometimes alot of shouting! And I have notice that no one really waits in line here - many people just push to get on the subway. Its sometimes very crazy, but entertaining!
16. Have you ever eaten a frog leg?
Yes, but not in China! I've heard frog is popular though! I also heard that cocroach and pigeon is a local specialty as well! Sounds a little scary to me though!
17. What does it look/smell like?
China is a little bit hazy looking. Not as clear as Canada. Like I said before, there is alot of pollution here. Smell like? Oh. That's tough. Maybe soya sauce!!
18. What is the weather like right now?
Its about 8 degrees celcius right now in Guangzhou. Not as cold as Alberta, but remember there is no indoor heating in apartments here, so its a bit chilly! Since I am in southern China, I've heard the weather gets to be up to the 40's in summer! And you feel very sticky all the time, because of the humidity! I'm not excited about that, but its a good time to go to the beach or visit a resort somewhere!
All in all - China is an exciting place - many things to see and do here! I hope I answered your questions and helped you understand a little about Chinese culture! Feel free to ask me more! I hope you enjoy studying about China. I'm sure Mme. Leffelaar is a great teacher! You should defanitely come to China one day to experience its beauty and people! Until next time!
---
Bonjour Mme. Leffelaar's class! Hello from China!! I'm excited to answer your questions about this exciting country. Your teacher tells me that you are interested to learn about Chinese food and culture! I hope you enjoy reading my answers to your excellent questions!
1. Do they have sumo wrestling in China?
Good question! Actually sumo wrestling is in Japan, another asian country where I was living before this! I think some of the main sports here are ping pong and Kung Fu! I would like to learn both but I think it might be difficult! I did go to a Kung Fu museum yesterday and it was very interesting to learn about this sport!
2. What kind of shops do you have there?
There is so many shops everywhere! In the city I live in Guangzhou (pronounced Gwang-jo) there is a fabric market, a jade market, a shoe market, and a clothing market - you can have clothes made to fit you perfectly! It is so different from shopping in Canada. You can get the price as low as you want. It makes shopping fun and exciting!
3. Is it clean in China?
To be honest, no! It is so important to wash your hands here. There sometimes alot of garbage on the streets and pollution in the air. There is the tallest building in Guangzhou close to my apartment and some days you cannot even see the top it is so polluted! Many people walk around wearing masks to protect themselves.
4. Do much people talk in English?
Many Chinese have learned English in jr high and high school, so they have some basic reading and writing skills, so they can speak a few words. But, I am taking Chinese lessons so I can ask questions and get help when I am travelling or shopping for groceries.
5. Is there better technology than you've ever seen before?
There is alot of technology here. There are many electronic stores - sometimes with 8 floors of every kind of electronic you can imagine! So many kinds of computers, cameras and toilet seat heaters! Ha.ha. You can pretty much get anything you want here.
6. What are some of the main differences in China then Canada?
The biggest difference I have noticed is that Canada has very clean air! In Canada we are so lucky to have many green trees and not too much pollution. The air is very thick here and sometimes if you have a cold or a cough it takes longer to get better. One thing that I love about China is that it is very cheap to live here. I can have a lovely Chinese meal for about $2.00CAN. In China, people also travel on the train everyday. In Alberta we don't really have a good train system, and we have to start our cars on cold winter mornings! In China, you can just hop on the train and go anywhere you like! It is fun and exciting to look out the window and see rice feilds or temples! Another interesting thing I have noticed is that in Canada, I am considered to be short amoung my friends and I have to look up when I speak to people, but in China people seem to be shorter than me! I was standing in an elevator the other day, with some important looking business men and I was taller than all of them!
7. How do you talk (crossed out) communicate to them when they only speak Chinese and you only speak English?
Good question! Since many Chinese have learned basic listening, writing and reading skills in school, they can understand generally what I am saying. My job is to help give them more vocabulary to use in conversation and situations when going to an English speaking country - example, ordering in a restraunt, telling people about Chinese traditions or giving a speech in English. Its also about giving the students more polite language when speaking with strangers or in a professional setting. Many of the students I teach are high level, and they teach me about Chinese culture. At the school I work at, we have local Chinese English teachers to help the lower level students. Its fun and interesting to work with Chinese and many other teachers from around the world - Australia, England and America.
8. What kind of house do you live in?
I live in a very nice 2 bedroom apartment with my friend from Canada. We live in downtown Guangzhou on the 20th floor, and our view is of a large park below. And there is a train station close by, and many cheap restraunts below. But, its a little cold now because many apartments here do not have indoor heating! Its only 8 degrees, but its hard to stay warm, so I have to have a space heater in my room to stay warm. And I drink alot of tea and coffee, which also helps. And I frequently wear a toque to bed! Ha.Ha. But, its not so bad!
9. Have you been on the Great wall of China?
No! I live in southern China, and the Great Wall in more Northern and a little far away! But, I really want to go when it gets warmer! That is one of my goals while living here! I would love to climb the great wall!
10. Do you like their food? (I love won-ton soup!!!!-from Marya)
Marya, I like won-ton soup too! Traditional Chinese food is so delicious! And very cheap. While some can be a little strange (chicken feet or ducks head or pig insides!), most is very tasty! My favorite so far is Hong Kong style peanut curry!
11. Is there clothing different then ours?
It seems that their clothing is very simliar to ours in Canada. What is very different, however, is the hairstyles! Some of the craziest I have seen. Some girls have pink hair, some have very big hair and others style their hair like a cartoon character! Its sometimes very strange, but very entertaining!
12. Are there lots or any hotels there?
Yes, China is a very popular place for people to travel, so there are many hotels and hostels for tourists. You can stay in very traditional Chinese hotels or very new and contempory hotels. Lots of variety!
13. Do you eat a lot of rice? Do they have McDonalds?
Yes, I eat alot of rice. Its one of China's staple foods. Its used to compliment many styles of food here. I have never eaten as much rice before! And also McDonalds is everywhere. It seems at every corner there is one. They have the regular cheesburger and chicken McNuggets, but they also have Chinese style food too. Its a little expensive so I try not to eat there, but the Chinese sure seem to like it. Its always busy. And it seems like everytime I go in, many of the children like to look at me because I am a foreigner and they see I look different from them. They often like to say "hello" in English to me and watch me eat! It feels a little strange sometimes. But I know they are just curious.
14. How's it going with the language thing? Can you send us some words?
It is difficult sometimes because I don't know alot of Chinese. I would like to study the language and be friendly to the local people here. But I have learned some basic words to help me with day to day living.
Here is some Chinese for you to practice with your friends (I don't know very much!):
Ni-how (hello)
Shey-Shey (thank you)
Bye-Bye (goodbye - yes, its like English!)
Once I learn more, I will let you know!
15. What is the culture like?
The Chinese are mostly very friendly and outgoing. I have noticed they like to have a goodtime and laugh and play games. But, its very interesting, they can be very loud sometimes. And I sometimes can't tell if they are angry or really really happy! I don't know alot about the culture yet because I have only been here for a month. But, I do know that the Chinese like to eat, be together and laugh together. Its fun to watch Chinese interact together - there is sometimes alot of shouting! And I have notice that no one really waits in line here - many people just push to get on the subway. Its sometimes very crazy, but entertaining!
16. Have you ever eaten a frog leg?
Yes, but not in China! I've heard frog is popular though! I also heard that cocroach and pigeon is a local specialty as well! Sounds a little scary to me though!
17. What does it look/smell like?
China is a little bit hazy looking. Not as clear as Canada. Like I said before, there is alot of pollution here. Smell like? Oh. That's tough. Maybe soya sauce!!
18. What is the weather like right now?
Its about 8 degrees celcius right now in Guangzhou. Not as cold as Alberta, but remember there is no indoor heating in apartments here, so its a bit chilly! Since I am in southern China, I've heard the weather gets to be up to the 40's in summer! And you feel very sticky all the time, because of the humidity! I'm not excited about that, but its a good time to go to the beach or visit a resort somewhere!
All in all - China is an exciting place - many things to see and do here! I hope I answered your questions and helped you understand a little about Chinese culture! Feel free to ask me more! I hope you enjoy studying about China. I'm sure Mme. Leffelaar is a great teacher! You should defanitely come to China one day to experience its beauty and people! Until next time!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
happy chinese new year...
In the midst of the cool weather, the chinese all seem to come out and walk the streets to enjoy the beauty of the flower market in Guangzhou and celebrate the new year with fireworks and good food. I never thought coming to China that I would get to experience another new year! I couldn't help but feel excited last night watching the fireworks from my apartment window...thinking that it was giving me a fresh start for my journey here in China. Full of new beginnings and challenges, but mostly having the chance to explore another part of the world.
The last few days a have had the chance to visit the flower market here in Guangzhou with one of my new Chinese friends here. Every flower that you can imagine, of every colour, lines the street of Beijjing lou. People shouting at you from every direction to get you to buy their flowers. Orchids, roses, lillys are just a few of the flowers that you can feast your eyes on. Red lanterns hang from the trees above and the smell of incense is in the air. The air is cold, but the atmosphere is warm and rich.
My friend Susan, a local Chinese girl who knows the Big man, invited me to visit a local market here so we could buy food for our new years dinner. Little did I know the sights I would be seeing there. Every kind of fish you can imagine, fresh veggies and fruit, peeking duck, and chicken. I will never look at chicken the same. Its is so fresh here, that you can pick your live chicken from the cage, the shop owner will kill it for you, and they take all the insides out and prepare it for you. I found I couldn't take me eyes off this whole process! As we walked back to the apartment, I tried to take in our surroundings. A very local area of GZ, like nothing I had seen before. Local Chinese men playing cards near their shop, a woman carrying a large bag of rice on her shoulders, and children playing with firecrackers on the street.We brought back all of our findings to her apartment and I was taught the fine art of Chinese cooking. We prepared fish, tofu, ginger, cilantro, chicken, beef. We gathered around a small table in the humble surroundings and enjoyed the hot pot together. I felt so thankful for the food and company in front of me.
Chinese new year has brought new things already, but has also reminded me of the importance of friendship and community. Even though the local Chinese here are probably not making alot of money, they do not even hesitate to give the best of what they have. This in itself is such a huge gift. Happy Chinese New Year!
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