Shandong Province is known for Mutton Soup. It may be surprising to Americans, but mutton soup is a common breakfast item. I was treated to a delicious breakfast of mutton soup and pancakes, a type of bread similar to pita that is grilled on a large skillet.
The ladies in the kitchen at the mutton soup restaurant were delighted to have their photo taken.
Mr. Wood
At dinner with the four best friends (see Dinner with Zhang family and Friends), the four children prepared a performance for me. Here’s the video.
Mr. Wood
Heze is the Peony capital of China and the Peony is one of China’s national flowers. I was lucky enough to be in Heze during the annual peony festival. Mr. Zhang, Mr. Wong, and Ms. Yang took me to the festival on my last day with them.
It is traditional to wear a peony hat made of live peonies.
I thought I would get by without wearing one,
but…
I think I was the only American at the festival, so I ended up with a crew from the local television station and the local newspaper following me around all day.
They had me posing in the peonies where no one was allowed to go.
People of all ages enjoyed the festival.
It was a beautiful way to end my stay in Heze.
See more photos in the Heze gallery.
Mr. Wood
One of the purposes of my trip to China, was to establish routine communications between Heze Primary School and Beecher Road School. During my stay, we held a video conference between the schools.
On my last day at the school, I met with Mr. Zhang, the two computer teachers and other teachers to develop plans for our schools to collaborate through technology.
We plan to hold regular video conferences using Skype as well as have students share pictures through our common website. Teachers will collaborate through a number of ways. I taught them how to use Google Docs and we used it to write our plan together.
I am excited to be working as part of a new collaborative Technology Team.
Mr. Wood
Each afternoon I visited class of all ages. The students asked me questions. I answered and Ms. Yang translated. Sometimes I was asked questions in English, sometimes in Chinese, and sometimes in a little of both.
The students particularly liked the fact that I teach computers. Everytime I answered that question, they clapped.
All the classes wanted to have their photos taken with me. Sometimes the photo was organized.
Sometimes they were not so organized.
And somtimes it was total chaos.
Am I still here?
Mr. Wood
Every morning around 9:30 music begins to play outside the school in Heze. Shortly after that, all the students begin to flow out of the classrooms onto the track behind the school. Three laps around the track.
Then they all move to the courtyard where they do an entire routine of exercises together in rhythm.
Who’s that running the circuit?
After exercising the body, students return to the classroom where they do eye exercises and prepare for the next class.
A great way to stay fit!
Mr. Wood
During my stay in Heze, I was the guest in four homes. This was some of the most significant time that I spent in China. The hospitality was incredible and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing life in these Chinese homes.
Please see the previous four posts that describe these experiences in detail.
Mr. Wood
On Wednesday evening I was invited to dinner at the home of the Zhang family. The Zhang family, the Ma family, the Xia family, and the Wang family all live in the same building and are close friends. They share meals together regularly, socialize together, travel together, and the children are best of friends.
Friends
I dined with the Zhang family and the other three children while the other parents were in the Wang home next door preparing the meal.
The Zhang family presented me a gift
Mr. Zhang is a children’s author. They presented me with a book of Chinese stamps that commemorate the Peony Festival in Heze.
After dinner, the children performed a musical routine they had written and prepared for me. It was about my visit.
Later that evening, we went next door and set up a computer with Skype so that the children will be able communicate with children in Woodbridge.
What great fun we had!
Mr. Wood
On Wednesday, I joined the Yan family and their frineds for lunch.
Her aunt taught me how to make dumplings, a traditional and delicious part of meals in Shandong Province.
Making Dumplings
My First Dumpling
They made sure that I ate my first dumpling. It was delicious, if I say so myself.
After lunch Mrs. Yan presented me with a beautiful, locally handwoven bed cover and a bag of the pastries her company produces.
Then I posed for photos with all of the friends and relatives.
It was a great time!
Mr. Wood
On Wednesday evening, I enjoyed dinner with the Guo family.
This delightful young girl first entertained me with her wonderful piano playing and showed me her room.
It was an honor be guests of the Guo family.
Mr. Wood
It was a delightful surprise to find that I will be sharing many of my meals with students and their families at home.
The Ji twinsare in grade 5. It was in their home that I first experienced the honor of being the guest of a family.
Mr. and Mrs. Ji greeted as we entered their beautiful third floor home. Mr. Ji’s mother lives with them as part of a traditional Chinese family.
Lunch was prepared by Mrs. Ji. The family presented me with gifts made by Grandma Ji. And a colleague of Mr. Ji photographed the event. (One of the photos later appeared in the local newspaper.)
After lunch, I shared photos from Connecticut with the twins.
In Heze Primary School, there is a two hour break at noon and all students and teachers go home for lunch.
Mr. Wood
On Tuesday afternoon at the school, I visited many of the activities that go on each day after school. Unlike in American schools, all students participate in the activities.
Singing - Students were practicing their musical performances.
Ping Pong - I tried, but these young students left me in the dust.
Painting - Students taught me how to do traditional Chinese painting.
Little Red Riding Hood - Ms. Yang’s activity group performed “Little Red Riding Hood” for me. They performed this famous Chinese tale in English.
Paper Cutting - During her paper cutting activity, Li Rui Ying presented me with a paper cutting of two goldfish that had made for me.
Clay - Li Ying and his activity group taught me how to make flowers from a clay / plastecene type material.
Dancing - It was a treat to learn a traditional dance with the beautiful Tian Ran.
It was a great afternoon!
Mr. Wood