Mr. Zeng presented me with a most wonderful gift.
A Gift from Mr. Zeng
This traditional painting of Peonies with calligraphy was painted in Heze by a local artist.
Mr. Wood
Archive for the ‘Places’ Category
Gift from Mr. Zeng
Saturday, April 18th, 2009Driving in the Streets of Heze
Saturday, April 18th, 2009I have never experienced anything like the way people drive in Heze. It’s not fast and crazy like in American cities. But for an American, it is very disorienting.
There are cars, trucks, bicycles, motor bikes, rickshaws, and people traveling in streets that are 8 lanes wide. Down the middle is a double yellow line, which sort of divides the direction in which traffic flows. But it appears that direction isn’t that important. This is difficult to explain, so I will give some examples.
We are traveling in one direction, but there are vehicles ( trucks, bikes, etc.) in all lanes up ahead. Just start honking and move to the left a few lanes and drive among the on-coming vehicles.
Oh, by the way. No traffic lights. No stop signs. Traffic just flows constantly in four directions at each intersection.
Perhaps we want to make a left turn but there is on coming traffic. Just start weaving among the on-coming cars until get to the other side of the street. Then turn left into the on-coming lanes and make you way among the on-coming traffic until you get into the right lanes. Of course, the horn is engaged constantly.
I will try to get some video of this. Words just don’t do it justice.
This may sound scary. At no time did I feel worried or fear for my safety. Everyone was doing it. No one seemed annoyed with it. It’s just how it works.
Mr. Wong is a very good driver! And am extremely grateful I don’t have to sit behind the steering wheel.
Mr. Wong, An Excellent Driver
Mr. Wood
New Pictures
Saturday, April 18th, 2009There are new pictures in the Qufu, Children, and Flat Mr. C. galleries.
On the way to Qufu
Saturday, April 18th, 2009Well we were back to being tourists again today, it was certainly a change of pace from the last few days. Today’s schedule lead us to Qufu, home of Confucius, and it turned out to be an exciting trip! While traveling on the highway, the bus ran over something and the rear tires started making a strange noise. The driver pulled the bus over and check everything out and then got us back on the road. The noise continued for several kilometers and all of a sudden there was another loud bang. I looked out the back window and saw a small piece of metal tumble away from our bus down the highway. The driver pulled the bus over again but after a quick check it we were back driving, slowly limping our way to the next exit. Everyone on the bus knew something was wrong with the tires but no one was sure what was happening. Then as we pulled off the exit there was another loud bang and then one of the rear tires went bouncing down the road behind the bus. This time the bus was dead in its tracks. The bus driver went running back down the highway to get the tire and bring it back to the bus. There was no use in trying to limp any further down the road. Everyone got off the bus and started walking down the exit ramp. By the time we got to the end of the ramp there was another bus waiting for us to take us to Qufu.
By the time we needed to head back to Jinan, the bus was fixed and we headed home. What an exciting trip! It’s another early morning with a 7 A.M. High Speed train to Beijing.
Zaijian,
Mr. C
Confucius
Friday, April 17th, 2009Today we will be visiting the city of Qufu, where Confucius was born and started a school. Confucius (551-479 BCE) was a thinker, political figure, educator, and founder of a school of Chinese philosophy. He lived from 551 B.C. to 479 B.C. Confucius has many quotations attributed to him. I have listed below some of my favorite quotes.
Zaijian,
Mr. Crawford
Quotes attributed to Confucius
Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.
Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.
Respect yourself and others will respect you.
Study the past if you would define the future.
To see what is right, and not to do it, is want of courage or of principle.
Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.
Today’s Schedule 4/18
Friday, April 17th, 2009Today we will be traveling to Qufu to visit the house of Confucius.
Arrived in Jinan
Friday, April 17th, 2009I arrived safely in Jinan after visiting the Peony Festival in Heze this morning. I was the star of the show there. A camera crew followed me around the festival. I posed in the midst of the peonies. I wore a peony hat. As far as I know, I was the only westerner there amidst the thousands.
Pictures and more later. Mr. Crawford and I just bought a huge suitcase in the hopes of packing all the gifts we received.
We visit Qufu, home of Confucius, tomorrow.
Mr. Wood
Arrived back in Jinan
Friday, April 17th, 2009I just arrived back in Jinan and am settling back into the hotel again. Today on the way back, we stopped in Zibo the home town of Pu Songling. Pu Songling was a famous writer who lived from 1640 to 1715. He published many different stories but is very famous for writing stories about ghosts. Mr. Pang, the vice-principal, compared Pu Songling to the writer Mark Twain. It was interesting to see Pu Songling’s house and beautiful courtyards. Pictures of his house will be uploaded soon into the Binzhou gallery.
It was a sad goodbye this morning to leave Binzhou. I had students surprise me this morning and give me a gift of a photo album and video. My days in Binzhou went by too fast but I made many friends. Hopefully, one day I will be able to come back and visit the school and the students of Shoutian Yingcai Primary school.
Now I am just waiting for Mr. Wood to arrive back at the hotel and then it is on to another banquet tonight.
Zaijian,
Mr. Crawford
Mr. Crawford’s Schedule 4/17
Thursday, April 16th, 2009Here is the schedule for my last day in Binzhou. This week has flown by so fast. I look forward to meeting up with Mr. Wood and exchanging our experiences tonight.
6:50 Mr. Guo and translator will have breakfast with James at the hotel.
7:30 Tour in Zibo—Hometown of Pu Songling.
12:00 Have lunch in Zibo city.
13:30 Return to Jinan.
This evening we will be attending a farewell banquet in Jinan.
Flat Mr. C. at SYPS
Thursday, April 16th, 2009Flat Mr. C. has had a busy week and hasn’t had a moent to take a picture. Today, his last day at Shoutian Yingcai Primary School he took some time to make a video with the students. He has made many friends and is sad his visit to SYPS is coming to an end. Tomorrow it is on to Zibo and back to Jinan.
Mr. C
Binzhou Update
Thursday, April 16th, 2009It has been a great time here in Binzhou so far. My schedule has been packed full of classes to observe and new experiences. My daily schedule has changed frequently since I originally posted it at the beginning of the week. My days here have been very long since I spen the last two nights in two different family homes. The families have been extremely welcoming of me and have had translators stay late at night and come very early in the morning to assist me in understanding as much of what is going on around me as I can. I have also been eating breakfast, lunch and dinner with different families in their homes. Each meal is unique and a special treat that the families have wanted to share with me. Over the last few days they have made me many good things, so much that I often too full to eat any more. The familes keep telling me to “Eat up. eat up!” The good news is that they are very impressed with my ability to use chopsticks. Dinner have been very long, last night for example dinner lasted over two hours. I also got to share in a birthday party dinner last night as well.
Even though I can’t speak the language, evey family has welcomed me into their homes and share a piece of the Chinese culture with me. We have shared many laughs and good conversations (with the help of the translators of course!).
I am using a school computer at the moment and will upload pictures and tell you more about the exciting adventures when I get a chance. Tonight, I will be staying at the hotel again and hopefully after the farewell banquet will be able to update some pictures and stories.
Zaijian,
Mr. Crawford
Alfen Yang
Thursday, April 16th, 2009Ms. Yang is a most extraordinary translator, guide, friend, and wonderful person. Her delightful personality and her constant attention to every need is amazing. She has been my best friend here and she has helped me through many situations.
Ms. Alfen Yang
Thank you Alfen. I hope you come to America soon!
Mr. Wood