New pictures have been added to the Binzhou page.
Zaijian,
Mr. C
New pictures added
April 17th, 2009Answers to questions
April 17th, 2009Here are some answers to questions submitted recently to the blog.
We would like know if the writing on the blocks of the Great Wall are graffiti or are they signs such as no smoking or prayer or ???
There are signs warning of steep steps, do not write on the wall and, no nusiance but most of the carvings are peoples initials and others types of writing.
How far did you walk along the Great Wall? You say that you walked two towers – about how far might that be?
We walked somewhere about 1/4 to 1/2 of a mile. Its hard to say exactly because we kept stopping to take pictures and even though we walked for about 45 minutes the wall gets very steep in sections and you have to walk slowly up and down it. Also the section of the wall we walked on was very crowded.
What happens if you walk too far and cannot walk back? Can you sleep on the wall?
The wall has no real place to stop and rest. Many people just stopped walking and sat down or leaned against the side to rest for a while. I would not imagine that you could really find room on the wall to stop long enough to sleep.
Do the Guards on the wall move?
There are some guards on the wall now but there are many security cameras watching out over the crowd of people walking the wall. I only saw a few guards and they were mostly near each tower.
One student would like to know if the parents liked strangers taking pictures of their children. Also, do people stop and ask to take our picture?
Many people have stopped to ask us to take pictures with them. We have not yet met a parent who has objected to us taking their child’s picture. Many times while we are taking pictures of children, Chinese people are taking pictures of us!
Arrived in Jinan
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
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
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
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
Comment answers
April 16th, 2009Eating the different kinds of foods here in China has been difficult for me, but due to my understanding of Chinese culture, I have tried all of the food that has been put on my plate. I have tried more food in the last four days than I have in many years. I have tried many types of fish and seafood. I have also tried different types of vegetables and fruits, Many things I tried I am not sure I wan to know what I ate but they tasted alright. Being in China has expanded my food horizons, all of the families and school officials that hosted me have taken great care of me while giving me a great experience in Chinese culture. I have shared in traditional meals and birthday parties. Families have also cooked food especially for me to make me feel at home. It has also helped to have one translator for most of my meals. She knows what food I like and ones that I don’t like. She says no for me before I even can open my mouth. She is a great help to get me through every meal with making a mistake and insulting anyone. One family went to the trouble of making a Chinese version of steak and fried potatoes because they wanted me to feel comfortable. They even put on the only Chinese channel on the television that is broadcasted in English to make me feel at home. At my farewell banquet tonight even the principals and headmaster of the school ate some of their food with a knife and fork to make me feel at home. They even asked me to teach them the proper way to hold the knife and fork just as I had asked to teach me to use chopsticks properly.
Even though I miss home, my Chinese host families have made me feel welcomed and an honored guest. The time I have spent in Binzhou has been short and I will miss all my new friends.
Zaijian,
Mr. C
Binzhou Update
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
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
My New Friend and Colleague
April 16th, 2009Zhao Han is an enthusiastic computer teacher. He is 25 years old and has been teaching for 5 years. I observed one of his classes where he was teaching 60 students to animate using Flash. I was amazed at how he could do this.
We developed an instant friendship. He is eager to learn and to teach
We have had many interesting conversations since I arrived. We are eager to have the students in our two schools work together using the Internet.
On Thursday, I taught a lesson in Zhao Han’s computer lab with his assistance.
Mr. Wood and class in Heze
The students in Heze learned to use the Connecticut China Student Exchange site to share photos with students at Beecher Road Shcool.
Mr. Wood
Photos from Heze
April 16th, 2009Check the Heze gallery.
Mr. Crawford’s Schedule 4/16
April 15th, 2009Here is the schedule for my last full day at our sister school in Binzhou. It has been a great time so far.
6:50 Have breakfast at student’s house.
8:00-8:35 Watch the English class at student’s library.
8:45-9:20 Meet with Cambridge Class 2, Grade 5
10:10-10:45 Watch the reading class at student’s library.
10:55-11:45 Meet the students—grades5-6
11:30 Have lunch at student’s house.
14:00 Return to school.
14:10-15:00 Professional Education-2.
15:10-16:30 Mr. Crawford will show the video and pictures for the students at the meeting room, and answer the student representatives’ questions.
16:30-18:00 Meet with teacher and parent representatives.
18:00 Farewell Banquet
