Dongcheng International Hotel Dongguan

... stellar location. I do not know much about Feng Shui but whoever choose the location surely knew what they were doing. The temple it self was "maintained" by two "monks". Again quote unquote as the temple was very run down and filled with trash, and it seemed clear to me why these two particular monks were placed in such a remote place. One of them actually was smoking which is a flagrant violation of the monastic precepts. They were happy enough to receive our offering ...

... el clima de la región. El apartamento tenía un salón comedor muy grande con un balconcito bastante amplio, la habitación en la que dormiría yo con una cama de matrimonio, la de Pedro con un enorme ventanal con vistas al jardín, un amplio baño con una ducha (sin juntas entre las baldosas por donde puedan salir gusanos) y una cocina con un peculiar electrodoméstico del cual no sabía de su existencia. Era una especie de microondas por fuera y lavavajillas ...

... y si llevas todo según lo planeado es aburrido.

Llego el jueves, primer día de examen. Aproveche para comer con mi amigo Josetxo en Pamplona ya que era el único momento del día libre y poder decirle adiós. Las seis de la tarde, entro al despacho y me esperaba el profesor con las hojas en la mesa. Después de dos horas y media cierro la puerta de su despacho dándole las gracias al profesor.

El viernes. Un largo día que comenzó a las seis de la mañana ...

These lovely pictures are of the South China Normal University in Guangzhou, the capital of the Guangdong province. Guangzhou is 1.5 hours by bus from my town Qingyuan. It is a very large city of about 15 million people, but I have yet to feel overwhelmed or crowded by the people. It is very easy to travel around even with very weak Chinese as almost all public signs are in both English and Chinese and most young people speak at least a little English. I ...

... Aaron, who Connie had also et 4 years ago in Fort Collins, was a great ping pong player. Axu told me that his students had
recently got him a paddle as a gift since he was the president of the ping pong club on the campus. While he went to go and get the paddle Connie told me how ping pong is the national sport of China and how Axu love's to play it but really isn't that good. I was surprised since he is the president of the ping pong club. Axu produced the paddle which was ...

... br>
The banking law and policy here stipulates that if such fund remained
unclaimed after nine years, the money will be transferred into the bank
treasury as unclaimed bill; I therefore agree that 40% of this fund will
be for you as foreign partner, in respect to the provision of a foreign
account and your assistant, while I take 60%. I will also come down to
your country for my own share and you will help me for business ...

Guangzhou January 8-11, 2009 It's about time I wrote about the amazing month long trip that we had over the Chinese New Year holiday!  I will try to remember all of the interesting and funny stories from Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Vietnam! Our first stop on our vacation was Guangzhou, China.  Some might ask, "What is in Guangzhou?" or "Why did you choose to go to Guangzhou?"  and here is why ...

... to shop for electronics, cloths and other trinkets. I should mention that we made a stop to the Kowloon Park in the middle of this shopping frenzy. Truth be told, we had to gain some fresh air and get Rob away from the Tailor merchants peddling their skill at making suits. His size had them treating him as fresh meat and they couldn't help themselves to such a fine speciman!!!!! The walk con't

... money'. And when asked what she wanted to do when she left school logically answered 'Make more money'. The Chinese teachers I work with have a low opinion of my school - much too much work for not enough money. I was interested to find out what the students would say, but I got a hint of it when we were going through my answers. In answer to 'Do you like teaching at this school' I wrote on the board 'It's OK. But I think the students and teachers work ...

... seems quite short. It took a while to sink in, but the realisation of the implication of that decision is dawning and I'm sure that I want to spend more time exploring more of this intriguing country. It's an interesting insight into the human - or at least my - psyche. As soon as I new I would leave China in less than 4 months, I found I have no psychological attachment to this work environment, or desire to ...