Teaching, Big Buddhas and Crazy Old Men
Trip Start
Dec 28, 2005
1
30
55
Trip End
Sep 01, 2006
Yantai,
China
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Hoiking up loudly and spitting a big one on the bus / in a bank / 2mm from my foot is perfectly acceptable (apparently), queuing is replaced by a haphazard ramble prioritised by those with the most elbow pushing power and the least patience, personal space is a concept unknown - you're lucky to be given the breathing room of a finger nail's length let alone an arm's out distance, the record of "how many people fit on a bus" is broken daily, the car horn is a symbol of power; the louder and longer the better, crossing the road is a life/death situation - I've found the best method is to walk blindly as pausing just surprises the car, the 'green man' is just for show and doesn't mean anything, a vodka-orange costs more than a pair of shoes, but measures are up to the customers, 60year old men jive with 20year old women, bars own about 20 songs which are put on loop, dogs, hamsters and turtles are sold on the streets,the work ethic is so strong that small second-hand bookshops are still open at 10pm, delicate paintings stand beside bold, garish statues, the title of 'teacher' earns you immediate respect, staring doesn't bother anyone and is practiced regularly especially upon red-haired, freckled white girls(!), Chinese business men love to have their photo taken with you and continue to talk rapid Chinese at you despite the blank look on your face, rice is served at all times of the day, 'vegetarian/no meat' translates as small bits of meat here and there, linking arms is a must between girl-friends even if you're weighed down with food bags, couples like to wear matching clothes, the sound of English people attempting Chinese prompts fits of giggles, tipping is an insult, shutting your toilet door in a public toilet is optional, toilet roll is a rarity/luxury, milk is bought in bags rather than cartons, walking through the meat section in a supermarket would be a horror fanatics dream come true, ten stamps must be put on every document before it is official, finding savoury food is impossible - nearly all the bread is sweet, ringing someone at 7 in the morning on a Saturday is apparently socially acceptable - croaky responses do not prompt apologies for calling at an unearthly hour, karaoke is very popular especially amongst the tone deaf, 'Dove' is actually 'Galaxy' chocolate, DVD shops have illegal back rooms with films that are only just at the cinema - but the 'special features' hardly work on any of them, everyone always tries to help even when unnecessary, a weight attached to feathers provides kids with endless hours of fun, bicycles are en masse, fringes are very 'in', babies have holes in their trousers instead of nappies (!!), tour groups embrace geekdom and all wear matching baseball caps,'hello' is everyone's favourite word and understood by all...
So that's what I've learnt so far - I'm sure many more things will continue to strike me in this place!
As for what I've been up to...
01 The kids playing
Only taught kindergarten this week because exams are on. Very cute. Walk in the door and almost instantly have some kids wrapped round my legs, others draping off my arms, swinging on my hands, the quick ones manage to get me round the waist and the slow ones stand bewildered at the back of the huddle! Been out with various people for some meals - very delicious - enjoying the food more and more (although suffer serious cheese cravings!). Been into town - bought ten DVDs (!) because they are so cheap (love it!) Went to Nanshan with another volunteer, Sian. The main attraction in Nanshan is the Big Bronze Buddha that sits at the top of lots of steps (took about 4 breaks on the way up!) - it's one huge Buddha alright! The grounds where it is are so beautiful,very traditional China - various gardens with Chinses buildings and shrines. Had a good night out - Havannas Bar and caper Storms are the places to be - lotsa old men feeling young at heart, and Chinese women telling us how beautiful we were!Sian, Amy and Ryan (fellow volunteers)leave for good on Sunday which is a shame, cos we've been having lotsa fun and it's good to have people to do things with, which leaves just Ben and me as the only volunteers I know - may get some new ones soon. Have next week off (they celebrate May Day with a week - good thinking, I like it) so I've planned a trip to Beijing - very exciting, but nervous! Will let you know how it goes...
