My China Musings

This blog is my thoughts on many things and about my adventures of living and traveling in China.

July 28, 2007

Yesterday, a fellow teacher and I were holding down the stairs as we watched people go by.  There are team building exercises that come complete with trainer, equipment and the all important games. Presently, 3 teams from one company are here. Kevin, the other teacher and I were watching them play a follow-the-leader type game. Everyone is blindfolded except the last person. He gives hand signals by tapping on the shoulder of the person in front of him and that person taps the person in front of him and so on. The object is to get to a destination by following the taps. It was quite interesting watching the teams progress. Then we watched a water ski team practicing. Of course, we were observing the everyday, passerbys, too.... I like Kevin, he is a gentle soul. Nothing exciting happened. Noone lost their pants or anything like that. Most people said hello to us as they walked by, silly foreigners sitting on the steps....they must be humored, smile on their faces.

As of late, there are huge spiders coming out. I am talking twice as big as the biggest granddaddy longlegs I have ever seen. These puppies are from tip of leg to tip of leg bigger than my hand. I heard that they are harmless grass spiders. I hope so, 'cause they are big enough to scare the living daylights out of a stalwart man.

I heard that some of the investors of this training camp are farmers of the area. They want their village to prosper and grow, so they formed a consortium and invested in this training camp. For their sakes, more than anyone else, I guess, I hope that this place goes. Another prime player left today. Makes me even more skeptical.  Well, that's all till next time.

posted by: CarolenChina at 08:41 | link | comments |
china, living in china

July 27, 2007

The dog days of summer are here...it is hot and sultry.  It seems like I am changing clothes at least 3 times a day becuase the sweat that runs down the body in riverlets making the clothes uncomfortably wet. I am still at the training camp and nothing much has changed. People are leaving to have a vacation although a couple left  from frustration. I have been here since July 5. For all the cajoling and trying, I could have had at least 2 coffee shops open. At this point, I have none. I am getting disgusted. Very disgusted. Stay tuned and I will let you know what happens.

On the plus side, being here in the country, I have got to see some spectacular sunrises and sunsets. And the air is clean, the skies are blue with white clouds. I have found a place to do taiji...on the basketball court overlooking the lake. I try to get out there early and get finished before the heat of the day starts to raise up.  It was so nice doing taiji in the cool morning, watching the sky change colors as the sun started its journey to the mid heavens. Many people here in China do taiji to the sounds of taped music... I do taiji to the sounds of Mother Earth and her birds.  A couple of puppy dogs were laying at my feet, very quietly, as I did the steps to the short form. They had been racing around chasing one another as I did my stretching and warm up. Then they laid down and watched me do taiji.  It is a surreal world early in the mornings. That is about all for this day...till next time.

posted by: CarolenChina at 04:15 | link | comments |
china, living in china

July 22, 2007

I am, sometimes, amazed or in awe of the people I meet in China. Both Chinese and foreigners to China. I met a couple of guys who are involved with a group called "Protect All Children".  This organization tracks down convicted but running pedophiles. Many new comers to China are surprised at how many such slime come to places like Thailand, Laos and the rest of Asia.  The worst part, most of these countries do not extradite them...so they get away with their crime and inflict other children.  About four years ago, some other teachers and I became aware of an Aussie that let little boys from his middle school come to visit him in his room. After witnessing his actions around a 13 year old girl, we as a group told him he best find his way back to his homeland or we would go to the Chinese Police...and or  his embassy or the law enforcement agency of  his country.  And we would write letters to his home town newspapers....Isnt it amazing, he had an emergency within a week that called for his immediate return home.  Back to my original topic, I met these guys that know about and somehow involved with this organization...they were telling about the people, both men and women, that have been tracked down and convinced to go back to their countries or... I did not ask what the "or" meant. Nor did I ask what role they played.  But I might find out if there is a way to donate money or whatever to help their cause. It is a worthy one.

I am sitting in a net bar because the internet has not been extended to our rooms at this school/camp. China has its famous one child policy... unfortunately, this has caused a plethora of little emperors and empresses to be turned loose on society.  I just witnessed the behavior of once such young man.... His mother came to get him to go take part in an English speaking activity...If you could have watched his demeanor and his actions, you would have probably joined me in wanting to smack him right in the padding.... Not only was he disrespectful of  his mother, he was right down awful.  However, he did leave. Watching such tantrums only makes me very happy that my children and their children live in the U/S. And they all have brothers and sisters.  Till next time.

 

posted by: CarolenChina at 02:40 | link | comments (1) |
china, living in china

July 18, 2007

I have seen beautiful night-time skies in China before, but last night has to be at the top.  I am still in Hunan at the training camp. It is wayyyyyy out in the country  so it is very dark at night. No city lights, no village lights or farm lights, for that matter.  Last night there was quite a sight with the cresent moon and (I am guessing) maybe the planet Jupiter just off the tip...tried to take a picture, but I am not a good tripod, so I dont think it turned out.  After the moon went down, the stars came out to play and let me tell you they did....big time. There wasnt a space in the heavens that wasnt lit up with starlight. The Silver River, aka the Milky Way was like a freeway across the universe. And looking at all the stars, I almost felt like I could see all of the universe. One of the young women working here, said that the sky made her feel like she was in the middle of a mythical land. I think that expresses it just fine. I have not seen a sky so beautiful in a long time.  And it was mythical and magical.

Things are a little better here. Now there are nearly 25 foreigners here, which means you have those with their own ego agendas. I have the coffee shop to get up and running, so thank goodness, I dont have to deal with them too much. I made banana bread for the crowd and I think right now I could run for president and win. Things are actually getting done. One of the money investors came in and basically told the rest that if someone was promised 6000 yuan to teach for the next month, it could not be changed. So the teachers are feeling better. The kitchen which is so dirty, I wont eat here, is supposedly getting cleaned up and food is suppose to have more variety. It is true, there is safety in numbers.

I dont have much time, so I will sign off for now, till next time.

posted by: CarolenChina at 01:27 | link | comments |
china, living in china

July 11, 2007

At this very moment, I am sitting in a net bar in a non descript village in the middle of nowhere, Hunan Province. I am not sure that I am staying,  I think that this training camp program is using  the old bait and switch routine.  I was orginally told that I would be managing a coffee shop/reading room/small bakery place. Last night I was told that I would be a teacher and that the coffee shop will have to wait. I, more or less, exploded. I heard another foreigner telling a friend of his how this place is a scam. And unfortunately, I think I agree.  I told the man that told me the coffee shop would have to wait, that I did not  come here to be a teacher. And I will not stay if I am here just to be a teacher.  The powers that be are giving a young man, in his twenties, the run around.   His visa is about to expire.  Serious stuff.  The foreigner is the one who gets into trouble, not the school or enitiy that hires him. Yet, they are the ones that have to give the documents so that the person can get a new visa....the old catch22. I think I am witnessing the dark side of business in China. There is a book called "the Art of War"....written a couple thousand years ago. It is quite an enlightening read. Actually, Chinese business is based upon many of the precepts in that book....such as, business by deception. Most Chinese do not think a thing about cheating someone or lying to get what they want. Here it is called guanxi...relationship. Line the official's pockets and you can do anything...even if its against the law and eyes will be turned.

It will be interesting to see the Olympics in China and how the world reacts to dishonest cab drivers and businesses who jack up prices to foreigners. I have been in China long enough to just laugh when I am quoted a high price and walk away. Usually, the vendor immediately brings his price down to something more reasonable.  But a newby to China would not know that.....I just wonder if China will end up with a few black marks against it after the games.

The place, where I am, itself, is quite beautiful. Lots of foothills that eventually lead to higher mountains much farther away. It is raining today, a nice light rain...not the downpours that Guangzhou has. Most of the nights we can see stars in the sky...something one cannot always see in the cities and hardly ever in Panyu. There are small lakes around...some of which are man made but makes the countryside more beautiful. Trees and green everywhere...very nice. It is humid here, but not as humid as Guangzhou.

I think I have rambled on enough. I will try to find something much better to write about next time. So, till next time.

posted by: CarolenChina at 02:21 | link | comments (1) |
china, living in china

July 4th.

Happy Fourth of July, fellow Americans.  It is already evening time here in China.  I heard that there is suppose to be a fireworks display in Guangzhou proper, put on by the American Chamber of Commerce... complete with hot dogs and etc. Dont know for sure...I didnt go. I am trying to get myself ready to go to Hunan Province and be part of new thing in China...and immersion village. People will come there who want to practice their English and have a small taste of Western culture. There will be people of all ages running small businesses with Chinese assistants who volunteer to work there to practice their English. It is especially good for those Chinese who are going to be dealing with alot of English speaking people. Might even help those who will be working the Olympics next year. In this small town, only English will be spoken, cannot wait on anyone if they speak other than....this should prove interesting. I am looking forward to being out of this wet, hot and humid climate for the summer. Just hot and humid...but I heard that one can actually see stars where I am going. I will keep you posted about this place. Have laptop, Will travel. Till next time.

posted by: CarolenChina at 10:52 | link | comments |
china, living in china

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