Revisiting China--2024

 Hello friends


I had hoped to keep you all up to speed on my trip to China, but I was not able to access blogger because it is a google thing.  China does not do google.  I also had no shaw the whole time away, so I had to rely in Gmail--at least that sort of worked.

It was so wonderful to see so many people after four years.  I set up a daily schedule of visitations, and made over 23 visits to families, former students and colleagues.  The trip took me to Fuzhou, where Bert had rented me a one bedroom apartment.  I used that as my headquarters, and traveled to Ningde, Xiamen, Quanghou, Beijing and Huiyang.

My friends helped me immensely by booking the tickets for me, and it was easy to pay them, using transfer, on my Chinese Bank account.  They also helped me to book the taxi rides in and around the cities I visited.  Taxi is very cheap.  Lili, in Fuzhou, took me out to the university, and took me around a lot to visit.  Sharron, in Beijing, also took me around the city.

Everyone was so kind, and so hospitable.  They treated me like a queen where ever I went.  

The students are all married, have families, and are getting on with their careers.  I am so proud of them.  They were English majors, and most are working in international trade, using the English everyday.  

They all thanked me for the English lessons, and for helping them to over come their fear of speaking.  Apparently, they really loved my classes--that made me feel good!!

The highlight of the trip was Bert's wedding.  That was over the top!  It was an all day affair, starting at 8:30 in the morning, going through to midnight!!

I also had the chance to play a lot of music with Sharron in Beijing.  That was a highlight!!  I played for anyone who would listen.  When I went to Huiyang, Joe and his wife urged me to busk at the big national day holiday banquet--ha, ha--I didn't!

The kung fu boys were also very encouraging--I am motivated to get back to the tai chi.

As you could tell by the facebook posts, I pretty well ate my way through my visit.  A banquet almost every night--it was amazing--but I really don't want to seen another banquet for a long time!!

It was so worth it.  I am so glad that I went.  We all made some very happy, happy memories.

The Chinese sim card would not fit my Samsung, so I had to use my 6 year old Mi cell phone!!  I ended up taking pictures with both phones.  The pictures below, are from the Samsung, but they are slow to load to my computer.

I wanted to show you some of the amazing food I had!  It was a show!  A banquet is a real Chinese experience--usually no fewer then 13 or 14 dishes, and as the guest, you are expected to try everything!!  I certainly did and the scales will show it!!  Maybe I will do a blog just on food, and the food ceremony!!

More stories to come!!

The real Peking duck!!  It was amazing.


Sushi at Sharron's in Bejing

Sharron, and Cookie, my first English assistant.  She is now the head of the China Tea Society.  This is a multi million dollar enterprise.  This was at a very fancy restaurant in Beijing.

Sunny is a lovely lady from Fuzhou.  Her daughter is graduating from SFU this year with a Master's degree. I trained kung fu with her husband.

Sharron's wonderful parents

Sandy giving me the farewell party.
B

Meeting the "Beijing Babies" and their parents in person.  I taught these children online for 2 years.  They are speaking English fluently now.

Bert, the groom and his mom and father, who trained me in Kung Fu.
Bert and his bride being blessed by her parents.
Howard, standing, was my English assistant for 2 years.  This is my visit to his parents and home town.  His father presented me with a huge bouquet of flowers.  They made me feel very special. Howard is a policeman.






Comments

  1. Trudie6 October 2024 at 09:52

    You look so happy. T'is great to see, and to hear of your adventures.

    ReplyDelete

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