Saturday, April 4, 2015
Zaijian China; how about one more group photo wearing the same clothes?
If students end up creating some kind of website or wiki or Facebook album, or if Auyeung Laoshi creates some kind of electronic presentation, I'll be sure to include links on this blog. Their stories I'm sure are different and probably more colorful.
Friday, April 3, 2015
The Great Wall
I took more pictures on my good camera, so these shots are all I have to share from my phone.
Traffic, not so good in Beijing
How do you say awkward in Chinese?
After we made it through the 3 hour traffic jam, we arrived in a sort of artist quarter in an industrial-like area of Beijing. We met various adult students and friends of a highly esteemed calligrapher, Mr. Dong wei, trained by the famous Wang Yong. You will have to google him.
We (Chou, Manee, Der, and Nhia) sat down in an intimate restaurant setting with Mr. Dong, two of his adult students, two translators, a boyfriend of one of the translators, and a 13-year-old calligraphy student and his father, all strangers to us. Then we all asked to go to the bathroom because we had been in traffic for so long. So everyone got up and we had to start introductions all over again.
The dinner would have tasted even more delicious than it looked if it were not for being so out of our element and uncomfortable with the situation. There was small talk through translation like, "I see you all know how to use chop sticks very well," and to Nhia, "you look like a famous Korean singer."
When dinner was over, we walked through a dark alley to Dong wei art studio where we enjoyed a couple different kinds of tea served to us by a tea master of sorts--very formal. I liked it but the students thought it too bitter. Discussion of the difference in school schedules ensued, as Manee took that question. She explained bus pick up, lunch times, and class times, ending at 3:00. Mr. Dong explained how his daughter is sometimes at school until 10 at night and how much pressure there is to always work so hard. The translator I think added that we must feel so lucky to have so much free time. Manee added that students have a lot of homework like papers to write and that some students work after school or have internships to build up their resumés to get into a good college. Anyway, I think there was some one-upping going on there.
After tea we went into the studio area where there were about 20 or so adult calligraphy students of Mr. Dong. They were all taking pictures of us and video taping the entire cultural exchange as if we were famous celebrities. In retrospect, I think it is Mr. Dong who is the celebrity in his community. They were all following him and his every move.
Some of us tried doing calligraphy ourselves in front of all these people and their cameras. Nhia and Manee received applause while I received a sympathy clap. Mr. Dong then did a demonstration of different styles of calligraphy: cursive, strong, delicate, cartoon, etc. he explained that every calligrapher is unique and each brush stroke is one of a kind. The form not only tells a story but shows it (that's my interpretation of what was translated).
This amazing experience ended with us receiving original calligraphy from Mr Dong and taking more pictures. What an honor!! So ceremonious and over the top.
I gave Mr. Dong gourmet salt in exchange, which Ms. Auyeung had given me to use as a gift. I wish there was something more I could have given because of what we received.
We walked back through the dark alley to our bus, saying xiexie (thanks) a bunch of times.
When back on the road I asked the students if they were okay. One replied, "I am now [that we're on the bus]". We all laughed at how awkward the whole experience was. What else could we do but laugh, so much was out of our control.
Getting back to the dorms a good 3 hours later than the other students, we still have to pack for our return home to the States. We're so exhausted.
We (Chou, Manee, Der, and Nhia) sat down in an intimate restaurant setting with Mr. Dong, two of his adult students, two translators, a boyfriend of one of the translators, and a 13-year-old calligraphy student and his father, all strangers to us. Then we all asked to go to the bathroom because we had been in traffic for so long. So everyone got up and we had to start introductions all over again.
The dinner would have tasted even more delicious than it looked if it were not for being so out of our element and uncomfortable with the situation. There was small talk through translation like, "I see you all know how to use chop sticks very well," and to Nhia, "you look like a famous Korean singer."
When dinner was over, we walked through a dark alley to Dong wei art studio where we enjoyed a couple different kinds of tea served to us by a tea master of sorts--very formal. I liked it but the students thought it too bitter. Discussion of the difference in school schedules ensued, as Manee took that question. She explained bus pick up, lunch times, and class times, ending at 3:00. Mr. Dong explained how his daughter is sometimes at school until 10 at night and how much pressure there is to always work so hard. The translator I think added that we must feel so lucky to have so much free time. Manee added that students have a lot of homework like papers to write and that some students work after school or have internships to build up their resumés to get into a good college. Anyway, I think there was some one-upping going on there.
After tea we went into the studio area where there were about 20 or so adult calligraphy students of Mr. Dong. They were all taking pictures of us and video taping the entire cultural exchange as if we were famous celebrities. In retrospect, I think it is Mr. Dong who is the celebrity in his community. They were all following him and his every move.
Some of us tried doing calligraphy ourselves in front of all these people and their cameras. Nhia and Manee received applause while I received a sympathy clap. Mr. Dong then did a demonstration of different styles of calligraphy: cursive, strong, delicate, cartoon, etc. he explained that every calligrapher is unique and each brush stroke is one of a kind. The form not only tells a story but shows it (that's my interpretation of what was translated).
This amazing experience ended with us receiving original calligraphy from Mr Dong and taking more pictures. What an honor!! So ceremonious and over the top.
I gave Mr. Dong gourmet salt in exchange, which Ms. Auyeung had given me to use as a gift. I wish there was something more I could have given because of what we received.
We walked back through the dark alley to our bus, saying xiexie (thanks) a bunch of times.
When back on the road I asked the students if they were okay. One replied, "I am now [that we're on the bus]". We all laughed at how awkward the whole experience was. What else could we do but laugh, so much was out of our control.
Getting back to the dorms a good 3 hours later than the other students, we still have to pack for our return home to the States. We're so exhausted.
Students Meet Their Pen Pals
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Forbidden City
It was cold and rainy this morning on our tour of the Forbidden City, so fewer pictures were taken.
Numbers are very important in Chinese culture. For example, the number nine signifies greatness because it's the highest single digit, so the entrance doors have nine rows of nine. Rub the golden knobs on the very tall, thick, and heavy gates as you enter. It will bring you good luck!
Ni Hao Beijing
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Bike ride on top of Xi'an city wall
Monday, March 30, 2015
Elementary Robotics School Visit
Students introduced themselves, sang a song, practiced a Chinese tongue twister, and conversed in Chinese, learning a few technical terms while observing the grade school kids program their robots. Overall it was a fun and energetic cultural exchange and a nice change of pace from all the sight seeing we've been doing.
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