Well, it's almost the end of my time here in China. I've avoided writing about it. I don't want it to seem like I have disliked my time here, and want to go. Because I have enjoyed being here. Not every day was good, but I learned a lot about another culture, and about myself.
In six days I will be in Guiyang. I'll spend the night there so I can catch my 8:00am flight. From Guiyang I'll go to Beijing; Beijing to JFK; JFK to Rochester. It's about 22 hours of traveling. But I'll be home, for good, at 7pm on Thursday, June 28th.
Between now and then I have one more final to give, and about a million finals to grade. My apartment is pretty well packed. I've shipped a couple of boxes to myself in NY, so I don't have much to pack. I'm washing my clothes for the last time (yay!), and still have to do sheets and towels. I just defrosted my freezer. I need to clean out my fridge and my cabinets. I'm not ready to leave, but I will be next Wednesday.
It's sad to say goodbye to my students. I've become attached to many of them. They are sweet, and make me feel like a good teacher. It's a nice feeling.
I'll try to write at least once more before I go.
I can't believe it's almost over.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Bus 11
I love the bus. I know this isn't a common sentiment, but I truly enjoy public transportation. My bus is bus number 11. It's route starts and stops at the university, so it's easy to catch. And although it takes the longest way possible to the market, I still like it. I know the route. And I know Anshun completely relative to the bus 11 route. I know I could branch out and learn about the other buses, but I'm happy with bus 11. I also enjoy the culture of the bus. People know what to do and they do it. You can pretty much hail a bus anywhere on its route. If it's in a turning lane, it might not stop for you. You can also get off the bus pretty much anywhere on its route. You have to say "yo sha!" to get off. It took me about four months to get up the courage to actually yell that. Before that I would just walk to door and look at the kid and say in English "can I get off?" while pointing at the door. The charades worked. But it's also nice to say the right thing.
On the buses in Anshun there is a driver and a teenager (usually) who opens the door and collects money. It costs 1 kuai to ride the bus. When you ride the bus in Guiyang (the capital) you have to put the money in a box when you get on the bus. I find it to be very stressful. I prefer being able to sit down and give my money to the door person. They will also give you change if you need it.
People of all ages ride the bus. When an old person gets on the people sitting near the front will give up their seat for the old person. It's really sweet. Babies ride for free, and little kids only pay 5 mao (half a kuai). Kids ride the town bus to and from school. There are no school buses. And they ride home for lunch. If you go to town around noon the bus is overrun with little kids. Some people avoid it, but I like it. :)
The most fun thing about the bus is that people use it to transport goods. They have to pay a little extra (I think). They put whatever it is they are bringing in the front of the bus and sit in the back like everyone else. It's funny when the lady riding next to you yells "yo sha!" and then gets up and grabs two baskets of live chickens from the front of the bus before getting off. Once I saw some people transport large amounts of PVC pipe on the bus. They put the pipes down the middle of the bus between the seats. Everyone had to walk on and around it to get on the bus. It took four or five minutes to load.
The stops, and the PVC pipes, and the little kids and the smoking drive some people crazy. But I just relax when I get on the bus, and enjoy the view.
On the buses in Anshun there is a driver and a teenager (usually) who opens the door and collects money. It costs 1 kuai to ride the bus. When you ride the bus in Guiyang (the capital) you have to put the money in a box when you get on the bus. I find it to be very stressful. I prefer being able to sit down and give my money to the door person. They will also give you change if you need it.
People of all ages ride the bus. When an old person gets on the people sitting near the front will give up their seat for the old person. It's really sweet. Babies ride for free, and little kids only pay 5 mao (half a kuai). Kids ride the town bus to and from school. There are no school buses. And they ride home for lunch. If you go to town around noon the bus is overrun with little kids. Some people avoid it, but I like it. :)
The most fun thing about the bus is that people use it to transport goods. They have to pay a little extra (I think). They put whatever it is they are bringing in the front of the bus and sit in the back like everyone else. It's funny when the lady riding next to you yells "yo sha!" and then gets up and grabs two baskets of live chickens from the front of the bus before getting off. Once I saw some people transport large amounts of PVC pipe on the bus. They put the pipes down the middle of the bus between the seats. Everyone had to walk on and around it to get on the bus. It took four or five minutes to load.
The stops, and the PVC pipes, and the little kids and the smoking drive some people crazy. But I just relax when I get on the bus, and enjoy the view.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Back in Anshun
Well, I'm home in Anshun. The journey from New York to Guizhou was long.
Friday February 9th my flight left Rochester at 9:45 am. I flew to Chicago where I got on board the flight to Beijing. Unfortunately there was a problem matching luggage with passengers, so we were delayed in the plane, on the ground for 2 and a half hours! That's a lot when it's tacked onto a 13 and a half hour flight. I arrived in Beijing two hours late.
Another couple from my organization was on the flight from Chicago with me. The three of us split a taxi to the hotel where we were having our conference. We had dinner and a short introduction time and then went to bed.
The next three days were part ESL teacher conference, part sight-seeing around Beijing. I got to see the Great Wall, which was great!
I also went to the Silk Market, which is famous for being a good place to buy things cheaply in Beijing. I bought three pearl necklaces for 130 kuai (about $16 total).
Beijing also had such great international dining options. It is certainly different from the China I deal with on a daily basis!
We also were trying to get train tickets back to Guizhou. The problem was that we were trying to travel too close to the Spring Festival. Spring Festival is what the Chinese call Chinese New Year. And, much like Thanksgiving in the US, pretty much everyone goes home. So the trains, planes and buses are full. We didn't get train tickets for the 14th like we had hoped. The earliest we could go was February 17th.
So two other ULS teachers and I stayed in Beijing for three more days. Another ULS teacher who lives in Beijing was gracious and allowed us to stay with her. We went to the Summer Palace to do some sightseeing. It was really cool.
The 17th Susie (ULS teacher in Guiyang) and I got on the train to Guiyang. It was a 29 hour train ride. We had "hard sleeper" seats. It was great - we had beds in the same compartment. There was hot water for noodles (like Ramen), a reasonably clean bathroom, pillows, lights - everything you could want for a long trip! And it was easy to sleep because of the rocking motion of the train.
The train arrived in Guiyang February 18th at 8:30 pm. I spent the night with Susie, since the buses had stopped running for the night. The next morning I caught a bus to Anshun, and a taxi to the university. And 10 days after my departure I was home!!
My apartment is a little musty from being closed up for five and a half weeks. I had to restock my kitchen since I got rid of all perishable food before I left. Shopping today was intense - I had a long list! And since I have to take the bus in and out I can only buy as much as I can carry. At the end of the trip my backpack was full and I had large shopping bags in both hands. And I didn't even get as much as I needed. I'll go to the more local market tomorrow morning to get the rest of what I need.
Classes start March 5th. So I have a week and a half to get my life in order for the second semester. Campus is very quiet. My neighbors are at home, but all of the students are gone. The mail room board says that I had mail (as of 2/16). But it is closed right now for the holiday.
I will write more later about the things I saw in Beijing.
Happy [Chinese] New Year!
Friday February 9th my flight left Rochester at 9:45 am. I flew to Chicago where I got on board the flight to Beijing. Unfortunately there was a problem matching luggage with passengers, so we were delayed in the plane, on the ground for 2 and a half hours! That's a lot when it's tacked onto a 13 and a half hour flight. I arrived in Beijing two hours late.
Another couple from my organization was on the flight from Chicago with me. The three of us split a taxi to the hotel where we were having our conference. We had dinner and a short introduction time and then went to bed.
The next three days were part ESL teacher conference, part sight-seeing around Beijing. I got to see the Great Wall, which was great!
I also went to the Silk Market, which is famous for being a good place to buy things cheaply in Beijing. I bought three pearl necklaces for 130 kuai (about $16 total).
Beijing also had such great international dining options. It is certainly different from the China I deal with on a daily basis!
We also were trying to get train tickets back to Guizhou. The problem was that we were trying to travel too close to the Spring Festival. Spring Festival is what the Chinese call Chinese New Year. And, much like Thanksgiving in the US, pretty much everyone goes home. So the trains, planes and buses are full. We didn't get train tickets for the 14th like we had hoped. The earliest we could go was February 17th.
So two other ULS teachers and I stayed in Beijing for three more days. Another ULS teacher who lives in Beijing was gracious and allowed us to stay with her. We went to the Summer Palace to do some sightseeing. It was really cool.
The 17th Susie (ULS teacher in Guiyang) and I got on the train to Guiyang. It was a 29 hour train ride. We had "hard sleeper" seats. It was great - we had beds in the same compartment. There was hot water for noodles (like Ramen), a reasonably clean bathroom, pillows, lights - everything you could want for a long trip! And it was easy to sleep because of the rocking motion of the train.
The train arrived in Guiyang February 18th at 8:30 pm. I spent the night with Susie, since the buses had stopped running for the night. The next morning I caught a bus to Anshun, and a taxi to the university. And 10 days after my departure I was home!!
My apartment is a little musty from being closed up for five and a half weeks. I had to restock my kitchen since I got rid of all perishable food before I left. Shopping today was intense - I had a long list! And since I have to take the bus in and out I can only buy as much as I can carry. At the end of the trip my backpack was full and I had large shopping bags in both hands. And I didn't even get as much as I needed. I'll go to the more local market tomorrow morning to get the rest of what I need.
Classes start March 5th. So I have a week and a half to get my life in order for the second semester. Campus is very quiet. My neighbors are at home, but all of the students are gone. The mail room board says that I had mail (as of 2/16). But it is closed right now for the holiday.
I will write more later about the things I saw in Beijing.
Happy [Chinese] New Year!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Hello from Meiguo
Well, my Cambodia/Laos trip was not meant to be. I am writing from my home in Brockport, NY.
The evening when we were supposed to leave I noticed a boil on my leg. I also felt flushed. After some quick webmd.com research, I found out that a boil with a fever can be quite dangerous and that I should seek immediate medical attention. I called my parents who contacted my doctor at home.
After several dozen phone calls to various people, I left for the hospital in Anshun. Sara and Laura Leigh (foreign teachers) came with me. We met Miss Zhang, Charlie and Jack (University faculty) at the hospital. I was examined by the doctor, I had my blood drawn and tested, and was prescribed some antibiotics.
In the meantime, the rest of the group started their journey towards Laos. I decided not to go on the trip, but to go back to America, for the holiday. It was an easy decision at the time. Boils usually don't, but can get into the blood stream and cause blood poisoning, which can be fatal. It would have been unwise to be traveling in unknown areas with the symptoms I had.
My parents helped me purchase tickets home. It was 27 hours of traveling: 20 hours on planes and four flights before I got home. I'm here until February 9th. Then I'll travel back to Beijing, where I'll stay for four days for the ULS Winter Conference.
The Spring semester will start March 5th. I'm thoroughly enjoying America, but am looking forward to going back. My life is in Anshun and I like it.
P.S. "Meiguo" is Mandarin for America
The evening when we were supposed to leave I noticed a boil on my leg. I also felt flushed. After some quick webmd.com research, I found out that a boil with a fever can be quite dangerous and that I should seek immediate medical attention. I called my parents who contacted my doctor at home.
After several dozen phone calls to various people, I left for the hospital in Anshun. Sara and Laura Leigh (foreign teachers) came with me. We met Miss Zhang, Charlie and Jack (University faculty) at the hospital. I was examined by the doctor, I had my blood drawn and tested, and was prescribed some antibiotics.
In the meantime, the rest of the group started their journey towards Laos. I decided not to go on the trip, but to go back to America, for the holiday. It was an easy decision at the time. Boils usually don't, but can get into the blood stream and cause blood poisoning, which can be fatal. It would have been unwise to be traveling in unknown areas with the symptoms I had.
My parents helped me purchase tickets home. It was 27 hours of traveling: 20 hours on planes and four flights before I got home. I'm here until February 9th. Then I'll travel back to Beijing, where I'll stay for four days for the ULS Winter Conference.
The Spring semester will start March 5th. I'm thoroughly enjoying America, but am looking forward to going back. My life is in Anshun and I like it.
P.S. "Meiguo" is Mandarin for America
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Catching up
Christmas is a small deal here. There are some Christmas decorations in shops and restaurants. You mostly see “Santa faces” everywhere. You don’t really see trees or wreathes or candles or anything – just Santa faces. It’s a little creepy, but nice. Last weekend we went to Guiyang Guiyang
Well, it’s almost the end of the term here. Semesters are technically 20 weeks long, but foreign teachers are asked to give exams on week 18. We just finished week 17, the last week of classes, and next week is week 18. It seems crazy to me that finals week is the same as Christmas week! According to our contracts, we do not work on Christmas, so I had to reschedule my Monday class to take their exam Friday. It’s cool, though.
My finals’ schedule is as follows:
Tuesday 2-4 Writing Exam (they have a research paper due January 2nd also)
Wednesday 8-10 Pronunciation Exam
Wednesday 10-12 Literature Exam
Thursday 2-4 Oral Exam
Friday 8-10 Listening Exam
Friday 10-12 Listening Exam
Of these exams four are written and two are spoken. For my Pronunciation and Oral classes I have the students signed up to talk to me for 5 minutes at a time. In Pronunciation they have a poem prepared, and an impromptu dialogue to read. I’ll assess their pronunciation this way. In Oral I will have cards that they will draw randomly and have a conversation accordingly. They have an idea of the parameters of the cards-it covers things we have learned in class-but they don’t know exactly what they will say. It makes for a long two hours, but there isn’t any additional grading to do, so that’s nice.
After December 29 I just have to collect the research papers from my writing class. That will probably be a bit of grading, but I can handle it. That’s why I get paid the big bucks. :)
The week of January 1-8 I will finish my grading. I have to hand in special grade sheets. Then I’ll prepare for my trip! Here’s the plan: we are taking a train to
It’ll be nice to travel to the warmer climate and to see
I was talking to a student the other day and she asked me how many countries I had visited. I said 5 (I forgot about
I have learned so much this semester. I’m very excited for next semester because I’ve already made so many mistakes that I hope I can avoid next semester. I know how long 18 weeks feels and how to pace myself. I know what teaching the students appreciate, what teaching I’m good at, and where to find the balance between the two. And I know the students. I am not teaching any new groups of students next term. We signed up for classes a few weeks ago. I will teach 3 Oral classes (all 5-year students), a Literature class (5-year), a Writing class (5-year) and a Listening class (3-year). I’m pretty excited.
Wow, that’s a lot of information. I know I haven’t been faithful in updating, and really wanted to let you all know what’s going on with me. I appreciate your thoughts and support!
Merry Christmas!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Guigong
Well, we had a nice weekend in Guiyang. Friday we left at 10:30, got to the bus station by 11ish and on the bus to Guiyang at 11:10. We arrived about 90 minutes later and had lunch at a little restaurant. Then we went to Walmart (one of the main things to do when visiting Guiyang!) and took a taxi back to the Financial College where Kara and Susie teach. We stayed with them for the weekend. The four of us went to Rebecca's for dinner and met up with 8 more people there. It was all young English teachers. We had dinner and played games - fun!
Saturday we went to Guigong (gway-gong) to go swimming. Kris taught at that campus for five years before coming to Anshun. The campus is on the edge of Guiyang, like a suburb. We had lunch there and then rented a boat and went on the lake. It was the most beautiful lake I've ever seen: there were wooded mountains all around it. The water has a high mineral content and feels "silky" when swimming. We paddled the boat out for twenty-five minutes or so and then jumped in! The air was cool (65 degrees), but the water was warm (80 degrees). It was wonderful!
After swimming around for a half hour or so, we went back to the boat. And because the air was so cool, we pulled the boat back rather than getting out into the cold air to paddle!
We're talking about going back sometime. Hopefully by that time my batteries will be charged in my camera!
It felt a little like a dream it was so beautiful. I wish you all could have been there with me!
Saturday we went to Guigong (gway-gong) to go swimming. Kris taught at that campus for five years before coming to Anshun. The campus is on the edge of Guiyang, like a suburb. We had lunch there and then rented a boat and went on the lake. It was the most beautiful lake I've ever seen: there were wooded mountains all around it. The water has a high mineral content and feels "silky" when swimming. We paddled the boat out for twenty-five minutes or so and then jumped in! The air was cool (65 degrees), but the water was warm (80 degrees). It was wonderful!
After swimming around for a half hour or so, we went back to the boat. And because the air was so cool, we pulled the boat back rather than getting out into the cold air to paddle!
We're talking about going back sometime. Hopefully by that time my batteries will be charged in my camera!
It felt a little like a dream it was so beautiful. I wish you all could have been there with me!
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Today is the Day!
It's 7:01am and my flight leaves at 11:20! I can't believe the day is here!
My flight pattern is: Rochester to JFK, JFK to Beijing, Beijing to Guiyang. I arrive in Guiyang at 11:50pm, which is 24 hours and 30 minutes after my first flight leaves, but it will only be 12 hours later because I lose 12 hours in travel. Does that make sense?? I don't know that I completely understand it myself! I do know that day is going to seem like night for a while!! :)
I just wanted to let you know that I may or may not be able to access this blog once I'm over there. There are firewalls and restrictions that are different than ours. If there is a change I will try to email you. But I did want to give you a "heads up".
So hopefully, hopefully, the next time I write it will be from Anshun! Finally!!
:)
Liz
My flight pattern is: Rochester to JFK, JFK to Beijing, Beijing to Guiyang. I arrive in Guiyang at 11:50pm, which is 24 hours and 30 minutes after my first flight leaves, but it will only be 12 hours later because I lose 12 hours in travel. Does that make sense?? I don't know that I completely understand it myself! I do know that day is going to seem like night for a while!! :)
I just wanted to let you know that I may or may not be able to access this blog once I'm over there. There are firewalls and restrictions that are different than ours. If there is a change I will try to email you. But I did want to give you a "heads up".
So hopefully, hopefully, the next time I write it will be from Anshun! Finally!!
:)
Liz
Monday, August 14, 2006
Almost there!!
Wow, I haven't updated in a while! Sorry about that...
Since my last update my brother got married in Indiana, and I went on vacation for a week. Today I spoke at my club. I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed with how much there is to do in the next few days!! I still have some last minute paperwork to do, and I have to pack (obviously).
My flight leaves Wednesday at 11:30. I'll arrive in Guiyang at 11:50pm on Thursday after just about 24 hours of travel.
I was a little apprehensive about arriving in China, since I was to be the only American in my town for a whole week (!!). But Susie, another ULS teacher living in Guiyang, offered to come to Anshun with me and help me get settled. Yay! That's very comforting.
Well, I hope that the next time I write it will be from China!
Talk to you soon,
Liz
Since my last update my brother got married in Indiana, and I went on vacation for a week. Today I spoke at my club. I'm feeling slightly overwhelmed with how much there is to do in the next few days!! I still have some last minute paperwork to do, and I have to pack (obviously).
My flight leaves Wednesday at 11:30. I'll arrive in Guiyang at 11:50pm on Thursday after just about 24 hours of travel.
I was a little apprehensive about arriving in China, since I was to be the only American in my town for a whole week (!!). But Susie, another ULS teacher living in Guiyang, offered to come to Anshun with me and help me get settled. Yay! That's very comforting.
Well, I hope that the next time I write it will be from China!
Talk to you soon,
Liz
Sunday, July 09, 2006
The View from Turner
Hi All,
I'm writing from Turner, Oregon where Training is being held this year. We're staying at a (very nice) campground here in Turner. The rooms are halfway between a cabin and a hotel: there are bunk beds in the room, but also a private shower, which is nice. There is a steep path between the dining hall and the rooms, which keeps us from getting lazy.
The schedule for each day has been: breakfast, morning session, lunch, afternoon session, dinner. Wednesday and Thursday were on Language Acquisition (which I found very interesting). Friday and today were teaching English as a Second Language. Tomorrow is church and then a session on Chinese culture: what to bring, what not to bring, how to share, etc. Monday through Wednesday will be presented by a cultural anthropologist on cross-cultural life.
I fly out Wednesday night on a red-eye flight back to New York. There are 40 days until I leave for China. I have about 1/5th of my support raised.
:) Liz
I'm writing from Turner, Oregon where Training is being held this year. We're staying at a (very nice) campground here in Turner. The rooms are halfway between a cabin and a hotel: there are bunk beds in the room, but also a private shower, which is nice. There is a steep path between the dining hall and the rooms, which keeps us from getting lazy.
The schedule for each day has been: breakfast, morning session, lunch, afternoon session, dinner. Wednesday and Thursday were on Language Acquisition (which I found very interesting). Friday and today were teaching English as a Second Language. Tomorrow is church and then a session on Chinese culture: what to bring, what not to bring, how to share, etc. Monday through Wednesday will be presented by a cultural anthropologist on cross-cultural life.
I fly out Wednesday night on a red-eye flight back to New York. There are 40 days until I leave for China. I have about 1/5th of my support raised.
:) Liz
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Flights
Again, I do not have much news on the China front. I graduated and was able to send a copy of my diploma to China, as well as my health forms. The next step is to arrange flights. I have to fly to Oregon in July for orientation, and to Guiyang in August. I'm trying to re-use a frequent flyer to fly to Portland. I'm also trying to coordinate my flight to China with other people who are going with ULS. At this point it looks like I'm flying out August 16th, to arrive August 17th. That gives me a little while to settle in and adjust to the time change before classes start the 28th.
Also, I'm working on sending out fund-raising letters. If you are interested in one, please email me at e.ludington@gmail.com.
Enjoy your Memorial Day,
Liz
Also, I'm working on sending out fund-raising letters. If you are interested in one, please email me at e.ludington@gmail.com.
Enjoy your Memorial Day,
Liz
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