I haven't written in a while since this seems to take me longer and longer to write an entry. More thought and time then I have felt like putting into this. But several things have happened that I will at least try to summarize less I forget them!
First, I went to Fenghuang. Which is one of the sites they say to visit when you go to Hunan. It was ok. The overnight train was not as much fun as it sounds. Although talking to a gentleman who told me I couldn't be American cause I wasn't fat was interesting. I arrived there after an overnight train and a hour and half long, very bumpy and windy, bus ride. It was extremely commercial, and the minority that lived there has been reduced to selling trinkets. The city is no longer truly old, the buildings are built to look like they are old. There are people everywhere, taking the same pictures at the same place. The food is expensive, and walking down the streets you see tons and tons of stores selling the same things. A few things I recommend you try if you go: the ginger candy, the pizza at the soul cafe, and rice with spices they serve around the streets. The ginger candy is pulled like taffy, by burly men. They pull it and pull it, working the sugar and ginger together. I definitely saw a few attractive men pulling sugar, and some cigarette smoking old guys. But once they finish pulling it, they pull it very thin and break off pieces and let is solidify into a crunchy deliciously spicy candy. One of the over priced places we ate was the "Soul Cafe" They had pizza, delicious pizza! Missing sauce like most Chinese pizza.
It was fun to travel around, you can find reasonable food. But it takes some looking. I think that you only need a day to see Fenghuang. Of course after I returned I found out there was a section of the Great Wall (souther part) not too far from here. As well as Dehang, which is a Miao village that is being turned into another kitchy tourist site. The 7 hour train ride home coupled with the 2 hour bus ride to the train station seemed to make my week start out with no energy.
So Monday and Tuesday were the story of me being sleepy and unproductive. But the trip was worth it. Monday night I met an American man who was working for the Embassy in Beijing. He was in Hunan to ask about land issues. We went to dinner (late) followed by Shaokao. Delicious tasty bbq veggies and meat, covered in spices that come out of a waterbottle. It is probably all MSG, and that is why it is delicious. Matt was interesting, he is doing a year here then going on to learn Arabic and work in the Middle East. Tuesday, we went to lunch and then went to Yi Zhong and caught a soccer club game versus another school. Complete with cheerleaders from the other school. It is still strange to hear how silent the crowds are when watching a game. No heckling or cheering.
Wednesday came around, and one of my favorite students, Challenging, had invited me to his show. Thomas and I showed up and were given seats right up front. It was all in Chinese, but it was easy to figure out what was going on. There was a lot of double crossing and shooting. There were 3 bodies on the stage at the end. It was bizarre to see the students wearing fancy clothes and out of uniform. Challenging wasn't in the show, he either wrote the play or directed it. He wasn't able to say that, and got very flustered trying to tell me what he did. So I dropped it.
Friday was the first nice day all week, I spent the morning in my 5th grade classes playing games to help them review for their tests. I figured out why I didn't like one of my fellow teachers. She pinches the kids and swats them. It drives me crazy, there are better ways to deal with naughty children. And these children aren't even that naughty. But the kids loved the game, and loved the team names I gave them (Rain, Sun, Lightning, Rainbow). Then I ran to Yi Zhong to catch the dubbing competition. This is the 2nd dubbing competition, this was was amazing. Most were in Chinese, but one was in English. It was Sherlock (The new tv show), they did a good job. The guy who did Sherlock couldn't quite keep up with the speed of his speech. But this wasn't just a dubbing competition. There was a Yo yo show, trick yo yoing. And a magic show/performance piece by one of the gentlemen who was in the spy play.
I really wish they would let the students have more club days. They seem to love them so much and they need them. Speaking of fun things, I have started a new hobby. Going to the gym and doing Yoga, Belly Dancing and now Pilates. I am going to try their Zumba class next and maybe Hip Hop!
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| Marilyne and Papaya! |
Finally KTV. My friend Papaya, got a discount ticket to a KTV place. We got a room from 2pm until 6:30pm for 40 yuan. Papaya, Marilyne, Maureen, Jerry ( a friend of Teresa and Papaya's) and another friend of Papayas and I rocked out from 2 until 6:30. Although only Papaya, Marilyne and I made it the whole time. We sang everything from "Waka waka" to "Hey Soul Sister" to "Brown Eyed Girl" and several Chinese songs I need to go find. KTV has recharged me and made me ready for my coming week! I also finally found what is left of the old wall of the city!!!
