After a joyous two month vacation, it's back to work for all us English teachers in China. I was somewhat excited for the beginning of the semester until it actually started. I have students that don't participate/don't respond to the simplest questions i.e. "How are you today", attitudes, and my personal favorite the "BLANK STARE" all made their appearance in a matter of minutes. I asked them what they did on vacation and they just stared at me for a good 5 minutes. A brave soul finally said, "I watched t.v. and slept". The others just nodded and simply said "YES". I understand that the students haven't spoken English in a month but where are the "enthusiastic" students I heard so much about? Most days, I feel like a dentist, instead of pulling teeth I'm constantly trying to get information out of my students.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my students and not all of them are divas. Most of them are excited by what I'm teaching and doing but it is hard to find the balance. I'm trying to get them interested and excited about class....everything I do just seems to fall flat. Back to the drawing board.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
The Traveling Afro in Kunming
I've decided to make the blog about my travels and hair because
A) It's easier only having one blog
B) It's different and
C) Just 'cause!
Kunming, China
Traveling in China without knowing Chinese can be a nightmare to say the least, but I did it! Kunming (also known as the Spring City) was supposed to be the calm and "laid-back" city but it is anything but. Getting around was extremely difficult/impossible. Most cities in China do not have subway lines (though they are in the process of creating them) and Kunming is no different. If you want to get around, you have to go by bus or taxi. My traveling partner (Renee) and I waited 30 minutes on average for a taxi (not cute). I did mention that the city has over 100 bus lines and is huge even by Chinese standards? Renee and I got lost countless times and just hopped different buses until one street looked familiar. Although it was extremely frustrating at first, we started to find interesting places this way. Sometimes when you travel, you just have to get lost and explore.
Huh was the main word in Kunming, we didn't understand them and they didn't understand us. The dialect was utterly confusing and a far cry from our Nanchang dialect! It was to the point when we just started laughing at one another. Most of the sounds in Yunnan are different than in Jiangxi. Chá which sound goes up (as if you're singing) seems to go down in Kunming. We had to say things multiple times, point, and ultimately just sigh. You just have to remind yourself to be patient and try to order a glass of wine (if you can).
Two good things about Kunming though are the shopping and the food! The city is known for it's jade, coffee, and orchids! Chá Lu (means Tea Street in English) has a ton of speciality food stores and plant markets. Eating in Kunming (and China as a whole) is what I like to call the "pick and cook". You pick it they cook it, it's that simple, and that delicious! We found a bunch of "pick and cooks" across the street from our hotel and went to town.
After our food came, I noticed that the cooks kept staring at us, which isn't unusual being a foreigner in China. It wasn't until Renee and I both said, "hǎochī" (delicious) that they smiled, bowed, and went back to cooking. The Chinese are extremely curious about foreigners and how we cope in China. If you just say one or two words in Chinese or smile when they stare they usually just go back to what they were doing before.
Regional foods you should try: Yunnan coffee. As I mentioned, Yunnan is known for their coffee and you'll know why after having one cup. I've been going through coffee withdrawal since being in China, not a lot of Starbucks or Wawas here. My favorite is the Coconut coffee which has a light coconut flavor and is a bit sweet. Good until the last drop!
Stone Forest is the site that most Chinese will tell you to go to in Kunming aka a Tourist Trap. After a 500 yuan shared taxi ride, 175 yuan entrance fee, 200 yuan ride into the forest, and 100 yuan for souvenirs you get my point. The forest was beautiful and great for getting pictures but it's just a forest with stones.
Traveling in China can be a bear, but if you have a good sense of humor and wine....you're golden.
A) It's easier only having one blog
B) It's different and
C) Just 'cause!
Kunming, China
Traveling in China without knowing Chinese can be a nightmare to say the least, but I did it! Kunming (also known as the Spring City) was supposed to be the calm and "laid-back" city but it is anything but. Getting around was extremely difficult/impossible. Most cities in China do not have subway lines (though they are in the process of creating them) and Kunming is no different. If you want to get around, you have to go by bus or taxi. My traveling partner (Renee) and I waited 30 minutes on average for a taxi (not cute). I did mention that the city has over 100 bus lines and is huge even by Chinese standards? Renee and I got lost countless times and just hopped different buses until one street looked familiar. Although it was extremely frustrating at first, we started to find interesting places this way. Sometimes when you travel, you just have to get lost and explore.
Huh was the main word in Kunming, we didn't understand them and they didn't understand us. The dialect was utterly confusing and a far cry from our Nanchang dialect! It was to the point when we just started laughing at one another. Most of the sounds in Yunnan are different than in Jiangxi. Chá which sound goes up (as if you're singing) seems to go down in Kunming. We had to say things multiple times, point, and ultimately just sigh. You just have to remind yourself to be patient and try to order a glass of wine (if you can).
Two good things about Kunming though are the shopping and the food! The city is known for it's jade, coffee, and orchids! Chá Lu (means Tea Street in English) has a ton of speciality food stores and plant markets. Eating in Kunming (and China as a whole) is what I like to call the "pick and cook". You pick it they cook it, it's that simple, and that delicious! We found a bunch of "pick and cooks" across the street from our hotel and went to town.
After our food came, I noticed that the cooks kept staring at us, which isn't unusual being a foreigner in China. It wasn't until Renee and I both said, "hǎochī" (delicious) that they smiled, bowed, and went back to cooking. The Chinese are extremely curious about foreigners and how we cope in China. If you just say one or two words in Chinese or smile when they stare they usually just go back to what they were doing before.
Regional foods you should try: Yunnan coffee. As I mentioned, Yunnan is known for their coffee and you'll know why after having one cup. I've been going through coffee withdrawal since being in China, not a lot of Starbucks or Wawas here. My favorite is the Coconut coffee which has a light coconut flavor and is a bit sweet. Good until the last drop!
Stone Forest is the site that most Chinese will tell you to go to in Kunming aka a Tourist Trap. After a 500 yuan shared taxi ride, 175 yuan entrance fee, 200 yuan ride into the forest, and 100 yuan for souvenirs you get my point. The forest was beautiful and great for getting pictures but it's just a forest with stones.
Traveling in China can be a bear, but if you have a good sense of humor and wine....you're golden.
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