Final Chapter....Zaijian Zhongguo (Goodbye China)

Tomorrow I teach my last class of the semester.  Rhonda and I are returning to the states next week with very mixed emotion.  This is earlier than planned, due to my back being a real challenge these last few months.  I will be getting an MRI the day after I return and hopefully the neurosurgeon will be able to help me find a way to resolve some of this pain.  Besides that, Rhonda and I are also looking forward to seeing our family and friends, who we have missed very much.  

With that said, I have to say that China, it's people, and it's students have gotten into our hearts.  It is going to be hard to say goodbye.  Teaching is a wonderful thing.  It allows teacher and student to make connections and form friendships as they communicate with one another.  That communication is not always restricted to the subject being discussed.  Bonds of friendship can be forged in a relatively short period of time.  This is one of the things I love most about teaching.  One pays a price however, at the end of the experience, as goodbye's are said.  

I will miss the strangers that have approached me and asked if they could help me in any way...apparently because I looked completely lost or helpless!  ;-)

I will not miss the custom of people of all ages and walks of life spitting on the street where ever you are.  Oh yes, I will also not miss the honking horns.

I will miss watching the sweet interaction between grandparent and child as the older generation cares for their grandchildren. Taking them on walks, to school or wherever they need to go.

I will not miss stepping accidentally in the potty leftovers from the children, left on the sidewalk, that are a part of the slit pants custom here in China.

I will miss the smiles of my students....their work ethic...their sense of humor...their insights and love for their families

I will not miss the pollution!

I will miss the wonderful yet unique sense of community  and national pride that exists here.   I will miss seeing families on walks at 8:00 pm in front of crowded malls.  I will miss seeing a group of 10-15 women meeting in front of malls, or on the side of the street to dance together in the evening. 

I will not miss very crowded buses and very bumpy taxi's on a bad back.  I will also not miss the honking horns!

I will miss good friends made here.  The Carriers from BYU, and many others in the local branch who have reached out with great kindness.

I will not miss the chaos that reigns on the streets with pedestrians, electric bikes, cars and buses all going every which direction and pedestrians being at the bottom of the totem pole (that would be me!)...oh yes..did I mention that I will not miss the honking horns!

Most of all, I will miss the children.  If I am discouraged for some reason,  all I need to do is look into the face of one of the beautiful children here in China!

Here are some parting pictures:

So, you forgot to pick up a chicken at the store.  No worries!  Just flag down this industrious chicken salesman!

There is no limit to what you will see carried on one of these electric bikes.  This is one example. 

Two of my PhD classes.   Their hearts are as wide as their smiles.  Notice that we are all wearing coats.  No central heating in the school, nor in any of the public buildings. (Except the newer Malls) Folks just get used to wearing coats all the time.

Of course, how could I finish this blog without some more pictures of the beautiful children of China.  Here they are:

Little angels for sure!

Zaijian Zhongguo!  

Goodbye China...we will miss you.

Hong Kong

Last week Rhonda and I went to Hong Kong.  Rhonda served a mission for the LDS church there 35 years ago, so this was a chance to reconnect with many of those memories.  We stayed on the Kowloon, mainland, side of the bay.  The view above shows the skyline of Hong Kong Island.  Every night there is a laser light show which is a highlight for visitors. Below are a few images trying to capture some of what we saw...

Here is the skyline during the day...

While in Hong Kong, Rhonda and I had a chance to visit the Big Buddha on Lantau Island.  It is the 2nd largest Buddha in the world and is a major Buddhist landmark.  It stands 268 feet high and is made of bronze. Here is a picture of it below...

The Eightfold Path

1. Right understanding and viewpoint (based on the Four Noble Truths).
2. Right values and attitude (compassion rather than selfishness).
3. Right speech (don't tell lies, avoid harsh, abusive speech, avoid gossip).
4. Right action (help others, live honestly, don't harm living things, take care of the environment).
5. Right work (do something useful, avoid jobs which harm others).
6. Right effort (encourage good, helpful thoughts, discourage unwholesome destructive thoughts).
7. Right mindfulness (be aware of what you feel, think and do).
8. Right meditation (calm mind, practice meditation which leads to nirvana).

Above is a list of the Eightfold Path to Nirvana. While I do not agree with all the tenants of Buddhism, I have found that many of them are in harmony with my beliefs.  It is built on a foundation of doing and being good, as are most religions. Some 2500 years ago, according to history, Siddhartha Guatama, a prince in India,  set aside the wealth and luxuries of his surroundings and spent several years in an attitude of prayer and fasting, striving to understand himself and the world.  Finally, he felt that he had reached a state of Nirvana and was given the title of Buddha, or enlightened one, by those whom he taught.  While here in China, I have come to understand and appreciate the goodness of the people who practice Buddhism.  They are trying to be good and do good.  

 Standing in front of the Hong Kong Temple

One of the highlights for Rhonda and I, while in Hong Kong, was going to the Hong Kong Temple.  It was a beautiful experience.  We met many people from India who were visiting, since this is the closest temple to India.  

Rhonda and I also had a chance to attend a concert at the Hong Kong recital hall.  It is a beautiful building.  Shenyang, a talented Chinese Baritone who is currently singing with the Met, sang with the Hong Kong Philharmonic.  It was a wonderful evening.  Rhonda and I stood to give him a standing ovation.  We immediately noticed that we were the only ones standing and that standing ovations are not customary in China.  They did, however, give him 7 curtain calls!

Rhonda captured an image of this cute little boy on campus, holding a Ginko leaf in his hand.  His sister was very shy, and didn't want to face the camera.

Du Fu's Cottage

Du Fu was an acclaimed Chinese poet who lived around 750 AD.  He is revered by the Chinese as much as Shakespeare, Milton, Burns or Wordsworth are in the western world.  Like Thoreau, he too built a humble cottage, a place where he could write many of the more than 1500 poems he has to his credit.  Last week we went to visit this historical site in Chengdu.  While the cottage was quaint, I was taken more by the beauty of the grounds surrounding his home.
Below are a few pictures to help you get the feel...

Below, I found a young girl who was helping her mother plant grass on the grounds.  She was working very hard and was a bit embarrassed when I took her picture...

I conclude this entry with a parting shot.  A grandfather taking his grandson for a walk; a very typical sight.  It warms the heart to see so many grandparents spending time with their grandchildren. The parents are typically working, and the grandparents care for the children during the day.  There are usually 3 generations living in a home.  Note the slit in the back of the pants.  They do not wear diapers in China.  This part of the culture is a bit different from what you and I are used to.  It is not unusual to see a parent or grandparent assisting the child in public places to go to the bathroom on the floor or sidewalk, wherever they are standing.  One must watch his or her step!  

Check one off the bucket list!

Before leaving to China, I had hoped that during our time there I would be able to visit the famous Karsch Mountains, sometimes affectionately referred to as the "Gumdrop Mountains".  You might say it was on my bucket list.  Last week Rhonda and I had the opportunity to visit Guilin and take a trip down the Li river which flows through the middle of the Karsch mountain range.  We ended up in a town called Yangshuo.  We spent the night there at a beautiful hotel nestled in the mountains.  I have included some pictures below of our experience.  They hardly do these mountains justice.  It is almost like being on another planet.  I've never seen anything quite like it.

 Li River, flowing through the Karsch mountains. It felt as tranquil as this looks.

A local moving produce down the river

Move photos of the Karsch range.  We were in awe.

Once we reached Yangshuo, we stayed at a hotel nestled in this environment.  Here we are on the hotel grounds.

Another view from our hotel

When we returned to Guilin, Rhonda and the Carriers went on to visit some rice fields a few hours north of the city.  My back wasn't up to the trip, so I stayed in Guilin and took a stroll around this beautiful lake.  These two structures are called the Pagodas of the Sun and moon.

Yesterday, we all went to visit this new tower in Chengdu.  It is opening this weekend, but they let us take a trip up to the top.  (for a nominal fee :-)

Here is the view.  Yesterday was literally the clearest day we have experienced here in Chengdu.  Normally, we would not have been able to see the first set of buildings below due to the pollution.  We were pretty excited to have such a pretty day!

Again, I close this blog entry with the cutest thing we saw while on the tower...this sweet little boy and his mother!  

(ps-  you can get some feel for the size of Chengdu by looking at the horizon.  It looks like this 360 degrees.  14 million people.)

Rhonda's First Post on Our Blog - Friday Adventure with the Carriers

The Wide and Narrow Lanes which dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1616 AD-1912 AD), is the epitome of the old life of Chengdu but this signage seems truly out of place!

Who would have ever guessed, ear irrigating would be such a popular activity at these major tourist sites such as Jinli Street or The Narrow and Wide Alleys.

Bridal pictures in one of the Narrow Alleys.  Beautiful Chinese couple dressed in traditional clothing.  

Local Sugar Figure Craftsman - a tiny sucker becomes an intricate, delicate, glass-like creation.

Peoples Park

Look no stool.  He squatted for hours as he sketched his models.

If you enjoy people watching then this is quite a feast for your eyes! The Carriers and I joined in the dancing and enjoyed the huge variety of Senior Citizen talent venues.  The stage areas were side by and side and the competition for attention was overwhelming.  The Chinese people are very welcoming and inviting and enjoyed our loud applause.

Singing, dancing, harmonica playing, choirs, 

marching bands and orchestras.

Elvis/Zorro!

Jinli Street

Jinli Street - Calligraphy Brush shop

Favorite egg custard tarts.  This is a favorite of mine!  (Rhonda) When Jessica and I visited Hong Kong in 2005, every morning we were in heaven when we found a bakery with these hot from the oven.  The best breakfast and treat all in one tiny tart!

8000 Warriors

So you have just conquered 6 other waring states and want to make sure that you will be safe with your own army after your death. Logically you would order 750,000 people to work for the next 34 years, constructing 8,000 Terracotta soldiers that would protect you when you died.  Such was the thinking of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.  He lived about 200 BC and was responsible for the creation of the Terracotta Warriors that we viewed in the city of Xian last week.  
Here are a few pictures:

Each warrior is unique!

Here is the cutest warrior I saw on the trip...

While we were in Xian (the old capital of China), we walked on the city wall that surrounds the city.  Here Rhonda stands next to some beautiful architecture on the wall

The sun was setting as I took this shot from the wall...

While in Xian, we also attended an evening performance of traditional dancing and music.  Below I tried to capture one of the dances.  Lots of acrobatics going on as you can see...

One day Rhonda and I went for a stroll in a nearby park near campus.  We heard something that sounded like a whip.  When we arrived, we saw an elderly man using a whip to turn a very large top.  It is called Tuo Luo in Chinese.  After watching him for a few minutes, he turned to me and handed me the whip.  It was great fun.  I was able to keep the top spinning fairly well, but must of looked pretty funny, since I drew a bit of a crowd.  

I decided to leave my shirt on, but most of the other men who were also doing Tuo Luo, had theirs off...maybe it helps!

I will end this blog post with another picture of the best part of China...the children.