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Hello!
I realise I havent written anything for a while. Dont worry, not that you are, but I have been busy, not just too lazy to write, but actually busy :) Also I have already written this blog once today, but the website lost it. Not the best way to start writing again.
A lot has happened since Hong Kong. I have returned to Fuzhou with a new determination to explore the city and the country. To not let other people stand in my way of that, or to spoil my enjoyment. Nor am i going to sit around waiting for other people to want to explore it too. It can be just as much fun on your, and not having to worry and cater for anybody else.
So this is exactly what I have done. I have climbed GuShan, or Drum Mountain for the non Chinese among us. This took me 6 hours, though I did run up and down the mountain what felt like 3 times, as I tried to see all 18 views of Dharma, which, surprisingly, were not all neatly laidout in one nice long, level line, but rather scattered up and down the mountain side. All good exercise, and lucky for me i was the only one i had to worry about. It could have gotten frustrating if there was a huge group of us, all with different fitness levels and abilities, and even desires to see the views. I thoroughly enjoyed it though, minus the extra attention i seem to warrnat whenever I go to a tourist attraction within the city. i did have some rather interesting photos of me taken where i must have looked like a a tall, sweaty beetroot with red/ginger hair. I hope they are never seen by me or my friends, as I am sure i will not live it down. Whilst on the Mountain I took it upon myself not only to see the 18 views of Dharma, but also the Temple, and the outlying pagodas and religious sites around it. This resulted in me again running up and down a different part of the mountain, before embarking on my final trek to the peak. this saw me scrambling up dirt track on my hands and knees as they were so steep, and even stopping and talking to a group of Chinese travellers, who had cheated and taken the car the majority of the way up. i was curious to see though that the female sin the group were wearing heels. it seems like a popular thing to wear when trekking and hiking. one that I shall not be mimicking for fear of a broken ankle.
I can honestly say, if you are ever in Fuzhou you must climb GuShan, and not cheat and take the cable car. I confess to taking it down, but not up. After 6 hours of running all over a mountain, my legs felt like jelly, and for fear of rolling down the hill, I took the easy journey down. Sat in a metal cab, suspended in the air, on my bum.
I have also taken it upon myself to research other attractions to see in Fuzhou, noting down the chinese characters for the place, the bus route, timing, and even walking distance. using this as a method to explore the city, I have taken several trips. Not all working out to plan.
One of these trips was to Wuyi Square, to see the infamous statue of Chairman Mao. it is here that the soldiers raise the two red flags to him every dawn, and bring them down every night. I confess to getting utterly lost on the way there, finding it unimpressive, and then being caught in a typical heavy downpour. searching for shelter, it was then that I found YuShan scenic spot. i was transported from the grey, wet, street lined with sky scrapers, apartment blocks, and millions of cars, to a different world. I was transported to a place of tranquility, beauty and wonder. i explored temples, different gardens, rock formations, ponds, flowers, trees, paths, everything, and was greeted at each turn with a new wonder. i spent a couple of hours wondering through the passages, exploring a secret haven in a modern city. This is what happens in China.
On the way back, I decided to get the bus, only I got on the wrong bus, got lost, and ended up walking 20 minutes back home. Though even that caused me to find new places to visit. including a sea World!! That is on my to-do list.
I have been to the Bird and Flower market again, and again was appalled by the conditions that the owners keep the animals for sale in. Rabbits are shoved into boxes, so full they cant move. The same for birds, rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, even puppys. It is heart wrenching, and i fear one day I will 'liberate' a wretched creature to try to give it some comfort and happiness.
I even explored a Wanda Mall. Shock horror I know Fiona, I voluntarily explored a mall. It is famed among to teachers to be a western haven for clothes, boasting a Zara, a SW jeans and a H&M, but let me put my sister's mind to rest. I hated it. Even needing clothes and shoes as I do, Ii couldnt find anything, and i still carry with me a hatred to go clothes shopping in Malls. i was pestered by sales assistants, that even when i told them I am just looking (in perfect Mandarin I might add - well maybe not perfect) they still pestered me, and walked one step behind me, foisting on me clothes I would never wear, in sizes i dont even want to remember. We hightailed it out of there, and to the nearest 85c cafe, where we ate garlic bread and had a coffee (for the cost that is equivalent to a £1)!
I have booked my train for Yongding County on Monday night to spend Tuesday exploring the Hakka and Tolou houses to be found there. I also have plans to go to Putian, and for somewhere on the school trip (I cant remember but a free day out is definitely a good thing!) i have also followed the Beima River, seen new parks, temples, gardens, seen Chinese dancing, Chinese Sword dance, Tai Chi and so many other things.
I have also been fortunate to have picked up a private student - Mary. I tutor her one evening a week, monday night. She is the sweetest girl I have come across. She epitimises everything that is Chinese. She has clear skin, is sweet, kind, elegant, and even has the delicate and respectful manners that the chinese possess. She clearly shows her respect to her Mother, her Father and even to me, her teacher. She is eager to learn, and so smart. I feel so fortunate to have such an able student, but further, that her family have welcomed me into their home.
As a result of tutoring Mary, her mother invited me to my first Chinese Tea House. I was picked up by her and her friend, who studied English at Bejing University for her undergraduate, and was able to translate for me. We entered an nondescript building, and then, once again, China stunned me. When I stepped out of the elevator I was greeted by bamboo trees, fish in the floor, chinese music, and an atmosphere so calm, tranquil, so far removed from the hustle and bustle and pollution filled street I just stepped off of.
WE were escorted to a room, where Mary's mum set about washing the tea three times. I was informed that this is a ritual to show her respect for me as her guest. A gesture that truly touched my heart. We sat for nearly three hours with Mary, her mum, her friend Lin, and even her father, sampling tea, eating biscuits and talking amongst ourselves. It was a perfect afternoon in China. I do fear though that it has ruinedme forever. Is hall go back to the uk and not be able ot enjoy the tea, as there is no comparison between PG tips and the tea we drank from Wuyishan.
On a side note, I was walking home from getting some water and some lunch, when a young Chinese girl came up to me, excited to try to talk some English. She recited everything she knew to me, and then tried teaching me Chinese. We tpr'ed for ages, as the most frequent thing i could say, other than repeating what she said to me, and asking some questions in English, was unfortunately 'ting budong' - I dont know. or rather I am an idiot and dont speak chinese - sorry! This girl was so sweet, that after trying to ask me something she gestured that i should hold my hand out, which i did. She then placed two caterpillars in my hand, along with a leaf so they wouldnt go hungry, and kept telling me caterpillar in chinese. iwas left holding my bag, a litre bottle of water, and my purse in one hand, and in the other two caterpillars and a leaf. I must admit i felt rather foolish, and am very grateful she didnt try to teach me spider. After she left, i couldnt just toss them aside, so I carried them up to my apartment where I kept them, even feeding them some lettuce. It only happens in China.
At the moment, I am finally experiencing what it means to live in a subtropical climate. I am covered in bites, and the air is so heavy with damp, that you walk ten paces and feel covered in sweat. There are around 3 heavy thunderstorms storms with accompanying lightning everyday, making the reasoning behind me bringing my wellies with me invaluable. The glass windows shake, in all honesty, I love it!
I have also been presented with an opportunity to write some articles for a Tefl website, speaking of my adventures here in fuzhou, teaching in China, what to expect. So, should any of my articles be published, I shall of course link them here, should anyone be interested in reading them.
I will end, probably with promises of writing more, and more frequently, as I am going to be doing a lot of exploring, and shouldnot want to forget what I have done, or what i have seen. But I fear it is a promise that may only be half fulfilled, though is made with good intentions.
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