I want life in every word
Trip Start
Sep 04, 2007
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3
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Trip End
Dec 20, 2007
Zhouzhuang, China
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Overwhelming.
All I can ever seem to utter is how overwhelming this nation is. I have never been subjected to such aural/visual/oral/sensory stimulation concurrently. It has been both fascinating and exhausting.
On campus our first day I wasn't sure if I had missed some pivotal world news bit or if the military presence is just that strong on campuses in China. I woke up around 6:30 to the thundering "YI - ER - SAN!" shouts outside my window. Every freshman in China has two compulsory weeks of Military training before they are allowed to start university. It is to instill respect and diligence in each student. I am thoroughly impressed with this decree, and can only imagine the scoffs and altercations that would arise if America were to instate this for its own university students.
I tested into 'er ban' which is 2nd level Chinese here at Suzhou Daxue. I started classes yesterday. There is one other American in my class (he's 63 yrs. old and from Nebraska, bizarre, huh?), one Russian girl, one guy from Canada ('Jianadaren'), two Australians, three Japanese people, five German girls, and eight Korean people! There are all levels of Chinese (Hanyu) education in my class, and unfortunately I am at the bottom. Also people of all ages, some who have been English teachers before and many who have families and children of their own. I have immense room for improvement in my Chinese, that is all that I can say. It is by far better to be at the bottom of the pit and have room to strive upward, no?
My professors (laoshi) are energetic and entertaining. The Chinese like to teach with a "rapid fire" method --> if you can't catch the bullet train, then you're in the dust, basically. It is incredibly over my head, as many of the students have studied for a few more years than I, so their vocabularies are expansive -- as a result I am the one who laughs 20 seconds after the punch line (because I'm viciously looking up words in my Dictionary).
I have three classes: Hanyu (Grammar), Kouyu (Speaking), and Tingli (Listening -- literally 'listen with force'). 20 hours of class per week for the next 4 months and I should be almost done with my Chinese minor.
Suzhou and the surrounding areas are beautiful. Given, I am a Westerner in my first full week in the East, so the intrigue is great, but my goodness there is some phenomenal terrain here. I cannot imagine what the country would look like were the nation not undergoing a burdensome industrial revolution.
I have seen the China I had expected to see (and so much more), taken photos of the token scenes (a man pulling a cart with a 10 foot stack of hay on top/bizarre raw meat at the markets/etcetera), and had my fair share of diarrhea.
I love it here. It is full of a beautiful energy which the West otherwise lacks. There is community. There is simplicity.
It is thrilling.
We toured an ancient town (Zhouzhuang) about an hour out of Suzhou (Dad, I did riddles with my classmates the whole way, they couldn't get enough of them! I need you to email me some more please!). Built in 1086 (!) the 5 foot wide streets of this town wind around the Yangtze ('yahng tse') rivers' edge. Boats galore, this 'Venice of the East' is calm and refreshing. See photos in my album above.
I experienced Aushan, which is a terrifyingly overcrowded two-story supercenter that is swarming with probably upwards of 4000 people. Honestly. One hour of necessity shopping (15 minutes of supply gathering, 45 of navigating your cart through the aisles) and I couldn't mentally tolerate anymore. Ha.
Suzhou itself has 6 million people, it is renowned for it's beautiful silk, beautiful women, and beautiful gardens. I was able to go to one of the gardens last week, which was calm and beautiful and in the center pavilion served as a meeting ground for the local elderly people, who spend their afternoons drinking cha (tea) and talking. The food here is fascinating, as Feng laoshi (my professor from SeattleU) has been taking us to all of his favorite restaurants the past week.
From fine dining to eating at dapaidangs (sidewalk 'snack' stands), I have been rapidly increasing my food repertoire. Thus far, the honorable mentions go to: a pie plate overflowing with Eel, a plate of spicy Pig's stomach pieces, Goose feet (not my favorite), giant clams and an egg boiled in tea (which oddly enough makes the white part a transparent brown and the yolk a hideous green - see photo). I have already tasted five variations on eggplant (incredibly popular here), eaten both the roots and buds of the lotus, had tons of doufu (tofu), and grape yogurt with grape skins in it. Ha. The food has been a riot to try. I have my sights set on 'smelly tofu' and a 'century egg' before I leave. Hold me to it.
Provided I can manage to maneuver the streets and that my VISA credit card decides to function (Life Takes Visa, but apparently ATM's in China don't), I will have many more adventures to share in the coming months.
Much love.
Comments
smelly tofu?! Yuck!
here, smelly tofu is called dofu. perhaps it is a regional difference, no? anyway, good god, smelly dofu is the most rank, awful, nausea-inducing smell i have ever experienced. you have my mad props and eternal awe if you can stomach it.
as to your class, i think that is exactly what my students are going through. i joke around and then i totally shake up their worlds by asking them questions and getting them involved in the class. on the first day i was like, 'guess what? i'm not talking for two hours straight, you're going to be participating in this class.' and at the end of the class a girl came up to me and said 'miss miller, you are very strict!' and i kind of chuckled inside because the thought of me being strict kind of baffles me! but i think that cloud's passed over. i will keep you in mind when i start talking fast to help me to remember to slow down!
Yay.
I am glad I get to read these. Also, i am so jealous that you get a century egg.
Re: Yay.
Hello! Thanks for subscribing. Keep me updated on life at home, I miss you all.
I could try to bring a century egg home for you... errr... that could be tough.
Re: smelly tofu?! Yuck!
Doufu is the pinyin spelling/Hanyu (Chinese) pronunciation for Tofu. You are very correct, my observant friend.
And come Wednesday, when I actually WILL be in front of the classroom, I will be sure to wear understated earrings (!)