Meal with NUIST Staff & on & off campus
Trip Start
Oct 07, 2012
1
7
45
Trip End
Dec 14, 2012
Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Everyone was very friendly and made me feel very welcome. I was asked to say a bit about myself - so I decided to be brave and use the basic Mandarin that I'd taught myself, and was quite (no very) pleased that they understood - perhaps I will get braver with it now.
I didn't take too many pictures- although they said it was fine to I didn't want to be rude - I will try and get more food pics to you as I know there are some of you wanting to see what i am eating!
Later on, I went for another walk around the campus - saw some lovely sights - so will upload those pics for you to see.
I poped into a shop on my way back 'home'.
Back at my accommodation I took some pictures of the locals working. You can see the channels of water where they fill their water buckets from - with what looks like a wok on a stick!
popped out again a bit later, ventured different way- and found just not far away, through an exit off campus- found a mad street full of shops, street vendors - it was absolutely buzzing t- traffic and people – I only went a little way – will go again another time ... i may upload a film i took but it might make you feel ill as its wobbly - i was trying to carry my camera without making it obvious i was filming!! or mayb i get a better one - or both i will see.
I returned to the guest house (where I'm staying) before heading to my room I asked the receptionist Jhang Rong (Jenny) for the address of the guesthouse – I have taken a pic of it for you to see – I am not sure what you put if sending from UK – I guess all of it!
While I spoke with her, a couple of students (not my students) came to ask if I could help them; The girl (English name Nicole) asked if I would be a judge at an English speaking competition next week. I said yes, they then told me there would be other (English speaking) judges there too– I think this will be good because although I enjoy conversing with the locals –there are (of course) language barriers – it is taking me a while to get my ears tuned to the different sounds of English words, also there are many things we cannot communicate to one another - perhaps if I talk with some other English speakers we can swap info – as there are many things I am unable to find out.
The boy (English name Ben) asked if I would speak with new students so they may practice their English – they arrange weekly meetings for this – next month I think.
Nicole & Ben said they will show me around which is really nice of them– it feels good that I can help them & they will help me. It really is a great way to see a country – rather than just a holiday.
They talked to me about Chinese names and how the meaning is so important - they (and Jenny) want me to find out what their English names mean! They told me that they think Ben means stupid / daft one! This was funnier still as he was hilarious; laughing all the time he spoke and every time he got a word wrong or didn’t know how to say something he was throwing his arms all over the place, throwing himself at the wall, slapping it saying "oh my god" - obviously worrying about his 'poor’ English and not worrying about how daft he looked!! – ok so his English is not so clear at times but he says “oh my God” very clearly – and in a kind of American accent – it was quite funny – more so when Nicole & Jenny just looked at him as if he was daft!!!
Please scroll down and look at the other pics. Hope you like them.
Comments
I love that you can see them working away from your window - looks very authentic, and funny that it is mixed in with the city.
Lots of the food looks really nice - but it's a bit worrying [hehe] that they didn't know what that one was! How funny! xx
Yes i feel very lucky to have this room with that view!
It is funny noone knew what it was - it looked like no one had eaten any (because they didn't know what t was)- which i think is really funny too!!!
Very impressed you are speaking some Mandarin!!! I'm sure they will appreciate the effort :o) The little plots are so interesting - all the different plants, and you show how the people are taking care of them - it's great :oD The bowl on a stick must work - the plots are looking good!
Nice of the dean to invite you to lunch :o)
What very interesting pics they are so lovely and natural because they are not aware that you are there .Those arae huge leaves by the water. What a feast they put on for you.
yes Elaine the "bowl on a stick" seems to work well!!! you thinking of making one - i asked a local what they are called he thinks just big spoon heheheh!
Yes Mom its good to take pics when folk are unaware - i always get sage fright if i know someone is taking a pic!!!
You can tell your friend Ben that google says this - BEN -Short form of BERNHARD and other Germanic names beginning with the element bern meaning "bear". :)
also scottish mountain :)