Come Away With Me

    Today, I had quite an 'interesting' conversation with my student (female). Here is an excerpt. Student: You always smell so nice. Me: (Smile) Thank you! Student: Do you bathe every day? Me: (Astonished) Yes! Don't you? Student: No! I am Asian. I only bathe once per week. Me: (Trying hard to suppress my surprise) I didn't know that. Why? Student: That is how Chinese are. I feel too tired after I bathe, and most days, I don't have the time to bathe. I am too busy. Me: What do you do before coming to my class in the mornings? Student: I just wash my face and neck. Me: What about when you are having your 'special time'? Student: It is the same thing. I bathe once per week and wash my face and neck. Me: (Aghast) So when did you have your last shower? Student: Last Saturday. Me: (Internally) My gosh! (To the student) Oh I see. Ok

Today, I met a Chinese store clerk who could barely speak a word of English. However, when I jokingly took up a pack of Durex condoms and asked her which type is the best, she batted her synthetic lashes, searched for another brand, handed it to me and blurted out, "Good-a!"Her body language and tone conveyed remarkable conviction. I doubt there was ever a misunderstanding.  NB. I am always amazed by the things that they easily understand. 

There are many streets in Songyuan with restaurants serving local cuisines. While most of them offer reasonably priced barbecue, porridge, eggs and noodles, there is one that plates out dog, and dog only. Today, I ventured inside to have a firsthand experience of their unusual entrees. Inside the restaurant When I entered the restaurant, I realized that the setting was similar to that of many others around the city. The tables were tidily arranged and were lightly decorated with fresh sprigs of variegated flowers. There was also a noticeably spacious and sun-lit passage. Additionally, on each side of the room, there were pastel draperies at the windows. These inspired a homespun decor, which was delicately accentuated by a sparkling chandelier. Overhead the cashier's counter were framed photographs of the restaurants most delectable fares. From these, I was able to identify the prominent parts of a dog. The head was seemingly baked and honeyed over with a shimmering sau...

I have beautiful memories of my sojourn in these places :)  Thank you Lord for the many opportunities that you have afforded me over the years! I am extremely grateful!

I was most horrified to find the following on sale in quite an upscale shopping centre! 

Since my arrival in China on May 3, 2014, I have had many awkward moments. Most days,  I have to sign, point, dramatize or role play in an effort to communicate my requests to the natives. In fact, one day, I had to pretend to be a chicken in order to guarantee the purchase of authentic poultry and not canine products or by-products thereof.   If you have read my previous blogs, you can easily conjure the design of the Chinese restrooms in the public schools. The toilets are at ground level and there are no doors  to privatize the stalls.  One day, I was about to have a 'private' moment, when two female Chinese students decided to form a queue directly in front of me. I tried to shoo them away, but they completely misinterpreted my gesture. They thought I was signing hello! Of course, I kept waving and saying "Go up deh suh man!" and they continued to respond by waving and greeting me with hellos. View of most public restrooms in China  Rec...