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Kate's Chronicles
Hi Everyone
When we first arrived in China we were told we would need to adjust to "China Time" which basically means things will happen in their own good time.....quite different from western cultures where we seem to run everything by the clock. so I have been very good about learning to wait for things to get done....my school computer wont work but I'm assurred it will be fixed very soon (this was 2 weeks ago) so I wait patiently and thank my lucky stars I bought my netbok with me!!!
Imagine my surprise last evening. Finished teaching at 5.15pm and heading back to my apartment...stopped off to talk to a few students when one of my FAOs comes up to me and says all the english teachers are going out to dinner and I am invited. I said that would be lovely...when is the dinner.....right now was the response!!!! No time to freshen up, get changed etc etc before I am on the back of the FAOs motorscooter heading to the restaurant!!!
I can only think that I'm glad I wore trousers to school as we zip in and around traffic with everyone staring at this strange westerner with blonde hair on a bike.....no helmets here I'm afraid!!
Well it turned out to be a fantastic night with a sumptuous feast, lot of fun and laughter!! I did find it strange that they were all English teachers but spoke Chinese all night!!! No wonder the students need help with their spoken English!!!
I was seated in an honourable position (according to Chinese custom) with the big boss telling me (via translation by FAO) that I had the most beautiful smile and the students all thought I was wonderful........I thanked him profusely and cheered him with a drink which he thought was excellent and said I was catching onto Chinese customs quickly!!!
Oh little does he know that when it comes to a drink I can quickly pick up the local protocols whereever I am in the world!!!!
Bye for now
Kate.
When we first arrived in China we were told we would need to adjust to "China Time" which basically means things will happen in their own good time.....quite different from western cultures where we seem to run everything by the clock. so I have been very good about learning to wait for things to get done....my school computer wont work but I'm assurred it will be fixed very soon (this was 2 weeks ago) so I wait patiently and thank my lucky stars I bought my netbok with me!!!
Imagine my surprise last evening. Finished teaching at 5.15pm and heading back to my apartment...stopped off to talk to a few students when one of my FAOs comes up to me and says all the english teachers are going out to dinner and I am invited. I said that would be lovely...when is the dinner.....right now was the response!!!! No time to freshen up, get changed etc etc before I am on the back of the FAOs motorscooter heading to the restaurant!!!
I can only think that I'm glad I wore trousers to school as we zip in and around traffic with everyone staring at this strange westerner with blonde hair on a bike.....no helmets here I'm afraid!!
Well it turned out to be a fantastic night with a sumptuous feast, lot of fun and laughter!! I did find it strange that they were all English teachers but spoke Chinese all night!!! No wonder the students need help with their spoken English!!!
I was seated in an honourable position (according to Chinese custom) with the big boss telling me (via translation by FAO) that I had the most beautiful smile and the students all thought I was wonderful........I thanked him profusely and cheered him with a drink which he thought was excellent and said I was catching onto Chinese customs quickly!!!
Oh little does he know that when it comes to a drink I can quickly pick up the local protocols whereever I am in the world!!!!
Bye for now
Kate.
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