Since the recommended treatment for jet lag is sunshine, the Colorado folks spent some of their first day at the beach, which was not at its cleanest with the tide coming in.
Then lunch at my favorite restaurant, Cai Jia Po ---spicy noodles (both wheat and bean based) and mango smoothies!
After lunch they napped and I went to class. We re-gathered for dinner at the restaurant next door, including our friend Tian who helped us order lots of interesting dishes including sea worms for Nick and a whole fish for the rest of us.
Friday morning we hit the second hand market (and yes , Mom we got you another clock -- for just 200 kuai). Laura and Emily got silver dowry bracelets and Nick emerged as the big shopper and best bargainer of the day.
While we were shopping, Mary was having a day as an exchange student to Helen's class for the morning. Getting on the bus...
And when we arrived to pick them up, they were finishing lunch -- rice porridge, fish some vegetable and xigua 西瓜 (watermelon) for dessert.
Laura took this picture of the room where Helen's class naps in their bunk beds, but we brought the girls home after lunch. On the way we had a bit of a campus tour, including a good view of the oldest buildings on the campus.
Its Saturday now, and we just got back from a long but satisfying morning at the temple next door and on the mountain. Will try to get that blog post going later tonight.
In other news, we have heard from the family who is coming to be the Fulbright family in Xiamen next year ...and they even have kids....hurray! At least we can pass on some of the stuff we can't take with us to someone who will appreciate it! Although it makes are leaving all the more real. I realized today at the top of the mountain that we might not make that hike again, and the things we are showing Don and Laura and the gang -- this may be our last visit in some cases. After they leave we will really begin the countdown in earnest. How else can I cope but to try to begin anticipating some things to look forward to? But I am not really ready to let go of my life and projects here, such as learning Chinese, teaching and tutoring in English, and trying every day to be open to at least one new experience or idea. I guess maybe that last bit is a notion I will have to take home with me.
2 comments:
Hello Ann, Micheal and Family, Thank you again for your posts and photos! Once you return home you can become a spokesperson for your fantastic experience in China...you will be a Xiamen Ambassador. I once had a teacher tell me that to become an inspiration for someone else is truely a very high achievement...and you have certainly done that. Best Wishes, Kay
Well well well...look what I stumbled across.
Really cool to see the pictures; it brings back a lot of memories!
Hope all is well.
From Nebraska, Mike
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