China Update!!! Part 2 Day 4, Tang Xia, 1103h Slept pretty well the night before after watching a very lame ghost movie on TV. I guess this show was created ages ago. Woke up at a lazy 8am. Had breakfast before leaving for the school opposite our dormitory.
Greeted at Xin Hui Shi Yan Pri by a group if kids doing their marching practice. It was quite a hard time communicating with the kids due to the huge age gap between the 2 grps. Chatted with them alil and took some snapshots with them too. Some of the girls were giving away sweets to the kids, which ignited a overwhelming response.
Toured around the school and landed in the music room. The students were very enthusiastic and fun loving. I alwats love to compare the standards and attitudes with Singapore's therefore things will sound biased agt my home country. The school was overall better facilitated and more impressionable as compared to CJC. One good example is the entrance and pond which gives the student an environment they want to be in.
The students gave us a performance in their classroom which impressed us deeply. These included an act in english, a clarinet and mandarin speaking duet.
Had some shopping time before and after lunch time. Went to buy some CDs with the girls. Proceeded to a stationery store for an hour buying souvenirs then to the shopping arcade. Went back to gather and packed our stuff before heading to our next destination.
We played soccer at the next school. None of the guys could play very well except for Mr Leong. Marianne was the only girl playing with the guys in a desert-like field. Sand was see dispersed and freely mobile. The school here didnt have a prepared invitation as we only toured the outskirts of the buildings within the campus. However, it was bigger overall and better looking than a Singapore School.
Set off for our rally point at Tang Xia Sec Sch's Hostel. The conditions were different from Xin Hui's. We stayed at a bunk which could hold 8 ppl. Bunks were side to side each other. So we can hear the voices of the locals easily. Having to be at the fifth floor, it proved a tedious task to carry our baggage to our bunk.
Had lunch at a restaurant nearby. Came back later for a speech by the host schools' top personnel. This was followed by an exchange with a class of students. They spoke canton and mandarin, which english proved secondary as a language. Took a momento picture with them after the chat.
They were really nice to help carry our buckets of hot water to our bunks at level 5.
This was because the bunk provided only cold water and they were in form of taps without a shower head. However for guys, it is easily adaptable la. Therefore there is not much of a problem. The water will need flow out abit before u use it, coz the first flow is milky =S
Day 5, Tang Xia, 1210h The males were unable to be ready on time, therefore we ran abit late as compared to the females. We proceeded to another restaurant which served us dim sum. Havent had dim sum bfast quite awhile already. Came back to the school to visit their sports' carnival at the tracks. However, it turned out expected, to be time to take pictures with the students. This goes to show how welcoming the host is to us, and they havent had visitors before.
We went off reluctantly to the governor's office for another dialouge session. The usual went on and we took some pictures and cool ones with the governor before heading back to the school for a tour. The school had the facilities close ours except their glorified archives room.
The lunch we had was the first meal in the school's canteen. Food we had were similar to those at Xin Hui's Hostel. hmmm, can imagine the students eating these everyday yet we complain so much at CJC. HAHAx.
Had free time so went for a game of cards, daidee in our bunk. Had a few variations of the punishments and forfeits for the game. Pumping was many and everyone were busy with push ups after a game. A meaningful afternoon we spent at Sha Fu Pri Sch. It was a more rural type of school due to its size but a relatively condusive environment for students. Had a stunning welcome of fire crackers, lion dance and the students' band. The bandsmen's uniform look like those of toy soldiers. Toured around the compound and played a game of bball with a group of them which displayed China's prowess in the bball arena.
Came back to the school for dinner. While walking, was greeted by 2 girls who seemed to know me, spoke to me in simple english. Haha, realised i took a pic with them this morning. Left for the massage parlour after dinner. We went to the sauna and had a full body massage which felt soothing and removed our tensed bodies.
Some students came over to our room to have a chat with us. It was a rare chance for them to have a chat with us. Nevertheless a wonderful time spent.
Day 6, Qing Yuan, 0149h Bid farewell to our friends at Tang Xia Sec School early at 7.15am. It was really nice of the students to send us off and many goodbye waves between us and them. Had bfast by the roadside stall selling rice rolls and porridge. It was really delicious and craving for more man!! First time exp for many and what's more, its dirt cheap! Hope to try it once more.
Had a 4 hour bus ride to Qing Yuan which put many ppl to sleep. Upon arriving at Qing Yuan, it was a scenic view of rural farm areas, backdropped with the nostalgic sight of covered mountains. Geog students will definitely be glad to explain the formation of the scenery. Had lunch at one of the house of a student of the pri sch. The pig organs tasted superb and the beancurd proved likewise too. The house was dark and small which had more than 8 ppl living in it. The area had rears of chickens and nested houseflies. A phrase to describe the situation is "Having more houseflies than the number of ppl"
The highlight of the day was when we were brought to the fields to do some manual work. It was easy for the locals to handle the digging of the tapioca plant. However, even Nigel and I did not have an easy time. It was a wodnerful exp to remove the skin of the root of the tapioca and carry the load back. Not simple at all to carry the pole which balance 2 heavy sacks of harvest. An enjoyable time!!! =)
Took off for dinner at a floating restaurant. Checked in to our current hotel. We didnt manage to leave far away from the area we resided. To kill boredom, we went to the KTV to sing our hearts out.
Day 7, Qing Yuan, 0153h I was unable to wake up bythe time of my alarm watch. Thus I relied on the morning call to wake my lazy bum up. Had a dim sum bfast once more. Set off for our adventure trekking. The first part was a slow stroll which still kept many in their sleepy mood. However as we ascend higher, the difficulty increased as the trail became steeper and less paved.
There were many obstacles like shaky, narrow, roped line bridges to support us. It thus made the trek really exciting and fun to carry on with such weird obstacles. There was also a overhead cable supported seat to go across the water. It did not take long to complete the trek. Had a morning tea before proceeding for lunch and took alot of photos too.
Lunch was unique this time. The food was alright but the highlight was the environment of the lunch. It was on a boat and we could enjoy the meal and enjoy the mountainous scenery. Went to a temple after lunch, offered my prayers. The Buddha Statue was huge together with the 18 Arhats. Left for herbs plantation and tried the ling zhi soup and some tea. Did not buy anything after much consideration because I felt there wasnt a need to buy. Was not in an active mood and state of mind then, coz I just woke up from a bus nap.
Had a visit to a supermarket in Qing Yuan. It was huge and resembled Giant Supermarket back in SG. Bought a lot of stuff to have a party at night after dinner.
Was great to have a gathering in our room with most of the groupmates. Had alcohol, noodles, chips, cards with our tour guide too. Can see that everyone was quite tired after a long day. Had KTV afterwards which was Mr Leong's treat. Sang our hearts once more and ended up having a sore throat and croaky voice..
