Montana and LuRue had mixed feelings about today. Neither of us were exactly sorry that it was the last day to "dance" our last routine. We've about worn out the charts prepared over two weeks ago, so it is time to retire those. But at the same time, we don't feel like it is time to go home. Not exactly like there is a "bucket list" from which to tick off items...more like this has become a fun life of discovery that we don't want to end.
Our final class was 90 minutes this morning at the original school. For the first time, there wasn't even a single girl. And it wasn't long before we figured out that the level of understanding was the lowest we had encountered yet. Fortunately, "John Wayne" was the teacher and he was terrific. He translated all our directions, as well as the sentences on our posters which made our activities with this group just as much fun as all the others have been. And "John Wayne" was really into the Hokey Pokey, too! While neither of us will miss the significant effort it takes to prepare for and to conduct the classes, we will very much miss the interaction with the students and the teachers. Having kids race to the front of the class, then awkwardly try to say their sentences in a language they can barely wrap their tongues around is very endearing. They are so embarrassed, but try so hard.
As soon as class was finished and the final "rock star photos" were over, the vice-director Mrs. Shi was there to escort us to a display room, showing all the accomplishments of the university. Then we were led into the same room we had entered on our first day...the same spots with our name plates...directly across from the president of the university, Mr. Yang. The difference this time was that we recognized all the teachers as friends and also some of the students. The Farewell was just as formal as the Welcome, with our "speeches" following one by the president as well as from other school officials. For us, the highlight was the video Montana had put together about our experiences during these past three weeks. With BaoLi's help, it was a tribute to the school as well as a journal of our experiences, so the school loved it, too. They couldn't thank us enough for introducing them to different ways of teaching. We realize that they are limited in what they can do, for various reasons, but it would be nice to think that both they and the students may be able to take away something fun from our activities.
Then we were taken to a special dining room with one large table. Though it was a little while before we understood just what was happening, eventually the places at the table were taken by the party secretary at the place of honor with us at either side, along with some of our teacher friends. The elegant plates of food were placed endlessly on the large Lazy Susan...about 20 times more food than we could possibly eat. As BaoLi said later, it wasn't really about eating the food, it was more about toasting everything imaginable. The secretary and the director kept coming around the table clinking glasses as we sipped wine each time.
When that was over, we said our goodbyes to everyone, then headed off to a folk museum, which was an hour or so away. Much to our surprise, after we got to the museum, a carload of the teachers pulled up. So we all went through a large estate which has been constructed by recreating piece by numbered piece, the homes from neighboring areas that date back to several of the dynasties. The teachers did get a guide, but a Chinese-speaking guide, which suited LuRue and Montana very well, leaving them free to look at their own pace. The first stop was a musical presentation on a stage of ancient music & comedy, a dying art. After we had been invited on stage, for photos of course, it began to sprinkle. Sprinkles turned into rain & then we were presented with museum umbrellas to finish the tour.
The place was quite impressive and was easy to imagine servants scurrying around, waiting on the important masters. One of the displays features shoes worn by women with bound feet. BaoLi said that her grandmother had had them; another teacher said that her husband's grandmother did as well.
One of the most magnificent displays was of paper cutting. There were some huge pieces of the most intricate designs imaginable. It would have been fun to see something like that being crafted. Only one of many things that we didn't get to see. Guess we'll have to come back.
The trip back to the hotel took about two hours because of the rain/rush hour combination. The teachers came into the hotel lobby, carrying the huge plaques with which we had been presented at the end of the formal welcome. We said our goodbyes once again, knowing that this time it really is goodbye.
Dinner was time for our last team meeting, so a farewell to Don, then back to the room to pack. Just before slipping out for one last nostalgic trip to Baskin-Robbins, we met with BaoLi just finishing up her receipts and paperwork. We are taking a package back to the USA to mail. After hugs and farewells all around, we went back out into the rain.
Oh, nooooo! 4:30am is going to come very early!! We have a 5:00am pickup!
Our final class was 90 minutes this morning at the original school. For the first time, there wasn't even a single girl. And it wasn't long before we figured out that the level of understanding was the lowest we had encountered yet. Fortunately, "John Wayne" was the teacher and he was terrific. He translated all our directions, as well as the sentences on our posters which made our activities with this group just as much fun as all the others have been. And "John Wayne" was really into the Hokey Pokey, too! While neither of us will miss the significant effort it takes to prepare for and to conduct the classes, we will very much miss the interaction with the students and the teachers. Having kids race to the front of the class, then awkwardly try to say their sentences in a language they can barely wrap their tongues around is very endearing. They are so embarrassed, but try so hard.
As soon as class was finished and the final "rock star photos" were over, the vice-director Mrs. Shi was there to escort us to a display room, showing all the accomplishments of the university. Then we were led into the same room we had entered on our first day...the same spots with our name plates...directly across from the president of the university, Mr. Yang. The difference this time was that we recognized all the teachers as friends and also some of the students. The Farewell was just as formal as the Welcome, with our "speeches" following one by the president as well as from other school officials. For us, the highlight was the video Montana had put together about our experiences during these past three weeks. With BaoLi's help, it was a tribute to the school as well as a journal of our experiences, so the school loved it, too. They couldn't thank us enough for introducing them to different ways of teaching. We realize that they are limited in what they can do, for various reasons, but it would be nice to think that both they and the students may be able to take away something fun from our activities.
Then we were taken to a special dining room with one large table. Though it was a little while before we understood just what was happening, eventually the places at the table were taken by the party secretary at the place of honor with us at either side, along with some of our teacher friends. The elegant plates of food were placed endlessly on the large Lazy Susan...about 20 times more food than we could possibly eat. As BaoLi said later, it wasn't really about eating the food, it was more about toasting everything imaginable. The secretary and the director kept coming around the table clinking glasses as we sipped wine each time.
When that was over, we said our goodbyes to everyone, then headed off to a folk museum, which was an hour or so away. Much to our surprise, after we got to the museum, a carload of the teachers pulled up. So we all went through a large estate which has been constructed by recreating piece by numbered piece, the homes from neighboring areas that date back to several of the dynasties. The teachers did get a guide, but a Chinese-speaking guide, which suited LuRue and Montana very well, leaving them free to look at their own pace. The first stop was a musical presentation on a stage of ancient music & comedy, a dying art. After we had been invited on stage, for photos of course, it began to sprinkle. Sprinkles turned into rain & then we were presented with museum umbrellas to finish the tour.
The place was quite impressive and was easy to imagine servants scurrying around, waiting on the important masters. One of the displays features shoes worn by women with bound feet. BaoLi said that her grandmother had had them; another teacher said that her husband's grandmother did as well.
One of the most magnificent displays was of paper cutting. There were some huge pieces of the most intricate designs imaginable. It would have been fun to see something like that being crafted. Only one of many things that we didn't get to see. Guess we'll have to come back.
The trip back to the hotel took about two hours because of the rain/rush hour combination. The teachers came into the hotel lobby, carrying the huge plaques with which we had been presented at the end of the formal welcome. We said our goodbyes once again, knowing that this time it really is goodbye.
Dinner was time for our last team meeting, so a farewell to Don, then back to the room to pack. Just before slipping out for one last nostalgic trip to Baskin-Robbins, we met with BaoLi just finishing up her receipts and paperwork. We are taking a package back to the USA to mail. After hugs and farewells all around, we went back out into the rain.
Oh, nooooo! 4:30am is going to come very early!! We have a 5:00am pickup!
I feel sad your adventure is coming to a close—what a wonderful adventure it has been. Thank each of you for sharing this amazing blog
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