Bus Stop Mystery

On our way to re-visit the cheese shop, we had to stop a moment in order to voice the possibilities and reasons as to why there was a wedding photo wired to the bus stop sign. There was no wedding in sight, nor any type of festivities. It is still a mystery.  

Rising Stars

A highlight of expat living is the other other expats we get to meet and know. On the first floor of our apartment complex lives a Ukrainian family of four--Alex Sr., Tina, Alex Jr., and Marcia. The parents are piano teachers in the arts college and the two kids are piano prodigies. Every so often we hear classical melodies wafting from their abode. While it drives some of the other teachers crazy, we like it.

The other day we had the opportunity to attend their concert, possibly their last as a family as Alex Jr. will be leaving for Switzerland to study and hone his skills as a concert pianist.

It was a breathtaking experience. My love and appreciation of music is abundant and I loved the opportunity to experience the brilliance of this family's musical gift. Plus, at the end of the night I could not help but think I had just seen the pre-famous stage of Alex and Marcia. 

Wheels

Of course it was the typical takes-way-longer-than-expected-and-it-drives-one-crazy Chinese buying experience. The extravaganza highlighted the classic ignore-the-actual-problem attitude of the Chinese.

After a test spin, Zach would say, “The gears don’t work.” 

The boss responded by putting the bike on its side, whirling the pedals a couple of times then giving it back to Zach.

Repeat above scenario two or three times.

Upon the fourth time, the boss responded by retorting that Zach didn’t know how to use the gears. Once that had been adamantly refuted, it then became “just take the gears off; you don’t need them anyway.” 

It was a grueling process, repeated over the course of at least five shops until we found a shop that sold decent gears on a bike for a respectable price. At the end of the day, we were the proud owners of two new bikes. Nothing fancy (as stolen bikes are as common here as the States) and they bear the necessary Chinglish phrase or two.

The initial test the next day started as a quick jaunt but turned into a four hour journey through undiscovered villages, temples and fields. At one point we were either being cackled at by an old woman, hoe slung over her shoulder, or were being chided for being in her field. Lack of Chinese vocabulary makes interpretation hard at times. 

Farther along in our trip, we were waved down by a farmer who bestowed upon us fresh picked papayas. After thanking him repeatedly, we rode away wondering whether that was his own personal papaya grove or did he try to bribe our secrecy for his trespassing. Either way, the papayas were yummy. 

The addition of wheels to our lives has been fantastic. There is a new-found freedom. The exploratory possibilities abound. The open road beckons.

Techeng Dao

It was a sweet freedom at its core. As Zach eloquently stated, "It began with a big wheel, which turned into a bike with training wheels, then a bike without training wheels then a car. At practically every point in my life I have had some sort of wheels, sans the past year." As we pedaled borrowed bikes through the bustling streets of Xiashan early Saturday morning, incoherent babbling of delight was all we could muster.

One of the beauties of living in Zhanjiang is the numerous islands speckled across our coastline, easily accessible and awaiting exploration. The longer we live here, the more we become familiar with what is available and our 'in-town' bucket list continues to grow. Another adventure instigated by Roger, we were bound for Techeng Dao.

We couldn't have timed our arrival at the ferry terminal more succinctly, as one was docked and ready to putter towards the island. Propping our bikes against the side, our attention was quickly diverted to the ferry alongside ours--it was packed. It resembled pictures of refugee boats, with people stuffed and stashed in every nook and cranny. We didn't know its destination, but it was a popular one. Plus, for as much as they were the spectacle to us, the three lao weis on bikes was even funnier and more perplexing to them.

The meandering bike paths of Techeng Dao are incredible, pristine and practically vacant. It was bewildering to be a mere 10 kilometers from downtown, yet to have the atmosphere of remote countryside. The ride was flat, the scenery outstanding. The seaside grove of mangrove trees was a living labyrinth of abundant crabs, trail niches and jutting roots seeming to give the ground a bizarre texture never associated with sand. It was fascinating. A photographer's muse.

The island temple bore the signs of a wild Qing Ming Festival--the red piles of firecracker debris and a very waxy altar. I have come to appreciate the village temples for they give a glimpse of the local beliefs, plus we have a jolly time trying to figure out the chosen deities for that particular temple.

We forewent the ferry for our return to the mainland by bartering passage on a water taxi. As always, it was an entertaining tale of bikes oddly strapped to the front and a U-turn mid trip to pick up the captain's mate who had been left behind.

It was with a heavy heart we relinquished our borrowed bikes. The taste of freedom was enticing and our minds were made up (though we had already been shopping around)--we will be buying bikes this weekend.

New Arrivals

The beginning of April has been spectacular in regards to news from the mother-country (though this post is at least a week overdue because of crazy Chinese internet mayhem thanks to a political scandal.) Two new arrivals, via two very different families, have given us new stories and pictures to tell/show students and co-workers and an added excitement to our nearing stateside visit.

Welcome to the world, Jack and Addysen!

May you be surrounded by wise and caring counsel in your life. May you be reminded often how much you are loved by those who love you. May you seek adventure, crave knowledge, laugh extravagantly, stand boldly, choose discerningly, capture moments, and carry on with dignity when things aren't going just as you had planned or hoped. May you be a dollop of joy to those you come in contact with in the years to come. It is a big world. It is a big life in front of you. We are excited to watch your journey. 

This was one of the best moments of our month--meeting Addysen via Skype. Thanks Lisa for snapping this photo; it is a precious memory.

Jack Thomas

One of Those

Two months ago, we learned of a registered church in Xiashan. Two weeks ago, we learned there is an English speaking bible study on Sunday mornings. Today, we became the people who show up on Easter.

In true Chinese fashion, it was complicated. People wanted to practice their English. The PA system was squeaky. The Bible study was convoluted and helter-kelter in message. It was a morning of awkward get-to-know-yous and sly looks wondering what our actual purpose was for walking through the gates. It wasn't what we expected.

But...

It was a gathering of believers.

It was Easter. 

Any Reason to Party

Initially, it was suppose to be dinner with a few of Zach's post-graduate students from last semester. It seems their mantra of life is similar to ours--use any excuse possible to party and eat lots of food. The few became the entire class and it was a boisterous evening.

Skype Snapshots

The thought of an eight o'clock class was fleeting, especially when laughter was abounding, show and tell was taking place and an intense game of Candyland was being played across an ocean. Once again, in the wee hours of the morning, we were so thankful for technological awesomeness of Skype and how it lets us remain connected to those we love.

Discovery Vignettes

We set out today to buy bikes, but discovered an entirely new area of Zhanjiang in the process. It was one of those days, when all is done, I am reminded how much I love living in this country.

Baozi stand

Oysters

Seafood Market

Choose-your-chicken-for-dinner stand.

Standing guard

Bagged Geese

Zhanjiang's Hidden Cheese Mecca: Cream Cheese! Swiss Cheese! Parmesan Cheese! The workers had a great time laughing and mimicking our excitement.

I don't remember what it is like to buy eggs in a carton and in increments of twelve.

Why oh why do Chinese couples think dressing alike is the right thing to do in a relationship?!

It is the Qing Ming Festival, when families will return to ancestral graves to clean and give offerings. Today, we learned that bread in the shape of a pig, stuffed with sausages, is a popular offering, for the low price of 38 rmb.

Okay for Now

This book came to my attention through a random blog that I had stumbled upon. I started this book one afternoon and finished it in the same afternoon. I am still chewing on it deep story lines.

"Some family," I said. "No one's paying attention to the mother. Who could blame her if she took off? Look at them."

A minute or so went by, and then Mrs. Windermere said, in a voice as soft as summer blue air, "Skinny Delivery Boy, you have it all wrong. Looks how she's standing close to her little one. She's looking around to watch for the next spectacular thing that's going to come into his life."

I am not lying, she was right.

********
The two winds were pushing them in different directions, but the petrels were using them to meet in the center of the picture. That's what the picture was about: meeting, even though you might be headed in different directions. All movement relies on that kind of tension, you know.

********
"Birds," said Mr. Powell, "tend not to have expressions on their faces."

"This is their one chance," I said. "In a second they are going to be blown past each other and who knows what will happen next?"

Mr. Powell leaned down to my drawing. "In that case, smiles are appropriate."

********
You know what it feels like to stroke color onto an Arctic Tern flying off the page, going wherever he wants to go? Terrific.