Chinese Folk Dance

This day, we were introduced the Chinese folk dance by the dance teacher in Licheng Erzhong. Initially, our students were shy and quite reluctant to participant in this activity. However, with much coaxing, a few brave souls step forward, put on their costumes and begin to learn the footwork of the dance. After a few practice sessions, the dancers were all ready to perform.

Home Visit

I visited one of the students' home together with Wanting and Guan'nan and stayed there for dinner. It was part of the programme to get to know the life of the China students better. We wanted to find out where they live, what they usually do and what they eat for their meals. In the afternoon, Wanting and Guan'nan played some card games with their buddies and I took a short nap on the sofa in the living room. The trip no doubt was fun and eventful but I was really exhausted so I took a little break while the students play. Later in the afternoon, we were invited to make dumplings with the mum. Chinese dumpling is a must-have in Chinese families. Chinese dumpling also known as Jiaozi, typically consist of a ground meat and/or vegetable filling wrapped into a thinly rolled piece of dough, which is then sealed by pressing the edges together. The parents were very hospitable and prepared a scrumptious dinner for us.

Baotu Spring

Spring water gushing out from the ground

Getting a gulp of spring water

The Spring Sculpture of Jinan at Quancheng Square

Another attraction site is the Baotu Spring. It was formed because of Jinan's special geographical position and geological structure. The spring keeps its temperature at about 18 degree Celsius all year round, meaning the spring water will not be frozen even in winter. Water bursts out through three outlets and water columns surge upward, looking like spinning wheels. Being a geography teacher, I find this place very interesting. It's like Geography comes alive. Heard from the guide that the secret to longevity of the Jinan people is partly due to the spring water they drink from here. So let's not wait and rush for the spring water!

Knowing Confucius and his birth place

The most famous attraction site in Shandong is the Confucius Temple at Qufu which is a 2 hour drive from Jinan. Here, the temple is one of the three largest ancient architectural complexes in China, the other two being the Summer Palace in Beijing and the Mountain Resorts in Chengde. At the Confucius Temple, many of our students went to hang their lucky charms to ask for blessings for themselves and families. Many of them also asked for success in their coming exams.

We also went to the Confucius Institute to attend a lecture by Professor Zhang on some of teachings of Confucius.

Confucius said, 

"If a man keeps cherishing his old knowledge, so as continually to be acquiring new, he may be a teacher of others";

"Learning without thought is labour lost, thought without learning is perilous". 

"A youth, when at home, should be filial, and abroad, respectful to his elders. He should be earnest and truthful. He should overflow in love for all, and cultivate the friendship of the good. When he has time and opportunity, after the performance of these things, he should employ them in polite studies.

Scaling the Tai Mountains

Cable car ride

Walking up to the peak

Locks of prosperity and love

We didn't trek up the Tai Mountains. We actually took a cable car up there. The peak is 1532.8m high. We were lucky as the weather that day was fine and it was not really that cold. I didn't know the Tai Mountain that I'm visiting is actually the mountain that is related to these 2 famous Chinese proverbs 有眼不识泰山  and 稳如泰山.

I've always enjoy trekking but it's a pity this time round we can't trek as I was bringing a lot of students who are not familiar with trekking. Nonetheless, it was a good trip up. Up in the mountains there were some interesting sites such as the temples the emperor used to pray in the past and the heavenly street. Heavenly street is actually a street up in the mountains rumoured to be the road that led the celestial deities to the heaven.

Our 2nd Chinese Lesson

《散步》莫怀戚

The second Chinese lesson we had was about a short essay "Strolling" written by Mo Huaiqi. The story is about the author bringing his old mother, his young son and his wife out for a stroll one day in early spring. Through a simple strolling activity, the author brings out the care and concern he has for his mother and at the same time his mother's love for her grandson. While strolling, his son wanted to walk on the small natural footpath, uneven ground but exciting. However the author worried for his old mother and would rather walk on the man-made walk path. In the end, his mother suggested to take the small track to accomodate her grandson and if necessary for her son to piggyback her. The author immediately carried his mother on his back and with his wife following behind, strolled with his son along the natural footpath. A heartwarming story of family love.

Our First Chinese Lesson

Our first Chinese lesson is this Chinese poem by the poet Wang Wei(王维） in the Tang Dynasty. The poem is about Wang Wei who is sending his good friend Yuan'er (元二）off. His good friend is going to Xi'an(西安）to be an official. Let me try to do a translation of the poem. Wang Wei sent his friend off at this place called Weicheng (渭城）. 

《送元二使安西》王维

渭城朝雨邑轻尘， 客舍青青柳色新。

劝居更尽一杯酒， 西出阳关无古人。

First line: The morning rain has just moisturised the soil of Weicheng.

Second line: The willow trees have just begun to turn green outside the hotel.

Third line: Let me toast my friend another cup of wine.

Fourth line: When you leave the West gate, I will miss a very old friend.

This poem is usually read to a friend who is leaving to show that you will miss him very much. I find the poem meaningful and the words beautifully written. It was so touching to hear the Chinese teacher recite with some background music. I could feel poet's emotions and his sense of loss because of his friend's departure. You can listen to the recital here.