Zhongguo Shiwu (China 15)

It is Monday morning (December 13) as I begin this installment. One week from this morning we will be boarding our plane to return home. I hope you have enjoyed the news from China. I have certainly enjoyed sharing it with you. It is amazing what technology allows us to do!

Last night was the school's Farewell Party for us. They held it in the canteen. It was eerie here yesterday, as it was a quiet day. No Chinese students came around. They were all consumed with getting ready for the party. I spent the day packing and sorting. It was a gray day with temps in the mid 60's. Seemed rather poetic, for a day of Farewells. Even at lunchtime the campus was quiet, even for a Sunday. But, last evening things changed. They had the Canteen all decorated for the party. A giant blue banner was hung on one of the walls with yellow letters spelling out "Good-Bye Friends." They had a stage marked out on the floor with Christmas lights. Chairs were formed around this stage in the shape of a horseshoe, but most students were standing. All the administrators were in attendance, along with the English Department faculty, the students, and visitors from Xi Jiang University, and the Zhaoqing community.

There were performances by every class. There were speeches, songs, dances and games. Our ARCC students ended the program by singing the "Farewell Song" from the "Sound of Music" (it worked out well, seven Von Trapp children, and seven ARCC students). Afterwards there was hugging and lots of picture taking.

I wish I had the time to write in greater detail, but time does not permit. There are so many things being crammed into this week, in addition to taking care of details before we go, that alas, I do not have the time to write much.

Monday I was suppose to return to the Pabst Brewery in the afternoon. If you recall from a previous installment, when I went there two weeks ago, they had wanted to take me out to dinner, and they were greatly concerned that I was going to miss supper that night (I went straight to Xi Jiangs for English Corner). They made me promise that I would come back in two weeks for their English Club and then let them take me out for dinner. They called Monday just after lunch and had to cancel. Something big was happening at the brewery, and they all had to work late, so they were going to postpone English Club until the following week. I told them I would be on an airplane next Monday. Oh, were they sorry! "Couldn't I stay until Tuesday?" Well, I thought I would have some free time to start organizing for packing.

At about 4:30 there came a knocking at my Chamber door. It was Wu Wei Xia (Vicky). She had her father with her. He just came from their hometown (a 5 hour bus ride from here). He had come to visit his daughter and would return on Tuesday morning. He had planned on coming on Sunday, but he could not get a train ticket (it's only a 3-hour train ride) because the Army had taken up all the train seats. So, he came Monday.

Vicky had been one of the MC's at the Farewell Party, so I could understand him wanting to come and watch her, but if he missed it, why take a bus for 5 hours, and then turn around and go home in the morning? As we were talking, the thought occurred to me, "He came to meet me!" Thank goodness Pabst called and canceled! We sat and talked. He doesn't speak any English, so Vicky was busy translating both ways. We went to dinner at a restaurant just outside the gate. They had to go downtown, but when they came back, they came back to my room, and we talked some more. He invited me to their hometown, if I ever came back to China (and I will), and he also told me that I should go to Hunan Province (where he was stationed in the army), and that I should see Chairman Mao's home there. I have never talked with Vicky about politics, so I don't know her political bent, but here was a man who was deeply proud of the Peoples Republic of China and the man who brought it in to being. It was a great evening and an honor to meet Vicky's father.

Tuesday morning I met Peter Tam (our tour guide on our two trips). He was going to assist me in buying our tickets for the ferry ride back to Hong Kong. Alas, we were at the place where our group entered China -- the ferry terminal. It took me back to that fourth day in September, and the warm welcome we received on our arrival. It was empty now (there were only two people in the office), but I started to think of all the activity that would be here on Sunday when we depart. It will be a sad day.

Tuesday evening I paid a visit to three of the English classes (the fourth had a politics class) during their study period. My mission was twofold. First, I wanted to distribute a sheet with our addresses on it to every student in the department. But, I also brought my camera. I organized the students by the dormitory rooms. Mrs. Krim assisted by taking pictures of me with each set of students. (I got the fourth class Wednesday morning.) As I am writing this, I am having reprints made so that each student gets a picture (156 reprints). They are thrilled!

Wednesday was a blur! Between all the students coming and going to ask if we were excited about going home, I managed to get some packing and sorting done. Wednesday evening I met with the last group of students in my "Going out with Gordy" program. They were Windy (Lui Xu Yi), Tim (Chen Hua), Jasmine (Chao Zhi Qiao), Bessemer (Li Jian Mei), and Amy (Chen Zhi Min). Unfortunately, Bessemer could not make it, but two other students tagged along Yosie (Xu Qing Yun) and Stella (Kang Ning Ning). I was a little put off that these extras came along, but I soon learned why. They are friends of Windy's. And, I'm guessing that their fathers are all friends. Windy's father is the one who took us all out to dinner for the Mid-Autumn Festival. He is a big wheel in the Zhaoqing political seen, and he is also a good friend with the owner of the restaurant we just happened to be going to. The meal was going to be compliments of the owner, so that's why the others came along. The meal was good, and included turtle soup and little birds (among other things). After dinner the owner came into our dining room to visit. He had never met a foreigner before, and I was going to be his first foreign friend. He sat directly across from me at the round table. He offered me a cigarette; I declined. He then asked if I wanted some wine; I declined again telling him tea was fine. Windy then told me that to avoid offending him I had better have a glass of wine with him. So, okay what would one glass of wine do. The waitress brought in a pitcher of rice wine. I remembered this stuff from the first "teacher's parties" upon our arrival -- nasty stuff! But, this was hot, and as the waitress poured it, I noticed it had a red tint. I was told that it was sweet and smooth. We stood; he made a toast, and GANBEI! It was sweet alright, but still nasty. As it was hot, it burned all the way down (I'm not sure if it burned because it was hot, or it was nasty). As we downed the wine, the students let out a collective OOOOH! He started talking some more, something about how we were now friends, and how good the wine was. I wasn't paying much attention -- I was thinking about all the damaged nerve endings in my throat and stomach. The waitress immediately poured another glass. Another toast -- GANBEI! He talked some more -- something about how gentle and smooth the wine was, and that it was like a woman (Windy was translating). Again, I wasn't paying much attention. The other students were asking me if I was okay, and if I was drunk. I was thinking about how much I don't like sweet liquor, and that if I ever drank gasoline, I would not add sugar. Another glass was poured. Another toast -- GANBEI! He said something else, I commented on how good the wine was (the third one wasn't too bad -- perhaps all the nerve endings in my digestive system were killed!) Another glass was poured (isn't that pitcher ever going to empty). Another toast -- GANBEI! He started to talk some more, inviting me back and stuff like that. Another waitress entered the room. He was summoned on urgent business. Thank God! We shook hands. He left. The students commented on how red my ears were. I told them it was the red coloring in the wine. We left, returning by taxi to the school.

It is now Sunday morning, and unfortunately, I am out of time. I will have to fill you in on the rest of the week after I return home with China 16.

The bus leaves for the ferry terminal in just a few short hours. We will take the ferry to Hong Kong today, spend the night, and then leave Monday morning for home!

This is my last message from China. The computer will be shut down and packed -- the last thing to pack!

Zaijian,
Gordy