China Trip ... Monday July 16 Email

Good morning folks, I hope all is well!

I'm getting ready to go for a walk.  Many Chinese people exercise early in the morning.  There's a great big track not so far away so I'll head over there and do some walking.  You wouldn't believe the number of people who will be outside at this early time in the morning (5:00 am).  People are doing Tie Chi, playing badminton, running, walking, swimming, dancing, doing gymnastics, having music lessons, and engaged in many activities that I don't have words for.  It's really quite fascinating and you can't believe how many older people, many who remind me of Ms. Chong, out exercising.  I find it fascinating and encouraging.

We had lots of fun going out last night.  We went to a barbecue place that served many different dishes.  We sat outside on picnic tables and shared lots of different food and these incredibly large containers of beer.  Having a drink and toasting t a person or events seems a common event.  I think that that is why I am up at 5:00 o'clock and ready to walk.  I need to exercise or  I'll become as big as a Panda Bear.

Today I am playing capture the flag with the students.  It's so hot and humid here that we decided to do the sports in the morning.  More traditional activities like basketball, soccer and floor ball will be played later in the week and I'm hoping to have some of the Chinese students teach me ping pong and badminton.  Too bad Ming isn't here...he could help out!

The teaching has been very fun.  The students are interested and engaged, though they are much like Canadian students.  Many like playing video games, watching TV, hanging with friends, going to movies and sleeping.  They don't seem much different than many Canadian students though I have yet to find one who golfs, yet they know who Tiger Woods is and many of the premier world athletes.  For many parents, sending their kids out to do something seems to be their intent.  To me, this idea doesn't sound so foreign! What do you think?

In any event, this experience has been enjoyable, eye opening and tremendous.  The food is unbelievably awesome and the teaching fun.  

Wishing all well,

GE

On Mon, Jul 16, 2012 at 9:20 AM, <enrightconsulting@cogeco.ca> wrote:

Hi dad I am having a great time at deerhest, I went on the iceberg 3 times and it was so much fun. I also went on some new stuff like this big humongous jungle gym with a slip and slide and every thing, and I also went on this huge blow up water slide to it was really fun, and even mom went on it! We were going to go on skids yesterday but it started to rain but that's ok because were going today heard your having a great time at china and hope your still having a great time. Love Ryan

Hey dad got rained out so couldn't seat yesterday but alls well as were going today and played tennis yesterday and watched a movie while we couldn't seat. Also going to do treetop trekking at deer hurst which is new and we can climb trees go on tarzan ropes and zip line through the forest. Everything is going well and hope that the china trip continues to go well. Lots of love ross

Hope things continue to go well for you. Enjoy...
Best,
Jane