School Friends
Martha and Li in the library
With Guo at the Tuanli Free Market
The JianBing Lady!
With LiAnne at School
We had a fabulous day today, thanks to our friend Will (one of our students 4 years ago here), who drove us from the city out to school. Construction in our little village where the school is is terrible, only dirt roads that lead nowhere! But Will got us there over bumps and ruts, and we were welcomed very warmly by all our old friends in the village and at school.
First stop was at the village market to see GUO, our favourite fruit seller, where we picked up bananas and oranges, then to the gate where we saw some familiar faces, so no trouble getting in. Before we went in though, we had to have a JIAN BING, or Chinese pancake. Once on campus the hugs and handshakes began, and lasted through lunch time and throughout the day. It was so great to see everyone, and we were surprised at how many of the Chinese staff were still there, as change is so commonplace here. Only two familiar faces on the Canadian staff, but it was great to see them too, and catch up on the past 4 years. Will also had a good chance to connect with some of his teachers. Had lunch in the Western cafeteria thanks to Bryant's colleague from 2007. The girls who were the support staff at the library and the Canadian office made sure we had tea and water to drink, and a place to use as a temporary base for the day.
When we left, Will fought the Beijing traffic with great skill, and treated us to a delicious supper of dumplings, mushroom dishes, and some spicy stuff, as will as sweet and sour soup. We bid him farewell around 9 and about 10 caught a cab (we were nervous about taking the new subway route, so took the easy way out) to the airport. Benson's plane was early, so we were glad we'd taken the cab. They were all smiles despite their long, long day from Panama City, Panama, via the US to Beijing.
Hope to have more tomorrow, but we have a couple of tech problems that we have to solve today.
M and B
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