Learning About Subways and Starting Classes

This past Saturday and Sunday were good days. On Saturday, I was able to visit with an English teaching friend of mine about teaching ideas and resources, and she was able to help me figure out some of Beijing’s transportation, since she has more experience in that area. Also, I was able to play “tour guide” for the first time in my new life in Beijing, as I showed her where the Red Lantern House is located, so she could get some information about it for some of her family and friends. I really recommend anyone to stay there if they come through Beijing, as it is such a quaint little place with traditional Chinese architecture and artistic expression.

On Sunday, I continued in learning about one of the mass transportation systems here in Beijing. The subway system here in Beijing is really convenient, and I will not have to use the buses as much as I thought. There is a “Number 13” elevated rail station at Wu Dao Kou, which connects with the Beijing subway a few stops away, just down the street from my university. So, I was very excited to figure this out, and I will now use it frequently. (There is also a great little stand by the station that sells delicious Beijing style egg and green onion breakfast crepes. I forgot the Chinese name of it already. You know how that goes, “In one ear and out the other.” Language learning is quite a challenge.)

Speaking of language acquisition, I begin classes tomorrow morning at 8:00am. Excitement and uncertainty rush through my veins as I anticipate the variety of assignments and hours of character memorization ahead of me. I know it seems crazy that I am actually starting formal studies again, especially after I just graduated from college this spring, but I am excited to continue learning. Besides, this seems different to me; this doesn’t seem to have all the pressure and intensity of college studies. Since I arrived in Beijing a couple of weeks ago, I have done some language study, but this will really give me a framework in which to study characters and a practical grasp of Chinese.

That structure is one I have really been looking forward to in my studies. For the past 3 years, I have been studying Chinese in my spare time and have had help from various Chinese friends and informal teachers along the way. Today, I saw that those past 3 years of study have paid off. I am in “Level B” of the Chinese courses here, which puts me beyond basic pronunciation lessons and shows that I have some knowledge of characters and some basic conversational and grammatical skills. So, I am happy to know that I have learned more than simple “Chinese survival skills” in the past 3 years, but I am also uncertain about whether or not I am prepared for the challenge of these classes. Tomorrow, I will find out, as the classes, which I have been looking forward to for the past few years, shall begin at last.

Taking a Bus in Beijing

Notes from my limited experience and some advice from friends…

-Get on the right side of the street. You’ll be able to get on a bus with the desired number, but it will take you in the wrong direction if you’re not on the correct side of the road.
-Stand near the sign with the desired bus number. Get your bus fare in hand, so you’re ready to pay when you board. Wait until the bus arrives…
-Ready, set, go! Everyone runs to get on the bus and masses in front of the door squeezing through the crowd to board the bus. Unless you’re trying to get a seat, it usually isn’t necessary to push your way to the front.
-Hold on tight! Some bus drivers are heavy on the gas and the brakes… You may need to switch hands somewhere during the ride, so both arms get a workout.
-Bend your knees! If you keep your legs stiff and lock your knees, your body jerks a lot more with the stop and go of the bus.
-Pay the lady collecting the bus fare. She walks back and forth on the bus asking (sometimes shouting above the noise of traffic) where people are going and giving them the rate. You pay her in cash and she gives you a receipt/ticket.
-Keep an eye on your belongings, and preferably a hand in one pocket, if you have anything in it. Keep any bags you have in front of you.
-It’s really cozy…You really get to know the other people on the bus, because you are smashed together. Sometimes you get a small token of their presence – like their sweat soaked into your clothes. When the driver slams on the brakes, that’s when the fun begins…
-Get ready to sweat…no AC, at least not on some buses…
-Be willing to give up your seat for the elderly, disabled, pregnant, or other people in need. This is an element I really respect about Chinese culture and one that the West can learn to bring back into daily life.
-If you’re going across town, make sure you leave about 1-1.5 hours for total travel time. With the stop and go of city traffic, this is a must. Go to the bathroom before you get on the bus. Also, drink some water before the ride, because if you are standing up and holding on, you might not have a chance to let go of the rail/handle and get a drink.
-During warmer seasons, have some tissues or a handkerchief handy – you’ll need to blow all of the black snot out of your nose that has collected due to the pollution, which comes in through the open windows of non-AC buses. (Everyday in Beijing you may think, “Wow, it’s cloudy or foggy today!” Nope…It’s pollution.)
-Be thankful for taxis or other less public means of transportation!
-Prepare mentally for the next bus ride… just kidding :)

Life in Beijing is really fun and exciting! I am learning new things everyday! I really have a lot of respect for people who grew up in Beijing and experience the stress and the hustle and bustle of the buses everyday of their lives.

Safe Arrival

Yesterday, September 7, around 5:00-6:00pm, my train arrived in Beijing from Hong Kong. It was about a 24hr trip. However, the train was running a little bit late. It was really safe on the train, as there were very few people. Most of us in the sleeper-car I was in were able to meet one another and share together about language, culture, and various other topics. That was a really fun experience, and I really learned a lot!

Last night, I stayed in the Red Lantern House hostel in one of Beijing's "hu tong" areas. I really enjoyed the stay, with the traditional architecture and the old fashioned housing areas immediately surrounding this quaint little place. For dinner last night, I went to a local restaurant with really delicious “jiao zi” (Chinese dumplings). The food is really inexpensive; I ate for about US$1.50.

Today, I moved into the dorm at the university, and I am excited to see what I will learn. Currently, I have a Korean roommate, even though I was originally planning to have my own room. (They ran out of single rooms.) However, this may prove to be very beneficial for both of us, as he does not speak much English. We will be able to help each other learn Chinese! That will be fun! :)

Always learning...

Destination: Beijing

On Tuesday, September 6, I will take a train to Beijing. It is a 24hr train ride, and I am excited to see the beautiful Chinese landscape, on this journey through the heart of China. When I arrive on Wednesday, I am tentatively planning to stay in a quaint little hostel called the Red Lantern House, in the Hutong historical district. Then, on Thursday, I plan to move into the dormitory where I'll be staying until January 20, when I fly back to the US. Then, that next Monday, registration for my intensive language course will begin.

While I am in Beijing, I will be posting to this blog via email, due to the internet situation available for my use. Therefore, I will no longer be able to post pictures. I hope you have enjoyed the pictures so far, but from now on....I guess it's up to your imagination... :)

The Quote

My Mom has always said, “Learning occurs at all times...” Her use of this proverb was most pronounced during my home-school days of junior high and high school, but she still stands by her conviction. I have really come to appreciate my Mom’s (and Dad’s) advice and wisdom. That is why I have included it as one of the title features of this journal. My parents have always been my most influential teachers…Thanks Dad and Mom!

Greek 101

From Sheung Shui, I moved to Sha Tin, where my teacher-hosts live. Almost everyday of the couple of weeks I’ve been here we’ve taken a bus to Kowloon. That is where the college, that I’ve been helping at, is located. While I’ve been here, I have mostly been doing research for one of the professors who will be teaching Greek this coming semester. So, if you’re interested in hearing about the Greek present or imperfect tenses, let me know!

English 101

For the first few weeks of August, I was busy teaching English in Sheung Shui, in the New Territories of Hong Kong. It was a rewarding experience, and my students were fun and willing to participate. It was also a good time for me to practice some teaching skills and lesson organization. I will miss my students and the other friends I met there, and I hope I will be able to visit again some day.