Well everyone, I am off. The China experience begins on tuesday April 2nd. I fly from C-town to Chi-town to the big BEIJING! I got a window seat for the flight over the North Pole so i'll know if it is really where Santa lives. I will arrive in Beijing the next day, April 3rd, at 3pm CST. CST is China Standard Time. The entire country operates its 5 time zones on Beijing time. So when I get up at the crack of dawn it will be 5:30am, but when someone in a western province gets up at dawn it could be 10:30am. Kinda cool. I guess you always know what time it is in tibet.
I will then spend sixteen hours in Beijing, so if anyone knows the cool places to hang out near the airport, let me know. Then it's a short flight to Changchun on April 4th, arriving at noon and a two hour train ride to the school in Si Ping. Someone from the Academy will meet me at the airport and accompany me on the train. I will start classes the next day or so, not sure how they do assesments of ability but they will tell me what to do and i'll do it.
My Chinese is OK, probably barely passable as language. Those tones are so darn difficult. But I actually enjoy the language quite a bit. I will study language as well as Kung Fu, so when I get back maybe I can get some cushy translator job. San Francisco would probably have a few openings for Mandarin speakers if Meredith and I move out there.
That's all for the first post. Time is getting short and my flight draws near. It will be so hard to leave everyone for so long. But don't worry! i'll just be a mouse click away on this blog. (I can't believe I have a blog)
12 comments:
I love the way you write.
Whatever
Hi Chris,
I love your description of your travels, and I'm very excited for you! Here's the contact info for Quentin's nephew and his wife in Shanghai: Josh and Cleo Brookhart.
josh@railpartners.com
cleo@railpartners.com
They're both fluent in Mandarin and other dialects and have lived in China for years, so I'm sure they can be helpful to you if you need a contact, or just want a friendly American face there! I'll tell them about you as well. Happy travels. We'll look forward to hearing how things are for you there. ~ Hugs, Gay (and Quentin)
Dear Chris, I wrote a comment but I don't think it got posted so here goes again. I'm so grateful that you have arrived safely at the Academy. I can't wait to hear all about the trip there and how things are. I hope you can get some sleep my dear son. I love you , Momma
Chris, can you get your regular email?
Chris, I hope you have been able to talk to the head guy there to let them know what your goals are. I know you must be very tired and trying to deal with the huge time change. Did you do any training today? If you can get this from me and can't email back, is there a way that I could have a blog that you could post too. Hang in there. It will get better. Love, Momma
I can't wait to hear more from you! Take care and don't worry, I'm taking care of your lovely girl :)
hello chris We're off to Germany tomorrow to see claudia
CW!!! What's the word? You have an active community reading your lack of prose. C'mon! Watched Brick today. Awesome flick.
Dear Chris,
I can just see your Dad beaming as you follow your dream, now launched on your China venture. I look forward to reading about your experiences and hearing the expressions from your heart. You are a compelling writer. Authentic. (No surprise there...)
Every good thought and prayer for you,
Judy
Dear Chris, Youa re taking lots of people on your adventure....at least in spirit! hope you are doing well - be in the moment! we love you, Joan & Chris
Chris, we are waiting to hear about your adventures in China. Good luck with your classes and life experiences. Are you anywhere near the "wall"?
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