We left Hangzhou on Wednesday morning at 8:00am to travel to Taizhou. We traveled by mini van. The trip was supposed to take us 3 hours, however, our driver got us there in rocket time. The traffic in China is overwhelming. Cars, bikes, scooters, and motorcycles are jockeying for positions on the road. Folks cut across the road with little regard for lights or the direction of the traffic. I have to say it is best to chat with a friend or keep your eyes closed, as back seat driving is nearly impossible.
When we arrived in Taizhou we were escorted to a luncheon fit for royalty. The principals of our respective schools and their English teachers, who served as our interpreters, greeted Mrs. Shanks and me. The Chinese culture is rich with traditions. Each Principal from Taizhou and the members from the government who were present took turns toasting us, welcoming us to their schools.
Principal Xia and Helen, my interpreter drove me to Luqiao, which was about 20 minutes away from Taizhou. They escorted me to a four star hotel. Then they took me to Luqiao experimental school. My name was displayed on their digital marquee welcoming me to their school.
I briefly visited a music class upon my arrival. The students sang like angels. I was then taken to an English class. The students were very attentive and engaged in their work. The teacher presented the material using a power point presentation that was projected onto a screen. I observed some of the same strategies we use in our classroom in their classrooms. Students were asked to turn and talk with their classmates about what they had learned. I had an opportunity to talk with the students briefly at the end of their class. The students were eager to practice their English by formally introducing themselves, sharing their favorite color or their favorite animal with me, and asking me similar questions in response to theirs.
After class, Principal Sans and Helen invited me to join the students outside. The children had made kites in class and were flying them outside. The children readily invited us to join them in flying their kites. It was great fun!
Principal Sans then showed me a very small garden the students and staff designed and created. I was touched to see they had planted a peony, our state flower in honor of our partnership.
When school concluded we returned to the hotel for dinner.
At the hotel we saw a car decorated with roses and a young couple waiting to be married. We were told that couples select their wedding days based on the Chinese calendar and that today was a very lucky day. I too felt that it was a very lucky day and that we were so fortunate to begin a partnership with the staff and students at Luqiao.
We proceeded to dinner. Principals Sans, several of the assistant Principals, Helen and Laura, the English teachers and several local government representatives joined us for dinner. The meal was a beyond belief! All types of food were served on a huge lazy Susan. Throughout the meal various people made toasts as a sign of respect and friendship.
Following our dinner, I met with Helen and Laura and we set up Skype accounts so that we could continue communicating with Principal Xia and each other when we returned to Scott.
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