Team  172, Xi’an China, March 29 through April 18, 2009

Global Volunteers

Seventh Day Teaching

Our team got off to a positive start when we taught the lesson on holidays.  Our students practiced vocabulary, read from the lesson text, and created a list of Chinese holidays after hearing about American holidays.  Many have the same meaning, however, the American holiday of Halloween is quite unique and our students liked hearing about costumes, trick or treats, and the carving of pumpkins.  One student asked why we might not use a watermelon in the future.  Holidays in which gift giving, sharing love, and those for children have many of the same flavor in both cultures.

 

Annette and Nan spent time talking with students about their hometowns as Wes had the day before,  The students were far more comfortable with this subject then global warming and loved showing their hometowns on the new maps of China and told us with pride about special sites and foods.  We also received detailed instructions on how to travel to the destinations and what to wear and pack.  Our preparations with handouts were useful for our instructions, and Julia is especially happy with her two “star” teachers, Annette and Wes.

 

At lunch we sampled six varieties of noodles and were plied with many dishes including vegetables and fish.  Our hostess, Julia, is attentive to feeding us the best dishes in restaurants near the school and she takes great pride in carefully selecting a menu.

 

After a full day of teaching we returned to the city to do a bit of walking and browsing through the relics markets by the East Gate.  We are grateful to be staying in a hotel so well situated and we are all now oriented to the city.  We found a few trinkets and enjoyed negotiating with much teasing and laughter.

 

Wang Baoli treated us to a supper at a local restaurant and again we tried many new dishes.  The variety is endless and it is clear that China is a food culture!  Our team enjoys recounting each day’s activities and we laugh a great deal in our shared enjoyment of this experience.

 

Submitted by Nan

Annette and Nan playing an energetic game of ping pong.

Date: 04/07/2009

.Students showing Annette the location  of their home town.

Wes discussing life in a dorm with several students..