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

Global Volunteers

Third Day of Teaching

Today was April Fool’s Day and Annette, at least, was fooled by her students into frantically trying to remove something from her head.  It was another full day of teaching and all of us retired folks are starting to remember what a full day of work was like.  However, we do have a 2 ½ hour lunch and a banquet feast in a local restaurant to help keep our energy levels high.

 

The Chinese students continue to impress us with their diligence, perseverance and discipline.  We are also amazed at the extreme shyness and giggleness (is that a word), of some of the girls.  We understand that the students do not ordinarily get much chance for non-rote speaking in class and can be easily intimidated by the presence of us Americans.

 

The Chinese English teachers are very eager to speak with us and refine their English.  Annette even explained the word comrade to one of the teachers.

 

Other than the drive back and forth to school, our full day of teaching on Tuesday and Wednesday has left little time for seeing the sights of Xi’an.  Nan has done her job of spare time activities co-coordinator well and we have some exciting excursions planned for the next few days, including a trip to Wal-mart.

 

Annette is finally getting the hang of chopsticks.  Nan treated us to some aromatic Ba Bao Cha tea for dinner.  Wang Baoli continues to keep our days and meals flowing smoothly.  We all continue to try to stay awake past nine o’clock.  We may never get those novels read on this trip.

 

Submitted by Annette

A gate along the mote around the Xi’an City wall.

Date: 04/01/2009

.A student showing Wes her hometown on a China map.

Wes’s class