Teacher says it’s good to be back to China
To the editor:
I begin with a sincere thank you to all the people who complimented me on my previous columns while I was home. I had stopped writing the column when I began a vacation in South Korea. With good intentions I sought to restart the column during August before returning home in September. Sadly, many things transpired to make the effort at writing too cumbersome. It is very hard to type with a broken arm. Especially when trying to type the upper case letters.
First, Presque Isle is lucky to have some really dedicated people at Crown Ambulance, the Walk-in Clinic, and the Emergency room at Gould Hospital. Having fallen on ice in December, breaking my leg, and having my body staging strike actions, I met some terrific professionals who worked to help restore me to good health. Thanks too to all the terrific nurses, doctors, and assistants who reminisced about old times with my dad it meant a lot to me to know that I was in good hands. I was home.
I am now back in China to begin another semester of teaching at Guang Dong University of Foreign Studies. This is located in Guang Zhou. Guang Zhou (GWANG ZHOW rhymes with show) is about two hours north of Hong Kong by car. I arrived here late Friday night and will be working until at least July. Already it is quite warm and the spring flowers are blooming.
It has been two years since I was last in China. Many things have changed since I left. There are more cars on the highways and streets. Prices have gone up.
Moving into a new apartment is always fun. So far I have managed to blow the circuit breaker for one of my outlets; break a window; and cook my first meal. Not bad for 48 hours. The staff has been very understanding.
I am amazed at how much of my former language knowledge is coming back to me. I can read some of the signs, say a few words; no sentences yet, and climb stairs: Lots of stairs. My apartment is on the fourth floor of the building. It is Chinese policy not to install elevators in buildings with less than six floors. One sign in an office building admonishes people to stay healthy by using the stairs if they only have one floor to go up.
It is good to be back.
Next time I write, it will be about going to the super market.
Orpheus Allison
Guang Zhou
orpheusallison@mac.com
