Educating Magician. And Banana.

Our first few days of teaching taught us more than we taught the students. We learned that teaching is flipping tough! You have to put on a performance for each class, while making sure that everyone is paying attention. You have to be in a good mood and smile, even when you want to drag some of the kids to the front of the room by the hair. Wouldn’t that set an example?

September 11th was overlooked by Teacher’s Day here at the school. The children gave their teachers flowers and gifts, while a feast of traditional Chinese dishes was prepared in the dining hall. It was here that Tyler was poured a shot of Rice liquor, which tastes like grape flavored rubbing alcohol. Of course, you have to pretend that whatever it is just so happens to be the greatest thing you have ever tasted. So he was poured another. The poor boy, who doesn’t drink nor smoke back home, was then handed a cigarette. A flame was offered and I had to instruct him on how to light it. I was about to burst with laughter as Tyler tried to mask the burning in his throat. The instant the man who had offered these gifts (and watched eagerly to make sure T enjoyed them) walked out, he couldn’t have handed the cigarette to me any quicker. I have lungs of steel and a future case of throat cancer.

Saturday, the VP of the school and her husband took us to Maoer Mountain. I’m not entirely sure that I’m writing that correctly, but no matter the spelling, that place is beautiful! After a terrifying three hour bus ride from the base of the mountain and an hour hike through gorgeous trees and past giant, bronze gods, we reached the peak. This is the tallest mountain in South China, with an apex about 6,562 feet high. We were above the clouds, until a heavy mist set in, blinding us from viewing just a few steps beyond us. The fog was so heavy that it drenched my hair, as if I had taken a shower. The descent to the hotel took only 30 minutes, where Tyler was lucky enough to eat a chicken foot. It is said that if you eat the foot of a chicken, you will come into some money. We’re pretty sure that the Chinese people made this up so that people would eat it. We are also wondering where the rest of the chicken is. Tyler and I are yet to see any chicken breast, which we speculate is sold to the West. Luckily, they also had this pumpkin dish that just about made me wet my pants with excitement. It’s the greatest thing we’ve eaten since being here, but they only make it on the mountain. Poop scoop.

That night at the hotel, we were accompanied by The Greatest Convention of Loud Asses. They picked the most remote spot, at the top of a frickin’ mountain, to endlessly yell in hallways, slam doors, hawk loogies, and bang crap about.

With just a couple hours of sleep, we were taken to the city at the foot of the mountain, where we ate a peasant’s breakfast. It was oddly western. There was puffed rice, roasted peanuts, and roasted corn kernels in a broth (cereal!), green onion with egg (omelet!), cooked pork (bacon!), and the creepiest gray, eel-like “plant” I have ever eaten. Dipped in sugar it doesn’t taste too bad, but is still too weird for me to eat twice. The owners lived above the restaurant and had their garden in the back, providing all of the food they serve. They also had ducklets! I’ve convinced myself that those aren’t served once grown.

After breakfast, we went to a 5 km gorge/adventure park. We played in the most beautiful water my eyes have ever had the pleasure of seeing. This weekend was truly a treat. Pictures are posted on the shutterfly site.

On a side note, there are oftentimes no seatbelts in cars or buses, ironically, in the country that needs them most. When they are present, they certainly are not used.

We have been making our students pick an English name for themselves from a list I made using the names of my family and friends. Some students have chosen names not found on the list though. A few examples of this: Jaw, Wanna, Boss, Magician, and Banana.

In other news, tonight, Tyler and I have decided, unless we have a change of heart, to break up when we get back to the US. Wha wha whaaat? Don’t worry. We’re okay. We’re relatively mature and have been together for too long to end this poorly. We are very different people, making it difficult to meet the needs of the other. Although we’re still very much in love, still very affectionate, and could make our relationship work, we have accepted that it’s probably for the best. Due to circumstances, we literally can’t rush into anything though. We have 6 months left to change our minds, although neither of us is disillusioning ourselves that this is what will happen, but simply acknowledging the possibility.