HuaShan is one of 5 sacred mountains in China. This one is Taoist. I think it's 6-7000 feet tall.
If you Google it you will see it listed as one of the most precipitous tourist spots in the world.
Believe it!!
The trails on Chinese mountains are not what we are used to in the US. They consist of concrete. Either concrete and cobblestone if it is flat or at a slight incline, and when it gets steep they are concrete steps. This mountain is very steep, so we're talking a lot of steps. We're talking my calves are killing me! Because it is so steep, there really would be no other way to climb it as a simple trail wouldn't offer enough safety. The steps are confined on both sides (usually) with chain siderails.
I did this hike on Saturday and Sunday, Oct.25 & 26. There were 6 of us in our group - Daryll (our school principal), Chris (English physics teacher), Jake (Denver geography teacher), Jason (Australian husband of Nicole, a chemistry teacher), Skye (Chinese math teacher), and myself.
It was nice because not only did I get to visit a nice spot, but also road the subway and bullet train for the first time. The subway is nice and clean, but we were on it during the morning rush hour (it was Saturday but that doesn't matter in China) and there is literally a person outside the subway doors to help push people in. Talk about sardines... The bullet trains, on the other hand, is all assigned seating, and much more comfortable than airlines. They zip along at 190 mph and you wouldn't even know it - very quiet and smooth. I don't think our train system will every match it...
The idea is you climb up to the East peak (there are 4 or 5 peaks), spend the night, and then get up and watch the sunrise in the morning. The weather was ideal- it only got cold once the sun went down. 3 of us (me included) spent the night in a hostel up there, the other 3 slept outside in sleeping bags. We made the right choice, I think, as it got very crowded outside the closer it got to morning.
I didn't find the sunrise all that spectacular, but it was a good experience.
If this is like the last time I climbed a mountain here, I will be limping for a few days until my calves recover.
It was a nice weekend to get away and we really lucked out with the weather!
Here is a link to the pictures. I dropped my camera and almost broke it but it seems to be hanging in there.
https://plus.google.com/photos/102773079683555477704/albums/6074374747868058945
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Smog or fog - you make the call!
It has been, and continues to be, a busy week. This is the view that I was looking at on Saturday morning:
Yup, it's been a while since we've had a 2 day weekend. This is one of my classes sitting in an auditorium getting ready for a 40 minute demonstration lesson on Saturday. I had to present a lesson on Functions & Equations to an audience of teachers, professors, and experts. Over 100 people easily. It's not even a topic I necessarily teach, but it is from a Chinese textbook and what they do is have 4 different teachers (from all over China) present a lesson over the same material and then they critique them. Sometimes they have competitions and award places, and sometimes just talk about them. Thank God it wasn't one where they give awards cause that really bothers me... But each subject area does one and I got chosen to give one for math for our school. The other 3 lessons were all in Chinese and I understood nothing. I can say, however, that judging from my powerpoints my presentation was the flashiest! Some of the discussion afterwards was translated for me and they had a lot of positives to say. The Western style of teaching is definitely different than theirs! One expert did comment that he didn't think they should have competitions, but instead just share ideas...
Afterwards all the teachers involved decided to celebrate and go to Hooters. Yes, there is a Hooters in Xián! I have never been to a Hooters anywhere, so it was a first for me! It was nice because the food was really good and tasted just like home. It was definitely expensive. I can't compare the outfits they wear here because I haven't seen them in the US, but I would say they probably save a lot on clothing costs. Two things stood out to me though - first, they added in a 10 % gratuity. That's the first time I've seen a tip in China. And I have to say those women really hustled. And secondly, the bathroom was the cleanest I've seen here. China is not known for clean or nice smelling bathrooms. I could've slept on the floor of theirs.
So then I woke up Sunday not feeling up to par (I had been waking up most mornings last week with a slight sore throat) and have been under the weather since (but still making it to school!). Sky has hooked me up with some Chinese medicine and I don't know if it has helped but it hasn't hurt! I'm kind of mad because a bunch of us were planning to go to Hua Shan to climb a mountain this weekend but if I'm not feeling better I'm not sure if I'll go. Also this week, a representative from the main office in Nanking is visiting and doing observations and grading our work. I get observed tomorrow morning. It adds a lot of stress because they put a lot of emphasis on these observations as they don't get out here very often... Almost everyone in our office has come down with this bug in the last couple weeks.
Well, next time I'll either have some nice pictures to share of Hua Shan or I'll brag about how clean the air is here. This is a pic of the certificate I earned this weekend:
Sunday, October 12, 2014
And Saturday makes seven...
We had school yesterday, Saturday, so I can now say that I've taught on every day of the week! I don't know if that's a good or bad thing, but the Chinese just take it in stride...
So now we've made up for a couple of the days we had off, and things sort of go back to normal. Our next day off is Thanksgiving - we just get the one day off. I think we're going to ask that it be Friday instead of Thursday so that it makes a 3 day weekend. As we're a day ahead of the US, it works out to be sort of Thursday anyways!
The beginning of last week started off terrible with the pollution. The pollution index was the worst since I've been here and was rated Severely Polluted. My colleagues say it gets worse and there were some days last year where you couldn't hardly see across the courtyard from our office windows. The Chinese are very aware of it and it is not something they are happy about! The last couple days have been windy and I think it's taken the bad stuff with it - the air is now rated excellent. It's also gotten much cooler - highs around 50.
This picture is along the sidewalk I walk on to get to school everyday. On the other side of the metal fence is the school. The streets and sidewalks are maintained by people that dress up in bright orange jumpsuits. I see this man almost every morning sweeping the leaves up on the sidewalk. They have these long "brooms" that they sweep from side to side. They cover quite a bit of area and appear to be very light. I don't know how long they last but they look to be just made of a bunch of tree branches tied together.
Good to see that the Ducks took care of UCLA!
So now we've made up for a couple of the days we had off, and things sort of go back to normal. Our next day off is Thanksgiving - we just get the one day off. I think we're going to ask that it be Friday instead of Thursday so that it makes a 3 day weekend. As we're a day ahead of the US, it works out to be sort of Thursday anyways!
The beginning of last week started off terrible with the pollution. The pollution index was the worst since I've been here and was rated Severely Polluted. My colleagues say it gets worse and there were some days last year where you couldn't hardly see across the courtyard from our office windows. The Chinese are very aware of it and it is not something they are happy about! The last couple days have been windy and I think it's taken the bad stuff with it - the air is now rated excellent. It's also gotten much cooler - highs around 50.
This picture is along the sidewalk I walk on to get to school everyday. On the other side of the metal fence is the school. The streets and sidewalks are maintained by people that dress up in bright orange jumpsuits. I see this man almost every morning sweeping the leaves up on the sidewalk. They have these long "brooms" that they sweep from side to side. They cover quite a bit of area and appear to be very light. I don't know how long they last but they look to be just made of a bunch of tree branches tied together.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Ramblings...
All of the sidewalks here are made to be easily managed by the blind. The sidewalks are all constructed of blocks or tiles - they are not solid concrete. In the middle are tiles with parallel elevated markings so a blind person could "follow" along. Only problem - I haven't seen one blind person out on the sidewalks yet.
It would be difficult for a handicapped person to get around here. I have only seen a couple people in wheelchairs and they were being pushed around. All buildings are not wheelchair accessible. I haven't seen a single motorized wheelchair - and definitely not in the supermarkets! (My, how do they manage???)
No fire sprinkler systems installed in any buildings that I've seen. Just not necessary - they are almost 100% concrete. And most floors are tile. Explains why I can hear a marble roll across the floor of the apartment above me.
There are many, many dialects in China. While at Li Mountain with my Chinese friend Skye, he commented that there were many people there that he couldn't understand a word they were saying. There are 5 tones in Mandarin, but some dialects only have two. Makes it doubly tough to learn the lingo.
Skye says Chinese men develop iron stomachs. Mine must be getting there, because on the way back from Li, Skye got sick but I didn't. We ate all the same food.
I can't tell the difference between fog, haze, and pollution. All I know is I usually can't see very far.
The taxis here are green and mustard yellow color. They are also very cheap. No tipping. Sometimes someone in a regular car or van will stop and ask you if you want a ride. Get in at your own risk - if the police pull them over (happened to a teacher here), that driver will get in trouble and the police will question you - but most likely let you go.
The roads here are in excellent shape. Haven't seen any potholes. If they need to repair a road, they just put up some barriers around the hole and start digging. There are no lane change warnings or anything to alert drivers. It leads to some crazy swerving around - even into opposing lanes of traffic.
They have trucks that wash the streets down daily. They play music that reminds me of an ice cream truck. I tell my students that it's time to go out and get some ice cream.
Cars here are in good shape too! You don't see beat up clunkers or jalopies (except the old 3 wheeled vehicles of the peasants). And they cost a lot of money too. Skye says a parking spot in his apartment building costs $36,000.
My electricity ran out for the 2nd time since I've been here. Everything just goes out. Then you have to go to the management office and put some money on your electricity credit card, come back to your apartment, put it in the electricity slot and it credits you the amount on your card.
Little kids, who I assume aren't quite potty-trained yet, walk around in pants with no underpants that has an open slit at their butt. Then, if they have to go, they just squat down and do their business wherever. Haven't quite got used to that one yet...
After lunch, they like to take their naps. You'll see street workers just laying on the ground or wherever they can manage taking a snooze. At school, the Chinese teachers take over the teachers lounge and sleep on all the couches. Makes it tough to go in and get a cup of coffee...
No fire sprinkler systems installed in any buildings that I've seen. Just not necessary - they are almost 100% concrete. And most floors are tile. Explains why I can hear a marble roll across the floor of the apartment above me.
There are many, many dialects in China. While at Li Mountain with my Chinese friend Skye, he commented that there were many people there that he couldn't understand a word they were saying. There are 5 tones in Mandarin, but some dialects only have two. Makes it doubly tough to learn the lingo.
Skye says Chinese men develop iron stomachs. Mine must be getting there, because on the way back from Li, Skye got sick but I didn't. We ate all the same food.
I can't tell the difference between fog, haze, and pollution. All I know is I usually can't see very far.
The taxis here are green and mustard yellow color. They are also very cheap. No tipping. Sometimes someone in a regular car or van will stop and ask you if you want a ride. Get in at your own risk - if the police pull them over (happened to a teacher here), that driver will get in trouble and the police will question you - but most likely let you go.
The roads here are in excellent shape. Haven't seen any potholes. If they need to repair a road, they just put up some barriers around the hole and start digging. There are no lane change warnings or anything to alert drivers. It leads to some crazy swerving around - even into opposing lanes of traffic.
They have trucks that wash the streets down daily. They play music that reminds me of an ice cream truck. I tell my students that it's time to go out and get some ice cream.
Cars here are in good shape too! You don't see beat up clunkers or jalopies (except the old 3 wheeled vehicles of the peasants). And they cost a lot of money too. Skye says a parking spot in his apartment building costs $36,000.
My electricity ran out for the 2nd time since I've been here. Everything just goes out. Then you have to go to the management office and put some money on your electricity credit card, come back to your apartment, put it in the electricity slot and it credits you the amount on your card.
Little kids, who I assume aren't quite potty-trained yet, walk around in pants with no underpants that has an open slit at their butt. Then, if they have to go, they just squat down and do their business wherever. Haven't quite got used to that one yet...
After lunch, they like to take their naps. You'll see street workers just laying on the ground or wherever they can manage taking a snooze. At school, the Chinese teachers take over the teachers lounge and sleep on all the couches. Makes it tough to go in and get a cup of coffee...
Monday, October 6, 2014
Signage...
The descent from Li Mountain, involving countless stairs, did my calves in. It was time to try a blind massage. It is only about $10. You stay fully clothed, only take off your shoes, and you are in full view of anyone walking by. I told the masseuse (well, I pantomimed it) that my calves needed extra work. Boy, did I get it! I almost cried out in pain. But my calves feel better. The Chinese think that blind people have a sense for the massage. Interestingly enough, I never saw a blind person while I was there (I've seen him there before). He must've been taking a nap. But it was still worth it!
I think, with these pictures, if you left-click on them they will enlarge for a better view.
I decided to walk home from the Lotus supermarket the other day. It's about a 1.5 hr walk and it goes through a nice parkway. It has numerous signs throughout, and I couldn't resist a few photos to share...
First time I've seen a no honking sign. They need a few million of them...
Inside the elevator door at my apartment. There is also a list of about 6 rules posted as well...
I decided to walk home from the Lotus supermarket the other day. It's about a 1.5 hr walk and it goes through a nice parkway. It has numerous signs throughout, and I couldn't resist a few photos to share...
There were some nice flowers blooming...
Sunday, October 5, 2014
And then God said "Go forth and multiply"...
...and they did.
It's been an interesting week off. One more day left.
The plan on Thursday was to go to Li Mountain - which is on the way to the Terracotta warriors, then zip over to the warriors. Skye and I left at 6:30 in the morning to catch the bus to the main train/bus terminal. The bus terminal was a literal sea of people - there's a huge plaza out front and there was a person on every square foot. We found the line for the Terracotta warrior bus (it stops off at Li Mountain on the way) and it weaved back and forth like a snake all over the place. I thought it would take forever but the line actually moved pretty fast (and it grew even longer as we were there) and bus after bus kept coming in to take people away. There was security policing the lines to keep them straight, and they were shouting things like "act like civilized people and do not cut in line". Once all the seats on a bus are full, they then have a second line of people who are willing to stand up (for the same price but the hope is they'll get on a bus faster). Then they pack them in. I already had a feeling that the warrior part was not going to happen that day.
Li Mountain was a place where a former emperor stayed. There are also some hot springs there (which as far as I could tell are not used any more). There is a cable car which you can take about 2/3 the way up the mountain. We decided to do that which was a good move, although the lines were again horrendous. Skye was telling me that they were announcing things like don't have sex over the p.a. system. Captive audience I guess. You literally have to scurry to get on the cable car when it comes around - they don't stop it for anything! Skye was not convinced it was safe...
Then there is a bird sanctuary to walk through on the rest of the way up the mountain (they have huge nets that are strung over all the trees to keep the birds in). It was not impressive.
We were determined to get to the top and it was one series of steps after another. I don't remember ever going up so many steps. Thankfully, it was not very hot that day. I can't imagine doing it on a hot day. We also stopped at some Buddhist temples on the way up that were impressive (too bad no photos allowed inside) and there was a ton of incense being burned (people buy sticks of incense and light them up for good luck and fortune). By the time we got back down I told Skye we should forget the warrior part - it was already into the afternoon and the crowd situation was making it not so enjoyable. Good thing we did because some other teachers went for it that day and they said it was a big mistake - people and lines everywhere. So I'll save the Terracota warriors for a quick Saturday or Sunday trip one of these weekends when there's no national holiday!
We were then going to go to Hua Shan (one of 5 sacred mountains) today, but after talking to some more people again decided to wait. People were not kidding when they said travel during the national holidays is packed! So I've got some pics of Li Mountain to share, but other than that stayed close to home. Gone to a large supermarket and got some items so that I can actually cook something and I made grilled cheese sandwiches yesterday (first time Skye has had one).
Ate a new Hot Pot Fish restuarant with Skye and his fiance's family. They bring the live fish to the table where you approve it and then they take it back and slice it all up into incredibly thin slices. You have a hot pot in the middle of the table that is boiling with all sorts of food and spices, and then you take a slice of raw fish in your chopsticks, dip it into the hot pot for 10 seconds, and eat it! It was interesting and again I ate stuff that I have no idea what it was, but it wasn't as good as the Peking duck last week.
Speaking of duck, what happened to the Ducks this week???
It's been an interesting week off. One more day left.
The plan on Thursday was to go to Li Mountain - which is on the way to the Terracotta warriors, then zip over to the warriors. Skye and I left at 6:30 in the morning to catch the bus to the main train/bus terminal. The bus terminal was a literal sea of people - there's a huge plaza out front and there was a person on every square foot. We found the line for the Terracotta warrior bus (it stops off at Li Mountain on the way) and it weaved back and forth like a snake all over the place. I thought it would take forever but the line actually moved pretty fast (and it grew even longer as we were there) and bus after bus kept coming in to take people away. There was security policing the lines to keep them straight, and they were shouting things like "act like civilized people and do not cut in line". Once all the seats on a bus are full, they then have a second line of people who are willing to stand up (for the same price but the hope is they'll get on a bus faster). Then they pack them in. I already had a feeling that the warrior part was not going to happen that day.
Li Mountain was a place where a former emperor stayed. There are also some hot springs there (which as far as I could tell are not used any more). There is a cable car which you can take about 2/3 the way up the mountain. We decided to do that which was a good move, although the lines were again horrendous. Skye was telling me that they were announcing things like don't have sex over the p.a. system. Captive audience I guess. You literally have to scurry to get on the cable car when it comes around - they don't stop it for anything! Skye was not convinced it was safe...
Then there is a bird sanctuary to walk through on the rest of the way up the mountain (they have huge nets that are strung over all the trees to keep the birds in). It was not impressive.
We were determined to get to the top and it was one series of steps after another. I don't remember ever going up so many steps. Thankfully, it was not very hot that day. I can't imagine doing it on a hot day. We also stopped at some Buddhist temples on the way up that were impressive (too bad no photos allowed inside) and there was a ton of incense being burned (people buy sticks of incense and light them up for good luck and fortune). By the time we got back down I told Skye we should forget the warrior part - it was already into the afternoon and the crowd situation was making it not so enjoyable. Good thing we did because some other teachers went for it that day and they said it was a big mistake - people and lines everywhere. So I'll save the Terracota warriors for a quick Saturday or Sunday trip one of these weekends when there's no national holiday!
We were then going to go to Hua Shan (one of 5 sacred mountains) today, but after talking to some more people again decided to wait. People were not kidding when they said travel during the national holidays is packed! So I've got some pics of Li Mountain to share, but other than that stayed close to home. Gone to a large supermarket and got some items so that I can actually cook something and I made grilled cheese sandwiches yesterday (first time Skye has had one).
Ate a new Hot Pot Fish restuarant with Skye and his fiance's family. They bring the live fish to the table where you approve it and then they take it back and slice it all up into incredibly thin slices. You have a hot pot in the middle of the table that is boiling with all sorts of food and spices, and then you take a slice of raw fish in your chopsticks, dip it into the hot pot for 10 seconds, and eat it! It was interesting and again I ate stuff that I have no idea what it was, but it wasn't as good as the Peking duck last week.
Speaking of duck, what happened to the Ducks this week???
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