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The Mamu is a scary vehicle only found in the outskirts of Wuhan. Months ago, I was in Thailand riding in the Took Took taxi, which is a little car that you can take instead of a taxi. It is a 3-wheeled vehicle that goes faster than you’d believe and has no windows, just open air. I loved it, so when I found a t-shirt with elephants riding in a took took, I jumped at the opportunity to buy it.

When I wore this shirt at school, everyone kept pointing at my “ma mu,” which was meaningless to me but later was explained as a similar thing so I wanted to ride in one for a long time. The mamu was kicked out of city limits a few years ago because it is considered unsafe, but I figured it had to be just like a took took.

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Two years ago in November 2005, I had my first chance to visit the Great Wall of China. To say it was incredible would be an understatement. I got another opportunity to visit it as my sister and friend were flying into Beijing to see me.

After seeing the other big-time sights that Beijing has to offer like the Forbidden City, Tianamen Square, and the Temple of Heaven, we saved the Great Wall for our last day, Sunday. Finding a way to get there was quite the task, with us ending up paying out the ears for a VIP van that would take us afterward to the airport.
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I haven’t utitlized my book of color English slang in quite a few days and found just the phrase to bring it back. Today’s lesson for all you learning English is “eat crow.”

First, the context:

Juan: Show my quickly. Otherwise, I’ll eat crow.
Paco: Ok, follow me.
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This week marked the earthquake that made everyone I know worry about me for a few minutes. We ended up having an earthquake drill or as Avril described it, an “earthquake manuever.” It was to come during 3rd period and I was just supposed to end my lesson as the students packed into lines onto the playground. However, I got into a little bit of a rhythm or what I’d like to call the “Ying Zone.” I just made that up, but admittedly, it’s pretty good. When the alarm sounded, I was just as surprised and bell-crazed as the students and I was ready to run out the door chaotically like my students. Read the rest of this entry »

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After photographs in the bedroom, we got in a Benz. That’s right. A Benz-olino. It is pictured here. This was the nicest car I was ever in. Then in our hot ride, we joined the wedding procession, which is similar to a funeral procession where there is hopefully no break in the car caravan.

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On Monday, as you all know, an earthquake hit Cheng Du in the Si Chuan province killing many. It also was felt as far as Beijing, Bangkok, and Hanoi. Here in Wuhan, I just barely received a taste of it. For me, it was my first earthquake and it was so minimal that I’d say it just felt like being dizzy or standing on a boat. However, it was a sad day for China.

I am hoping to receive some information about donations to Cheng Du and if I do, I will pass that all on to you.

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Saturday morning, the wake up call was for 7 am. My alarm clock forgot to wake me, but the 8 am door knocking was successful. It was time to leave for the wedding.

This was my first Chinese wedding and I wasn’t sure what to expect especially because I didn’t know the people getting married. This invitation was given to me and my fellow foreign teachers through a bit of a joke. Linda, my favorite friend told me her boy’s sister will get married and I said, “Can I go?” expecting that it would be more difficult than “Yes.” He said the couple would be honored to have us at their wedding. Read the rest of this entry »

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The new Starbucks has opened by Jianghan Road and I finally learned how to say the Chinese name, “xing ba ke.” Inside I learned that tonight, they didnt have any decaf or light beverages, which means the Chinese women will have to stand instead of sitting for a lot longer. (Chinese women often talk about standing up to lose weight).

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