HAPPY NEW YEAR
Wish you all happiness and good fortune, and that lots of real friendships are born.
The Chinese do in fact celebrate the western new year (as well as their own).
It was quite a night, I gave my very last university class of the year: that is, of the term, and the students told me that there was a party at 6, would I come.
I went, bumped into a teacher I knew, and got stuck (against my wishes) on the teachers’ table in front of the pupils.
There’s something you should know about Chinese parties; they are not what we would call a party.
They a) are organised, b) involve the main part of everyone sitting in the audience.
It was however impressive. I could only stay for an hour or so, but the performances were amazing: songs and dances, everything bar a comedy sketch, old and new, traditional and modern, all there, costume and all.
I had however promised to go with my best mate for dinner with his classmates when he got out of class, so I skipped out, and went.
We turned up there, and his head of class teacher grabbed us and stuck us on the teachers’ table again.
Turned out she suggested that I could go, and it was a bit of a ruse to introduce me to her friend; an English teacher who asked me the favour of working 8 hours a month in his language school for free, which I think I politely declined, although in retrospect I don’t know if I should have done. “Friends” are important.
We got away by about 9.30 and headed off to a more western party, although in China nothing is quite the same.
Had a couple of beers and headed to the club, danced for a bit, the “black society” (have a guess) man sang kareoke on the podium, and everybody was happy.
We left by about half one, headed back to the dormitory, and lit fireworks, which was fun, although probably annoying to everyone else.
Then we one by one crashed out until the later hours. All in all it was rather spectacular.
I do however want to stop having fun, Christmas here was suprisingly good, but it’s cutting into my oh so valuable study time, and that just won’t do.
I’ve got to go now, cos otherwise the washing machine will turn off and we won’t be able able to jig it and fit in another two washes for the same money.
Lots of love to all,
keep well, live long and prosper.
HAPPY NEW YEAR to ALL
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January 10, 2010 at 6:18 am |
Hi Jonathan – given we are the closest geographically to you – bett say hi neighbour! (at least we are in the same region)
Adrian/Pippa’s Christmas letter to everyone made its way to Oz as a wrong redirect (common for Royal Mail) and as luck would have it Miles was here anyway!!
Glad you are enjoying China. Both Melanie and Laughlan have ben there and loved their stays – but not on a permanent basis like yours. We see so many Chinese people here in Oz – it will beinteresting to hear from you how their lives are at home – our impression is its strict and tough there to live?
Its 38 degs C here today and all the family are in the pool as I write – as its the best place to be (except the huose which is fully airconditioned and why I am in here !!!)
I will follow your blog with real interest – and good luck with it all. Living in another culture is fun. All the Best Greg and Sandy and Miles!!!!!!!
February 21, 2010 at 11:29 pm |
Man, good to hear from you again. We just had snow here. We’ve had loads this year.
Will send you email!
March 14, 2010 at 11:49 pm |
Hey man – just emailed your E_M_ hotmail address; check it when you have chance mate.
I’m waiting for you to regale me with tales of wonder when you’re back in the rather shoddy UK.
Take care Jon x