Photos of the Week: Land of the Rising Sun

A quick thanks to my friends Joe and Emily for giving me the idea to post a "Photos of the week" blog. I'll try to add some new pics every weekend or so.

And, on that note, I finally finished posting the photos I took during my trip to Japan in February on my Flickr page. I know that I still owe you some blog postings about my trip to Japan (specifically, the differences I observed between Japan and China), so I'll try to work on those soon (don't hold your breathe). In the meantime, you'll just have to stand by and enjoy these pictures. As a preview, some of my favorite Japan photos are below. Enjoy!


I visited my college friend Brooke in a seaside city called Hamamatsu where she is teaching English with the JET program. I followed her to school one day to check out what high school in Japan is all about. This is one of Brooke's students practicing calligraphy at an English Corner Brooke organized.



I was lucky to catch some of the first cherry blossoms (sakura) of the season budding while I was in Japan. This picture was taken at a beautiful park in Hamamatsu.




Young students in Japan wear helmets when walking home to protect them in the event of an earthquake. No, I'm not kidding.






More cherry blossoms. This is probably my favorite picture I took while in Japan.







Me at a Buddhist shrine in Hamamatsu. These red gates are all over Japan, though I'm not exactly sure what they mean. Special thanks to Brooke for snapping this pic.

Boozin' in China

The most popular alcohol in China is a vile little concoction called “baijiu”. You know how sake, a rice-wine made in Japan, is imported to and enjoyed in America? Well, there is a good reason why no one on earth imports baijiu from China. Essentially, baijiu tastes like fermented orange peel spiked with horseradish and soaked in butane. No, baijiu does not taste of oranges--just the peel. Baijiu comes in a variety of colors and packages, all of them equally repugnant. It can range from two and a half kuai a bottle for the cheap stuff (about .30 American cents) to more than 300 kuai for the “good” stuff. It has about 40 percent alcohol, which puts it on par with vodka, though it gives a more wicked hangover.

One of the most popular ways to celebrate or commemorate something in China is by having a banquet. Most foreigners who come to China will be invited to numerous banquets. Treating a guest to a banquet in China is the ultimate display of hospitality. Besides eating, the main activity at these banquets is drinking baijiu, although it is perfectly fine to tell your hosts that you don’t drink and to refuse the stuff (you’ll also be offered cigarettes which you can also refuse). Those who are up to the challenge are poured a small glass full of baijiu (around two onces worth), which will be refilled by a person sitting next to them whenever it is emptied. You are supposed to wait until being toasted to drink, but it happens plenty often. Those partaking in a toast will stand, clink glasses, say “gan bei” (literally “empty cup”), and pound their drinks. It’s polite to give a toast from time to time even if you merely say thanks to everyone around. For many Chinese men, these banquets become a game to get their buddies tanked, and many banquets don't end until no one is left standing. This can take hours and go all night.

However, as a general rule of thumb, Chinese people can’t hold their liquor. Even those considered “big drinkers” in China can’t hold a candle to a decorated American bar warrior. After merely two or three drinks, many Chinese people develop a heavy “Asian glow”. At this point, their cheeks flush a rosy color and they begin to act considerably more abrasive, foolish, and loud, depending on the person. I’m sure there is a Chinese person somewhere out there who can hold his own while drinking, but I haven’t met him. The P.E. teacher at my school once challenged me to a drinking contest. This guy stands over six feet tall and weighs maybe 130 pounds on a good day while soaking wet and wearing a heavy coat. Nevertheless, I was excited for the contest. Sadly, after I told the teacher how much liqueur I drank on my 21st birthday in Las Vegas, he sheepishly bailed out of the contest. If you ever find yourself in a drinking match with a Chinese person I would suggest going easy on them so as to save them face and not give the impression that all foreigners are jiuguai (literally "alcohol demon", meaning alcoholic).

The most popular drink in the bars in Changsha is something I've dubbed "whisktea". It's a really weak mixture of whiskey and green tea over ice. It doesn’t taste half bad, but its also lacking in alcohol. I drink it. Smile. And then I find myself a real drink.

I've had terrible luck finding a descent cocktail in Hunan. They don’t exist. Some bars in Changsha offer “cocktails” on their menu but they are overpriced, poorly made, and watered down. I try to avoid them. The only place to get a real cocktail in China (i.e. a mojito, martini, margarita, etc.) is in one of the major cities like Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. On the upside, I almost never have to buy a drink at a bar in Hunan. As a foreigner, the moment I enter the bar, I usually catch the eye of everyone nearby. Many Chinese people are happy to offer me drinks, whether or not they speak English, just for the pleasure/humor of drinking with a foreigner. That's right: Living in China brings you instant fame and instant free booze.

Dear Teacher Zach...

A few weeks ago, I was inspired by the note giver to create a lesson plan for my students revolving around them writing letters to me. I told my students that they should write me a letter about themselves and that could write anything they wanted and ask me any questions they wanted. I read them a brief example, and then gave them 20 minutes to work their magic.

The letters my students gave me were really amazing. Most of them followed a simple pattern to the tune of, "Dear Teacher Zach, My name is... I am 12 years old. I live in China. Your class is interesting. Will you be my friend?" But, some of the letters I got were really unique. They ranged from quirky, to interesting, to depressing, to ass-kissing, to laugh out loud funny. It was a very revealing week concerning the lives of my students and it was also one of my favorite lessons this year.

After working my way through a stack of nearly 1100 letters (picture on the left), I decided to share some of my favorites with you below. Note that I've left the letters in their original form and haven't corrected any grammar or spelling. However, I've added a few comments to the letters illustrating things that might not otherwise be apparent. The comments I've made appear in parenthetical statements and are italicized. When reading, remember that my students are pretty young and most of them haven't studied English for very long. Enjoy! (I know I did.)


Dear Teacher Zach:
Last week, I meet a boy. I'm really suprised, because he looks like my favorite boy friend. I found I love he. I think he is very cool and kindly. But he doesn't like me. he likes another girl. I'm very sad. I don't know why. Do you like a girl when you are a student?

Your friend.
Marcia

Dear Teather zach:
I like some fruit. The apples is my favorit fruit. How about you? I love you never!

Your student: Zhang Bo

Dear teacher Zarck:
My name is Trangle. I look like is (Whatever was written here was erased with whiteout). Maybe I can as an actor. My favorit sports is tennis and swim. How about you? I think maybe you like golf.
Can I ask you something? What girl's style do you like? The cute girls or the other. Haha! Maybe you can't answer.

Your Dear student: Xu YingDear

Teacher Zach.
My name's is Wang-Zhixiong. I am 13 years old. I have a red glasses. I have a short, straight black hair. I really like your class, because in your class, I feel so happy. I think you is a good teacher. In our school, I think anyone both like you! My favorite subject is English and P.E. They are fun! How about you? Do you like sports? What is your favorite sports and subject? And, what is your favorite color?

Your friend,
Wang Zhixiong :)

Dear Teacher Zach
I am a new student in the class. I think your class is very interesting, in your class we needn't write a lot of things and sometimes we can take games.
You say you are a volunteer. I think it is very cool. I will be a volunteer when I grow up

Your student
Liu Hao

Dear Zach,
My name is Addison. Can you give me so many money? I love money very much. Do you love me? I'm very interesting

Your's
Addison

Dear Teacher Zach,
First, I will say. I'm very happy to know you. I'm a student in class 15 (One of my most advanced classes). My Chinese name is Li Xinyi. and my English name is Lily. It's a very beautiful name from a flower.
I like English and watching movies. Do you like movies? My favorite movie is The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. I think it is a very good movie. Shakespeare is my favorite writer. (Wow, a student after my own heart.) I like he's book "King Lear". Do you know it. I holp you like Shakespeare.
At last. I holp you happy every day.

Your friend.
Lily.

Dear Teacher Zach,
My English name is Catherine. I'm very like your class, because it's fun, and not boring. The Tuo Fat is delicious, right? (Tou Fat is a Chinese popsicle-like thing made of small cubes of flavored gelatin and is sold at the school store. I love it and eat it nearly every day.) And the green tea is great! (I also drink a lot of bottled green tea.) I like you, because you are very handsome and kind.
I really like skating, how about you? I think, Chinese children are very buzy and tired. Are the American children like us?
I'll tell you a secret, I am very adore you!

Your friend,
Catherine

Dear Teacher zach,
My name is Tan zhe shu. I'm 12 years old. I'm from Changsha. In 1995, I come world. I like play football. My favorite movie is..., oh I don't have a favorite movie. I like green.

Tan zhe shu

Dear Teacher zach,
You is very cute, but hard have very freckles, and very muscular.
Frend zuo Quan

Dear Teacher Zach,
I am a girl in class 16. I have an English name that is Betty, and my Chinese name is------ (She wrote her name in Chinese characters here and I'm sad to say that I can't read it or reproduce it). I really love your class very much. I think you are interesting and a little cute. You beard is too long, you must cut (I had about a week's worth of stubble on my face at the time). Do you think so? If you cut your beard, it will make you more handsome. Um. this idea is perfect.
At last, I'll ask you some questions. Are you have a wife, if answer is "Yes", I hope you are all well. What kind of music do you like best? What class do you like best? Can you tell me the different in Chinese children and American children? Which one do you love?
Ok! This letter is so long. Bye-bye!

Your student
Betty

Dear Teacher Zach,
I'm from class 5, grade 7. You're also forget me, my name in Chinese is "xue ze ze", and in English is "Paul silver xystus". I think you are cool, I meet so many American teacher. but you are best of them. You are from America. I think America is a very very nice country, I want to go there, because my father is be gone there and take a photo and video, I want go there! And I like UK too! I like the movie of there--"Harry Potter", "Mr.Bean." Remeber me, zach! I'm in class 5, "Paul. silver. xystus." you can call me "paul".
Remeber me, Zach!! (Ok, I promise I won't forget Paul.)

Your friend--
paul. class 5.

Dear Mr. Zach,
Hello, my name is kelly, I am your student, I very like your teach way, we all like you.
Chinese students are very busy, they are study every day, every month, every year, and they have lots of homework and lots of classes. Saturday and Sunday they can't go ant play, they can only study in home, I think we are poor, we are all don't like teacher. Why don't we like teacher? Because they usually give us lost of homework and often don't like us, then, Why do we like you? Because you to us very good, and donte give us homework, so we are all like you.
By the way, we are all think you are handsome too!

your friend,
Kelly

Dear Zach,
I am your student in Class 16, Grade 7. my English name is Will hawkers. I'm the tallest boy in class! Can you remember? I want to be a judge. Because my father is a great judge. Even he's died. I want to be a judge. Work for people, work for country, work for justice! How about you? I want to know something about you.

Best wishes!
Your student: Will: Hawkers.

Dear Teacher Zach,
My name's Catherine. I'm a student in grade seven class fifteen. I like eating and sleeping very much. Maybe you think I'm very lazy. Yes, sometimes I'm very lazy, but sometimes I'm very hard. I'm a lazy and happy girl. I have two small eyes (I'm glad you aren't a Cyclops). And I have straight black hair.
My English marks are always very high. So I'm a good student. Do you like to be friends with me?

Your friend,
Catherine.

Dear Teacher zach
My name is Sue. I'm 12 years old, I like swim and play tennis. I like action movie- kiss of the dragon. I don't like carrot, Well, I look like is god, :) , I like black and white. (Yes, I suppose God does work in absolutes.)

Your friend Sue

Dear Teacher Zach,
My name is Davis. I'm 12 years old. My favorite country is Japan. Because I like Japan comic very much! I think Japanese are very kind and friendly. Japan is free, not like China. Japan's citys are clean. I like Japan's food, too. Do you like Japan? I like it very much! (Wow, this kid is a heretic. Most of my students HATE Japan and the Japanese.)

Your friend,
Davis.

Dear Teacher Zach,
My name is Lyle. I'm 13 years old. I like reading. reading is my favorite way to relax, I like reading at school, I like reading in the library and I like reading at school. As you can see, reading is a very important part of my life. I work hard at all my lessons. And I like English best. My dream is to be a English Teacher when I grow up. And I know it is not easy to learn English wear. There is a long way to go. But I work hard.

Your friend,
Lyle.

Dear Teacher Zach.
I am an outgoing boy. My name is Own. I am thirteen years old. I feel terrific lately. And how about you? How's everything going with you? Have you changed much? Or just gaining weight? (Ok, this student gets an F.) Tell me about your life. Thanks.

Your student, Owen

Dear Teacher Zach,
Do you like Chinese food? Do you like to have tea? Let me tell you something about tea. More than three hundred years ago most of the people in Europe did not know anything about tea. Once an English doctor came back from China for Christmas vacation. He gave his mother some tea as a gift...
Next, let me tell you something about myself. My name is Kobe. I'm 13. I'm from China. My parents is You Tai Ren (This is how you say "Jewish" in Chinese). If you believe me, you are a fool.

Your friend,
Kobe.

Dear Teacher Zach,
My name is Li Yang. My English name is Herakles-Advent-Isolated-Demon-Epic-Smith. (Best name EVER!) I'm 12 years old. I hate sports, so I'm a little fat. I don't like eating things which are bitter. I love Kentucky Fried Chicken. I want to be a diplomat when I grow up. Please write and tell me something about yourself soon.

Your friend,
Haides (Wow, yet another name.)

Dear Teacher Zach-
I'm Wang Monkey. I'm 14 years old. I like climbing the best. I like movie which is about monkey. I like bananas. I look like a handsome monkey. I like yellow best, because I like bananas.

Yours, Monkey.

China Blue

I just watched a tragic documentary called China Blue about the manufacture of jeans in Chinese factories by migrant workers. The documentary follows the life of Jasmine, a 16 year old girl from the Sichuan province, as she moves away from home to work in a jean manufacturing plant. She hopes to earn money to support her family, particularly her young sister. At the plant, she is forced to work 30 hour shifts without overtime, and she is only payed the equivalent of six cents an hour. She toils day after day with monotonous work and squalid living conditions. Her bosses even withhold her pay for nearly two months at one point with no explanation. After merely seven weeks on the job she transforms from a young, vibrant child into a bitter and hopeless automaton. Such is the life of a factory worker in Modern China.

The film is a stunning condemnation of our consumerist culture in the West and our exploitation of cheap overseas labor. The film also lays blame on the Chinese system which allows for such abuses to be doled out upon millions of its young workers. It's a must see film and after watching it you'll have a lot of trouble buying a new pair of designer jeans with a clean conscience. You can watch a brief preview below.

V for Videos

Hey all,

Exciting news in blog world: I've begun to add my China videos to YouTube! I shoot these videos with my two-year old, 3.1 megapixel digital camera, so please forgive me if they aren't Oscar quality. Hopefully you'll find some of them amusing and or enlightening. The videos offer a pretty good look at the sights and sounds of my daily life. You can link to my YouTube page on the right hand side of this blog or simply by clicking here.

Here is a little preview to wet your appetite... This is a funny clip of one of my 7th grade classes doing facial exercises before the start of class. One of my students informed me that they do these to prevent their vision from going bad...The sound you hear is a prerecorded count down in Chinese that plays over the school's PA system.