Sunday, June 24, 2012

Living in Baoji, China - 1st month

      It is official; I have lived in Baoji for one month! It is very funny because I feel like I have accomplished a very big goal and in a way, I have. At 55 years new I have traveled around the world to teach little children English at a private Chinese language school. Although, this is not my favorite place in the world - the experience of meeting a new culture and a new people is enriching, rewarding and well worth the trials and tribulations I experience every day. I am feeling better about being here with a little help from my friends... (corny, I know).

     The director of the school, Julia, and her brother Alex, gave me a sightseeing tour of Baoji on my last day off. To begin our journey we ventured into to a section of town where they are completing a new city and government center. There is a huge park in the center where people play music, practice Tai Chi and walk in the morning before it gets too hot.

      Next, we drove across town and up to the Plateau outside of Baoji where we wandered around the grounds in the warm breezy air and looked down on the city views. The air is cleaner than in town and there are not a lot of people around.  I could feel the stress dissipate from my body and I sensed the same thing was happening to Alex. 

     Continuing the journey we drove to the opposite end of the city up to Mount Tiantai which is where Yandi (Emperor) grew up. It was beautiful, very green and I cannot wait to get back there to hike up the mountain. 

     Coming off of the mountain back into Baoji, we stopped in town and Julia introduced me to a club with and indoor Olympic sized swimming pool that I can visit from time to time. I am very excited about this because I miss the ocean terribly and feel a strong need to get back into water.  

     We traveled into town and stopped at a local fruit and vegetable market that seemed to go on for miles. It was nice to tag along with Julia through the market because she gave me insight to the wonderful world of food and educated me on many fruits and vegetables – most of which I had never seen before. 

     Exhausted from our journey we parted ways, I went home to relax and cook up a great meal and my two friends went home to be with their families. What a fantastic day!


Wendy

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