As a foreigner here we are always a bit of a curiosity. They all stare as you walk by. Some more obvious than others. It takes a little while to get used to. But they always give you a friendly look or smile. And it's hard not to get the impression that they want to talk to you and ask questions. Obviously, the big problem is that most people here do not speak much if any english other than "hello".
So I was in KFC the other day to get some food. Not knowing any other food place to eat at that stage. And there was just nowhere to sit and eat. KFC is very popular here (they are on every corner). But nowhere to sit in this one. So I walked around and around looking for a seat, with everyone staring at me as I walked ... situation normal really.
Anyway after a little while I was beckoned over to a table of middle school students (teenagers) and they insisted I sit with them. Excellent, because I was jack of walking in circles. These youg kids were great. They spoke some english and were wrapped that a foreigner would sit and talk to them. They took some photo's, as the chinese always want to do with us. And so I took a pic of them. See it here. As it turned out it was one of the young boys birthday. We all sang happy birthday in English to him and it really was a good time.
The photo thing goes on all the time. Often when you will be walking in the street people will angle to take a pic of their friend, but it will be arranged to include you in the background. Interesting really. They take it without asking, not that it is a problem. Others just come right up and ask for a photo.
Our school is very new and we sent a marketing team out to the street to hand out flyers the other day. they were dressed as astronauts. Very appropriate here in China at the moment. I just happened to be out in the street after buying my new bike, and had just left the store with it when we an into the marketing team. They asked for photos ... what can I say. So here are some pics of the team and me on the street.
1 comment:
Hey Mike, I also found that KFC was a good place to get some familiar food and a coffee and the ice cream was ok too(with or without the melamine in the milk!). Just point to the pictures on the laminated sheet and its there before you can blink! And they are so keen to grab your left overs and rubbish that you didnt make it to the rubbish bin at all.
I didn't complete the course with ACC I was too stressed out from the whole adventure and wanted no more to do with it. Perhaps seeing how you are going is making me reconsider.
Good luck mate
Norm
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