Very tired today, so this post is more than likely not going to be very comprehensive. Yesterday was one of the best days of my time here in China, if not for the last decade! I can't explain why it was such a great day, other than the fact that we managed to laugh heartily thoughout that entire day. Four teachers, which turned into six by the end of the night--two students, which turned into four --all as we wandered the streets of Chenzhou.
Yesterday was Teachers Day, which is usually a celebration celebrated during the week--but this time it happened to fall on the weekend and it also was the opening night of the International Diving Compititon here in the city, which has the city looking its best. The main sqaure was showing a bootlegged copy of Mr. and Mrs. Smith on a jumbo-vison screen. 10's of thousands of people were in the square, all enjoying themselves immensly. We were followed by a large crowd of curious onlookers --three white people and one philipino all walking together through the square was quite the site to these people.
So much to talk about, but so little energy. Today one of our young guides took Claire and I up to the top of a the big mountain in the city--at the top is a monastery that is huge. I am posting pictures of those tonight.. 2,888 steps to the top--so my legs are killing me, but it was totally worth it. Such a beautiful place, but not peaceful in the least bit. Fireworks were for sale throughout the area and they were constantly being blown off here and there--just amazing actually. You look at such a beautiful place--a buddist monastery with such rich design and a simply amazing view and people just want to blow shit up.
But, as I remind myself daily--"This is China."
Anyway, I have to teach tommorow and this computer has a virus that I have been working on for the last several hours, so I am going to sign off a little short--much to tell, but no energy. Looking forward to the next week-should be a hoot.
Lots of pictures too...