XIAN:  THE EASTERN TERMINUS OF THE ANCIENT SILK ROAD

Esther, JC and I took a 2 day trip to Xian this past weekend and it was definitely a highlight of my time here thus far.  It was on my short-list of must-see places.  The city was capital to the Zhou, Qin, Han, Wei, Sui, and Tang Dynasties and is now the capital of Shaanxi Province.  The area is called the cradle of ancient Chinese civilization and this picture is such a good illustration of how the past is juxtiposed to the present.  The building on the left is the Bell Tower which is in the center of the perfectly rectangular Xian.  The building to the right of it is a shopping mall.  It was through this city that Buddhism, Islam and Nestorian X-ianity (an heretical sect, basically Gnostic, which came through in 635 A.D.) brought their ideas and their religion.  I felt so small as I looked around this city and this area.  I was once again floored by G*d’s sovereignty this weekend.

THE GREAT WALL OF XIAN

Around the whole city of Xian, a city wall was erected by Hongwu, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty.  It is a perfect rectangle with all four walls facing due North, South, East & West.  There is a main gate at the center of each of the walls and watchtowers at all four corners.  It is the best preserved city wall in all of China and recently repairs were done to close all gaps.  You can now walk or bike the whole wall (13 km in circumference).  The wall stands 40 feet high.  Only the elite were allowed to dwell within the city walls and the bell in their Bell Tower was rung every morning to open the gates and allow the lower classes to come in to conduct business.  Now, the elite live outside the city walls in the western part of the city.  I would not mind spending more time in Xian.  I loved it.

QIN SHI HUANG’S TERRACOTTA ARMY

In 210 B.C. the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huang, was buried in a mausoleum which he ordered built 38 years before his death.  After almost 4 decades, a tomb surrounded by thousands and thousands of life-size terracotta warriors, chariots and horses was created.  In 1974, peasants digging a well uncovered one of the underground vaults that yielded 6,000 of these statues.  Qin Shi Huang believed they would accompany him into the after-life.  Along with this army, rooms filled with treasures, preserved wildlife and even the architects, who designed the tomb and its many booby-traps, were enshrined.  It is one massive, massive place and they are still uncovering more vaults.  It has been ruled the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World, along with The Great Pyramid of Giza, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, The Colossus of Rhodes, and The Lighthouse of Alexandria.  It is the only Wonder in Asia.  It is amazing how off someone can be about the after-life.  The energy and the lives and resources expended for naught.  Truly, the truth sets you free.  Pr*ise G*d.

It was a greaat weekend trip and I am hoping to take our team there next month.  It was an 8 hour train ride from Zhengzhou, but we rode in soft-sleepers and took the overnight ride.  Next trip, Luoyang.

NOTE:  Thanks to jibae I am reminded that since I am updating from China, “safe” words should be used in your comments and such.  No words such as m*ss*ons, ch*rch, or p*st*r should be used.  Thanks!

INTRODUCING, MY CLASS

This wonderful group of students are in my English Conversation 2A Class.  From left to right, they are Martin, Lisa, Chen and Leo.  The 3 guys go to Henan Economic and Financial University while Lisa goes to Henan School of TV Broadcasting.  Martin, a native of Zhengzhou, is an ex-soldier who became a devout Buddhist 4 years ago and even travelled to Tibet this past summer for a 30 day spiritual journey.  Lisa, who is from Shandong Province, is studying to become a TV Broadcaster like her father is in Qingdao (supposedly, they make the best beer in China).  Chen, a native of Zhengzhou, is the greenest when it comes to English, so class is fun because of him.  Leo, who is from Hubei Province, gets his name from Leonardo Di Caprio.  On top of a full load of university classes, they are paying for and taking English.  They pay quite alot from my perspective.  Let me show you:  1 year’s tuition at the universities is $400 and they are paying $75 for an 8-week English Conversation class.  They take education seriously in China.  Pr*y for my class, especially Martin.  They are great and I want so much to teach them more than English. 

FOR ALL YOU POTENTIAL BABES WHO WANT TO BE EXPLOITED

This is my favorite sign.    I don’t know what is funnier, the babe potential or the exploiture. hahahahaha.  Anyways, this is the entrance to an elementary school, probably one of the top in the city, or at least they claim to be.  Education is the single hottest commodity in China.  The salary difference between a college educated person vs. a high school educated person is quite big.  One student told me the average salary of a college educated person in Zhengzhou, who works for a company, is $125 a month while a non-college educated person’s salary is only $60.  So, a good education is gold.  The race starts young because there are not enough universities for all the people.  The competition is fierce.  It all comes down to an examination they take to get into the schools.  There are many of our students here who are the only members of their villages to be in college.  Pr*y for the stress this could be on our students, as lone representatives of sometimes entire villages or regions.

A CHINESE FOOD COURT

Right downstairs from our school is this food court that alot of universities students come to eat their meals.  There are about 2-3 dozen booths with different vendors selling everything from meat on a stick, soup, steamed dumplings, dumplings in broth, sandwiches, noodles, rice dishes.  The selection is quite diverse.  I’ll post food pictures later, but I wanted to show you a picture of where we purchase alot of our meals.  It’s an adventure everyday, because sometimes I don’t really know what I am ordering.  Sometimes I just point and grunt and nod my head.  I’ve probably ordered some stuff with weird meat origins.    Pr*y that JC, Esther and I don’t get sick from the food.  I love eating it, but I wish I knew what was exactly in my food.  Or maybe it’s better that I don’t know. . .

BLESS THE CHILDREN, L*RD

Awwwww, isn’t he so cute!!  I saw him as I was walking down the street.  China’s one-child-per-family rule is rapidly aging the general population.  (Note:  Many in the countryside have more than one child and pay the tax penalties that result.  Most of our students who are from the villages are from families of 2, 3 even 4 children!  Ethnic minorities in China are not bound by that regulation.)  It is also creating an unhealthy ratio of boys to girls.  Since most families want boys, girls are sometimes aborted or abandoned.  Needless to say, if you are a girl growing up in China, there are certain things that will work to your advantage.  There is talk that the government will rescind the law because at this rate, China’s young may not be able to support their old and China’s men may not have wives to marry.  Pr*y that China will continue to prize all children, whether male or female.

SAME CHILD, DIFFERENT ANGLE. . .

No folks, that is not an accidental rip in his bloomies, that crack you see is commonplace here in China.  You see, most families do not use diapers.  So, they teach their children to go on a regular schedule.  Every hour or so.  The thing is, the world is their toilet.  So you will see children doing #1 on the bus, on the street, in the middle of an outdoor market, etc.  I guess they literally freeze their butts off in winter, but I think the West can learn something here.  No money spent on diapers, cute booty everywhere, and babies are potty trained way early.  NOTE OF PRAISE:  In regards to babies and such my roommate, keemo_sabi graciously agreed to pay for Toby and Elizabeth’s hospital bills.  Elizabeth expressed how grateful she was that G*d answered her pr*yers so quickly.  G*d is good!  Continue to pr*y for their family.  Mom & Baby Enoch are still in the hospital but are recovering fine.

I HOPE THAT IS JUST A TYPO.

I love it when countries like Korea and China misspell words or use the wrong words.  They somehow manage to pick the funniest combination.  Everytime I withdraw money, the ATM machine ends by asking me “Would You Like An Advice?”  I actually pressed yes once and a receipt came out.  I was hoping for some dating guidance.  Anyways, China has started a major campaign in all their cities to clean up.  They want to improve their air quality and their litter problem.  A report released in 1998 by the World Health Organization stated that of the ten most polluted cities in the world, seven can be found in China.  But things are going to change.  They are also following Korea’s example and becoming much more conscientious with their recycling.  They are getting ready for the Olympics in 2008 that is scheduled to take place in Beijing.  China has never hosted before.  They are going to make the best impression they can.  Now if only they can keep all the organisms out of the trash . . . .

Got the whole season for $7.00.  I love China.

LEARNING TO DO THE KIMCHI SQUAT. 

If a man’s home is his castle, then I would say the toilet is his throne.  My throne unfortunately requires me to use muscles I seldom use.  Yes, friends, I must squat to do #2.  This wonderful toilet is the norm in China, and this one is very clean compared to the public ones you will see.  In fact, toilets in China are all BYOTP.  So if you forget, all you got is your hand.  On average, back in the States I would take a nice leisurely 5-10 minute doo-doo.  Now, it’s 1 1/2 minutes tops.  Any longer and I think I’d start to cramp up.  Ahhh, such is life here.  I’m sure I’ll be a bit more flexible by the time I leave.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD ENOCH ZHU!!

Enoch Zhu was born on Wednesday, October 19th.  He was born to ANLS staff members Toby & Elizabeth at some Zhengzhou Hospital.  Toby is 24 and Elizabeth is 22.  Even for China that is really young.  But they are both happy and mom and baby are both healthy.  It was an emergency C-Section which ended up costing the parents triple the amount for hospital bills.  If any of you can help with the costs, let me know.  The whole procedure ended up costing $375.  It may not seem like alot to us, but it is here.  Pr*y for the family, that Enoch will be brought up in the fear of the L*rd.  It is amazing to see this bundle of joy, literally wrapped up in swaddling clothes, born in Zhengzhou, under the care of a sovereign G*d who has already shown this boy so much grace by having him born to Chr*stian parents.  Praise G*d!!

WHO NEEDS NIKE WHEN YOU HAVE MEIKE?

We came across this store the other day that sells sneakers.  One of many Nike knock-offs.  We found another store named Meike.  I think I’ll buy a shirt from them.  I think their logo was “Just Do Something”.  China is unabashed about their bootlegging and knock-offs.  They haven’t matched Korea yet, but even some of Korea’s knock-offs are now made in China.  You can buy a North Face jacket for $20 and a DVD for 75 cents.  I don’t know how international copyright lawyers are viewing all this, but when a pair of Nike kicks costs $120 on average and your people make less than that a month, you gotta get creative.  Not justifying breaking the law, just trying to understand when it happens.

EAST MEETS WEST:  Ronald warms up to the ladies . . .

China has really opened up since Deng Xiaoping.  Capitalism has forged an uneasy marriage with communism and the result is McDonald’s, Wal-Mart, and Domino’s Pizza along with many, many other western retailers sprinkled throughout this great country.  The head of Starbucks Asia has projected that in 5 years there will be more Starbucks Coffees in China than in the U.S.  Now, is that a good thing?  Well, the disparity between the rich and the poor is growing, and let me add this, the average price for an extra value meal in Zhengzhou is $3.50 and the average monthly income is $100.  Do the math.  Only the rich can afford to eat at McyD’s, and the rest . . ., well the rest get to chill with Ronald.  Pr*y that China gleans the good from the west within inheriting its bad.

EAST MEETS WEST:  Can you hear me now?

China has become a technological giant, surpassing the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, & Korea in production of computers and cell phones.  I bought the cheapest cell phone in the dept. store.  It ended up being about $60.  (If you ever need to call, it’s 011 86 13673655224)  My cell phone plan was $8.  They say it should last me at least two months.  The plans are mega-cheap compared to the states, but it’s still kind of expensive for the people here, so they mostly text message since it’s cheaper.  AND, the cell phones are about $100 on average.  They have ones that are over $400.  Once again, the average monthly salary is $100.  People have to spend a month’s salary to buy a phone.  It’s crazy, I don’t know how they do it.  Theft is up in Zhengzhou.  Pickpockets aplenty.  In fact, JC GOT HER CELL PHONE STOLEN TWICE!!  Poor girl.  SHE GOT HER WALLET STOLEN TOO!  DAG!!   Pr*y for protection from pickpockets and thieves and pray G*d will show mercy to the thieves as well. 

TOUR DE CHINA:  Lance who?

The bicycle still remains the main mode of transportation in China.  That’s why you will seldom see a fat Chinese person.  They eat noodles and rice, vegetables and meat, their dishes are very greasy, but they burn it all off on their bikes.  No health clubs, no South Beach Diets, no Sugar Free needed.  Have Bike, Will travel.  JC is thinking of getting one.  Me too, maybe.  Pr*y for safety around crazy drivers.  The cars here are a serious hazard to your health!

ZHENGZHOU, CHINA

I arrived Saturday and as a way of keeping loved ones abreast of what is going on in my life, I am actually going to use my xanga account as a public photo journal.  This picture here is the lobby of the All Nations Language School.

DORM ROOM

This is where I will be living for the next couple of months.  It’s a room within the school.  Very comfy and convenient.  The only gripe I have is that there is no TV or cable.  No ESPN.   

ANLS Staff

From left to right, it’s Elizabeth (with her first child in tow), Toby (Elizabeth’s husband), Tom, JC, Esther, & Jesse.  Toby & Elizabeth run the school and Tom & Jesse are college student volunteers who help with English Corner on Friday and Saturday nights.

Well, that will be it for my very first xanga entry.  Mostly you will see life through my eyes.  Pr*y for me and the school and China.  The harvest is really plentiful here.