And a deadly holiday to you too
It's that time again, holiday season in China. For seven days in May and October, thousands of citizens trample each other through bus depots, train stations, and airports to be the first to arrive at the same top ten spots of gaudy scenic fame.
The day before our holidays began, the director of our program paid a visit to our class to enquire of our whereabouts during the coming week. Like teenagers reporting our nightly plans to a parent, one by one we were required to give a complete plan, including flight/train itenerary, to our director.
And one by one, the bad news came.
-Going to ride horses in Mongolia? Only light trotting allowed, a man broke both his legs last year when his horse bolted through the grasslands and he lost holds of the reins.
-Travelling out west to the Tibetan Plateau? A group of foreigners recently got lost in the woods for three days without food and water. One of the girls didn't bring a sweater and died from exposure when nighttime temperatures dipped below freezing.
-Beach plans in Dalian? It's too cold; besides, swimming is a dangerous adventure and should only be undertaken with a lifejacket securely tied around your legs, arms, and neck.
-Taking a boat down the Yangtze River? Many people indulge in a bit too much alcohol on these boats and have fallen off the side at night and drowned in the river.
-Driving through remote mountainous areas of Yunnan? Watch out for rockslides, there's usually no warning and large rocks can crush or roll even a large bus. Heaven help you if it's snowing and there's an avalanche...
-Hiking around monasteries in the mountains of Eastern China? Monasteries are built on cliffs, and cliffs have edges. Do you want to come back alive from that holy experience? Stay in a group, at least ten meters from the edge.
-Experiencing the Muslim culture of Western China? You're wallet's a goner; people there will steal anything. And bring your own noodles from Beijing, the food there is (gasp) different and will definitley make your intestines turn inside out for days.
And so on and so on....for over an hour...
With a caution for every activity, and countless stories of past deaths, I began to think that I might have to cover myself with bubble wrap and lay on the floor in my apartment for the entire holiday week to avoid my impending death.
However, I'm happy to report that I did survive the holiday. Our director came to class on our first day back to do a head count and make sure one of us wasn't missing out on a glacier somewhere. "小心" (be careful) might have to be the new Chinese slogan after "work to welcome the Olympics" becomes outdated.
The day before our holidays began, the director of our program paid a visit to our class to enquire of our whereabouts during the coming week. Like teenagers reporting our nightly plans to a parent, one by one we were required to give a complete plan, including flight/train itenerary, to our director.
And one by one, the bad news came.
-Going to ride horses in Mongolia? Only light trotting allowed, a man broke both his legs last year when his horse bolted through the grasslands and he lost holds of the reins.
-Travelling out west to the Tibetan Plateau? A group of foreigners recently got lost in the woods for three days without food and water. One of the girls didn't bring a sweater and died from exposure when nighttime temperatures dipped below freezing.
-Beach plans in Dalian? It's too cold; besides, swimming is a dangerous adventure and should only be undertaken with a lifejacket securely tied around your legs, arms, and neck.
-Taking a boat down the Yangtze River? Many people indulge in a bit too much alcohol on these boats and have fallen off the side at night and drowned in the river.
-Driving through remote mountainous areas of Yunnan? Watch out for rockslides, there's usually no warning and large rocks can crush or roll even a large bus. Heaven help you if it's snowing and there's an avalanche...
-Hiking around monasteries in the mountains of Eastern China? Monasteries are built on cliffs, and cliffs have edges. Do you want to come back alive from that holy experience? Stay in a group, at least ten meters from the edge.
-Experiencing the Muslim culture of Western China? You're wallet's a goner; people there will steal anything. And bring your own noodles from Beijing, the food there is (gasp) different and will definitley make your intestines turn inside out for days.
And so on and so on....for over an hour...
With a caution for every activity, and countless stories of past deaths, I began to think that I might have to cover myself with bubble wrap and lay on the floor in my apartment for the entire holiday week to avoid my impending death.
However, I'm happy to report that I did survive the holiday. Our director came to class on our first day back to do a head count and make sure one of us wasn't missing out on a glacier somewhere. "小心" (be careful) might have to be the new Chinese slogan after "work to welcome the Olympics" becomes outdated.
posted by CC at
9:44 PM
2 Comments:
I have a question, Carmen. How do the Chinese deal with weekends? Since ours is based on Sundays, it just hit me that China may not have a weekend!
School is out. I have only 1 year, or 2 semesters, or 4 nine weeks left before retirement! YEAH!!
Mrs. Hollis
By
Anonymous, at 7:03 AM
Weekends - it's probably the most welcomed aspect of all the western cultural adaptations. Most students have Sunday and half day Saturday off from school, though it depends on their age and specific school policy. Large companies usually have "weekends" though employees often work anyways, and all service industry companies/offices (post office, pharmacy, restaurants, stores, shops, etc.) are open every day of the week. I'm almost always off on weekends, though there are times when extra classes/hospital shifts are moved to sat. or sun. if they need more time.
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! I can't believe you're really going to leave BHS - it certainly won't be the same without you. Have a wonderful wonderful summer!
By
CC, at 7:03 PM
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