BE A BOY SCOUT ... BE PREPARED

Wed Nov 28
BAND PRACTICE. Ok, we started a band, and it is growing momentum on its own. Before we even practised, we had a few gigs, including the Faculty Xmas party.

I have wanted to be in a band Since Harold Malik, a 15 year old across the street had a band. I was only 10. Now, I am in my first one. We are playing covers of classic rock tunes. I am a little over my head.

Justus is the band leader, plays acoustic and lead vocals.. He is a Nigerian who moved to New York City. Roger plays electric and lead guitar. He is a Chinese Canadian who does not speak a word of Chinese. And then there is me. Acoustic guitar, harmony, a few lead vocal and guitar on songs neither of them can play (Dust in the Wind and Norwegian Wood) . Both Justus and Roger have been in bands before. Justus has written and recorded his own songs.

We picked up two music students for Drums and Bass. King is the drummer. SHE is also cute. Aaron plays bass.

There is a three girl choir for the Xmas songs. Silent Night, Little Drummer Boy and one other
TBA.

Thursday, Nov 29

BE A BOY SCOUT ... BE PREPARED.

EMBARRASSMENT ... I only write this to warn others, not to brag.

I am on my way to METRO, a French department store like COSTCO. Most of the professors shop there. We take a bus, then walk about a kilometre to the store. Today, I am alone, and decide to take the scenic route thought the local area. After a while I need a WC (bathroom). I can’t find one. I keep walking, and holding the bladder. I finally see a large store. Four floors. Newly renovated. By this time, I am holding it in, but still no problem.

I get to the store, and look for WC signs, but none to be found. I finally ask someone, who says Fourth Floor. Up the escalator I go to the fourth floor. Still no signs, so I ask someone else. They point to the far corner. Finally there ... I am about to explode ... but still OK.

There are no signs yet installed on the doors, and clearly this floor is still under renovations. I look at the two doors and am about to guess which one when a man walks out of one door. GREAT.

I walk through the door expecting to see a somewhat normal WC ... but ... I Walk straight into THREE squatters ... in front of the door, no stalls, easily seen from the outside ... and they are all FULL! The stench makes my stomach curl and I almost vomit. I also lose control of those wonderful muscles controlling my bladder! In a panic, and trying no to hurl all over the pace, most makes it into the squatter ... but ....

A ½ hour of sitting outside, hiding, and pulling my shirt down as far as I can, and I am dry enough to continue my journey.

I have changed diapers before, but this was so strong, and caught me completely off guard ... I will learn.

BE A BOY SCOUT ... BE PREPARED.

Friday, Nov 30
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME ... and it should be fun. I was not gong to say anything, especially to my students. No big deal, another birthday.

I live in apartment 310. At band practice on Wednesday, Vicky, from apartment 307 comes in and announces to everyone the Birthday Party will start early, probably on Friday, as both her and Lilly, from apartment 301, have birthdays this weekend. I ask what days, and Vicky says hers is on Sunday, and Lilly’s is on Saturday. So much for my silence. Ten apartments, and three of us have birthdays on three consecutive days. Lilly is a quiet girl, but Vicky seems like she can give me a run for my money in the drinking department...

Full report on the birthday bash IF and when I recover

A bicyle trip to remember

Saturday Nov 24
Another new adventure. Linda borrowed a bike for me. We pack our bags last night, pre flight. Zero hour was seven AM ... at the main gate. Jersey joined us and the three of us were off. I had my new back pack filled. Camera, three lenses, five bottles of frozen H2O, and other goodies.

We headed out for the old bridge. There are two bridges next to each other crossing to Xiamen Island. This one has two lanes going onto the island, a railway and narrow path for walking / bikes / motorcycles. The other, newer bridge has four lanes with a divider down the middle. They have two lanes going off the island, one going on, and one which can be used for either, depending on demand. The bridges are 5 km long.

We start down the path, and there is tons of traffic coming at us. First time, I wobble a bit, reach out, and scrape my hand on the concrete hand rail. We cross the rest of the way with out incident, but not a good start for the old fat bald man.
After crossing, we join up with the main road, coming off the other bridge, past the airport, and head north, into new territory for me. We go along the side of the airport, then head to a new highway being built. Fresh pavement!!! NO CARS! We cross a barrier, and cycle on the new back asphalt. We ride a little, and come across a paving machine. TWO LANES WIDE! Stop, take pictures, then double back. After leaving the new highway, we cut through some older part, past a wall of pallets and toward the ocean.

We get to the ocean near a bridge, on which the highway goes out into the ocean to bypass little towns. There are two of these on the island. A rather neat solution to a problem of traffic, passing through old towns with mountains on one side and ocean on the other. I start counting the building cranes. I get to 50, and know there are only a few more in sight. Imagine, FIFTY high rises just in view. Must be two hundred high rises being built on the island at one time. PLUS two huge bridges, and a rapid transit line across the island. We walk, take pictures, and plan the next part of our journey. We cross a little bay, and head along the shoreline.

Eventually we come to the a place with a beautiful view, and I want to stop and take more pictures. I man come over and asks us if we want to look at Taiwan through his binoculars. There are mounted with tape on a hollow tube, and mounted on a tripod. I look briefly, then pull out my 150 -500 mm lens. I have a better view then he does, and I can look at mine today. Linda PAYS him for the view. A nice way to make a living I guess.

We continue on for about 1 KM and come to the International Center. Here we have lunch, sit on the grass, and play with a couple of kids and their mother. After our rest, we are off again.

A few km down the road, I spot a small amusement park on the beach. There are a few rides for kids, a couple of restaurants, and lots of beautiful beach. We take off our shoes and socks, and find a nice place to sit. I stand guard over the bikes while Linda and Jersey walk down to the water’s edge. I realise this is a game everyone plays. Go near the water with your clothes on, go out as far as your dare, then run in to shore in front of a big wave and try not to get wet. Everyone is playing. The waves play tricks. Not like little Lake Ontario with constant waves. The is the PACIFIC OCEAN. Waves vary from an inch to a foot, then back to an inch. Linda is having a great time, but Jersey is too cautious.

They return, and I start to take off my watch, empty my pockets, and get ready for the fun. Linda and I got back to the water while Jersey stands watch. We play and laugh, trying to get the other one caught in a big wave while we make our escape unscathed. On one wave I catch a mouth full of water. It tastes salty ... Hmmmm.

Fashion is interesting. I see all kinds of clothes being worn here. The fashion seems to be, but western standards, trashy or slutty... take you pick. One is wearing a common fashion. A skirt, and cowboy boots. I also see knee high leather boots with a skirt. I also saw one lady wearing GREEN high heals on the beach. I have pictures, but you will have to wait.

We give up on that game and watch a group of three young men in a bubble. This is a big bubble, about 6 feet in diameter, filled with air, sealed, and put out into the ocean. I talk Linda into going into one with me. It costs 20 ¥ per person. Well worth the investment. (40 ¥ = 5 dollars!)

First we must wash our feet, then climb into the bubble when it is flat. The operator attaches a hose and fills the bubble with air. Then the zipper is closed and a sealer pulled across the zipper. We then stand and walk towards the ocean. As we reach the edge, the operator has to helps us. It does not take long for the waves to knock us flat. We are in the ocean, inside a big bubble, tied to a tether. We try to stand, but not a chance,. We roll around, laughing, bumping into each other. Each wave is a new experience in helplessness and laughter. I finally figure it out! I CRAWL away from shore. A big wave comes in and rolls us head over teakettle. We are finally rescued by the operator who tows us ashore and helps us out.

Off we go, looking far a tunnel through a mountain back to our side of the island. We get there, but there is a guard. NO bikes or pedestrians allowed. Linda and Jersey are disappointed. It is a long ride around the mountains back to our home. And it is getting late. It is three o’clock now, and if we ride around, we will have to go fast to back before sun set. I, on the other hand, am a little crazy. I tell Linda to flag a truck down, and ask them to carry us and our bikes through the tunnel. Now she knows I am nuts. Reluctantly she tries. The first trucks she stops agrees. We load our bikes into the back of a one ton truck, climb in the back and sit down. Ten minutes later, we are on the other side of the mountain.

Now we have enough time for another stop before we get home. We find a nice park not to far away, and sit and rest. The bubble took a lot out of us. A drink, bite to eat, a few pictures, and it is 3:30. Figure we are 1½ hours from home. Sun will set around 5:30.

We head back toward home. When we get to the end of the street we are on we are at the airport. We turn right and head for the bridges. We want to go on the other, newer bridge this time. And what do we find there? Another guard. . NO bikes or pedestrians allowed on the bridge. I point out there are sidewalks on either side of the road. Linda talks to the guard, and he agrees to let us ride on the sidewalk. Part way across, we stop for pictures of Jimei. It is a beautiful little town. I also get pictures of the two new bridges being built.

Our trip was over 50 KM according to GOOGLE EARTH, started at 7 AM and ended at 5 PM. Me on a bicycle. It is Sunday night, and my legs, butt, back and arms are still aching from the adventure. Can’t wait to do it all over again.

I am NOT an American (in a Nixon Accent, hands showing peace sign.)

Wednesday, Nov 21
Welcome to China. On Saturday evening (Nov 16) Roger called. The power was to be out from 8 am to 6 pm the next day (Sunday). I decided to go shopping and walking around in Xiamen. I left around 10, and headed downtown. Did a tour of the three DVD shops. Of course everything is legal (LOL). They are down dark laneways. You have to put on a dark trench coat and sun glasses before you approach. Later in the day, I found a fourth one. It sounds impossible, but every one has something the others don’t. I ended up buying 32, with a minimum of 8 at any one store.

Even more amazing, there are a few I am looking for and can not find. “James Bond - Never say Never Again” which is not an official Bond movie and has Rowan Atkinson 9MR, Bean) in it. They have all the other 21 Bond Movies, including Casino Royale, but not this one. “Devils Brigade” based on the true story of combined Canadian - American special forces during WW II.

I walked around an ended up in the back stage area of a street stage show. Took a lot of pictures of boys and girls in costume. A few others of the stage and street.

Got home around 6:30 and power still out. Ended up having a guitar jam in the lobby. Now, we are thinking of forming a Western Band to play around here. We have three guitar playing professors - Justus Nnakwe, an American permanently living here, with a Chinese wife, Roger Loy, a Canadian permanently living here with a Chinese wife , and me, a Canadian temporarily living here with a Chinese wife (detect a pattern here?). We added drummer and bass player (both Chinese) from the band at the party last week, and a Manager to take care of booking rooms and advertising. Justus thinks he might be able to play gigs in the bars in Xiamen and get paid for this. Even scarier, they both think I can sing. I will do a lot of vocals along with Justus. Roger will play lead guitar. First practice is next week. I may have to stay if I can make money as a musician on top of teaching.

Went to English Corner on Monday. Played some songs. Didn’t goof up like I did at the party. The rust is going away. Played ‘ABC song’, ‘Old McDonald’, ‘Yellow Submarine’, ‘Me and Julio’, ‘Signs’, and ‘Brown Eyed Girl’. I am a star!!! Justus played at a different English Corner. The band, of course, is called ... The EC (English Corner) Band.

Tuesday, no water. Too bad they couldn’t coordinate and do it all on the same day. Had to shower with beer.

Friday Nov 23. I am NOT an American (in a Nixon Accent, hands showing peace sign.). Had a large number of text messages yesterday wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving! I politely thanked them for their wonderful wishes, then explained that is was an American holiday. Canadian Thanksgiving is in early October.

I can get used to this life

Pictures from the party I promised everyone



Monday, Nov 12

My first English Corner. We sat on the grass in circles, and spoke English. The students were to ask me a question, and I would reply. It was a lot of fun. They treat westerners like celebrities. I had several girls ask for my phone number and offer to take me shopping or sight seeing. I can get used to this life.

Friday Nov 15
Good day yesterday. Took bus to Xianlin, a town near here. Walked around for several hours. A different place. Xiamen Island get lots of resources as the capital of the city, like the old City of Toronto. The other “cities” of Xiamen District do not. Jimei has lots of money because of the education, the teaching hospital, and so on. Now I have visited one of the other cities in Xiamen. It is not has nice. Roads are poured concrete, but many years old, and uneven. Streets, except for a few main ones, are narrow and dirty.

Went to SM mall after. Bought a camera bag / back pack. A heavy duty pack, with extra thick shoulder straps, waste and chest straps, padded back, lots of pockets, and made for a camera. So .. It is water resistant, and has a pull out inner pouch with adjustable dividers for camera equipment. Can be used as a plain back pack, or a camera bag back pack. A nice find now that I have the telephoto 150 - 500 zoom lens. Cost ... only 450 .... Yuan ... or about 55 dollars. Way over 100 in Canada. I can get used to this life.

Saturday Nov 16
Something new every day. The girls (Rone and Jennifer) showed up this morning and disrupted my nap. We watched a Bond movie (as is the usual routine) then went for lunch. I took them in a different direction ... one none of us had been in. We found a restaurant near the teaching hospital. Food was great. We had 7 dishes, and had to phone Ann to join us so we could eat it all. There was: noodles; breaded chicken in an orange sauce; soup; spicy beef; bok choy; tofu; and dasheen, a potato like vegetable they cook with a caramel like sauce. Very good, but if you let the caramel cool, it hardens and they become hard to get off the plate. I treated. Cost me 97 Yuan, or about 12 dollars. I can get used to this life

We walked home and passed a truck with purple bamboo on it. The girls asked if I wanted some, and said “why would I want bamboo?” They said “no, it was sugar cane!” We went back to the truck, and bought one sugar cane, cut into four, then returned home. (Another lost nap). I watched as they trimmed the outside, then washed it. You peal away the purple outside with your teeth, then eat the pulpy inside, sucking all the sweet juice out. Then spit out the pulp. DELICIOUS! I can get used to this life

A new high, or low for Canada - China Relations

OK, it has been a very boring couple of weeks. Stayed at home doing work and building a data base for all the DVD’s I’ve bought. I have 90 movies, plus another 20 in Chinese for Lin, and a 54 DVD box set of the MASH series. I have created a relational database, with titles (year, genre, rating, DVD 5 or 9, Oscar nominations and wins), directors (name, Oscars), actors (name, DOB, death and Oscars) . The geek in me has reared its ugly head once again.

I have been invited to a special dinner (with 7 other professors) in Fuzhou with the “Premier” of the province. The dinner is on December 30, and it is to thank all the visiting “experts”, the term for foreigners who are here working. Fuzhou is the capitol of the province of Fujian, and is about 300 km from here.

Last night (Saturday) there was a party to welcome the freshmen to Navigation College. I was asked to attend as a new faculty, then I was asked to perform as a musician. Then I was asked to be part of a skit.

The evening consisted of 15 skits, musical acts and a few games. One of the games has everyone walking in a circle, then the MC calling out a number (3,4,5 etc) people then have to form tight hugging groups of that many people. The odd ones have to sit out. Game goes on until there is a winner (or three)

My song was slotted number 6, and the skit number 7. I decided to play something they could sing to, so I played the ABC song first. I then played “Me and Julio” but messed up the last chorus. Not playing much the last ten years as made me think while playing. Not a good thing.

The skit started with Julia on stage selling clothes. She puts up a sign which says PINK is the fashion colour. Linda comes on stage, and sees the sign. She is not wearing the latest fashion, so buys all the pink and leaves the stage. Julia, out of pink, now changes the sign to BROWN as the fashion colour.

I then come on the stage, and Julia takes me to the sign, and shows me the brown clothes. I take the clothes and start to leave. She stops me, and wants me to pay. She holds out money in her hand, so I take the money too. ( I actually did this to some street peddlers). Finally I pay for the clothes, and leave the stage. Julia, now out of brown clothes, changes the sign again.

Linda returns to the stage wearing a pink dress, and all proud. I return to the stage wearing a brown dress (bare shoulders, hairy legs) all proud (YES, everyone was laughing). We see each other, point and laugh because we think the other is not wearing the newest fashion. Then we see the new sign. We chase Julia around the stage. The end. The rest of the night was nice, and there was a dance afterwards. I got home around 11 pm.

Seeing a fat, old bald white guy proudly wearing a dress, with hairy back and legs, may affect all future Chinese - Canadian relations. Pictures will be posted as soon as I get some. I am sure there were many