Day 6: Taichung

Today we drove to the port city of Taicang about 30 miles north of Shanghai. We met with the president and officials from Chien Shiung Institute of Technology. We received a campus tour. They have approximately 5000 students who study with them full time. They also have dorms so the students stay on campus. They also have approximately 1000 adult students who study with them part time on weekends. Carrie is one of their teachers who teaches English at the college. She accompanied us on the campus tour and provided us with an interpretation. Carrie shared with me that the Education Department of China now has a new system for teachers. They have to respond to students within 48 hours with feedback on their lessons. Their feedback is also evaluated by the students as to the quality and helpfulness of the feedback. This is all done electronically and it is monitored by officials. Teachers are then evaluated on this system. Those in the top ten percent can receive a one month salary bonus. Those that do not do well may forfeit their salary for a year and then be given that year to improve. She said the Education Department takes education very seriously. The Institute is known for their manufacturing training. They partner with a number of Germany companies who hire their students, pay for their training and pay an additional fee to help the Institute buy the equipment. The top students in the class get hired in the Germany companies in China. The institute is also know for its IT training. The Institute has dorms and students live their while they train. That is different than most community colleges in Michigan and Ohio. We passed a high school on our way to the hotel. The high school was letting out for the weekend. It was a boarding high school. I couldn't help but wonder if that has some advantages. If the students live there at the high school then they have fewer distractions than if they went home at night. Perhaps they are able to focus more on their studies and make school a full time commitment. I feel like American students have too many distractions while a middle and high school student. They work, take care of their families, and have friends they hang with at night. If they were in a dorm setting they would still have their friends but they would not have other distractions because the emphasis would be on learning and studying. I just don't think Americans value education as much as they use to. As a result America is going to have a harder time competing in the world economy. Dinner with the official from the Institute and the vice mayor of Taicang was very fun and relaxed. It felt so much more real and genuine than the night before. We have all visited before back in July in America so we felt more connected. We toasted our potential partnership numerous times. I have learning their food customs such as how to eat baby snow crab. This time of the year is their snow crab season and so baby snow crab is a delight. While it is work to eat, the meat is sweet just like king crab legs which I have had a number of times previously. I am still getting use to seeing the fish served with the head and tail still attached. My reaction is similar to the time I had lobster in Boston after picking it out of the lobster tank and seeing it on the plate entirely in tack. I guess there are just some customers that. We become accustomed to that box is into thinking only one way. Certainly the fish has tasted just as good served with the head and tail attached as it is served without. I have noticed that the food I have had is very fresh. There is very little fat. None of the fish is served breaded. The veggies are grilled and lack butter or cheese sauce. The foods have not been processed. I have a better sense now of why my own diet in outraged gaining or keeping weight on. I have certainly learned about a more healthy way to eat. I can see how my schedule and the available choices contribute to weight gain. I also have enjoyed trying to master the use of chop sticks. Certain foods like meat the use of chop sticks is easy. Prior to this trip I could not effectively eat rice with chop sticks. I now can. I can also
Pick up single beans and peanuts with the chop sticks. I find I eat slower using them as well so perhaps that is something I should incorporate into my life at home so as to help me eat slower. I am slowing picking up some Chinese words. I have come to find I want to return to China as there is so much more to see. If I do I want to learn more Chinese so I can carry on a bit of a conversation. We have always had an interpreter with us, but the Chinese people appreciate you trying to speak in Chinese. I know they cheered my denial of a knife and fork at dinner and encouraged me in trying to use the chop
Sticks for foods that were a bit more challenging. It felt good to be a learner and be reminded that it is ok to make mistakes and not be proficient all the time.

Day 5: Hai'an & The Experimental School

Left early in the morning for a five hour drive northwest of Ningbo to Hai'an. Today we met with the vice mayor, her deputy of education, the principal of the Hai'an Experimental High School and his vice principal. We talked about educational exchange and whether or not such opportunities would be of interest to his students. We learned about the importance the families in his community place on education and taking the high school placement test in China. We also learned how important education is to families in Hai'an. One of our exchange student's husband accompanied us and explained that most parents will sacrifice everything for their children's education. They will save and save and even pay 50,000 yen to get their child in the best kindergarten. It is clear to me that the value of education here in China is very high. Students work hard at education and they want to get the best education. Our student's husband explained that to him American education taught him to be open minded and free thinking. He said the Chinese higher education is very different and he was not as challenged by that. He felt the teachers just gave knowledge. He is glad he has had both experiences. He said that some communities still need to be educated about the possibilities and benefits of studying in the US. after the meeting we visited the Hai'an technical high school. The students were very interested to see us.we met the principal who told us about the school and walked us around the grounds and told us about the new building projects. The school has approximately 3000 students who study various vocations. The students were very interested in seeing us. One student was following us around and taking our picture. I was able to hand him one of my business card which made him very excited and happy. We were with the vice mayor and I am sure the students recognized her and were interested in her. Because we were Americans and were with her the students thought we were really important guests. They made us feel very welcome.

Day 4: Ningbo Poly Tech

Today we spent the day at Ningbo Poly Technical Institute inNingbo, China. Last May nine of our students spent their first study abroad trip here. Today we came rising a memo of understanding to begin a three year partnership that includes student and faculty exchange. We began our visit by meeting Jasmine, whoseEnglish was fluent and flawless. I am humbled by how well citizens of other countries know English when I'am just able to attempt about ten words of their language. On the way to lunch a NPT student came up to us and began a conversation with us. Her English was very good and she shared with us information about her time at Ningbo. Jasmine mentioned that the student dared to take the risk to talk to us and dared to make mistakes and that is why she is so good at English. It was clear some students looked for every opportunity to practice their English language skills. This was a great lesson for me. I often worry about trying a new language for fear of making a mistake, but what I must do is dare to try and dare to make mistakes. We had lunch in the student run hotel with the Vice President of Academics and Jasmine.We talked about topics of imminent interest. The VP shared with us that the college had just established a school of international studies. Their goal is to become the providence's leading college in international education and partnerships. The newly established school includes foreign languages. I asked how they determined which languages to offer and learned that the pick languages of counties with whom the college has partnerships so students can learn the language to be able to study abroad. We learned that they have partnerships with America, Germany, Korea, Australia and other European countries. After lunch we met Joslin who accompanied a colleague and Ito the RTMart. The RT Mart reminded me of the Meijer and Walmart stores in America. One could buy clothing, packaged food products, sporting goods, and fresh food products here. My colleague went to purchases few children's book to aid her study of Chinese. We wondered and observed. I was amazed to see many American products on the shelves. The packages contained both English and Chinese. I had to wonder how the Chinese felt about this. I chuckled thinking about the debate in America by some politicians who want to pass "English as the official language" laws. I also thought of people in my life who comment negatively about packages in the US that contain both English and Spanish or manuals written I five different languages. I wonder weather or not foreign countries are more open to foreign nationals than Americans. I was surprised to see a Halloween pumpkin near a display and asked Joslin if China celebrates Halloween. She said, "no,they don't but they know about Halloween". I wondered how many Chinese holidays I was aware of. I am beginning to wonder whether or not Chinese citizens are more aware of us than we are of them. Certainly I will be paying more attention now. During our visit at RT Mart another student Sarah joined us. Sarah and Jasmine met my colleague this past May when our college led a study abroad trip to Ningbo. It was so special to see the positive relationships built between people of different countries. After our trip to the Rt Mart we returned to the School of International Studies to sign the formal agreement. After a brief review and conversation the signing took place. We then had an hour to walk the campus and observe. The college was in the middle of a three day period of sports. Today the students were competing in track and field events. The teams were organized by their schools and they competed as schools against the other schools in the college. Next week got to observe the non-competitive game area. Here we observed students laying musical chairs and the games. The fellowship was touching. They even got the three of us to play a ring toss game. It was special to take in and participate in their culture and community. I could see our American students enjoying studying here. We boarded our van to return to the hotel and I could not help but reflect on the day and how this experienced has broadened my perspective of China and deepened my commitment to providing international educational experiences as a college administrator.

Day 3: Xi'an & The Terra Cotta Warriors

Today we left the hotel to visit the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum in the outskirts of Xi'an. The museum is the largest outdoor museum in China. In 1974 a group of peasant farmers were drilling a well and discovered some pottery like pieces in a load of dirt they had raised. They told local official who employed archeologists who escalated the site. What they discovered was the tomb of the first king of China Qui who united the six kingdoms into one. He established a standardized wheel length and alphabet and began the Great Wall. His tomb included thousands of terra cotta warriors deployed throughout his burial tomb to guard him in death. His warriors included archers, Calvary, infantry, generals and master generals along with horses and chariots. The discovery has provided valuable information and early Chinese culture in the Qui reign and dynasty.

Day 2: Beijing and Xi'an

Today the day dawned bright and clear. My room faced the East so I had the pleasure of seeing the sunrise over the Birds Nest stadium in Beijing. You might remember that the Birds Nest was the site of the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 summer Olympics. Today the stadium is virtually unused. In talking with my tour guide yesterday she said that after the Olympics the stadium was suppose to be home for a soccer team. The soccer team pulled out of their lease because it was too expensive and they did not draw a lot of fans. The guide went on to explain that the stadium may be turned into a shopping complex. That was sad for me. It just seemed like such a nice venue for a sports complex. The design is so beautiful. After breakfast we headed to a recruiters office to meet with Chinese recruiters who speak with students who want to study abroad. We left two hours early for our appointment as one can never predict the traffic in Beijing. We drove the 13 miles in an hour. While we waited for our colleagues to catch up to us we found a Starbucks and had a coffee. This was the first good cup of coffee I had since leaving the US. Coffee to date in China has been weak whether it was brewed or instant. I was so happy to see a Starbucks but fearful that Starbucks in China would not taste like Starbucks in US. To my delight a Starbucks drip coffee in Beijing is just like a Starbucks drip coffee in the US. The little things one discovers when the travel abroad! I now realize just how important my coffee is to me when I drink it which is not that often. Once our colleagues arrived we met with the recruiters and made our presentation about our college. Then we were off to the airport to board a plane for Xi'an. As I wondered about airport security in Beijing I was able to quickly discover that it is pretty much the same as that in the US. However, they still do pay downs in Beijing. Given the controversy over pat downs in the U S I just had to chuckle to myself. I couldn't help but wonder had any of the ney Sayers in the US ever been to Beijing? Our stay in Xi'an will take us to meet with another set of recruiters.

Day 1: Beijing, China

After a 14 hour flight from Detroit to Beijing and a good sleep, I am ready to begin my first day in China. My world has gotten immeasurably smaller by arriving in a country that was once closed to Americans until the Nixon administration and previously only a news article. Today was a day to be a tourist. Using a tour, suggested by my hotel, I set off early in the morning. The first stop was the Ming Tomb. The tomb is north of Beijing and looks back on the city. It is directly in line with the forbidden city and Tienneman Square. The good king Judea is burrows with his wife in what looks like a Hugh mountain of earth now covered by trees. The many buildings are Hugh and depict the traditional Chinese architecture. The main building contains a statue to the king. The wall surrounding the entry into the tomb is built with bricks. The builder was required to place his name in the bricks so that future rulers would know who was responsible for the brick work should the brick work fail to hold up over time. If the brick work did not hold up, the the brick layer was killed. That is certainly one way to guarantee quality. From the tomb we made our way to lunch at a factory that makes pots with enamel artwork. Prior to our stop for lunch we stopped at the government jade shops. There I learned that the best quality of Jade is the darker green Jade. I also learned that Jadite is the best type of Jade for jewelry because it is hardest. I also learned how to tell fake Jade from real Jade, simply by the sound. Better quality jade has a bit of foggy look to it when you hold it up to the light. Fake jade will be clearer more like glasses. I learned how to tell the difference between A level jade which is the best and B level of jade which is good. A level jade will have a higher pitch to it when you tape it with another piece of jade. I learned much about jade and now have a better appreciation for its importance to China. While waiting dot lunch we had a tour of the process used to make the enamel pottery so common in China. The hand work used to to made a clay pot to a piece of beautiful artwork is time consuming and detailed. However the craftsmanship is truly beautiful. After lunch we went to the Badalin section of the Great Wall. We took a sky ride to the top section which is 1000 meters above sea level. The climb to the top look out tower is said to made one a hero. I can attest to the steepness of the climb and thank my exercise routine for getting me in shape enough to made the assent. Standing on the wall and gazing out over the mountains and the various sections was breath taking. I was trying to imagine the guards keeping watch for Mongals charging from the north. The day was cold and the fall season well along. I could only imagine the bitter winds of winter bottling at the guards as they faithfully watched over their homeland. The guards would not need to keep an exercise routine, they walked the wall and that alone was enough to give anyone a good work out. When I finally snapped back to present day, I was struck by all the people who were visiting the wall. I was expecting to see many nationalities and foreigners outnumbering nationals, but that was not the case. It seems the people of China visit the wall is vast numbers, make the wall truly their wall. I can see how the Wall is one of the Wonders of the world.

Vacation Preparation

Heading home from a professional conference with anticipation for our next motorcycle trip. Trip preparation is systematic and calculated. First there are months of trip planning. We examine what roads, what routes, what cities, what adventures we hope to have while on the road. We know that you can really only have a beginning date and an ending date as so much in between depends upon,well, so many factors. So as I sit in the airport awaiting my flight home I am making my list and checking it twice so that once I arrive home I can begin the systematic, detailed activity of readying myself and my bike for the trip. That does not even account for all the things I have to do to ready the house for the house sitter. But that is for another blog. In June weather should be warm in the Carolina, our destination, but the mountains make weather a bit more unpredictable. Consequently, one must pack for all types of weather. The heavy leather jacket and chaps for the cooler mornings. The leather vest for warmer days. The rain gear because one just never knows and we are already anticipating leaving in the rain and driving the majority of our first day in the rain. Besides clothes one needs to have tools just in case. Then one needs the cleaning items, especially to clean the windshield at various stops and prior to getting back on the road after a night of rest. We pack a light dust cover to keep the rain off the bike, but really it is to keep the rain of the seat so that at least at the start of the day the seat is dry. You have to have rags. One just never knows what a rag is good for. I pack two types of cloves, one for warm weather and warm pair for cool weather. Of course, there is the road atlas and motorcycle manuals. Now, if there is any room left, I can pack my clothes. This is where minimalism is a good thing. Jeans and t-shirts are the standard. One needs clothes for the evening when the day ride is over. I pack my IPAD so I can have all the tech tools I need - books, blogging tools, MLB TV, and games to keep me entertained in case we have a rain day. So, as I await my fight home, my mind continues to make lists and checks them twice so when I get back on the ground I hit the ground running so when tomorrow comes we can be off, confidently knowing we are prepared for everything we can encounter on the road.

Day 4: Departure Day

Today is our fourth and final day in Vegas. Judy woke up tired and my feet were hoping for a day off. Before we checked out of our room we headed down to the pool area. The hotel had three pools. It was a beautiful morning and we thought we could sit by the pool and talk about our day. We talked about where to store our luggage and whether or not we wanted to visit the Body exhibit again. Judy had not scene it and was interested in seeing it. She ruled it out as it is also at our home science center for the summer. She said that she would like to hang at the pools, grab dinner and go to the airport. Her worry was the luggage. I told her that I noticed that the cabanas were not all full so I was going to ask what we had to do to rent one. I went to the desk to find out that one was available. I did not ask the cost as I did not want to know - it might ruin the choice. I rented a cabana and went back to tell Judy. She was thrilled. We could bring out luggage down by the pool and store it in the cabana. They closed at 6 p.m. That would be perfect. We could then get dinner and go to the airport. The cabana was great. It came with snacks and beverages. It even came with sun tan lotion. The weather was cool, but for us northerners it seemed warm. No one was swimming, but we were able to lay on the lounge chairs and read and nap. We had a great lunch and enjoyed a slow, relaxing day. At 6 we packed up and found a sports bar in the hotel. We had dinner and watched the wall full of sport events. Obviously a sports betting lounge with food and drink. I could watch the Tigers while Judy watched the Indians. A group was watching the NBA semi-finals and others were watching the hockey semi-finals. A sports fan's heaven. We hung out until we left for the airport for the red-eye home. I was looking forward to being home, but really glad I had the opportunity to visit Vegas with Judy.

Day 3: Las Vegas

Today everyone is done at 3 so we will have the afternoon together. Judy's co-worker leaves on the red eye tonight. We have tickets to the Elvis show. I was up early and went to work out in the amazing fitness center. It was as big as one floor of the gym I work out at weekly at home. After the work out I set out to explore more of the stip. Today I was going to visit the Titanic exhibit and the Human Body exhibit at the Excelcer. Yes, most people go to Vegas to gamble, not me, I do the educational exhibits. Hey, I am who I am. The Body exhibit was spiritually moving. To see real, preserved bodies with all of the details was amazing. I could not help but worship my God in praise of how we are fearfully and wonderfully made. I wish I had been more interested in biology and he human body in high school as I think my career path would have been very different. Next I went to the Titanic exhibit. They used a similar approach to that of the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. They gave you a card on the way in that had the name and some information about one of the passengers on the Titanic. The hope was that you would view the exhibit through the eyes of your passenger. When you entered, you entered in second class. The exhibit displayed items consistent with second class and told you a bit about the experience you would have had, if you had traveled as a second class passenger. Next they told you about your experience as a third class passenger and then as a first class passenger. Several of the recovered artifacts were on display in each area. Next you entered the ball room that included the display of the stair case. I would just see the scene from the movie, Titanic, as I entered the room. Next you entered an area that explain the icebergs and the events and timing of the sinking. You then entered an area where a piece of the side of the Titanic was on display. It had been recovered. Then you were able to search list of names on the passenger list to find out if your passenger had survived. My passenger did. They display was very moving and enjoyable. I finished in time to return to my room and get a quick nap before Judy returned. We then headed out for dinner and then to the Eivis show. The show was great They use footage from movies and interviews intertwined with his recordings and life entertainers to provide a great overview of his life and career. After the show we returned to our room only to have our keys unable to open the door. We headed down to the front desk thinking that maybe they keyed the room to have us check out early. The front desk clerk issued us new keys but thought that the battery on the lock may be dead. She told us to try to new keys but call security if they did not work. We got back to the room, tried our keys and nothing. A security person was walking by and call down to the office to get someone to come up to the room. When security arrived he had all he needed. First he tried charging the battery. Nothing. Then he had to drill through the lock to trip the door. Once that lock was destroyed he had to replace the battery and then replace the lock, MMMMM an expensive repair because of the failure of a 5 dollar battery. He encouraged us to call the front desk to ask for a meal voucher or some concession. We did call down and they gave us an extended check out and a 75 dollar meal credit to the bill. At least we could sleep in after spending a hour out in the hallway waiting to get into our room. What an adventure. Tomorrow we had a day to ourselves to explore before our red-eye flight to Detroit.

Day 2: Las Vegas

Judy was out the door early to her conference. I had the day to myself. We were all going to reconnect at 5 for dinner and then we had tickets to the Chriss Angel show. I had not seen Mind Freak prior to going to Las Vegas so I was not sure what to expect, but I always enjoy trying something new. I spent the day walking the strip and visiting the various hotels. I went through New York, New York and try to figure out how realistic the renderings were. I went to the MGM Grant and wandered for a while. I visited several of the interesting stores like the M&M shop. Four floors of M&M themed items. I did not know that it was possible to create that many themed items. I found a camera shop and much to my delight I found someone who could give me informed advice on lenses for my camera. I had by trying to find a good wide angle lens and also determine if it was worth investing in a telephoto lens with power beyond my 150 to 300. I was able to determine a 2x teleconverter was more economical for my needs that a major investment in a 500 to 750 telephoto. I left with a wide angle lens that I am looking forward to using when I get back home. I got back to the room with time for a nap. We reconnected for dinner, at the buffet this time, and then headed out for the Chrss Angel show. It was a great evening in Vegas.

Day 1: Las Vegas Bound

Today we leave for Las Vegas. The last time I was in Las Vegas was 1983 when I spend a couple of nights there on our way back home from the Grand Canyon. I expected Vegas to be very different from what I remembered. We left Detroit early in the morning and arrived in Vegas early in the afternoon. Judy was going on company business and I was along for the ride. I rarely have the opportunity to travel on business when I am NOT the one traveling for business. I was looking forward to some unscheduled time to just explore and then hook up with Judy and the group in the evenings to enjoy time together. We were booked to stay at the Aria hotel. The hotel is located at the center of the strip and has about 4000 rooms. It is a city within a city. It took us forever to check in, but once we did we headed to our room. Once we opened the door to our room, everything came alive. The curtains opened, the lights came one, the TV fired up and included a welcome message to Judy. It was totally impressive. The hotel was amazingly modern with touch pad controls for lights, TV, Curtains, Radio and Alarm. The room was elegant. We then explored the hotel We visited the casino. For me if you have seen one casino you have seen them all. Certainly it was very large and very active. I am not a gambler, so I certainly was not going to spend much time in the casino, but it is still a site to take in and behold. The group connected for dinner at one of the 9 hotel restaurants. It was a Japanese stake house. We all order fish or stake. Our appetizer was interesting: bone marrow. Oh yea, bone marrow. A bone cut in half, with salt and garlic lightly warmed and served with crackers. tried it. I will not order it again. It just tasted very fatty to me. I tasked far more garlic than anything and I can think of other items that taste better with garlic and fatty "stuff". However, I am glad I tried it. For eight people the dinner bill was over $1200.00. Yes, I typed that correctly, $1200.00. The company hosting Judy and her co-worker picked up the tab. I was very thankful for the opportunity to join the group and listen to conversations about the latest medical technology. One thing about being an educator, I find so many things intersect with my job and my interests so it is easy to be engaged on almost any topic. After dinner we walked the strip. One of the most enjoyable sights for me were the fountains in front of the Bellagio hotel. I could have stood in front of those for hours taking in the music and the energy. From there we explored the London hotel. The interior architecture is truly an art form and captures the real London. We hit the bed exhausted ready for adventures waiting for us tomorrow.