1. I’m in Zhuhai. It’s right on the south coast of China, a 50 minute high speed ferry ride from Hong Kong.

2. The university is made up of 16 colleges and there is over 16,000 students. It’s a busy place.

3. Classes here are traditionally taught with a straight lecture style. The professor usually just talks away on a microphone at the front of the class and there is little interaction. I tried this for one week and then abandoned the microphone in favor of the style I am used to (and much prefer). Now I walk around and ask them questions in an attempt at interaction. The students are slowly getting used to me and I to them but it’s a struggle for both of us.

4. The 400 students I am teaching are in what is called the 2 + 2 program. They study for two years in China and then go abroad for two years. Thirty-four of my students are going to SMU this Fall. They are asking me lots of questions about SMU and Canada. Some have taken me out for supper to chat which I enjoy tremendously.

5. I joined a gym downtown which between bus and cab takes me an hour to get to. I’m trying to get there twice a week. Getting around is difficult as very few people speak English but I have learned what bus to take (although I took the wrong one yesterday). I asked my teaching assistance to write up a list of places on a paper which I keep in my wallet. When I take a cab, I then show the drivers who don’t speak English where I want to go. The system is working out quite well although if I ever lose the paper you probably won’t see me again.

6. I make myself breakfast and then eat out lunch and supper. Food is very cheap and a good meal costs $2 or less. I can buy a can of beer for 40 cents. Yes, I’m drinking a lot of tsing tao beer.

7. You can’t drink tap water so everyone drinks bottled water.

8. I have a little washer on my balcony and I hang up clothes to dry on rods on the balcony like everyone does here.

9. I run 2-3 times per week. It’s usually very hot and humid (low is only 24) so I’m getting in great shape.

10. Macao is not far which is the Las Vegas of the far east and Hong Kong is close but if I leave mainland China I can’t get back in. I could only get a single entry visa due to restrictions China has in place because of the Olympics. I’ll tour around in Macao and Hong Kong for a few days before I fly out (May 30).

11. China is obsessed with two things it seems – business and the Beijing Olympics.

12. Two nights ago four of my students took me downtown to a great restaurant for dinner where the five of us had a private room. Had the most amazing evening discussing the world and China including political views. At times we disagreed but in a respectful way. Definitely one of the most amazing evenings of my life.

13. So many people here. The lack of personal space can be difficult at times.

Yes, I have many observations to talk about when I get back re. China.

Scott