..... a 2 1/2 hour train ride Friday took me to this new place to discover. Qiqihar is a city of 1 million plus, west-northwest of Harbin, near the border of Mongolia. One of my students invited me to go to his hometown with him for the weekend where he got me settled into a hotel across the street from Qiqihar University. Friday afternoon I had the great honor and opportunity to meet informally with a group of students (note the photo), which was arranged with the university by my student.
The university and hotel are situated next to a small lake which is landscaped with trees and shrubs, as well as a brick walk all along it's shoreline, providing a wonderful place for relaxation. The 2 mornings I was there I joined many others at 6 AM for their daily exercise walk around the lake. I look forward to returning when the barren branches are bursting forth with life and leaves.
Besides shopping, meeting some of my student's relatives, and having some great Chinese food at his 80 yr. old grandmother's (I asked if I could take her cook home to the US with me!), I found myself at a very full Chinese church Sunday morning. Several songs of beautiful melodies were being sung and I was wishing I knew the words. The service ended with our celebrating communion together.
The train ride back to Harbin last night was uneventful, but on the crowded train Friday I met a 39 year old man from Qiqihar who works for the railroad and is also going for his doctorate. He's in Harbin during the week for work, so I may try to contact him in the future. He was happy for the opportunity to meet an American and use some of his English.
The adventures continue!
2 comments:
It sounds so interesting, Jim. It's good to see you with the students. Is anyone thinking of visiting you this summer?
Being with the students is great - I love it. And it helps me feel young until I see myself in a picture with them! Then I wonder why they would want to hang around with an old guy like me. But they say I'm young at heart. Yesterday one student thought I was in my 40's! But, as I say, you may not feel like you're 80, but the fact is, you still are.
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