Brooklyn to China

Our last trip before the start of the semester proved all over again that the Chinese are a gracious and generous people. We visited one of Lester’s students Glory. He introduced us to his girlfriend’s mother and father, and their hospitality truly exceeded anything we have experienced.

They cooked us an amazing dinner, which started off with delicious sweet dumplings that are enjoyed during Spring Festival. They then took us to their new apartment, a home they are fixing up to move to. We stayed in the bedroom in their brand new apartment for 2 days.

On the second day we were invited to a birthday party, with tons of delicious food. At dinner time we were welcomed into Glory’s home and met his mother and father who also cooked for us. They all took special care of Alemayehu. Below are some pictures of the dear families.

After living in the heart of China, it was almost a shock to be in a thriving metropolis like Hong Kong. In many ways it was so much like New York that we felt quite at home. We took to the subway (MTR) like fish to the water, and used it to travel all around Kowloon. We also took the ferry around on a 2hr trip to Macau.

Our host in Hong Kong was an amazing woman from Singapore, teaching in the anthropology department at the Chinese University. Her home is beautiful and large, a great luxury in Hong Kong. And she was the most gracious host. Saroja if you are reading this, you are welcome to come stay with Lester and I anywhere on the globe, anytime. Just send an email and our house is your house.

Highlights include the big buddha and the sky trolley, the Hong Kong city lights, quick tour of Macau and the Avenue of the Stars. Check out the gallery below for all the best pictures.

Our time in Nanjing was bittersweet. The city is beautiful. Young population with dozens of schools. Very spread out and lots of great attractions. We travelled to Nanjing to explore the universities, to find a place to study. It was a very production trip. And visited many schools, and places of interest. Our train ride there was fun. We travelled on a spacious train for 4 hours. There was even free entertainment for Mayehu, by the young women eager to hold him.

But we made a crucial mistake. Just for future reference for anyone of you who may have the oportunity to travel in China, never travel with a one way ticket, especially up to a month before and after the Chinese New Year. We were stuck in Nanjing with no tickets home 3 weeks before the crazy rush for tickets even began. Lester worked tirelessly that week, standing in line and texting whoever we knew until we finally got bus tickets. Needless to say the busride home was not quite as pleasant.

To my students thank-you for an incredible semester and thank-you for making ShengDa a wonderful place to be.