Teacher Aboard

How was spring break? Since we are in the northern hemisphere, it is spring here in Xiamen, too. Globally speaking, our position at 24 degrees N is at the same latitude as the Florida Keys. So our weather, like Florida's, has been warm during the day and cool at night. Typically this can be the rainy season for Xaimen, but the weather has generally been clear.

Although Pride of Baltimore II serves as an ambassador to all the cities on our itinerary, Xaimen has special significance (importance) for us. Several years ago, the cities of Baltimore and Xiamen arranged a "sister city" partnership of mutual economic interest and support. To celebrate our arrival, a festive ceremony was held to welcome the ship. Dancing lions and Chinese dancers added to the colorful ceremony.

Mr. Benjamin Blum joined us in Xaimen to represent the Mayor of Baltimore City. His job was to meet with government officials and to tour the growing Free Trade Investment Zone that serves as an industrial park for new businesses.

As China remodels its economy, Xiamen is one of five Special Economic Zones throughout the country designed to attract new industry. In six years the Investment Zone has developed power plants, water treatment facilities, railroads, highways, housing for workers, communication systems, and a deep water port to support these new industries. Construction crews work around the clock to meet this pace of growth.

Favorable business practices and the availability of a large population of enthusiastic (eager) workers also add to the appeal of starting a business in this area. The Investment Zone is already host to over 700 new businesses which produce chemicals, medicines, clothes, shoes, machines, electronics, food, and construction materials. Some of the businesses you will recognize are Dell Computer and Kodak Film.

I joined Mr. Blum on his tour of Xiamen's new hospital. I was impressed with its new equipment for patient diagnosis (to identify diseases) and for operations. Xiamen is interested in an exchange of medical information and skills with Baltimore's world famous John Hopkins Hospital.

A CHINESE DINNER

The Vice Mayor of Xaimen, Mr. Lan Fu, hosted Mr. Blum, Captain Miles, and me for a traditional Chinese dinner at the Mandarin Hotel. Chinese people have long standing traditions which add to the formality and elegance of dining. Introductions include the exchange of business cards which are accepted with two hands, read carefully, and treated with respect. Honored guests usually exchange nicely wrapped gifts. Dinner is a variety of dishes served from a large rotating tray called a "lazy Susan." The menu for our dinner included lobster, broccoli, snails, soup, duck gizzards, scallops, fish, vegetables, and fruit. Rice was not served as it is considered a "filler" and not for honored guests. A large soup spoon and chopsticks are used for eating. Juices, water, wine, and beer are served and are used to periodically (every so often) make toasts where guests pause to comment on the lovely dinner or the fine city of Xiamen.

THE CITY OF XIAMEN -- ISLAND OF MUSIC

Xiamen specializes in tourism. Visitors typically come from Taiwan, southeast Asia, Japan, and some from the United States. The Gulangyu Islet (Island of Music), which sits just across from the heart of Xiamen, is quaint and picturesque (pretty). No cars or bicycles are allowed on the island whose narrow streets are lined with old buildings that look a lot like Europe. That's because this is where foreigners lived when they first came to China several hundred years ago. The island is noted for the number of pianos owned by the residents and for the music school on the top of hill, hence its name -- "Island of Music." The island is also home to a fascinating aquarium, lovely gardens, beaches, and elegant homes.

DOWNTOWN

In contrast to the tranquillity of the Gulangyu Islet, the heart of Xaimen is a hub of activity. Home to nearly two million people, cars, buses, mopeds, bikes, and pedestrians (walkers) are constantly in motion. Amazingly enough, no one seems to be in a hurry as all vehicles and people merge into the streets without the assistance of traffic lights!

Downtown streets jammed with shoppers are lined with small shops selling clothes, shoes, tea, fruits, meats, jewelry, and stone statues. Alleys break off to the side with more shops twisting off around corners. Occasionally there is a larger market where fresh fish, meat, and vegetables are sold. These markets have the added feature of live fish on display and butchers chopping on blocks of wood to prepare the meat as requested.

Meanwhile bright neon lights flash at the street level while residents live on the floors above. Their small balconies are filled with plants and laundry drying on clotheslines. Everyone is friendly, patient, and polite despite the crowded conditions. It is an attitude I greatly admire.

ANCIENT CHINESE MUSIC

On one of our excursions (tours), I was lead down one of these alleys and up a tiny flight of stairs that opened into a room housing a lovely stage decorated in oriental style. Mr. Blum, Captain Miles, and I were there to attend a special presentation of traditional Chinese music. The instruments, which date back a thousand years, accompanied lovely Chinese vocalists (singers) whose Nanyin (southern melodies) told stories that have been passed down over thousands of years to the next generation. The entire presentation was a reminder of the long history of China whose origin goes back in time over 5,000 years.

BUDDHIST TEMPLES

On one of my tours outside the city, I was reminded of the age of the incredible Chinese civilization. We stopped to visit a Buddhist temple complex dating back over 1,000 years. The newest temple rests at the foot of the hill while progressively older temples overlook the valley from higher elevations. Twenty monks live on the premises (grounds). Four huge god-like figures loom 30 feet off the floor at both ends of the room to ward off evil spirits while the Buddha sits in the middle where gifts of flowers and food are left before him. Devotees or worshipers light three sticks of incense as they pray to the Buddha. Carvings made over 800 years ago adorn the walls of the older temples. It is amazing to think that worship activities occurred at this site hundreds of years before Captain John Smith sailed into Chesapeake Bay and up the Patapsco River to Baltimore's inner harbor basin, which was then home to several tribes of native Americans.

During my time in Xaimen, I had the chance to visit three very modern schools whose warm welcome was most enjoyable. While underway to Hong Kong, I will share with you stories of life as a student in China.

Till then
Later,
Leslie Bridgett

YOUR THOUGHTS

1. If you were to plan a welcome ceremony for first time visitors to America, what would you include?
2. If you wanted to start a business building computer games, what services would you want the industrial park where your business was located to offer?
3. How does a traditional Chinese dinner compare to an American Thanksgiving dinner?
4. How would you describe a city street in Baltimore, or your home town, to someone who has never been to America?
5. Use the log's description of a street in downtown Xiamen to draw a picture.
6. List the types of music that are typically American.
7. Compare a Buddhist temple to an American church.

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