Teacher Aboard

THE ROUTINE OF PORT VISITS

As we approach our third Asian city, I am gaining a better understanding of Pride II's routine each time she arrives in a new port. The home office in Baltimore sends someone ahead of us to confirm arrangements for docking and sends a FAX to Captain Miles noting any special details. Prior to our entry into the harbor, the crew spends time rinsing down the ship and making preparations for docking. Once docked, Captain Miles meets with customs officials and a harbor agent to clear the ship for entry into the port. These officials must also clear the crew for going ashore by looking at their passports and issuing them passes. The crew tidies up the ship and goes aloft to secure the sails neatly. This is called a harbor furl.

Shortly after docking, there is a welcoming ceremony with dancing lions, music, press, and speeches by dignitaries. Over the course of the week, Pride II is host to many tours by students as well as business and government groups. During these times, the crew provides information and answers questions for our visitors. There is at least one Open House for the general public. On certain afternoons and evenings, Pride II also serves as the venue (place for an event) for businesses who have hired her as a unique place to hold a reception for their guests.

Caterers provide food and guests mingle on the ship while enjoying their visit to an 1812 topsail schooner. Most of the time, these receptions occur while the ship is tied to the dock. But sometimes the ship takes the guests out sailing. So far in China, we haven't been able to hold sailing receptions because of government restrictions or because the harbor has been too busy. While in port, the crew takes turns acting as hosts during receptions, maintaining the ship, and taking shore leave. In the evening, they usually have free time to use as they choose. They like to go ashore and find out what's going on in the fascinating cities we're visiting.

As the teacher on board, I have my own itinerary (schedule). Typically I visit three schools. I try to go to schools of different grade levels, like elementary, middle, or high, or to schools with special kinds of instruction, such as English language study. I attend some dinners and meetings as a special representative of Pride II.

In an effort to learn more about the area and take photographs to show you guys on the Internet, I take tours of the city by any means I can. In the ports we've visited so far, local teachers, new friends, and government officials have generously offered their time and services to show me around. In my free time, I walk the town to add to my collection of ideas and pictures. Toward the end of my visit, I write my log and select the pictures that best describe to you my experiences.

The time in port is high paced for everyone. During the week-long journey to the next city, the crew settles back into the sailing routine and I try to catch up on my logs. Before arriving, I read about the upcoming port so I can make good use of my short time ashore. Hong Kong is only a day away, but while we're still at sea I have more discoveries to share about Xiamen.

SEAFOOD

Everywhere you look, it is obvious that Asians love their seafood. At night the horizon is peppered with fishing boats forcing us to pick our way down the coast with careful attention to the radar. When walking the streets or exploring the markets of Xiamen, seafood of all kinds are on display -- crab, lobster, fish, squid, octopus, mussels, oysters, scallops, shrimp, and eels. In the bay surrounding Xiamen, nets supported by floats enclose pens for raising seafood. This process of raising seafood, called aquaculture, fills many of the inlets which are tucked away from the main harbor.

TIDES AND THE HARBOR

Xiamen is proud to offer a deep water port for large ocean tankers. However, in this harbor there is tidal range of 15 feet. This means the water is 15 feet lower at low tide than it is at high tide. This great tidal range is very obvious because it leaves smaller boats resting on the bottom at low tide. The low tide provides a convenient (easy) opportunity for local watermen to inspect and repair the hull (bottom) of their boats. In addition to the large fleet of fishing boats that are about 150 feet long, the harbor is host to several smaller navy ships and many sampans (special wooden boats) used by local people for trade and transport. There are very few recreational boats such as runabouts or sailboats.

A SPECIAL AREA FOR SCHOOLS

On a peninsula (narrow strip of land) in the harbor, an area called Turtle Gardens has been set aside to establish a collection of schools ranging from elementary to university. The ornate (detailed) oriental architecture serves as a reminder of the long Chinese tradition that these schools will share with their students. Along a promenade (walkway) extending into the harbor, an "encyclopedia" of stories is carved into a low stone wall. By interpreting (reading) the wall, students may study topics in history, science and literature. Statues and gardens add to this lovely setting for academic studies.

SCHOOLS IN XIAMEN

China continues to amaze me with their modern schools and intensive academic program. At all levels the schools are well equipped with computers, libraries, and athletic facilities (buildings for sports). At Xiamen Doubleten Middle/High School, I was able to demonstrate Pride II's web page using audio visual equipment that allowed the computer image to be projected on a large screen for the audience.

These classrooms open into courtyards graced with a large stone waterfall. Since the schools are located in a subtropical climate, the architecture is open and uses balconies and breezeways for natural ventilation. The school campuses (buildings & grounds) are lovely and are enhanced by plants and flowers.

Although the setting may appear relaxed, the work load is intense. When free time is available on weekends, students enjoy basketball, ping pong, chess, soccer, and shopping. Students provide their own transportation to school or else they board (stay over night) during weekdays if the distance is too great.

Due to China's large population, families are encouraged to have only one child. As such these students represent the future of their family and they take their studies very seriously.

China's rapid economic growth and modernization will need well educated, skilled young people. Students seem keenly aware of the correlation (match) between their efforts in school and their future success.

LIFESTYLE

The pace is constant but unhurried. Every activity seems to have its sense of place and time without any particular fuss. Even the traffic, which is constantly on the move, seems to have a rhythm of its own. Buses, mopeds, bicycles, bikes toting goods, shoppers, and folks carrying balanced baskets over their shoulders flow in and out of the arteries of streets without the assistance of traffic lights or stop signs. There is a free flow to the activity that demonstrates clearly that these people have mastered the art of merging.

The harbor is much the same as ferries crisscross the waterway and sampans (local wooden boats) roar past puffing exhaust fumes.

The only contrast to this beehive harmony is the Gulangyu Islet (Island of Music) that sits across the narrow harbor. Large elegant houses stand majestically on the hills surrounded by quiet narrow roads open only to foot traffic and carts. Old trees hang gracefully over weathered brick and stucco walls. When you peek through the open gates of these walled mansions, the tranquillity of the old homes beckon with their porches, gardens, and balconies. Half open shutters over windows and doors lend an air of mystery. You wonder, "What's it really like inside?" At the foot of Xiamen's busy main street near the ferry terminal, small parks and promenades (walkways) overlook the harbor that divides these two worlds - the city and the island. Both places have a sense of harmony but they indeed "step" to different drums.

Moving out from this center of activity, the perpetual (constant) growth of Xiamen reaches out like frost spreading on a window. Construction crews work through the night to keep pace with the hopes of developers. A Special Economic Zone has been set up to invite international companies to do business here. To meet their needs, China is stepping up her effort to provide a good education for the population so they will be ready to work in the new enterprises (businesses). In the midst of this constant flurry of activity, there are still reminders of a quieter lifestyle. A thousand year old Buddhist Temple rests high on a hill above rice paddies tended by farmers using age old methods of raising crops. China dates back 7,000 years. Tradition and change have shared a place in her long and colorful history.

HONG KONG

My readings on Hong Kong suggest that this huge financial center of Southeast Asia will have a personality all its own. The gentle motion of the ship as she slips westward along the southern coast of China is giving all of us a chance to rest before the excitement of Hong Kong unfolds.

Resting, but anxiously anticipating (looking forward to) the sights of Hong Kong,
Leslie Bridgett

YOUR THOUGHTS

1. List the ways Pride II serves as an ambassador (providing services) to Asian cities on behalf of the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland.
2. Describe your school building and a typical day at your school. How do you think your school compares to other schools in America?
3. Make a list of seafood caught in Asia and a list of seafood harvested from Chesapeake Bay. What are the differences?
4. What role will aquaculture (raising seafood) play in the future?
5. How does limiting the number, season, and size of seafood (such as fish, crabs, and oysters) taken from Chesapeake Bay affect the future of the Bay's seafood industry?
6. Chesapeake Bay's tidal range is approximately one to two feet as compared to a range of 15 feet between high and low tide in Xiamen. How might this large change in water level affect docks, currents, ships, and fishing activities in Xiamen?
7. Select a topic in science (such a landing a man on the moon) or history (such as pioneers settling the West) and tell the story in pictures. Exchange pictures with a classmate to see if they can interpret (read) your story.
8. Why do you think Chinese students work so hard on their academic studies?
9. How do your free time activities compare to those of Chinese students?

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