This is our home in Changzhou, in the apartment on the right just above the north entrance into Sunshine Garden with the large living room window to the right of two levels of windows which are our two bedrooms, one for us and one for guests. It’s quite a large apartment as is quite comfortable and modern being only about eight to ten years old.
Now that we have returned to Changzhou, the people we left behind as friends and colleagues have rushed to make us feel welcome. The first to make it official that we have returned “home” was Samson, our adopted Chinese son who is the same age as our son back “home” in Canada. Samson came bearing gifts for Maureen and then promptly took us out for a great meal.
This is one of the things we have come to expect here in China. The gift of a meal shared is a special honour. This idea of going out for a meal together as a way to celebrate is one that is shared back home in Canada as well. Last night, we again got invited out to another supper, this time by my co-teacher for two years, Sarah. I won’t be able to have her as my co-teacher this year as she is not going to be teaching for the full year. Today, following our initial staff meeting at the university, we will go out for our first official dinner with various university dignitaries.
It’s really great to have you two back.You know,you two are always popular with the teachers in our school ,and the students as well.By the way,the rent of appartment is very expensive,because of the location ,and it’s double square meters of mine.
I imagine that the apartment will be very comfortable because it will be bigger. We are looking forward to having you at our place for a meal before you leave for your studies.
The sharing a meal together has a long history of friendship and trust in many cultures. Eating with friends in China is one of the most enjoyable ways of spending an evening.
Eating officially has its dangers in the sharing of baijiu, but again a way of building trust and friendship.
And the food in China is great!!
I have learned to bypass the baiju and stick to wine and juices. Somehow, because of my age, I am not as much pressured to drink as are the younger foreign teachers.