FUNNY, YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE A YOYO

In a weird turn of events, I was asked to teach one section of third grade in addition to my middle school classes (apparently the teacher left after the first week). I took the class somewhat reluctantly, and was pleasantly surprised that after a week, I kind of enjoyed it. There is something about the energy and disposition of young people that is fun to be around. They really crack me up. One interesting thing is that they all have "English" names. Very few of their names however are actually used in the English speaking world. Some are total nonsense like Yoyo and Handsome. Many are stripper names like Kitty and Vivian. And occasionally they hit the jackpot with the highly coveted "Brian".

FIRST GLIMPSES OF THE "REAL" CHINA

For all intensive purposes, Julie and I are living in a gated country club about 40 minutes south of downtown Guangzhou. I'm not complaining, as life "inside" the gates is safe, aesthetically neutral, and comfortable. The Clifford Estates is a massive planned community with man-made lakes, grocery stores, restaurants, schools, and even a hospital, all located within manicured, secured grounds. It makes adjusting to life in a country so different from the US a bit easier. The one big downside to life in Clifford is that it has no resemblance to the "real"China, where most people struggle to get by. Clifford makes life easier, albeit less interesting. These are a few shots from outside the gates.

DOWNTOWN GUANGZHOU ARCHITECTURE

I was pretty impressed today as I went for my first walk with a camera in downtown Guangzhou. Guangzhou is the ninth largest city in the world, though most people in the US have never heard of it. The architecture here is world class. The third picture is of the opera house designed by Zaha Hadid, a really fascinating building. The 4th picture is the newly finished library, designed by a Japanese firm. The last photo is the Canton Tower, the second tallest tv tower in the world. It is probably the most iconic building here in Guangzhou though it was only completed a few years ago. 

THE SEXIEST TOLIET AD I'VE EVER SEEN

TURTLES AT THE FANGCUN PET MARKET

Calling Fangcun a pet market might be a little misleading. The dogs, cats, and fish sold there are in fact intended to be pets. The turtles unfortunately are mostly sold for consumption. Chinese believe that eating turtle meat will increase their longevity. Though most everything we buy in the US is made here in China, a large percentage of the turtles for sale at this market in Guangzhou are bred in the US. Who says we don't have a healthy bilateral trade partnership with China?