Good-bye Chengdu

"Ready or not it's time to leave!" I remember saying those words before we came to Chengdu, China. Now I'm saying them as we get ready to return to America. The past ten months have passed somewhat fast. Most experiences in Chengdu have been good.  However, I'll admit there have been some rough days. Now, as I prepare to leave China my thoughts have been reflective.

I WON'T MISS . . . .
the spitting!  Everyone spits in China and they do it from the car, bus, bike, motorbike, or any other moving vehicle and as they walk. It's a three step process.

• First, the drainage is sucked to the back of the throat. 
• Second, The mixture of saliva and drainage is rolled in the back of the throat making a weird snorting sound. 
• Lastly, the person spits the mixture to the ground. 

The spit can be found everywhere, on the street, classroom, grocery store, bathroom floor, or a myriad of other strange areas. I've seen bus drivers make the snorting sound, suck up the saliva from the back of the throat, and then spit the yellow disgusting stuff high into the air and out the window as they drove down the road. Everyone is good at this.... men, women, and children. I've learned to avoid spit remains wherever they may land, and to move away when I heard the snorting sound. Look out for spitters! They are found everywhere in China.

the horn honking! The traffic in China appears crazy to a foreigner, but the orchestration or flow of it all seems to work for the Chinese. To me, as a foreigner, the symphony of vehicles appears to have no conductor. Imagine a city of 14 million people moving about in cars, scooters, bikes, and other creative vehicles with wheels. Drivers dart in and out of lanes and even onto walkways and sometimes traveling down the wrong side of the street.. Horn honking is a means of notification to other drivers or pedestrians that a vehicle is approaching. The honks are  loud, constant, sometimes ignored, and prevalent everywhere. It's like the little boy calling wolf--nobody listens anymore.

Much is said about the air pollution in China, but I think the noise pollution or horn honking is a big issue as well. Here's a picture of many cars, bikes, and people in an intersection. Imagine those cars all honking at the same time and you can imagine the noise.

the squatter toilets! A squatter is a porcelain hole in the ground used for human elimination. Learning to squat low enough to hit the hole with little splash was a challenge. The bathrooms usually stunk so it was even more difficult to squat the knees, keep the dress or pants held tight away from the squatter, and hold the nose at the same time (my balance isn't the best).

I counted it a blessing if I found a western toilet with toilet paper. It was an even greater blessing if I found soap and paper towels in the restroom. Over time, I became more used to the smell and my squats were easier. The good news is my knees are stronger from all the knee bends. Here's a picture of a 'squatty potty' in an elementary school. It was cleaner than most, but you'll get the idea of how it works from the picture.

the crowded subways, trains, and buses! Chengdu is a huge city that covers a vast amount of area. So most people travel by bus or subway. The crowded rides were too close for comfort. When possible, we boarded public transportation at a non-rush hour time. Here's some pictures of a couple of our crowded experiences. Unfortunately, those close quarters happened a little more often than we liked.

We were among the crowds exiting the train station. Claustrophobia yikes!

A crowded bus! We were in there somewhere.

Chinese sidewalks! Sweet ladies are found sweeping the streets and sidewalks in Chengdu (I will miss these sweet ladies because they tried so hard to keep things looking nice, but it's hard to keep a place clean when everyone is careless with trash and other things.)

For example, children were allowed to pee and poo anywhere. We caught many a parent holding a child while the child did his duty. Sometimes it was in a trash can and sometimes it was right in the middle of the sidewalk.  When small children, in China, are potty trained they wear split pants to make the experience easier. Take a look. We got some great pictures of the process.

the smoking in public places! 
I've been around smoke before in the US, but in China it's different. Smokers are everywhere. They smoke in the university, grocery stores, restaurants, bathrooms, buses and almost all public places. Maybe in ten years there will be more regulations.

Some of the Chinese food was yucky! We were told before we came to China that the food was good in Sichuan Province. What we should have been told was that the food is HOT in Sichuan Province. There is a spice in most of the food here that numbs the mouth. Take a look at some of the food we've eaten here.

Fish with eyes and seasoned with  hot spices

pork market

fish market

many types of fungus

goat

pig snout

a good vegetable put in the hotpot

Hotpot is a famous dish in Chengdu. A bowl of sauce is heated at the table. Many varieties of meats and vegetables are put into the hot sauce and cooked. We enjoyed hotpot. However,we always requested the bowl of sauce have two types, one hot and one mild. We always used the mild sauce for cooking. Otherwise the spicy side was extremely hot!

Notice how the bowl is divided. The dark side is the spicy flavoring and the lighter side is the chicken broth.

Many choices to put in the hotpot

potatoes

This is our friend Sophie, showing us how it's done!

the random illnesses! 
On one of our travels to the mountains I was bitten by hundreds of mosquitoes. I forgot to use repellent and I suffered because of the mistake. As our bodies adjusted to the culture and food we had mild cases of diarrhea. Later, I had an eye infection that required a visit to the hospital for medication. Pete got a hacking cough from the pollution.Luckily, we were generally very healthy.

I scratched for two weeks straight on these lovely bites! The medication from the doctor didn't work. Finally, a student came to my rescue and shared some of his anti-itch medicine. It did the trick after two long weeks of sleepless nights. I have a few scars left on both legs. I was bitten everywhere the clothing didn't cover. 

the bad pollution!
Every morning I checked the weather and the air pollution. Most days the air pollution was dangerous. Here's some pictures of the bad stuff.

the unusual signs with English translations!
It's quite humorous to read the English signs. Here are a few of the funny ones.

THINGS I WILL MISS. . . . .
Our cute little apartment! We worked hard to make our apartment into a comfortable place. However, I will not miss the small and low kitchen sink, the small refrigerator, the small washing machine. Hanging all our clothes to dry was hard and it took a long time to dry because of the moist air  I loved our office, front room, and bedroom. It always felt good to come home and relax after a long hard day of work or play. We were lucky to have a two bedroom apartment, kitchen, bath, front room, and laundry room.

our weekly head, shoulder, arm, hand massage, and hair wash!
We discovered a great hair salon shortly after arriving in China. My hair needed to be cut and a friend who lived in the same apartment complex showed me where I could get it cut. Pete purchased a card which guaranteed us a good price. A haircut with a massage and style was 20 rmb, $3.50 American dollars. A shampoo, style, and massage was 10 rmb, $1.50 American money. A haircut and massage lasted about an hour and a half. The shampoo and massage was about the same amount of time. We went every week. What a bargain. This was a treat we looked forward to enjoying each week. Our family enjoyed the salon when they came to visit.

Lisa and Steve standing in front of our salon. Emily was taking a picture of them.

1st step - wash hair while sitting in the chair. Notice the bottle of water she uses to make the shampoo work.

The head massage is next and it feels so good

lots of lather on the head - Pete was taking pictures of the process

The next step is the neck, shoulder, arm, and hand massage.

the eyebrows were also shaped 

the haircut is always done by men

the styles were always interesting and different each time

These two girls were are favorites. They gave wonderful massages to us. Pete's hairstyles were usually blown back. It was always a new style for us both. We loved our experiences at the hair salon and will miss the pampering!

Pete will miss the creative kites and kite flyers!

A kite festival we attended

Many of the kites were very creative

Some were big

Some were small

they were all creative

Pete and Kent went to the old campus to watch people fly kites. A Chinese gentleman showed them how it was done and let them use his kite to learn.

notice the cool reel used to hold the string and guide the kite

Pete helped Regan fly a kite at one of the kite festivals

the Sichuan opera!
This is more like a variety show than an opera. Many performers show their talent. We watched, fan dancers, shadow plays (they were great), tea pot performers, Chinese acrobats, fire breathers, feather dancer, long sleeve dancers and the face changing activity. In Thailand we saw the ladies dance with bent fingers and long nails. It was all beautifully done and entertaining.

Face changing - the performer quickly changed faces. It was a trick that we never figured out.

Thailand dancers with long fingernails

the parks! It was delightful to take a walk in the evening and enjoy the parks. Here the people gather in the evening with family to enjoy the activities and beauty there. Many dance and sing. Some play Mahjong, a game of Chinese origin usually played with four people,144 domino like tiles marked in suits, counters, and dice. There is a variety of activities in the city at night. During the holidays the parks were decorated with lanterns and colorful designs.

Lantern Festival - mid February

Dufu's Cottage - a great park honoring the Chinese poet, Dufu

sword dancing

People's Park - lots of dancer and performer

Mahjang being played by the men

Parents and grandparents post ad's for their children in hopes that someone will take their child on a date

Chinese chess is a favorite game of the elderly. They play the game everywhere, including parks

the people!  The people of China are awesome. Most of them are trying to survive by working hard so they can eat and provide for their families. Many have tried to communicate with us as we've walked the streets and rode public transportation with them. They all like to take pictures of a foreigner too. Pete was stopped several times for a photo shot because they thought he looked like Bill Gates. Peter told them he was Bill Gate's brother.

The Chinese don't line up to enter public transportation. Instead they gather and push to get on the bus, subway, or train. However, once they're aboard the mode of transportation, they always offer seats to the elderly, handicapped, or anyone holding a child. I think they're a courteous, hard working people. I will miss the Chinese. Enjoy the pictures of the Chinese in many different situations.

This man is collecting boxes and plastic to recycle

overnight delivery of packages 

A delivery boy/man 

Store meetings were always held outside the shop. They stand very uniformly as they receive their instructions

A big delivery truck dropping merchandise at the Wholesale/Lotus Market

The street sweepers work very hard keeping the sidewalks clean

I will miss the 'sweet potato' vendors 

These portable houses are built for the construction workers. Once the building is completed the houses are taken down and moved to a new building site. 

workers raking, and planting grass

The street sweepers make their own brooms. They brooms work great because they're so big.

This is the water bike. Pete talked Chinese to the water people trying to order water. Then, our water was delivered to our apartment on this bike. The Chinese are excellent at balance.

Another street vendor.They're all over China. Here she's selling chestnuts 

The hard work of a lifetime is shown on this lady's face

Planting grass is a tedious process, one clump at a time.

the children! It was such a delight to watch families appear in the evening hours. The children are always with the grandparents during the day because they are the caretakers of the children while the parents work. In the evening, the families play together.  China is a family centered culture. I loved getting to know the people. The children are generally shy but sometimes an outgoing child will venture to talk English. Here are some pictures of the beautiful Chinese children.

A private elementary school where our friend Regan attended

These girls lived in our gated community

Our friend Regan on an outing with us. He was searching for chicken eggs

Lots of toys are everywhere for children to enjoy.

One evening we took our tutoring kids outside for some hopscotch.

our branch! I couldn't have made it 10 months in China without the support and love given to us from our branch members. Many are now my close friends. They have fed, partied, counseled, and spiritually fed us while we've lived in China. Hopefully, our paths will meet again someday. This picture was taken at the branch conference. Most of the members are in the picture. While we were in Chengdu the membership was included approximately 50 people.

My primary class

Izzy, another child in my primary class

Pete's primary class

Pete talked at Morgan's baptism. Morgan was in his primary class.

pot luck dinners

great friends, my sisters

Lily and her son Bob. Regan from Pete's primary class in next to Pete.

President Weaver and his wife Melisa

The Nelson family fromour Branch

all the BYU Teachers from 2013-2014! We so enjoyed seeing all the BYU teachers in the China Teachers Program (CTP) when we traveled. Many are close friends now. Hopefully, we will see each other again sometime.

This picture was taken at the Hong Kong Conference. A few teachers were missing

our students!
The teaching experience at UESTC couldn't have been better. We learned about the Chinese culture from our students. We learned how to teach English to the Chinese. We learned to love and appreciate the hard work of our students and we learned to overcome frustrations. We were lifted and supported and able to do hard things. Pete and I both have been changed to the better from having lived and taught in Chengdu.
Here's some pictures of our students.

Dennis Ki from Vickie's International Class

Vickie's UOG class first semester

Peter's  UOG Class 2nd Semester

Wang Dang our Waiban (foreign liaison)

Shahe Campus-Administration building with Kent and Rhonda Wood

the old campus, Shahe teaching building

Qingshuihe Campus - Administration building

Quingshuihe Campus-library one of the best in the nation

Qingshuihe campus- teaching buildings 

Vickie's graduate class 1st Semester

UOG 2nd Semester Class

Peter's UOG Class 2nd semester

Peter's UOG 2nd Semester

Vickie's UOG 2nd Semester

Peter's UOG 2nd Semester

Vickie's UOG 2nd Semester

Lunch at Peter's Tex Mex with our UOG Students 2nd Semester

Tony Z & Rachel (boyfriend and girlfriend UOG Students) 

UOG 2nd Semester

More UOG at Peters Tex Mex

Outside Peter's Tex Mex with UOG   Students

Out favorite waitress at Peter's Tex Mex. Pete and I will both miss Peter's. It was our favorite restaurant in Chengdu!

two students from Peter's U-clan group 1st Semester

Peter's U-clan group

Peter's graduate class 1st semester

Peter's graduate class 1st semester

Vickie's International students 1st semester

Vickie's international students 1st semester

Vickie's international class 1st semester

other foreign teachers and friends! We made friends with many teachers from Japan, France, England, and America. Some of them lived in our apartment complex. We also made friends with other teachers from China. We will miss all of them.

Liam was from New York. He taught English

Nancy was from Wisconsin. She taught English

Big Fred was from Denver, Colorado. He was an English teacher.

our Japanese friend taught Japanese

Ilana was from the states and taught English 

Steve was from England and taught English

Another Japanese friend who taught Japanese

Freddie and his girlfriend Maggie. Freddie taught English. He was from Arizona.

Li was over the graduate students

Our friend, Sophie an English teacher at UESTC, is third from the left. Sophie took us to her parents home so we could meet her family. L-R Sophie's brother-in-law, Sophie's sister, Sophie, Jerry, (Sophie's nephew), Peter & Vickie, Sophie's mom & dad, Sophie's best friend, Estella. We loved spending time with Sophie's family. Her mother cooked a good meal at lunch for us. We walked around the town and then enjoyed hotpot with all of them. We enjoyed being with them. Sophie has been a good friend to us in China. We will miss her, but she is going to America to teach so our paths hopefully, will cross again. 

Pete tutored Carl

Pete tutored Tony

The four and five year-olds I tutored. Left to right: Jerry Jr., Andy, Me, Jim, Thomas, & Apple

The seven and eight year-olds I tutored. Left to right; Jake, Penny, CC, Me, Cindy, Jessica, & Sally 

Good-bye Chengdu! Who knows, maybe someday we will come again for a visit!