BJ13 Enjoying a little lesiure - Project Idea - Scrapbook.com

Inspiration ⁄ Category: Beijing

BJ13 Enjoying a little lesiure

Cheers

Leanne asked if I studied Chinese, and the answer is yes. I studied at the Presidio of Monterey when I was in the military. Then I lived in Taiwan, the Republic of China, for a year and a half, where I continued to learn to speak Chinese. I was fluent when I came home in 1971, but that was a long time ago. When I went to Beijing, I was very uncertain about my ability to speak Chinese, but I found I could speak it better than I could understand it. If I lived there for a couple of months, I am confident that I would regain fluency. The Chinese are very pleased when a foreigner tries to learn their language, and give the foreigner a great deal of encouragement, such as the lady in the black coat who told me she understood me just fine. I had fun talking to these ladies because they were so surprised that I could speak to them, and they were so lavish with their encouragement.

August 26, 2006

I love your whole China album! It is well journaled and definitely something you and your family will treasure!

August 26, 2006

I loved the journaling in this layout! You incorporated the interesting experience of the picture with your perceptions and observations of the people there. I enjoyed "seeing things" through your eyes. You wrote that the lady said she understood what you said in Chineese. Did you study Chineese in school, or did your friend teach you some phrases? It would be nice to see a layout about your endeavors to learn, if you have any memories about it. :)

August 26, 2006

BJ13 Enjoying a little lesiure

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Enjoying a Little Leisure

I was standing in this doorway letting Xiulan take my photo when these women walked by. They had never met an American and wanted to have their pictures taken with me.
They rushed up to get in the picture and then gave their camera to Xiulan and asked her to take pictures of us for them.
The youngest woman hugged me and laid her
head on my shoulder. The older woman in the black coat told me that she understood whatever I said in Chinese.

It surprised me that these women were so friendly. This was not what I expected. I found that many Chinese people, especially the younger ones, are honest about their feelings. Young couples now can be seen on buses, subway trains and on the street hugging and kissing. I
don't remember ever seeing this behavior in Taiwan.

The lives of Chinese women seem greatly improved in many ways. Women have many more career and educational opportunities and marriage is delayed. Couples seem to date out of genuine affection. Children are treated as treasures, and many are dressed in really cute clothes,
perhaps because the family has more resources to spend on each child.
One thing that struck me is that most people seem conscious of the importance of relationships
in their lives and patiently invest in and nurture them.

For people who live nearby and have a lot of
free time, the Summer Palace offers an annual pass at a moderate price.
This is a favorite spot for retirees
to gather and socialize. As the sunlight changes during the day, they move from one favorite spot to another.

This couple shared tea from a thermos and peeled a big jiucy orange and shared that.
Chinese people know how to take pleasure
in simple things, so they often bring some
simple and inexpensive snacks to nibble on as they while away time in conversation.
Some bring cards to play poker. Others
bring musical instruments and strike up
some music. Others sing Chinese Opera.
And a few bring birds in cages to the park.

Created digitally, using PSP 9, Photoshop Elements 2.0, and digital scrapbooking files (like Ekits) from Cottage Arts.

digital scrapbooking Travel China Beijing Leisure Women

No products have been added to this project.

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