As I get ready for a month and half long trip to be follow by 10 months in China I have decided to start a blog.
I have no idea what to expect and except to expect anything. Going into a country of over a billion people will certainly be a change from the spaced out suburbs of Oakville. It is for this reason I am glad to have inherited Berg height as at least my head will always have personal space.
As opposed to a more normal travel routine, I will be doing a 3 weeks of tourism and 3 weeks of teaching in a Highschool in Dalian. I will be working with Maple Leaf Education Systems, teaching History and Comparative Civilizations.
I hope this gives me a more in depth appreciation of Chinese culture as I will be able to interact with students over the three weeks. I have found on past adventures that the more you can understand and appreciate another culture the more you will enjoy your trip. You also tend to get a sense of what you enjoy about your own culture and maybe some things you do not enjoy.
I have recently become aware that the concept of a 'line' is not followed in China. Waiting to get beer at a hockey game, or waiting to go to the bathroom at a hockey game, or waiting to get tickets for a hockey game (clearly missing the NHL playoffs are on my mind) there is always a somewhat orderly line. People understand you let those that arrived before you go first. In China, it seems that with a billion people this idea does not stand true. Apparently people just push to get to the front. For those aware of the story, I believe i may end up yelling "I am not in an excuse me mood, move or be pushed". Though that may just be the norm there. So that is but one aspect of comparing my culture to another.
This first ramble was more just to test out blogger and see if it all works.
More to come.
