October 21, 2013

I had some great teaching experiences this past week.  On Wednesday I presented a lecture to a law student organization at their request on Marbury v. Madison, considered to be the most important United States Supreme Court case because it established the Court as an equal branch of government, as the branch that interprets the law and as the branch that has authority to overrule what it considers to be unconstitutional acts of the other two branches of government.  I also enjoyed teaching about American tort law this week. Marilyn and I both agree that what we enjoy the most about being in China is what we are here to do and that is to teach.

A few weeks ago we traveled to the Northwest part of China during a school break.  Had someone told me I was in Turkey and not China, it would have been believable as you will see from the following pictures.

We purchased slices of melon from this fellow.  It was the sweetest melon that I have ever had.  He was doing a brisk business on a hot day at about 50 cents a slice.

 

All kinds of raisins: red raisins, green raisins, black raisins, yellow raisins, sweet raisins, sour raisins, etc.

Does this look like China or Turkey?  It is northwestern China.

 

This fellow not only sold pomegranates, but also fresh squeezed pomegranate juice.

 

 

This is still what many people call home today.

A savvy traveler who knows to keep her backpack in front where she can see it.

Handmade and ornate clothing items.

 A soon to be experienced camel rider. 

 

 

 

 Food is often served on a revolving tray in the center of the table. If you are adept with chop sticks, you take food for your plate as it comes by. 

 

 

 



This is a very impressive site that is still being developed.

I couldn't resist taking this picture.  I think this is the Merrill Lynch bull!  From what we have seen this could easily be the symbol of present day China.

October 10, 2013

It is difficult to describe how crowded the subways are at rush hour.  But the following picture shows why rush hour may not be the best time to return from grocery shopping.  We thought the subway car was full, then a few more waves of people entered.

We are learning more about the various dynasties in China.  We are within an hour's bus ride to a an exhibit about the Ming Dynasty (14th century to 17th century).  The pictures that follow are from that visit.

"The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China for 276 years (1368–1644) following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, described by some as "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic Han Chinese. Although the primary capital of Beijing fell in 1644 to a rebellion led by Li Zicheng (who established the Shun Dynasty, soon replaced by the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty), regimes loyal to the Ming throne – collectively called the Southern Ming – survived until 1662."

 

Building that housed the exhibits.

 

Above is a model of the type of ship used by Zheng He, a great Chinese admiral who was active in the 15th century.

 

 

"Zheng He was placed as the admiral in control of the huge fleet and armed forces that undertook these expeditions. Wang Jinghong was appointed his second in command. Preparations were thorough and wide-ranging, including the use of such numerous linguists that a foreign language institute was established at Nanjing. Zheng He's first voyage departed July 11, 1405, from Suzhou and consisted of a fleet of 317 ships holding almost 28,000 crewmen.
Zheng He's fleets visited Brunei, Thailand and Southeast Asia, India, the Horn of Africa, and Arabia, dispensing and receiving goods along the way. Zheng He presented gifts of gold, silver, porcelain, and silk; in return, China received such novelties as ostriches, zebras, camels, and ivory from the Swahili. The giraffe he returned from Malindi was considered to be a qilin and taken as proof of the favor of heaven upon the administration.
While Zheng He's fleet was unprecedented, the routes were not. Zheng He's fleet was following long-established, well-mapped routes of trade between China and the Arabian peninsula employed since at least the Han Dynasty. This fact, along with the use of a more than abundant amount of crew members that were regular military personnel, leads some to speculate that these expeditions may have been geared at least partially at spreading China's power through expansion."

 

A view of the Yangtze River from the top of the building shown below.

 

 

A part of the old city wall of Nanjing

September 29, 2013

September 29, 2013

Teaching is certainly the most enjoyable and rewarding experience we are having in Nanjing.  Nanjing University is one of the top Universities in China and the students we teach are some of the best in China.  In one of the law classes I taught last we week, we discussed the Bill of Rights and other rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution.  As part of our class discussion, we reviewed a controversial United States Supreme Court case.  I do not let the students know my view of the case.  I simply try to explain the issues and rationale for the case and ask questions that I hope cause deep thinking.  After the class some of the students came to me and expressed concern that the Constitution seemed to be interpreted to allow what they considered to be wrong behavior.  It troubled them that a people with great freedom would use it in that manner.  It is perceptive on their part to understand that with freedom comes a responsibility to be wise in its use.

This last week we sent to a park that had some interesting features as the following pictures demonstrate.

Marilyn and I are standing in front of an active Buddhist temple.

 

A view from the doorway

 

 

A music practice session in the park.

 

 

As you see below, an interesting pastime for many is to bring their caged birds to the park so the birds can get some fresh air and the owners can visit.  I would liken this to the sociality that exists among those in American who take their dog for a walk and enjoy the company of those doing the same thing.

 



This fellow had seven birds that enjoyed some fresh air.  He said he had seven more at home.  It will be their turn next time.


A very interesting feature of the park was a display of polished rocks in their natural shape.  Below are examples of some of the magnificent exhibits.

 

 

September 22, 2013

 

 

This past week the Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated in Nanjing.  Classes were not held on that day.  This is a family oriented holiday.

 

"The Mid-Autumn Festival is a popular harvest festival celebrated by Chinese and Vietnamese peoples. The festival is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, during a full moon, which is in late September or early October in the Gregorian calendar, close to the autumnal equinox.  Today, it is still an occasion for outdoor reunions among friends and relatives to eat moon cakes and watch the moon, a symbol of harmony and unity.   Making and sharing moon cakes is one of the hallmark traditions of this festival. In Chinese culture, a round shape symbolizes completeness and unity. Thus, the sharing of round moon cakes among family members signify the completeness and unity of families.  In modern times, however, making moon cakes at home has given way to the more popular custom of giving moon cakes to family members, although the meaning of maintaining familial unity remains. ^"

 

We received gifts of moon cakes as shown below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The moon cakes have different fillings, some are savory and some are sweet.  My favorite was one that had a filling somewhat like a pineapple gum drop. 

 

The following are pictures of where we live and places on or near campus within walking distance of where we live.

Our kitchen, small but adequate.

 

Our living room.

The entrance to where we live.

 

 

A fountain on the way to class buildings on campus.

 

 

 

 



Vendors are active where there is space.

 

 

 

 



Where we have documents printed and copied for our classes.

 

 

There is an abundance and a tremendous variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

More vendors.

The entrance to the old campus.  I teach one class on this campus and one on the new campus.

 The students shower in this building.  Showers are not available in the dormitories.  We have complete facilities in our apartment.

 

 

 

 My barber at work.

 

 

 

 

Last week I asked my students for written input as to why they are taking the classes I teach and what they want to gain from class.  Many would like to study in America and want to be as prepared as possible for that experience.  Many want to experience as much as possible what American students experience in the class room. 

 

 

15 September 2013

Shopping for Groceries

 

The supermarkets in China are full of commodities to buy.  In addition to much of what is found in America, there are many unfamiliar items as the following pictures demonstrate. Many of the aromas from these items are pleasant.  What we lack is the knowledge of how to use all that is available.  Some offerings as you will see would not likely find their way to an American table.  I am trying not make judgments and simply acknowledge the cultures, customs and food choices are different from my background.

 

 

Shanghai

 

Marilyn and I went to Shanghai this weekend.

 

“Shanghai is the largest city by population in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the largest city proper by population in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities of the PRC, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010.^[update] It is a global city, with influence in commerce, culture, finance, media, fashion, technology, and transport. It is a major financial center and the busiest container port in the world.”



 



 

The closest subway stop is about a five minute walk from where we live.  We took the subway to the train station, about 45 minutes away.

The train station is modern and relies heavily on technology for efficiency.  After our train trip of about an hour and a half to Shanghai, we negotiated a much more complex subway system to get within walking distance of our hotel.  We got lost on the way to our hotel and saw more of Shanghai than we intended to, but all ended well.


What seems to be ubiquitous in China is new construction.  It seems like old buildings are being removed and new ones constructed on almost every corner.

 

The picture above shows part of the construction site for the building below.  Notice what I believe to be temporary housing units for workers.

As you se below, the finished products look good.

For me, the building crane is one of the symbols of China today.

 

 

 

 

A very common mode of transporting goods in the area of Shanghai we saw.

 

 

Marilyn is standing at the beginning of a very active market area.

 

 

The market area from the other end of the street.  From what I have observed, free markets flourish at the most basic levels.  Vendors are everywhere.

Another street in Shanghai

 

My first solo transaction without the help of a local person was to go to a copy shop and explain in gestures that I wanted some items printed from my flash drive.  After the items were printed, I wrote how many copies I wanted.  Fortunately they use the Arabic numeral system here.  I then used the phrase I had been practicing, "How much?" and was shown the amount on a calculator.  I paid and felt like I had closed a million dollar deal.  The copies were for a quiz I gave.

With my confidence bolstered, I determined it was time for a haircut.  I went to a barbershop where it was clear the barber spoke no English.  Before going to the shop I had asked a lady who has been helping us how to say "light trim."  Unfortunately, by the time I arrived at the barber shop, I had forgotten the phrase.  I noticed that everyone there seemed to be getting a crew cut.  That made me a little nervous.  Then I noticed the barber had longer hair.  That was a good sign.  My turn finally came.  I sat in the chair, hoping for the best and knowing that any outcome was only temporary.  Happily, the barber knew what to do and for about $1.50 I got a haircut that will last longer than my usual style, but still a great result.

As to our primary purpose for being here - teaching - we are thoroughly enjoying the experience.  The students are very respectful.  Some, of course, are more motivated than others, but, all in all, I am impressed with their abilities.  We hope we are meeting or exceeding their expectations.