End of language classes today!!! Had our test which involved: speaking (I did a shopping dialogue, using different fingers for different characters), a listening test where the teachers said something in Chinese and asked us what they’d said and a writing test were you had to write all the characters you could remember (two in my case!!) Then we had another practice of Strip the willow, for the evening’s performance.
The afternoon was left free to us so some (myself included) stayed on campus and lounged around. Others headed to Beijing zoo to see the pandas. 4 o’clock brought some excitement and panic to room 814. For our evening performance tartan sashes were required, which had been dutifully brought. However, someone had forgotten the safety pins required to attach the tartan to the performers. So Lindsey Thomson and myself, ran down the streets of Beijing, as if the locals don’t stare at as enough already!, to the local shopping mall where we frantically searched the chemists and supermarket looking for Safety pins , the one word our phrase book doesn’t contain. In the end after much over-dramatised sign language were had to buy 5 emergency sewing kits, at 15 Yuan each. At this point Lindsey looked at her watch - 4:40PM
our coach was leaving at 5. We arrived back at school at 4:45red faced, sweaty and not remotely ready for the closing ceremony.
The closing ceremony went pretty damn well, charlottes pipes went down a storm no- one fell of stage or tripped during the dance, and the safety pins held our tartan securely in place. The other schools focused more on Chinese culture rather than their native English culture. The event was hosted by our guide Stone, who did a legendary performance of ‘Tomorrow’ to get very one to relax. The buffet dinner at half eight was really nice – although they caterers tried to put in more western style foods, and we are now officially all about the Chinese.
Mairi
Scottish attire
Buffet
Dancing
Panda
Sounds from the closing ceremony
Download intro_to_ceremony_nicole.MP3
Download stone_playing_instrument.MP3
Download music_for_kung_fu.MP3
Just about to post a comment on Day 14 when Day 15 popped up! Where has this week gone? Closing ceremony already.Thanks to Miss Pallut for answering Lynsey's phone, it worked a treat - not sure she wants to come home!! Hope you all did well in your Mandarin tests.
Posted by: Susan & Andrew | July 29, 2006 at 04:38 PM
Hi, I cannot beleive your visit is coming to an end what a wonderful time you must all have had, thanks for sharing it with us. Day 15 looked fun I am sure strip the willow was entertaining. Day 14 - that tent would have been hard to pitch on a DOE expedition!! Enjoy what little time you have left. See you soon Rose x
Posted by: Rose | July 29, 2006 at 05:47 PM
Not at all surprised if none of you show up tonight in Grantown. Coming home for a rest!!!! What an amazing trip. Looking forward to seeing you Laura..
Heather
Posted by: heather | July 31, 2006 at 12:10 PM