On Sunday I went to my work’s New Year meal. I thought it
would be just the foreign teachers and our bosses. I couldn’t be more wrong. We
went to a hotel. I was asked to write good luck wishes to people for the New
Year on red paper. I signed my name and got given a free gift (a set of
chopsticks. Great! I can practise using them at home now!)
I then got taken into the main room. It was full of tables
and people….400 people in fact. The entire team from the 14 different schools
were there!
A week before the event, I was asked to do a performance at
the meal. I said no because I was feeling unwell. I’m so glad I said no. I had
no idea that I would have had to perform in front of over 400 people!!
Some children and teachers did some performances. I have to
say, the whole experience was a bit strange for me! Five girls began the show.
They are obviously teachers at the school and they performed a dance in little
shorts and crop tops. It was a bit inappropriate for a teacher’s meal but I
don’t think anyone would protest because they were attractive Chinese girls!
Next, some boys who were no older than ten years old
performed some Chinese hip hop dances. At the beginning, I thought they were
good. They were cute with interesting style and good moves. However, the second
song came on and it had lyrics that included, ‘I’m going to shoot you’ and
swear words beginning with ‘f’ and ‘s.’ Again, probably not the most
appropriate song for a work dinner or for children! The foreign teachers looked
at each other awkwardly, trying not to laugh. I looked around and it seemed the
Chinese enjoyed it though!
Two more children came on stage and performed a dialogue. It
reminded me of a performance from the Eisteddfod back in Wales . I think
half the dialogue was supposed to be in English but I didn’t hear any!
Two male singers sang a song each. The first should stick to
his day job. The other was quite a good singer and the Chinese kept offering
him gifts for his singing. By the end he was singing with an arm full of wine,
food and Baijiu, (the VERY strong alcohol that they drink here).
It seems Chinese people are immune to loud sounds. The
microphones were SO loud the whole time. I fear my hearing is not so great now
after that evening!
The meal was over as quick as it had begun. The whole event
lasted about an hour! People were having photos and leaving before the
performances had even ended! I was so surprised. I thought the New Year
celebrations would go on all night! The foreign teachers wondered how much was
spent on the event and that it was a shame the event ended so suddenly.
The foreign teachers
were the last to leave. The workers were taking down the whole display before
we had even left and they were standing next to us impatiently while we
finished our wine! I think that was them ‘subtly’ hinting for us to leave!
The Spring Festival (Chinese New Year to you and I) is fast
approaching and people keep asking me what I’m doing for it. I have no idea!
It seems boyfriends
and girlfriends are going on holiday to places like Indonesia
and Thailand .
The Chinese return to their families. Foreigners go home.
Apparently the Spring festival is like Christmas…except it
lasts over a week!! Everything is closed. I thought that maybe I could do some
travelling around China ,
but travelling is impossible apparently. The roads, trains and planes are grid
locked and even some hotels don’t do business.
What will I do?
Even Natasha, my
closest friend here is going on holiday with her mother. I am going to have to
stock up on an endless supply of food and hope that some people will be around
for me to socialise with! I will get at least four days holiday from work
during this festival. I must not waste them!
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