The End...

So my year in Pingxiang has come to an end and I have time for one more post as I sit here in my depressingly bare apartment, missing the sounds of Terry’s chair scraping along the floor upstairs…

Over the past week the students have acknowledged the fact that my departure naturally turns me into the world’s greatest teacher and they have expressed their love and devotion with meals and gifts.  English Education 3 took me out for dinner and forced beer down me until I agreed to take them to the Square and watch the old women dance.

EE9 took me and Chrissy for lunch at the new buffet in the city.

It was possibly the sweatiest meal of our lives.


Somehow I ended up kissing Baby.

My Business English fresher classes presented me with books full of messages from them and photos.  Really sweet.  Though the quality of their English somewhat negates their praise and gratitude for all I've taught them.

Some final developments in Pingxiang Land include the opening of a pool at my gym, which has been bliss in the current humidity, and the unveiling of a big Mao statue at the front of the college.  The ceremonial fireworks almost killed Chrissy and I, who were on our last run round the college track.  Pingxiang College apparently ascribes great importance to aesthetics.  See how grand our statue is.  Let’s all ignore the state of the classrooms…

Bob took us out for a final banquet on Tuesday lunch.  We had all been a little annoyed for him for various reasons, such as forgetting to give us references, assistance and huge amounts of money.  But after a few beer challenges and his adamant promise to cook us his famous egg and tomato dish when we come back to visit next year we forgave him.  Here he is arm-wrestling a visiting German…

After lunch Bob wanted to take photos outside the library but we got majorly distracted as we passed Shandong wrap man and ended up all attempting to make our own wraps.  These wraps are some of the best street food in Pingxiang (which is quite a feat as the food here is good).  Here’s Terry’s stunning attempt.

And here I am with wrap man and what I’m pretty sure is a perfect wrap.

Anyway, in conclusion, it’s been a fascinating year: challenging, entertaining and progressive.  There have been ups…

And downs…

Highs…

And lows…

Ingenious inventions...

5-year-olds cage-biking...

And lots and lots of photos...

I’m feeling sad to say goodbye to my first Chinese home and all the people I’ve met here but I’m also feeling ready to move on.  Next year, if all goes to plan, I will be returning to China to study Mandarin on a scholarship from the Chinese government.  Of course, since it’s China, I won’t know where it is, when I start or if I’ve even been awarded the scholarship until next month, a few precious weeks before the new term begins.  But if China has taught me one thing, it’s how to deal with the unexpected.  Perhaps preparation is overrated.

I’m sure I’ll return to Pingxiang next year to visit (if only because I’m leaving half my stuff in Lydia’s apartment).  At the rate the city is developing it’ll probably be unrecognisable but I hope it continues to thrive.  Despite or perhaps because of all its deficiencies and difficulties, my little city has been the perfect introduction to the country and its customs; Pingxiang has been my stepping stone into the culture and my first year of what I hope will be a continued experience of living and learning the bizarre, bewildering and strangely beguiling world of China.