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Monday, February 05, 2007

New Friends

The Chinese people here are so kind, accepting, humble and willing to speak to total foreign strangers. We went to a local park that was just beautiful. Nanning is in the subtropics so boasts some really beautiful plant life, palms, flowering trees etc... As we walked through the park we were quite the item drawing a great deal of attention. People were performing traditional Chinese vocals, playing instruments, and practicing tai chi.

We were watching the following group of ladies dancing and they invited us down being quite excited to meet us. One lady spoke some English so we muddled by.



Mr. Lee below spoke with us a long time. He is studying painting and English at a Nanning University. He is a retired electrical engineer from a local power plant. He told us that Nanning's population is about 6 million a, in his words "small city".
Later I checked the web and the population is about 6.3 million in a region about 181 square miles in size. If my math is right that's about 34,000 people per square mile. Mr Lee has a new grandson living in the area. We hope to meet him again in the park as he visits every day.



As we spoke to Mr. Lee a couple young girls walked up and struck up a conversation with Mikaela. The girl nearest Mikaela name is Kiky, she is in college and spoke English very well.




(Steve)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mikaela, You jet-setter! I thought of you when I drove through the loop at the after school pick up today. The rest of Tremont Jr. High was just walking out of school. Your mom's spot was open, no one parked there! And there you are, across the country in a park socializing with international flair! How exciting! You look so grown up and mature. Keep loving on your new sister for all of us! Dana Stuber

Beckie said...

What a neat experience you and your children are having. That is so wonderful. I am so excited for all of you.

Anonymous said...

We are so glad you kids are able to experience the Chinese culture and the people are so willing to talk and pose for photos. Sure hope you are journaling all the neat things you are experiencing!
(Jacob--I fed and watered your lizard today. He is doing well.) We miss all of you but hope you enjoy all the sights, sounds, smells, etc. while you are there so you can tell us all about it.
In Christian Love,
Grandma & Grandpa

Anna said...

Congratulations on your baby! She is beautiful. I met Mr Lee in September 2005 when I adopted Guo Ruo Chen (Molly) - he was so sweet. We saw him every day in the park. He gave Molly some Chinese coins and a fan. We gave him a shirt from the US.

Enjoy your journey!

Anna (another LL family member)