Love, Raw Meat, Toilets, and Smoking

From Linda

On Tuesday morning, Brian Trainer spent about an hour telling my classroom, made up of English teachers, about the four types of love according to the ancient Greeks--sorge (family love), philos (friendship), eros (physical), and agape (sacrificial)--and how the best marriage includes all four. The students enjoyed looking at wedding photos he passed around, in which, incidentally, his hair was jet black. In this photo, Brian teaches while Sherry observes.

You're never sure what you'll encounter in China. I took a picture of a man hauling a raw slab of meat on the back of his bike yesterday morning. Steak and eggs anyone? Traffic consists of people on bikes or mopeds, on foot, or in cars, taxis, and buses--all converging and merging at major intersections. It's quite a sight, especially during rush hour! The pedestrian does not seem to have the right of way here, so it's a good idea to look both ways, including behind you and in front of you!

Garage-sized shops dot the urban landscape along almost every street, selling products ranging from fire hydrants and cabinets to fans, tires, and even western-style toilets. These ones are on the way to my favorite coffee shop, where I can hear some pleasant American music, sip a smoothie (western prices, though), and use my laptop with wireless.

Today in class we divided into small groups to discuss health problems (and solutions) in China, similar to those we encounter in the States--smoking, alcohol abuse, lack of exercise, and overeating (the students are all pretty thin in my class, so I didn't expect them to list overeating as a problem here, but apparently it is for some Chinese). In this photo, a young man is smoking--a common sight among young and older men in China.

Hope you're doing well back at the ranch!