Last day in Suzhou- Closing ceremonies

Today was the last day of the 2013 Summer Camp in Suzhou, China. We only taught 3 classes today, and one of them was only 10 minutes long. The kids were really excited to be going home today after being here for 2 weeks.
We had lunch at the school. I couldn’t eat it anymore. Still having bathroom issues. We then gathered and went up to the cafeteria where over a 1000 students and their parents were gathered for the program. We had to parade in and wave and smile. We were the stars. We sat up in front and the program began with speeches and we had to get up on stage and receive a gift from the school.
Then all the different classes put on plays and songs. I had one class perform the play, “Caps for Sale”. Then my other class sang I love summer. The program went on for about 2 hours. The teachers performed the last dance number. It was lots of fun.

Bathroom adventures at the school.
Bring your own toilet paper. Find an empty stall. They have no locks on the door, so you either hold the door shut with one hand, or leave the door open like the Chinese do. I prefer to hold the door shut. But that leaves one hand for all the business. Squat as low as you can. Do your business while watching it splatter the floor. Wipe and deposit the toilet paper into the garbage can next to you. No flushing toilet paper. Carefully stand up. Flush. Carefully leave the stall without slipping. And believe me, slipping in there is NOT pleasant. Wash your hands, and luckily at the school this year there is soap!

Last night I went and did my last dancing on the street with my women friends. I went home with Ling Ping after. I had tried to tell her in sign language that I had already had noodles, but either she didn’t understand or she thought I needed more food. So she fixed me up a bowl of rice, pork, soybeans and mushrooms. It tasted good, but I really wasn’t hungry. Her granddaughter and friend came and translated for us. Ling Ping also emailed me a copy of the new Chinese song that they had been learning. Then it was time to go. I cried when I left her. I was walking home with tears and her granddaughter rode her bike down to find me and told me to “Be happy” and “Welcome to China.” I will miss the women and the dancing. They were so kind.

After the program we went to a restaurant for the farewell dinner. The regular 20 course dinner, and drinking like you wouldn’t believe. The Chinese seem to think that the more they can get you to drink, the better. There wasn’t just the regular beer, there was hard liquor. I watched one lady put the cup on her tongue so she wouldn’t have to taste it.
This morning there are several people with hangovers. So glad I don’t do that. I feel great!

We are heading off to Xian this morning. Driving 3 hours back to Shanghai and taking a plane to Xian.