Best Friends

I’d like you to meet some of our best friends.  The Chinese people may seem reserved and quiet until they want a picture taken with foreigners.  They are most aggressive in asking and posing with their American “friends”.  I am including just a few pictures of these priceless moments we have experienced. 

We are at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and taking pictures with our group.  Suddenly, there are arms around our waists and a finger points to the camera where we should be smiling in a natural fashion.  I have finally learned to startle them by requesting a picture with my own camera.  They are always more reserved for that photo.

     These children were “talking” with me for several minutes before I noticed Mother with her cell phone camera.  The kids like to practice their few words of English with us and they are patient enough to let me sample my few Mandarin words.  They are the best language teachers.

     I was trying to enter the public restroom when this woman threw her arm around me and pointed to her husband with the camera.  She was more subdued when I displayed my camera and requested a photo also.

     Each of these men stood behind Rick with a hand on his shoulder while posing.  Then, they traded places.  Rick had no idea what was happening.  I then asked them to stand together while I said “cheese”.  This was the 66 anniversary of the PR China, a very formal event.  I laughed at the entire scenario.  

This is Rose.  She is not a stranger.  She staked out our apartment complex and asked us to come to “English Corner”, a casual gathering where English speakers can continue to practice the language in a non-classroom setting.  The dream is to always have a native English speaker there.  She took me to dinner first.  What does that say about me, “Feed me and I’ll follow you anywhere.”

This is English corner.  I’m talking with a handful of graduate students, a few professionals, and three Pakistani students.  Who do you think talks the most?  I’ll give you a shocking hint - it isn’t me!!!

We were invited to judge an English competition on another campus.  At the end of the award photos several audience members requested photos alone with us.  We’ve learned to just smile and let them snap all they want.

     I purchased a warmer coat from this outlet type market.  I did talk the price down a little and then she lowered it again if I would pose for a photo with her.  So surprising but so much fun!  

     The Great Wall of China:  even other tourists want to take pictures with us.  The celebrity status will not last forever so we will continue to pose when asked.