Jetlag is a funny thing. You wake up every morning feeling refreshed and ready to go, it’s great. That lasts for about two hours…then you’re tired the rest of the day.
There are some mental walls to break through, too. Two days of constantly focusing on changing your speech to help non-native English speakers can be pretty strenuous. It is amazing how tired you can get by simply focusing on every word that comes out of your mouth.
I think I am finally starting to break through both of these walls. I slept all the way to the alarm this morning, and I have had no trouble finding the motivation to engage today.
The conversations with the Chinese English teachers in the morning have been a lot of fun. The teachers are not afraid to speak English, so it is easier than past conversation practice I have been involved in. I have had several conversations go beyond the level of thought that I would have thought possible coming into the trip. Not only are the teachers getting some great English practice, they are learning to express some deeper feelings in another language. I have overheard several teachers having meaningful English conversations, sparked by our discussions, with little or no input from me.
Outside of camp, things have been amazing. Jumbo and his family have been extremely gracious hosts, treating us to wonderful Chinese meals and showing us around Daomen in the evenings.
It’s still hot, but we are all adjusting. The plans have not been finalized, but it looks like we are going to get the chance to go rafting (looks like it is a tame version of whitewater rafting) with Mr. Jiang, Canaan, Adam’s family (not THE Addams family), and Jumbo’s family. Hopefully that will be a good chance for us all to cool down a little bit.
Ok, time to get the afternoon camp underway…hope everything is going well for all of you back in America.
Bridger
