Rainbow School

This is where we are: http://snipurl.com/1rwof

October 11, 2007

For this smoke free, emissions conscious Californian, breathing smoke filled air is quite a respiratory challenge here in China. People smoke everywhere—restaurants, elevators, hotel hallways, taxis, and sidewalks. The GV group frequently gathers in the smoke filled lobby of the hotel so we try to stay there as little as possible. It is a blessing that we have a private dining room so there is no smoke at meals when our room is closed off.

On the first day of our ride to the school, we made a special request of the escort that there would be no smoking in the car. When Rich and I got into the middle seat of the SUV, we immediately reached for the seat belts. This was a new car and the seat belts were tucked into the seat as if no one ever used them. When we requested that the seat belts be pulled out so we could use them we were told it wasn’t necessary because this was the back seat and the driver was a safe driver. We know better and insisted that we have the seat belts to use to which they obliged.

Today was another day with lunch hosted by the Rainbow School. We were taken to a private room at a large restaurant. We each had a bowl of finely diced bread soaked in a beef broth soup complimented by a chicken, and a spinach/garlic dishes. All was very good and unusual. After lunch we held “English Corner” sessions. Students, who are particularly interested in English, came on their lunch time to talk to us. We had magazines to jump start the conversations. Of course, the pamphlets on Disneyland were of special interest.

Rainbow school was formerly a private school of the Rainbow Television manufacturer in Xianyang. Rainbow developed its own town for their employees. They provided housing, schools, shops, restaurants, hospitals, and other industry for their employees. Since television making has become more competitive, the television division of the company has shrunk in size. A year ago, the government took over the school and made it part of the general education system so any child can now attend and not just children of Rainbow employees. This is very large middle and high school of about 2500 students and 300 teachers. Classes each day runs from 8-12; students go home for lunch (either walk or ride bikes); return at 2:15PM until 5:40 PM. Our assignments end at 12:00 at which time we drive through the sea of bicycles on the way out of town. Students escort us to our classes which are different everyday. It seems it’s an honor to escort the guests as the best English speaking students do it and are told to make conversation with us on the way. The school building is a three story fortress with a tile paved courtyard that is slippery and wet this week. Students and teachers walk through swinging badminton rackets and birdies just like they do through traffic on the street. Scary!!

Tonight we had dinner at a lovely restaurant a few blocks away from the hotel. Again another nine course dinner feast. Losing weight is not on the list of things to do.