China Update

We have completed the first couple of days with language classes and also more lectures over the weekend.

 

The language classes have been quite challenging and it is a struggle to keep up with the speed of talking, particularly as a lot of the words I don't know. But that is why I am here, of course. The class is a little odd in that there are some who can converse quite fluently but are illiterate, whereas others of us have better reading and writing but struggle with the speaking and listening. It should be interesting.

 

The China and the World lectures over the weekend were very interesting. The lecturer, a former diplomat now teaching at the University, was very knowledgeable and a good speaker. He had some most engaging stories. In addition to the reading from the books that we were advised to buy, we have also been provided at cost a set of three bound copies of further readings (in tiny, tiny writing). I think I shall invest in a magnifying glass.

 

On Saturday night I attended mass in English at St Peters church. Prior to mass the adult catechists were running a group of about 40-50 through the motions for baptism and first communion. The candidates were mostly women, with only two men. So it seems things are not so different in China in that regard. The mass itself was excellent and I must see if I can take some photo's next week to share with you. Then on Sunday I went with the group to their evangelical church. I don't find this quite to my liking, but whatever works is good I suppose.

 

This morning and tomorrow morning we have further foreign policy lectures while each afternoon we have language class.

 

I'll keep you posted as things happen.

Sean