China.

Getting into China was easy for most of us as we sort of just walked in. We had to go through the gates and fill out the little form, but it seemed mostly to be the honour system that got us into the country.

Some of us had a slightly harder time. They were stopped because their temperature was a bit higher than the Chinese thought it should be, and given the swine flu nonsense they were held back. The might have been stuck there for a long time were it not for one of our professors going to speak with the customs guards. He got them out of the pinch, but it was trouble.

We made it to the campus and headed off for lunch. There were a great deal of interesting foods and I was the only one of the bunch to try fish head and fish guts. Both were... special. After a very short rest we were taken on a tour of campus and then it was time for supper and bed.

Today we went into Shantou proper where we got to see how people actually live. The disparity is amazing as there are some places that look very like home. We went to an enormous mall with its own Wal-Mart. We also went to the older parts of the city where the people are poor and they are selling meat on the streets. We saw a woman butcher a chicken and skin it in less than a minute for a waiting customer. What an experience.

Old Shantou

Driving around Shantou we also went into a Temple. I do not know who prays there, but while we were looking around taking pictures there were several people coming to light incense and to speak to their ancestors. It is amazing how much these people care about spirituality. It is not the institution that they go to, or the rituals that take place there, but it is something deeper and more meaningful that they seek. There is truth here.

While driving through Shantou there are many rivers and canals that lead to the ocean. I just caught a glimpse of a Destroyer nestled in one of these river.

The day was long and we returned.

We were introduced to the Chinese students in this program and then the University took us for supper. There was an amazing variety of food and I got to try some things out of the ordinary again. For example, I was able to try both frog and sea cucumber. I stayed away from their vegetables but the obscure meats were find. I would not recommend sea cucumber, but frog was fine.

Very long, and very tired I write these words.

Hopefully the obscure meats agree with me. I will tell you next time I write...