The China Teaching Web

The Weekly China Roundup from Sino News on TeachAbroadChina.com

• The aftermath of Monday’s earthquake in Sichuan continues to hold captive the world’s attention as strong aftershocks, landslides, and possible damage to dams and reservoirs create problems for the rescuers. This week I wrote about the waiting game and the possibility that local officials had been warned in advanced of the earthquake. I also wrote about a new level of transparency in the Chinese government and their openness to foreign aid. You can also read about the supersititions that plague some people in the aftermath of the earthquake. The world is praying for the survivors and their families. Hopefully, there will be a few more miracles in the next few days before the rescue effort turns into a recovery effort.
• Advertising ‘inside the box’: I was walking past a small luggage shop recently when I saw a white box on the ground that appeared to be moving. At first I thought there was a fan inside of the box but when I bent down to peer into a hole, I was startled to see a set of eyes and a nose. There was someone inside who was making the box move around on the floor. While I didn’t buy any luggage, it certainly got my attention.
• Motorcycle Thieves: One of my friends has been robbed three times now by guys on motorcycles. She will be walking on the sidewalk when suddenly a motorcyclist will zip past her and grab her purse. The first two times she was not physically injured but the last time, she was knocked to the ground and sustained some minor scrapes on her arms. She lay there for about five minutes while people walked by and stared but did not offer her any help. The motorycle thieves remain at large.
• Sitting at the Bookstore: Borders and Barnes & Nobles in the US are both known for their quiet atmospheres and comfortable chairs. People in China also like to read at their local bookstore but in many bookstores there are no such comfortable chairs. Instead, I have seen people sitting on the floor or on hard benches at bookstores in my area. No one seems to mind.

See you next week!