Xi'an Study Tour
Tuesday, April 15, 1997

A Textile Factory

Down in the darkstreets of the alley market is my shop and my home. Though small, my humble shop and home have provided me years of income and food, so I'm gratefull. Today though it is different, because a tour of children came from Hong Kong, and so I go out and pull in some custumers. These people are dressed in red, and like to bargain a lot. Sometimes they bargain so far, we actually lose profit. I keep my anger inside my heart, for this is not the first time it has happened. For us plain folk in life we must take advantage of what we can, in order to survive and live another day.

As I was pulling my bicycle with my young child, I saw many different types of nationalities. I didn't pay much attention to them until they started pondering near us. They surprisingly asked if they could take a Polaroid picture and then give it to us to enjoy and treasure for the rest of my life. I was speechless at first because I was distracted by their different looks. I agreed to let them take my picture. As they handed me the picture of myself and my child I felt as though I had just picked up a treasure. The kids were truly kind and generous to me. I am now going to take great care of my picture and remember the kind souls who gave it to me.

Written from the perspective of a child in Xian:

I stood there in amazement as I saw many children of different nationalities asking my mother if they could take a picture of me. The kids were middle schoolers and were very sweet and kind. They took a picture of me with an interesting camera, one that I couldn't even believe existed. The picture came out right before your eyes as soon as you took it. I was very happy. The kids even gave me candy and told me how cute I was. Many people who worked in shops near by came to see what I was up to. I was proud to be with the foreigners. When the kids had to leave I was sad to see them go. In those few moments we spent together, I felt like we had become best friends. I'll never forget them and will always keep the special picture they gave me.

We have enjoyed wonderful warm weather for two days. Today it is even sunnier and it is a wonderful time to tour around Xi'An and an effective way to learn the history and culture of China.

Clutching her son, who lay lethargically in her arms she approached me. A silouhette against the blazing sun she tenaciously made an action with her hand, seeming as though she wanted food. As she came into view I noticed her face. It was downcast with shame and anguish. Her son appeared quite somber and peered in interest into my eyes. I felt a burning desire to help them, but I couldn't.

Today, we Mrs. Manvilles group had a privelage to interview a very special person. This morning when we were sitting for breakfast we tasted food and it tasted delicous! We all looked amazed because we haven't had such excellent food since we arrived here in Xi'an. We just had to see the chef so Mrs. Manville arranged for us to interview him: the chef is Mr. Christopher Stephens from New Zealand who has been a chef since 1973. An important part of Mr. Stephens job is to create new menus and 4 dishes each month as a seasonal promotion. Almost all of his 92 catering staff are local. He enjoys preparing tasty Asia food particulary Cantonese and Thai. Every Tuesday he goes to local market to research food. His biggest frustration is notbeing able to get fresh seafood, although now he is able to get frozen foods. He works 12 hours a day and has weekends off. He has worked in England, Australia as well as his native New Zealand.

Since he is married to a Chinese lady calleld Yan Yan whom he met when she was performing as a pianist in Hyatt Hotel, we discussed mixed marriages: whenever Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are together having dinner outside the hotel, every one turns around to see if he can use chopsticks. He feels that he has been accepted into his wife's family. Whenever he walks down the street, every one knows him because he has been here for more than a year.

He would like to work in Hong Kong after his contract in Xian finishes. Otherwise he would like to open a lodge in the countryside of New Zealand or Australia. Originally he became a chef because he was fascinated with cooking, and his grand-mother was also a chef. His hobbies are swimming and photography.

Mr. Stephens is coming to a cooking competition in Hong Kong on May 6th, GOOD LUCK MR. STEPHENS!!!!!!!!!

As I heard my child crying, the desperation burns through me. I looked at my child's tattered clothes and his frail and feeble body. His tiny face was flushed by the dryness of the air and his sad tears streaked his dirty little cheeks. The rice bin was 3/4 empty and I saw that hope was slowly fading away. I tried my hardest to sell things to passers-by, but the money we earned was still not enough to feed us. I sat and tried to comfort my son when I noticed a group of foreign students, led by a red haired person entering the alley. I knew this was my chance to earn money so I laid Wang Lung in his crib and eagerly tried to catch their attention. I showed the kids my items and offered a price that I knew was higher than what they would accept. I tripled the price because, through experience, I knew they would bargain. True to my expectations, they lowered my asking price which I could not accept. But as they turned away, I realized that less is better than nothing. I glanced at my child and called back to them accepting their minimal offer. I cradled my boy and showed him to them hoping they would give in. One, with a blond hair, opened his wallet and I noticed a lot of money. I pleaded and secretly pinched my child forcing him to cry so I could take advantage of their sympathy. Sometimes my ruse would work and I hoped this time as well. I could see the softness in their eyes so I offered more souvenirs. I wasn't as lucky. This time, they left. In my last desperate attempt I followed them, but it was a futile endeavour. Though I sold only one item, I have to keep working to earn money for my family; but that is what I am used to, because this is the life the Gods have imposed on me.

It was a bad selling day and I hadn't sold very much, when, in the distance, I saw a flash of red.

"What could it be?" The red grew clearer and closer, when I realized it was a body. This person ran right past me. He was tall and had red hair.

"No, he couldn't be Chinese," I thought. Then a whole swarm of people came rushing down the tiny alley where many of our carts were set up selling trinkets. I managed to catch a glimpse of another girl's sweatshirt. Xiang gang guo ji xue xiao. A school had come to Xi'an. She had light hair and was plump and short and looked at an abacus on my cart. I was excited! She was a foreigner and must be dumb! She would definitely pay me a good price! I told her my expected price. When I saw her face I was a bit frightened. It was one of pure horror because she probably thought it was a very good price, but then I heard her say, "Tai guile", (too much), it was my turn to have a scared look on my face. She offered me a price I had not thought possible. Flabbergasted, I shook my head rapidly, saying "No, too little." She said, "No, no good price." I said a price just a little bit higher because I would loose money if I agreed to her price. She said that it was okay and I was relived. I had sold something!! Today, I will definitely have something to show and tell my husband and child.

Lunch in The Royal Kitchen

When the food finally arrived it turned out to be sweet and sour pork, which I tried and you know what? - It tasted absolutely delicious!!! I scoffed some more and soon I was enjoying myself. There were mouth watering delicacies including fried prawns, chicken with cashews and Chinese vegetables such as "bak choy". My favorite dish was the shrimp which tasted very salty yet spicy.

At the end of the meal everyone agreed how great it was. - " hen hao "! However there was one more surprise yet to come- the price for 7 hungry people was only about US$20!! The moral of this Chinese tale is " Looks can be deceiving, don't eat with your eyes!! "

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