Toto, I’ve a feeling We’re not in Kansas Anymore
After being in Qinhuangdao for a few days, I am quickly learning the people here are extremely friendly. Nevertheless, I was reminded yesterday I am indeed in a completely different culture from little ole Southeast Arkansas/Northeast Louisiana. Tim, Teo, Jenny, Dani, and I went to the beach. Lauren (my team leader) and Biz were busy so they didn’t come enjoy the super crowded beach with us. However, this story isn’t about the trip to the beach, but what occurred when we returned. As Jenny, Dani and I reached our floor we saw a bright red package tied with florescent yellow ribbon sitting in front of my door. There was a note sticking out of the top of the wrapped object.We all stopped and stared at it as if staring at a bomb waiting to go off!
Finally I walked over to it and grabbed the note, and it read:
“Teacher, Foote
This is traditional chinese gift for you.
From new friend,
Iceburg (class7)”
I was very confused because I hadn’t met any students yet much less one named “Iceburg”! Was this a boy or a girl? How did they know who I was or where I lived!? What kind of gift is a “traditional Chinese gift”?! At this point, I was getting a knot in my stomach, but Jenny and Dani were both impressed I had already received a gift from a student. Instead of opening it right then I took it to Lauren’s room to see if she could make sense of the gift. After setting it on the counter and reading the note to her she told me it’s probably from a guy because there aren’t very many guy teachers. She said he might be wanting to make a good impression. She told me I should open it. So I nervously began to take the yellow ribbon off of the package. When I finally got the ribbon untied and opened the wrapping paper I was in shock of what I found inside.There sitting on the counter in front of me was a clear plastic container with a severed chicken head resting inside of it. Yes, you read that correctly. A dead, fleshy, severed chicken head.
I picked up the container to show Lauren, Jenny, Dani and also Biz who had entered the room after hearing the commotion. They stared blankly at the container not sure what they were looking at, but once they realized what it was they burst into laughter! Lauren yelled, “Welcome to China!” I asked, “What am I suppose to do with this!?” She shrugged then said, “Cook it maybe, I don’t know!” After we joked and laughed about it for a few minutes they of course took photos to document the great occasion. Lauren grabbed my video camera and asked me, “How does this make you feel?” I didn’t quite know how it made me feel because I was partially still in shock. I jokingly said, “I feel loved and cherished, or this guy really wants good grades in my class!”
Then she told me to look in the oven. I looked over and saw parts of a chicken carcass cooking in her oven! I had completely forgotten earlier that day she mentioned she wanted to get a chicken carcass to cook and make some broth. I just shook my head in disappointment at myself. I had been duped. There was no “Iceburg”, and there wasn’t even a class 7. Lauren and Biz wrapped a severed chicken head in super nice wrapping paper and forged a note posing as a student. That’s my team! First full day here and I’m given a severed chicken head as a joke from my team leader and teammate, but you know what?
They know how to make time to laugh. The ability to laugh can definitely be an under appreciated skill, but I imagine that will be a precious commodity once things start to get rough. I also can’t tell you how amazing it is to be on a team who accepts you enough to give you a severed chicken head! It doesn’t get much better than that, or at least I hope it doesn’t!
