This week I covered the steps one has to endure to teach in China, in keeping with that theme, I thought it was the right time to share some pictures of my home for the past four months. The university I teach at is situated in the south Wuxi, a suburb of recent development including manmade lakes, town homes and condominiums soaring to the heavens.
The classrooms are nothing to note other than I’m able to utilize multimedia equipment and teach paperless when possible, which I take full advantage of. The campus atmosphere is an alchemy of past and present, a balancing act that the entire country is currently immersed in.
On a personal level, while the campus is fairly far removed from Wuxi’s city center – a population of six million – I’ve welcomed this sedate state. Through these photographs, perhaps you will as well.
Some of my kids! I said goodbye to them on Monday. I’ll miss them!
The building where I teach. An inner courtyard so students can grab fresh air between classes.
Stone arch bridges have a place in Chinese history reaching as far back as A.D. 282, when Lurenqiao (Wayfarers’ Bridge) was the first one constructed. Here’s an example of a stone arch bridge on campus, albiet smaller, but you can form an idea.
A very modern dose of architecture – the university library.
A nifty piece of rock art.
The mysticism of pagodas hold to this day, for its origins are interconnected to Buddhism and India. Buddhist texts stated that pagodas were built to retain the remains of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism. After thousands of years of cross-cultural saturation, pagodas in China permeate daily life. On campus, I found a ting (pavillion).
Close up of stone bridge construction.
Naturally, the obligatory water lilly photo.
No high speed motorboats here.
I love the maze formation of this bridge.
A state of the art fitness facility that was built last year.
Another pretty pagoda.
I’ve personally never stood in a stadium of this magnitude.
A stupa kissing the Wuxi sky.
After scrolling through these images, I may never leave.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
What a beautiful place….! the pagados and lilly ponds look so relaxing!
@Cam – Glad you enjoyed the pics!
Enjoyed these photos. Mostly because I’m happy to have a small window into you life in China. You’re doing it girl!
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@Raymond @ Man On The Lam – Merci!
@Ava Apollo – Yeah! It can get humid here. Anywhere from 27 C to 30 + C, in Fahrenheit that would be 60+ I guess? I don’t think it’s much like Taiwan, I felt like Taiwan was way more chill.
@Megan @ Roamancing – It’s been a perfect spot for me to just be. :)
@Kurt – What’s stopping you, come on over! Got a free couch for you to sleep on.
@Andrea – Oh yes!! Each province has something different to discover. The diversity, as well as the commonalities are interesting to witness… and the fact that it’s a unified country, has been for decades is also something.
@Leah – Wow. Fascinating place you were in. I agree, China does go big. :)
Spectacular photos! The thing about China is they don’t believe in doing something small. It’s go big or go home for them. I spent some time in Yantai. I was in a newish part of the city that was void of people despite giant stadiums, conference centers, and 40 story condo buildings. It was a ghost town in a city of four million. So strange.
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I love all the contrasts! Have never been to China but it seems all the parts of the country are quite different from each other?
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I hear China is an alchemy of their past and present. You are blessed that you lived there. Jealous.
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Nice photos! Looks like you really felt at home there.
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It looks hot. Is it hot there? I feel warmer looking at the pictures. I also remember the heat of Taiwan (yikes) – maybe I’m thinking of that.
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Looks like quite the peaceful place you got there missy. Nicely done!
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@Cathy – Absolutely, being here has been a perfect combination of serenity and comfort. :)
@Ayngelina – What exactly is the picture of China in your head? :)
@Andi of My Beautiful Adventures – Yeah, they are mostly good kids.. respectful and eager to learn. :)
@Bong L. – This particular uni was part of that ’211 Project’ I mentioned in my teaching in China post and is under the Ministry of Education’s umbrella. The stadium is huge! I felt like a little ant standing in it.
@Reg of The Spain Scoop – Thanks and cheers!
@Emiel – Yeah, you know how a good picture just presents itself? I looked out at the lake and there they were!
@Sally – Good to know, cause most folks I talk to call it the New District and the nearest train station also has the same name. I changed the text to reflect locale more accurately (we don’t want to mislead people now), as the uni website describes it as being in the south of Wuxi. Don’t miss it too much, soon you’ll eat all that American cheese! :)
Aww, man, you’re making me miss this place already and I haven’t even left yet! It was a great place to chill out and get my bearings after a long year of travel. I’m glad it’s been the same for you!
P.S. We’re not technically located in the New District — that’s a few miles east of us. And is much more industrial park-like than the area we live in. But it’s possible you just put that in your post to ward off stalkers. In that case, good call, neighbor. :)
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Great to get a glimpse of where you are staying right now, thanks! Love the picture of those two men in a boat.
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I’m so curious about China – who isn’t these days? – so this was a nice glimpse into your world.
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The fitness facility looks amazing…i wondrr if this univ is private or public.. and the maze bridge seems like fun to cross or hangout at at dawn or dusk. Thanks for sharing.
What a gorgeous part of the world you live in! And your kids are adorable!!!
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I love when you and Sally post photos of China, I had no idea what it looked like and frankly it looks a lot nicer than what I had in my head.
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Those look like such peaceful images! Do you feel like those peaceful surroundings help to keep you grounded? :) (Coolest rock piece I have ever seen. Hands down)
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