Thursday started with Melanie being picked up at 8 am for the opening ceremonies. These were quite a big deal. The visiting professors were introduced and honored with the presentations of gifts including an engaved plaque and comparative plate. They made her work for it. First, up 4 flights of stairs (no elevator), then down outside for the pics, then back upstairs or the president's speach, but wait first where is the bathroom- oh downstairs then (did we mention that we've not seen a western toilet outside our hotel room since we arrived in Harbin) then back upstairs to sit in the front row. Oh yes, and the president recognized Melanie from the presentation and kept stopping to translate for her benefit. (Melanies 2 cents-he recognized me! There were 150 Chinese and me. Of course he recognized me)
In the meantime David decided to just get a new sim card for his phone and stop worrying about his data package so took off on a walk. he started off away from the main drag and wandered though some residential appartment area with small shops. While some were clearly little produce type shops most i couldnt guess at except for one little place with "corner coffee shop" written in the window. I really should see if i can learn a few basic characters. I wound my way back to the main street where I am guessing a seniors' exersice class was taking place on the sidewalk.
I will write more about the following adventures later:
Crosing the street in a chinese city .
Shopping inder the three
Buying a sim card with no english in 91 degree heat
Back in the room by 11 then off to lunch with Melanie et al. But wait, Melanie was still at speaking event so Loni took me on a walking tour of the campus.
Here i am in front of the admin building which is surrounded by a nice tree park and flower garden.
more later
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