Lost in Translation.....or Lost on the Streets of Shenzhen!!!

Today was probably the most enjoyable day that I had so far on this trip. Rick and I were really excited as this was the day that we actually got to do what we love best and that is to teach kids. After some initial teacher assistance in the morning, my first group of students was a Grade 4 Math class and what better way to get things kick started then to pull out the Senteo Classroom Responders. Although, I had only 10 students in my class, they were very energetic, but also absolutely engaged in the Senteo Lesson. By the end of a Math quiz I was giving them they were so focused on what they were doing, that they moved closer to the board with each question. By the end of the quiz I had a whole herd of kids around me which was great. They were so excited! As I finished this class, Rick proceeded to make arrangements and assist in setting up a global collaboration project involving a K-1 class here at ISSC with a K-1 class back home in Miramichi. We then proceeded to do two periods of Science, focusing on the digestive system. Rick took the lead on this one and again we experienced great success. We ended our day by dealing with a few tech issues and assisting in software set up.

As with every other day, we met at 6:00 as a group to supposedly go to an Italian Restaurant about 20 minutes

away from the school. There were approximately 20 of us. Things started off well, but we soon branched off into separate groups and proceeded to lose each other. I was with Lori D, from home and her boyfriend and lead tech guy Dave. As we are strolling along I realize that both Lori and Dave have only been in Shenzhen for a month and we could be in trouble. Sure enough the three of us are lost in downtown Shenzhen, which has a population 5 times the size of Toronto. At least there are no rules from stopping you from having an ice cold brew as you walk along. We were calling and texting the others (who also became lost) but with no success. After about an hour of walking and using our best Chinese dialect we discover we are only two blocks from the restaurant. As we arrive we realize that there are two other groups perched at other restaurants in the area. Guess we should have taken cabs....but man drivers over here are absolutely nuts!!! Red lights mean nothing, street walk signs mean nothing, etc. Anyway, we ate at the Spaghetti House which was fantastic, Upon leaving the Coastal City Mall we are brought over to an ice rink that is also housed in the mall. Pretty amazing! Another wonderful day.