Our morning walk to school

We begin our morning walk to school around eight each morning.  By then the streets are bustling.  Fresh fish being delivered to the eateries along the street, the duck egg  man with two baskets of eggs balanced on a pole over his shoulders, the knife grinder with his bench and tools similarly perched all merge with workers and students making their way with purpose and with children enjoying summer vacation, playing under the watchful eyes of care givers.  Although traffic is safer here than in Nanjing, it is by no means safe.  The bicycles with their drivers, often with a passenger or two, the electic bikes and scooters and  taxis all weave in and out amid other traffic in an chaotic dance.  Pedestrians must watch and time their steps carefully!

Dangtu is a small city by Chinese standards, having a population we understand of 600,000 people.  The urban part covers a relatively small area,  but the  Dangtu region extends to include smaller towns and country side.  Many people live in flats in housing developments like the one below.

A housing development in Dangtu
A housing development in Dangtu
This is a city in transition.  There is a push for progress and many are moving from rural areas into the city, so the city is encroaching on land that until recently was the home of farmers growing rice and vegetables. It is not far
Rice growing on the outskirts of Dangtu
Rice growing on the outskirts of Dangtu

to the edge of town where crops are still grown using traditional methods and goats nimbly play on the hillsides. There new building developments and traditional farm houses sit side by side for now.

There is construction everywhere we look. Posters on walls along streets show pictures of what developments will look like.  We have watched as in the days since we arrived the skeletons of buildings have sprung up almost literally overnight.
People still watch us as we make our way to school, but most now smile, wave and greet us in one language or another.  It is only a couple of blocks, but it is a wonderful beginning to each day. 
Enjoying teaching and life in Dangtu–Jan Hazlett

4 thoughts on “Our morning walk to school”

  1. Hey Jan,
    Your word pictures and now actual pictures help to put us “in the picture”. As you say, the area you’re in is a place of many contrasts…old and new, rural and urban. We can see the building crane at the end of the street where the housing development is but I don’t see signs of traffic on THIS street. :o)

    The church’s website now has a link to your blog.

    Blessings on you

    ~Judie
    Reply: No traffic because it is not a public road but a drive within the complex, mostly used by bicyclists and walkers.

  2. Hi Jan,
    The countryside looks beautiful, the buildings much like apartments in any city. I loved the picture of the bridge and the lily pads. Thanks for such interesting blogs, it is great to hear the news and to know this is an amazing experience for all of you – students and teachers. You are missed at home. Be well, continued prayers and blessings,
    Gail

  3. Hi Sis,
    I love following what you are doing and seeing. THe pictures really add to your blog. See you soon!

    God Bless
    Debbie

  4. Hi Jan! I’ve been buried at work and in housework. We’ve beed building a deck on the back of the house (old one was rotten) and in the rain and mud it’s been a “delight!”
    I’m thinking you will be back in Canada soon. What an amazing July you have had, and so much to learn and experience. We’ll have to head to dim sum some lunch time so the story telling can be grounded in the right context!
    We are off on holidays next week, so will hope to see you early in Sept!
    Grace and Peace to you!
    Karen

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