Qingdao, China

This image is one of many I took on our Semester at Sea voyage around the world.  It is of a Tai Chi demonstration in Qingdao, China.  Also spelled Tsingtao (pronounced ChingDow although China is still pronounced China…).  You may also have seen that name on a beer bottle at your favorite Chinese restaurant.  The Tsingtao brewery is located there and the tour is really pretty fun but that’s another story.  Qingdao resides on China’s coast facing the Yellow Sea.  It’s a wonderful and vibrant seaport.  The people are welcoming and friendly, always interested in practicing their English skills.  As an avid traveler I believe it’s important to try and add some of the local language to your repertoire; I added, “neehow” = hello and “shyeh shyeh” = thank you.

This particular morning I awoke very early to join in a Tai Chi demonstration at the downtown plaza.  We learned some moves from Tai Chi masters and then watched as they performed a demonstration that was not only physically amazing but visually stimulating.  During the demonstration I was interviewed by the local television station.  I’m not sure they understood what I was saying but through my smiles and a big “thumbs up” they seemed to appreciate that I was enjoying my time in China.

I hope you liked this little excerpt from my travels and will check in often for helpful real estate information. 

Next month we look at Burma.  Shyeh shyeh!