Amiram Hayardeny's My China Experience

Happy International Thanksgiving Day

Yes, I know, Thanksgiving is not an international holiday.  Yet, since they chose today for the International Food Day at my childrens' school, I thought it would make a good title.

Today was "International Food Day" at Beanstalk International Bilingual School of Beijing (BIBS).  The kids, Shiri (7.5) and Guy (3.5) were very excited.  Their mother made Burekas, which is hardly classified as Israeli, it is actually more Turkish or Bulgarian, but it is excellent.  Not surprisingly, it was devoured in no time.  Everyone had a great time.  When I saw the pictures it really struck me.  We have been blessed.  My children are living in China, going to school with kids from around the world, are exposed to different cultures, to different foods, to different languages.  They will probably see change as an ally in the future, a stranger as a friend.  New languages will sound different, and not strange, unfamiliar customs - different and not weird.  They will be accepting rather than excluding, confident and trusting rather than suspicious and anxious.  Let me tell you, if we had more children attending more international schools in more countries, world peace will be easy to accomplish.  Don't get me wrong, I am a realist, after all I come from one of the most hateful parts of the world - the Middle East.  My family immigrated to Israel from Eastern Europe of the 1940s, certainly the most hateful place on the planet.  Yet, seeing these kids playing together, eating each other's food, learning each other's customs - well, there's nothing wrong in being hopeful, even poetic, once in a while.  Here are some pictures, courtesy of Dorit, my wife.

Shiri by the map of the world

Shiri and her friends

Shiri and Miss Ruth

Guy and a friend

Guy and friends

Another interesting tip.  Literally.  I don't know whether you are or are not a big tipper.  In fact, it is customary not to tip in China at all.  Korea too.  However, if you do tip, think about the following.  What if you give your tip BEFORE rather than after.  I tried it.  It works like a charm.  You get the best service possible.

Thanksgiving is today.  I don't believe it is celebrated here in China, but we are invited to a Thanksgiving dinner at friends' house tomorrow.  One thing is for sure, it will be a relatively quiet email weekend.

Posted at 09:28PM Nov 23, 2006 by Amiram Hayardeny in Personal  |  Comments[1]