Vignettes

Mackinac Island

I invigilated an academic communication exam today. One of the listening exercises was about the Great Lakes. I honestly didn't know that Lakes Michigan and Huron are actually one lake. They're separated by the Straits of Mackinac and one of my favorite places, Mackinac Island, lies in the straits that divide Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas. One of the exam questions was to name the straits of Mackinac. Coincidently, today I was wearing my sweat shirt with the name "Mackinac" on the front. I don't think any of my students made the connection.

 

China's Mackinac

I spent Boxing Day on the lovely Gulangyu Island just a 6 minute ferry ride from Xiamen, the beautiful city alongside the Taiwan straits. Like Mackinac Island, no cars or motorized vehicles are allowed (except for the huge PLA base). The island as well as the city of Xiamen are considered one of China's most romantic destinations. I now know why. I spent an idyllic day roaming around this gem of an island. Most of the buildings were built by Europeans as legations. Xiamen was one of the post-opium war treaty ports. Later, rich Chinese and Taiwanese built villas all over the island. The buildings represent an interesting mix of European and pseudo-European architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored. A notable exception is the Japanese legation complex. This set of buildings was given to Xiamen University and is used as housing for retired faculty. It's a little run-down, but as a retirement location it may be one of the world's best. I wore my Mackinac Island sweatshirt while I was there. It helped me make a connection to my beloved Mackinac Island.

 

Silly Girl

While getting wonderfully lost on Gulangyu Island, I came across a small hotel which had been converted from one of the lovely buildings dotting the island. I was interested in the name of its cafe, "Silly Girl Cafe". I stopped and had a coffee and enjoyed the surroundings. Silly girl is a reference that some Chinese girls use when they do something they wish they hadn't or in a way to indirectly criticize someone. Lumeng would often use this phrase when talking about herself and describing something she was unhappy about. She would refer herself as "silly girl" as in "Silly girl ...." then take a slam at me for something I had done that displeased her. The point of these stories was to point out what she thought was my misbehavior that caused her to lose face. 

 

I haven't heard from Lumeng in quite some time. Her last communication with me was that she was going away from Shijiazhuang, but not too far. I asked here where she was going but she wouldn't say.

 

I left Gulangyu Island but left a little bit of me there. Some of my memories...some good, some bitter sweet. Perhaps someday I will return and collect them.

Comments

[Liz]

As a year-round Mackinac Island resident, this Chinese island intrigues me. I'm going to have to go get out my atlas. Thanks for sharing...