Continued from previous page
Frank and Russie’ s Little Big Adventures
An hour later I hear a knock on the door and when I open it I see a lady dressed in a cheongsam, a traditional Chinese dress that women wear only on special occasions. I soon realise it ´ s my teacher. I have to admit the dress really suits her. Russie must have fallen in love with the Chinese culture. Naturally, I suggest:“ Russie, we should find a traditional restaurant where we can see some local musicians and dancers.”“ That ´ s a brilliant idea, Frank! Do you know, when I was in the shop someone mentioned that I should taste roast duck with plum sauce, it ´ s the local speciality.” I embrace the idea, so we ask the receptionist about a restaurant nearby where we could enjoy a good meal while being entertained. Luckily, there ´ s one just round the corner, so we head off immediately. When we get there, it ´ s almost full but a waiter manages to find a table for us close to the stage. We ´ ve been told that the performance will start any minute. Russie orders some roast duck and bamboo salad. A few minutes later the waiter comes back and says sadly they ´ ve run out of duck. It appears to be the most popular dish in the restaurant. I look at Russie and see the disappointment in her eyes so I order Boiled Mutton, which I am sure she will like. It ´ s another local dish in which the meat is served with sesame sauce, preserved bean curd, leek flower and sliced spring onions.
Whilst waiting for the food, the music starts and three beautiful dancers come on stage. They are joined by a pipa player who is playing an old Chinese melody. The pipa is a pear-shaped string instrument which has been around for two thousand years. Unfortunately, it ´ s very hard to play it so nowadays many young people tend to turn to modern instruments. We are enchanted by the graceful dancers who form various shapes as the rhythm of the music changes.“ Look, Frank, they are forming a strange figure now. Do you know what it means?” When I look at the stage, I see that the dancers are standing one behind the other and their arms have got the shape of a lotus. I explain to Russie,“ it ´ s called Guanyin and the Thousand Arms and it represents a very famous god in our literature.“ After dinner, we go back to the hotel and I can see that my teacher is taking some notes for her e-zine. She tells me that she would like to write an article about the Chinese culture.
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