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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