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A Canadian In Beijing: Spring in Beijing
Spring has arrived in Beijing. I heard that it was recently snowing in Canada and was even minus 14 degrees Celsius this Easter weekend. I've got to say that this Chinese weather is suiting me just fine!The trees have begun to blossom on campus. I learned the name of this first flower today: "yu lan hua" or "Jade Orchid." The purple ones (pictured) are called "zi yu lan hua." (There are other colours too.) They're stunning. I wanted to crawl inside this one in yesterday's early evening light.
There's something about spring blossoms that makes people smile. I have seen countless students posing for photographs in front of these orchids and other blossoming trees around campus. I have seen people with flowers in their hands and grins on their lips.
Spring is emergence, no matter what country you're in.
Emerging to inhale the fragrant smell of spring – that's what we're all doing. Even in Beijing (where the pollution masks most smells), the blossoms are sending greetings to me through my window. It's a free ride on the crisp April breeze and it's finding me here,
smiling.
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Blogs, Photos, Stories, Asia, China, Foreign Language, A Canadian in Beijing
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ember.swift Apr 9th 2007 3:03AM
P.S. Sorry to rub it in!
Sammy Apr 9th 2007 3:38AM
You are not rubbing it in I too love spring and can't wait for spring to bless the shores of Australia later in the year. Thank you for your beautiful words I can't wait to see what songs are created from this experience.
Safe travels
xxxooo Sam
Nancie Apr 9th 2007 3:47AM
Spring is the nicest time of the year here in Asia (IMO). We have the same blossoms here in Korea. Some trees have beautiful white flowers (magnolia), and the others are like the ones you are seeing in Beijing. I think we call those magnolia as well, but I'm not sure.
Asia's spring is about six weeks ahead of Canada's.
www.360.yahoo.com/bunni56531
Dale Apr 9th 2007 7:43AM
I love these stories you are sending to us from Beijing, Ember. It hasn’t been so bad in Canada. We’ve been enjoying some warm sunny days as well. Spring is a sleepy camper right now, not sure whether it wants to get out of the sleeping bag or not in the cold of the morning. This is great reading first thing in the morning! Hugs... Dale!
BUNTYB007 Apr 9th 2007 11:31AM
Swifty!!! Nice's pics yo!!! Miss ya tons babe!! xo ~B
Carrie Apr 9th 2007 1:55PM
What a beautiful entry. Thanks Ember!
Can't wait to see you stateside - probably at Caffe Lena's!!
doria Apr 10th 2007 6:33PM
ember, ember, ember! what a beautiful entry. spring is trying her best here in atlanta. our rosebuds are pouting and the dogwoods are yapping but we just had a cold snap that had everyone running for their thermostats. lyndell pointed me this way so i'll be popping in from time to time. missing you so. sending you big, fuzzy peach kisses from georgia.