Dragon boat time

Spring feels like it is here to stay.   Time to put away my heavy winter coat, hat, mittens, scarves, and long underwear.  On most days both outdoor and indoor environments are warm enough to use sandals and short sleeves.  My bare arms and toes attract many stares.  Most people in Wuhan are fully dressed with layers until an unofficial date sometime in late April/early May.  My translator was sweating bullets on Friday afternoon.  I suggested that he take off his jacket, but he felt that his long sleeve button-down shirt was insufficient.  I sat across from him in the office very comfortable in a short sleeve shirt and flip-flops.  

 

Since the discovery of the Boone Memorial School I’ve been digging deeper into the history of this University.  Following the Second World War the school was relocated to Guizi hill, which at that time was a large cemetery.  The remains were removed and many tombstones or direction markers helped create the walls and steps to the University.  Since this time most have been covered with cement or replaced, but a few are still visible.  

Along with warmer weather comes dragon boating.  The national holiday is particularly special to Wuhan as it originated from this area over 2000 years ago.  The C.E.C.P. group has a team every year and last Saturday was our first practice.  We spent time reviewing safety and strategy before using the training center's simulation boats to improve rowing techniques.  

Before China I had little knowledge of Dragon boating.  I tried it once through the canals of Gdansk, but never really gained expertise.   The leader of C.E.C.P. approached me months ago to join the team.  Oddly enough, I learned more about the event from Miami’s Dragon Boat website: http://www.miamidragonboat.com/race.htm. Never would I have dreamed of racing in the center of dragon boat history.    

Following the simulation training we made it to a real boat and paddled back and forth across the East Lake.  Getting 22 adults to work together in a narrow wet space is more challenging than convincing the people of Wuhan to take off their jackets in the heat of spring.   Thankfully we have two more months of practice before the big weekend.