ANCIENT SOCAIL CLUB

THE ORDER OF GOOD CHEER

The Port Royal settlement in Nova Scotia, Canada was reconstructed in 1939 by the Canadian government from Champlain’s descriptions and engravings.

Seated on wooden benches at tables in the “meeting room”, the docent caught us eyeing the pewter tableware and said, “The pewter plates and mugs once used by the settlers contained 60% lead!”

I wonder what contribution that had on the life span centuries ago.

Grabbing a beaver tail and top hat, the young docent continued, “The prized fur in the 1600s was beaver tail. The pelts were shaved, then pounded and pressed to produce a felt that was used to make hats all around the world.

“Because of the long harsh winters Champlain established the Order of Good Cheer---the oldest social club in North America. Two or three times a week a member of the settlement was responsible for providing food and entertainment for the entire settlement of 35-40 men. This not only lifted the men’s spirits, but also provided a better diet, lessening illness. The addition of seafood---dolphin and seal, both high in vitamin C---prevented scurvy.”

The docent continued, “In those days Europeans were short, averaging just a bit over five feet, with an average lifespan of 35-40 years. Chief Membertou was over six-foot tall and was 100 years old! What was the difference? Well one was that the Indians bathed several times a week compared to the Europeans bathing only once a quarter---if it was necessary. That might have had something to do with it.”

I bet their clothes could stand all by themselves when they did take them off.

I was interested in the period dress of the college students working as docents for the summer.  Black felt, linen lined, knee-length pants were reminiscent of the knickers worn in the 1920-30s. A vest topped long-sleeve homespun white shirts.Wooden shoes, called sabot in French, were worn over knee-high woolen stockings.

When the Frenchmen would get angry at something they sometimes would take off their sabot (wooden shoe) and throw it into the cogwheel fouling things up, thus comes the word sabotage.

What a neat way for these young people to learn their history!

SOME IMPRESSIONS OF CHINA

Many Surprises

On the long airplane flight home from China I had plenty of time to contemplate about the trip and made a list of some of those things I found interesting or a surprise. There is no such thing as a small city in China, small might mean two million people. Even villages would be like a small US city.

The hawkers at all tourist sites in mainland China were annoying as they were in your face and just would not accept no. We were an oddity once we got outside Beijing. But even in Beijing one of our gals with long natural blond hair was asked numerous times to have her picture taken. It seems visiting Chinese from rural areas just were not used to seeing Caucasians.

I marvel over the fact that I managed to successfully use chopsticks eating all my meals with them, never needing to ask for a fork. Food was wonderful everywhere. Bottled water was easily available.

I also was amazed at the lack of western bathrooms. (I suspect there are a lot more now after the Olympics)

We saw no pregnant women in the big cities, but did see an occasional one in the rural areas. We did not see long hair on men. Children were almost always with grandparents. Split pants on toddles were pretty cute.

English was spoken a lot less than the literature indicated. However, it was not a problem.

Traffic was terrible everywhere. Cars went very fast and just dared a pedestrian to get in their way. In Hong Kong they did stop immediately when the light changed. Cars were small. Pickup trucks were very rare. Except in Chongqing bicycles were numerous angling for space on the road with all the automobiles. Many trishaws or tricycles were seen. In the country very primitive means of transportation and farming exist.

Tipping was expected everywhere. There was no such thing as a set price for anything---unless one was in an upscale department store, and then I’m not sure the price wasn’t negotiable even there. Bargaining is a way of life.

Airports were new, clean and nice. Cell phones were everywhere. Skyscrapers are creating new skylines. Buildings were going up everywhere. A huge grocery store in Beijing was a complete surprise with its escalators and three floors. Most often we were served warm wet towels in restaurants and in some places experienced automatic sensored hand-washing machines on entering.

Pet animals were seldom seen. Apparently it is expensive to license a dog. In rural areas we saw occasional dogs and cats. Birds were common pets in the cities.

Western dress was the norm. We saw virtually no ‘native’ dress, and on occasion that we did see any it was ceremonial.

There are many ways to spell the same word or place. The vastness of ancient sites was difficult to comprehend. They are soooo big. Interesting metal sculptures were all over the country. Billboards in the big cities had English added and some of the translations were really funny.

In a restaurant after a toast is made everyone bangs lightly on the glass turntable with his glass. A tipped teapot lid is a signal that more tea is needed.

In Hong Kong the city is full of reflecting glass skyscrapers. There are very few junks left in Victoria Harbor. The sampans are all motorized and pretty much a tourist attraction any more. Rickshaws in the city have disappeared. The subway system in Hong Kong was spotless; we used it with ease.