Tuesday, February 23, 2010

My World Tuesday: Twins city, GuangZhou and Auckland





http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/

About 100 years ago, in 1907, my great grand dad left the village Guang Ning, near to Guangzhou city for Sibu, Sarawak.

In 1978, I left Sibu for Auckland.

In 1989, Guangzhou became a twin city of Auckland. I was very pleased and proud. I have not been to GuangZhou or China, but to be part of this twinning gave me a great sense of pride.

In 1999, the people of Guangzhou presented this statue of five rams to the people of their sister city. When I see it when I visit Myers Park, my chest swells with pride. It makes me want to visit Guangzhou.

Some of my adult ESOL students from Guangzhou ask, "You never been back? You should!"

May be I will, in the near future. The Water Engineer was in Guangzhou last month on work assignment. I like to go, to see my roots.

Guangzhou is the Hangyu pingyin or Mandarin name for what was Canton.

5 comments:

dianasfaria.com said...

such a great story. thanks for sharing an important part of your family history.
I'd go back to visit too. I bet it will be a trip you will never forget.

Ensurai said...

This is like fate has played a very obvious part in your life...the twines of happenings twists and turns...

Most amazing real life story!

I have been Guangzhou...you should visit it and especially your grand dad's village. And then you will write those beautiful stories for me.

SandyCarlson said...

Yeah. Beautiful post. Thanks.

Cheryl said...

I enjoyed this story. How intriguing life can be.

SJB aka SUELYN J-B. said...

Love the story.