US trip, part 6
The sky was cloudy when I got up and climbed the sloping floor of my room to the window overlooking Main Street, but the sun came out as I made my over to the Red House, where I discovered that I was mistaken in believing that Chinese was not taught anymore at W&L. In fact, there are now two Chinese professors, one from Shanghai and one from Taipei, as well as a teaching assistant (I think). I chatted with both professors, and it seems that the Chinese program is in good hands. One of the teachers, Professor Hu from Shanghai, is ensconced in Dr. Hill’s old office. The other teacher is Professor Ma from Taiwan, and she and I discussed Taiwan’s political situation in the hallway before she began her class.
I walked over to the J-school to visit Professor de Maria again in his office. We had another great chat about the school, the faculty, the students, politics, etc. I was feeling better about W&L after that than I did last night, when all I wanted to do was leave. Now I had to leave and I kind of wanted to linger, seek out Dr. Jeans and talk with him, as well as Colonel Brodie.
But checkout was noon, my rental car was due back, and I didn’t want to drive at night, so I packed my stuff, noting that I’d missed the hotel’s breakfast. After an omlette-and-cupcake brunch at Sweet Treats, I got in the car, filled up the tank, and set out past Gaines, stopping at the ruins of Liberty Hall, and then on the road again. The scenery was wonderful; I wanted to stop here and there to photograph various picturesque scenes, but this doesn’t really work from a car, and in any case I was on a schedule.
As I got on the freeway heading back west, however, I felt uneasy, like I’d left my visit somehow unfinished, and I kept glancing at the odometer, wondering if I should turn back, find the people I wanted to meet but hadn’t, maybe stay another night. When would I be back there again, after all?
But I didn’t stop, didn’t turn around; I kept driving, through the patches of rain, all the way to Kentucky. 365 miles in about five hours. I just gave Kevin and his family the gifts I brought from Taiwan; they were very happy, which was nice to see. Tomorrow night we’re having dinner with Ann’s family, which should be interesting.
真高興他們都喜æ¡ç¦®ç‰©~別忘了!è¦å’Œå®¶äººå¤šæ‹ä¸€äº›åˆç…§å–”!
Comment by Chenbl — October 1, 2011 @ 11:27 am