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There is another side of our hobby that I find fascinating. I think most of
us stamp collectors have a secret desire to learn about the history, geography
and culture of foreign countries.
As we sort and admire our stamps, we vision ourselves visiting all these
wonderful places that are shown on our stamps. As we go through our albums we
are taking imaginary trips to some countries that we probably never visited or
even heard of before. How many times have we day-dreamed of being in one of
these places and wonder what it would be like to have a friend there who could
show us around? They could introduce us to their friends, explain the ways of
their people, and see all of the interesting things in their country.
To most of us these dreams are far-fetched, but in reality we can do the next
best thing: get a stamp collecting pen-pal in that country. I correspond with an
18 year old young man named Xing. He lives in Datong, Shanxi Province, in the
People's Republic of China. We have been corresponding and trading stamps for
about three years. I have learned so many things first hand from Xing about
China that you don't usually read about in the newspaper. Xing fortunately
writes near perfect English. He translates our letters into Chinese so the rest
of his family can read them, too. They are extremely interested in learning
about our lives, and in particular our schools and the way we raise our
children. Xing tells me that teachers in China are looked down upon and
apparently not too happy, preferring to change professions. School children in
China form opinions about their teachers before they get to know them, just as
ours do.
He tells me computers in school are rare in China, but that interest seems to be
growing in them. English and math are especially important subjects to all
school children. Corresponding with Americans helps him immensely with his
English. Xing says that in order to go to college one must have extremely high
grades. While he was third in his class, he felt he was letting his parents down
by not being first. He's now in college in Beijing.
The younger generation in China has much respect for their elders. Their
families are close, as most live with elderly grandparents and other relatives.
Other letters additional insight into his everyday life. School hours in China
start at 7:00 AM to 12:30 PM, followed by a two hour break for lunch and rest,
resuming again at 2:30- 7:30 PM, six days a week. Soon they expect school will
be open every day of the week. Teenagers have no dating privileges. Parents do
not watch TV while children do homework and study so as not to distract them.
I could go on with interesting things that I learned about China. You, too, can
experience the pleasure of corresponding with collectors anywhere in the world.
It's easy and fun. So come on, get a pen-pal!
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