A Pipa Playing Nun

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Elena
I have learned Chinese for several years. I changed more than 3 teachers. I need a systemic and efficient studying. And I want to know more about china , Chinese and Chinese culture. Then my friend introduced me Mandarin Garden. What the teacher there gav

Alicia
Through the Chinese culture activities, I make many friends from all over the world. I learnt how to make dumplings, rice dumplings and flower arrangement. I like the activities of Mandarin Garden. They enriched my life in Shanghai.

Conni
I am glad to study in Mandarin Garden. My teacher is very nice and helpful, and the staff of the school is nice to me. I love Chinese and I love to learn Chinese. It’s very practical. I will try to learn it well.

Pierre
Mandarin Garden is a great place to get to know Chinese culture and to learn Chinese.They offer plenty of activities for an even profounder knowledge.The atmosphere is professional and at the same time relaxed.

Niels
I don’t like studying in a boring class. i wish my teacher can always be passionate and push me to study further. In Mandarin Garden, I found the right teacher for me and now I enjoy my class very much. Thanks a lot.

Tomas
I have compared several schools before my decision. I want to learn Chinese well and I also like to know Chinese culture. And I think the attitude of the teacher, the consultant here are all very positive. I like to stay with them and get the care from th

A Pipa Playing Nun

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Many years ago I used to tour with a pipa player. I’m a guitarist. It was a beautiful duo as the pipa had a wonderful sound

similar to a harpsichord. She asked me to accompany her in a concert in Huston Texas. I’d not seen her since the two of us

went to Beijing in 1989. We went during Chinese New Year ad she studied with China’s most famous Pipa player. He was lots

of fun. My pipa friend had been waiting for her fiancé to return from England to get married. As predicted he returned from

England already married to someone else. She was devastated of course. When she came to the US she asked me all kinds

of questions about personal relationships as I was already divorced. It was obvious to me that there was a man in her life but

I didn’t know who. I went back to Taiwan for a visit. When I arrived at her home in Taipei, It wasn’t a home it was a temple! She

had become a buddist nun. It is customary in Buddhism like the Catholic Church once a woman turns 40 if she is not married,

she becomes a nun. I didn’t think anything about it. Many years have gone by. I was in Beijing last fall and asked about China’s

most famous pipa player. To my surprise he had become a buddist priest. It took 20 years to find out who the boyfriend had been.

Everything comes out in the wash.