August the first is the founding day of the Chinese military each year. This year, Omeida Language College sent a delegation to the local firefighting station to show our appreciation.
Omeida Zhongwen bu (Chinese language dept.) students
We delivered cold drinks to the young firefighters who risk their lives at a moment’s notice any day of the year by fighting fires or rescuing stranded citizens in the mountains and sometimes a cat caught in a tree.
delivering cold drinks to our local firefighters
These young soldiers (in China, firefighters are part of the military services) could feel our love and appreciation as we wished them well in Putonghua (Chinese language).
laughter and maybe shedding a tear together
standing together as friends
The local TV station even showed up and some of us were interviewed.
sharing laughs and stories with local news reporters
how exciting!
15 minutes of fame?
Then we were taken into the firehouse/barracks where we could witness the disciplined lifestyle of these firefighters/soldiers.
just like my closet back home, right Brent?
making a bed Chinese firefighter style
Before saying goodbye, the firehouse gave us some nifty souvenirs. Ironically, they were lighters in the shapes of fire hydrants and fire hoses.
firefighting gifts? haha