初见津巴（5） | First visit to Zimbabwe

    It has been a week since we arrived in Zimbabwe. I sat by the window of the Confucius Institute office, watching the beautiful sunset, recalling the people and events here, and regaining a peaceful heart.

    As we prepared to set out on an unknown African journey, the three of us volunteers met at Shanghai Pudong Airport. Our parents and friends came to see us off. I noticed that we were unable to look into each other's eyes due to their reluctance to let go, and my eyes also welled up with tears.

    踏出机场大门，两位老师帮我们分担行李，听到熟悉的中国话，安全感油然而生。回津大的路上，温暖的阳光洒在我们脸上，路边枯黄的草地空旷又平坦，高高的大树冒出了嫩芽，零零星星的。我们来到津巴布韦的春天，温和的春风也透露着欢迎。

    Stepping out of the airport gate in Harare, the two teachers helped us carry our luggage. Hearing the familiar Chinese language, a sense of security welled up within me. On the way back to University of Zimbabwe, the warm sunlight shone on our faces. The yellow, withered grass by the roadside was empty and flat, and tall trees had sprouted new buds, scattered here and there. We entered the spring of Zimbabwe, and the gentle spring breeze also conveyed a warm welcome.

    李老师带我们去了四季餐厅，第一顿中餐把我们拉回国内，美味熟悉的佳肴减少了疲惫。我们聊了很多话题增进彼此的了解，也缓解了远离家乡的丝丝惆怅。

   Ms. Li took us to the Four Seasons Restaurant. The first Chinese meal brought us back to our homeland, the delicious and familiar dishes reduced our fatigue. We talked about many topics to enhance our mutual understanding and alleviated the slight melancholy of being far from home.

    第二天，在哈拉雷的第一个清晨充满凉意，这里的气候非常舒适，邻居正在给院子里的鲜花浇水，一切都是刚刚好。Tawanda带我们去办电话卡，然后在应有尽有的中国超市和当地的Food Lovers买了个尽兴。小小的院子里，我们一起打扫、做饭、聊天，惬意藏在笑声里，也飘散在风里。

    On the second day, the first morning in Harare was chilly. The climate here was very comfortable. Neighbors were watering the flowers in the yard. Everything was just right. Tawanda took us to get phone cards, and then we had a wonderful time shopping in the abundant Chinese supermarkets and the local Food Lovers. In the small courtyard where we stay, we cleaned, cooked, and chatted together. The comfort was hidden in the laughter and drifted in the wind.

    第三天，津大的第一节中文课已经拉开序幕，一百多个学生从零基础开始学习汉语。站在讲台上，我感到重任在肩，也期待大家爱上汉语！从声母、韵母和声调开始，学生们都很认真，积极互动回答问题，尤其是练习后，他们真正学会发音，隐秘的喜悦充斥我的内心。

    On the third day, the first Chinese class at the University of Zimbabwe had begun. Over 100 students were starting to learn Chinese from scratch. Standing on the podium, I felt a heavy responsibility but also looked forward to everyone falling in love with Chinese! Starting from the initials, finals, and tones, the students were all very serious, actively interacting and answering questions. Especially after practice, they truly learned how to pronounce, and a hidden joy filled my heart.

    接下来的几天，我们负责的少儿班的课程开始了。每天晚上一起备课、出题、交流各自的教学方法。18号小院里的老师们，期待每个孩子打下坚实的汉语基础，也希望大家都能快乐学汉语！

    In the days that followed, the Chinese class for children that we were responsible for began. Every night, we prepared lessons, set questions, and exchanged our teaching methods. We were looking forward to each child laying a solid foundation in Chinese and hoping that everyone could happily learn Chinese!

    9月12号，我们受邀参加驻津巴布韦使馆举行的庆祝中华人民共和国成立76周年暨中津建交45周年招待会。周鼎大使在致辞中介绍了中国式现代化最新发展成就，表示中国作为全球经济的重要增长引擎和稳定器，为包括津巴布韦在内的世界各国经济社会发展提供了重要支持。此刻，我衷心祝贺祖国母亲生日快乐，中津友谊长存！

    It was a pleasure to attend the reception held by the Embassy of China in Zimbabwe celebrating the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zimbabwe on 9th September. Ambassador Zhou Ding delivered a speech in which he introduced the latest achievements of China's modernization. He stated that as an important growth engine and stabilizer of the global economy, China has provided significant support for the economic and social development of countries around the world, including Zimbabwe. At this moment, I sincerely congratulate our motherland on its birthday and express the hope that the friendship between China and Zimbabwe will last forever!

    对未来最大的慷慨，就是把一切交给现在。津巴布韦的夏天很长，但是微风暖而不燥，期待我们彼此的成长！

编  辑 | 周兴祥

责  校 | 李丽琴 Shoko