Chinese Danish Friendship Association
Oct 11th, 2006 by Peter
Since her move here, C haven’t been open to initiate contact to other Chinese living in Denmark. Before C came here, I even roundup a few telephone numbers for Chinese girls living in Aalborg if maybe she wanted to talk to people in similar situation. But no interest and I completely understand her. From a logical point of view why would she want initiate contact to another girl she never seen before just because she is Chinese too? Really good friendships are based on more than just a common challenge.
On the other side, friends are important. Especially when you live far away from home. So the situation gave me a bit of worries. After all, C is in a tough transition going from Chinese to Danish life.
Sometimes things just work out by themselves. As I actually hoped it would, it seem that starting school have opened many new doors.
For instance: The other day as C was in the school library, another Chinese took contact and invited C and I to a Danish-Chinese event the very next day here in Aalborg. It was organized by a almost new association (Chinese Danish Friendship Association), and was a celebration of the Moon Festival. Besides having a chance to meet other Chinese here, there would be big Jiaozi cooking event, where all invited would participate. So we went and I must admit, I had great expectations.
In hindsight it was a mixed experience. On one hand, it was funny to meet new people and I always like to observe unfolding events. On the other side, it was very unorganized. Even though my wife told me that this is classic Chinese way, I must admit that the favor was against the event from the start.
Due to a death metal rock concert in the same building (dreadful growling and I am sure I spotted a few German performers), the event was moved to another room with no notice. This meant spreading the initial preparations over 2 tiny kitchens, and bad tables to roll the Jiaozi doe. It had to create confusion. That being aside, there could have been better planning in the end, but we took it as an experience. C ended up preparing and rolling out doe for at least 2½ hour while I tried to look cool and not like yesterday’s leftovers as I felt.
Anyway, we had an okay evening and met some new people. I was one of the few Danes and had had plenty of time to observe as I was banned from helping in the more delicate parts of the cooking process. First by my wife and later by the Chinese woman who seemed in charge of cooking. C plainly told me that she wouldn’t allow me to help, as I was too bad (take that!). It probably would be embarrassing if she had to point me out as her husband later.
The Chinese woman told me that “It would be best if only the Chinese helped with the preparations in the kitchen”, to which I didn’t make much objections. I was measured out by my nationality with no chance to prove them wrong. Pretty funny, and so what? It gave me plenty of time to watch and take pictures. Later I learned that I would have been an ok help. I saw more than a few Chinese do a lousy job. One man almost killed a piece of doe instead of flattening it (lesson 1A: if you don’t know how to roll the doe flat, hitting it with a stick is not the answer).
There is potential in the association, that’s for sure. The day after we joined for 1 year. Then we’ll see what happens. I saw a list of coming events and they look like more “safe” arrangements. I look forward to next months meeting, where a local policeman will join and talk about the details of getting and renewing visas here in Denmark.
I also have great hopes for next year, when the organization will arrange a get-together to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Here are a few pictures from the day:
Preparing the filling for the Jiaozi
Cutting out the doe
The big roll-out masacre
Hard working people
Jiaozi doe. Pretty confusing as there was not enough room for all participants
Denmark vs China. Some students from the nearby university were invited. Notice how two East West fractions have formed. The Chinese make dumplings, while the Danes do what they do best: drink beer and look puzzled. Actually could be a man vs. woman situation too if you look close