Military Practice is Over!

For the first two weeks of the semester, all Chinese college freshmen must complete military training. Our apartment building overlooks the stadium, so we have had front row seats and front 'row ears' to their exercises.
We have observed them practice in the drizzle, in the rain, and for a few days, they even had a tiny bit of sun shining on them as they marched, chanted, grunted, and completed formations.  From our vantage point, we could pick out the platoons that were getting it and the ones that were still struggling. At times, the students were allowed to carry an umbrella which provided an interesting perspective from above, other days some of the students donned thin blue or yellow plastic ponchos to stay dry. From what we saw, they were each issued one uniform, and the students do not have access to dryers nor washing machines unless they head off campus.  Therefore, it is not unlikely that they had to put on a damp uniform many mornings.

After two weeks of practice, we were excited to see the final demonstration. It involved mock riots complete with riot gear and smoke bombs (the smoke bombs were hot pink and orange) as well as formation marching in front of the grandstand and synchronized hand motions.  I am not sure who was more relieved when it was all over, the students or us.

The repertoire of songs that they marched to was limited, and we are all trying hard to get these out of our heads now that the two weeks are complete. "It's a Small World After All" is far more pleasing and easy on the ear than the ones currently playing on repeat in our heads.