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1Join host Daisy and special guest Teacher Aurora as they talk about summer through the lens of a camera! They share personal stories and memories, journeying from the beautiful scenery of Hangzhou to the rustic landscapes of Henan.
Featured Guest:
- Aurora: A popular Chinese teacher who also loves photography. For her, the camera is a way to sincerely record life and express inner feelings, sometimes more powerfully than words.
Timestamps & Key Takeaways
00:00:45 - Topic 1: Your Guide to Photographing Summer Skies
- Aurora shares her favorite summer subject: the sky! She explains the beautiful color changes in summer skies.
- 📖 Keywords to learn: 天空 (t
iānkōng), 晴天 (qíngtiān), 颜色(yánsè) - 📷 Best Time to Shoot: Around 4:00 AM or after 6:00 PM on clear days.
- 🌟 Recommended Spot: Hangzhou's West Lake area, where you can capture stunning views of the sky with famous landmarks.
00:03:52 - Topic 2: Hometown Summers & Childhood Memories
- Aurora's hometown is Zhumadian City in Henan Province.
- Summer scenes she wants to capture there: Golden wheat fields, hardworking farmers, and the harvest season.
- A Childhood Memory: Before refrigerators were common, people used a "Well Pump" (压井, y
ā jǐng) to draw cool water from deep wells to chill watermelons and other fruits. This is a summer memory she'd love to photograph. - 📖 Keywords to learn: 井(j
ǐng), 小麦 (xiǎomài), 玉米 (yùmǐ)
00:08:35 - Topic 3: A Meaningful Photography Project
- Aurora wants to create a short film inspired by the classic Chinese poem "Sympathy for the Peasants" (悯农，m
ǐn nóng). - The film would focus on farmers in Henan working through extreme summer drought and intense heat (around 37-38°C / 99-100°F), even risking heatstroke. Their hardship is deeply moving.
- The Film's Goal: To remind everyone: "Don't waste food" and "Cherish what we have now."
- Envisioned Scene: A farmer walking through the fields with a water hose, watering crops while constantly wiping sweat.
00:12:48 - Topic 4: What Photography Means to Aurora
- Photography is a form of inner expression for her, a different way of communicating.
- Her photos became a special connection with a former student, Bao La, who has returned to her home country but still sees China through Aurora's lens.
- Her photos also inspire students like Li Yazhong, who feels he can experience the beauty of a West Lake sunrise through her photos, even if he can't wake up that early, making the scenery feel closer.
00:15:41 - Wrap-up and teaser for the next episode.
We'd Love to Hear From You!
- What’s your favorite thing to photograph in summer? Beautiful skies, delicious food, or happy moments with family and friends?
- What is summer like in your hometown? Do you have any special scenery or stories you'd like to share?
Leave a comment below on the podcast platform or discuss it with your teachers and classmates in your Chinese learning group
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PDF full script for episode 1, please email daisy@chinese-surfing.com
What’s your favorite thing to photograph in summer? Beautiful skies, delicious food, or happy moments with family and friends?
What is summer like in your hometown? Do you have any special scenery or stories you'd like to share?
Leave a comment below on the podcast platform or discuss it with your teachers and classmates in your Chinese learning group.