Eating the Scorpion

The documentary primarily tells the story from the points of view of two middle school educators: Michelle, a young teacher never before overseas, who eagerly soaks up everything; and Wanda, an older, more experienced teacher who enthralls her students with stories about China and many fascinating souvenirs she acquired there.

In China we follow teachers to famous and not so famous locations and cultural experiences in Beijing (Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, hutongs), Great Wall, Xian terra cotta warriors, a small rural village, Suzhou (canals and scholar gardens) and the futuristic city of Shanghai. We also see them visiting a school where they relate to students, sharing a meal in a home, learning about daily life and making new friends.
We intercut between Michelle and Wanda opening up to China and teaching back home in America, where they bring awareness of the growing significance of China in the world, an open-mindedness about cultural differences, fresh knowledge and excitement for the subject to their students.