The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Hou Yifei, who has adopted the name of "Andrew" for this visit to the US, seems to be enjoying his time in Cathlamet. The junior exchange student at Wahkiakum High School hails from Guangzhou, a large city in southern China.

It's a big change, but he likes the tranquility that he has found here.

"I lived in the city too long," Andrew said. "I needed a quiet place.

"It's very hot and humid there in the summer," Andrew said. Even this time of year, it's much warmer than it is in Cathlamet.

"We never see frost or snow," he said. His eyes light up at the thought of snow. He's hoping.

A tall young man with good ball handling skills, he is on the Mule basketball team, getting playing time in both junior varsity and varsity games.

Andrew loves coffee, which makes him a rare young man in China, where tea is king. In fact, he might like making it even more. He's been mastering the latte in Terry and Nancy Cannon's home in the Elochoman Valley, the host family with whom he is staying this year.

And like most young men, he loves movies. James Cameron's Avatar is his current favorite.

Another favorite is Mr. Rooklidge's Environmental Science class.

"Mr. Rooklidge is the nicest guy," Andrew said. "He drives us out and we put on waders to measure the water. We do salmon research. Because it's cold right now, we've been checking the bird box that they put in last year."

Andrew will return home to finish his senior year in high school. He hopes to return to the US to study economics in college. His father is an international pilot and his mother works for the same company.