We have both been so busy this past week I haven't had time to write much in here. I thought I better make a small update for those who are going through blog withdrawal. Last Friday night we hosted our first party at our apartment. We had about twenty people and put on a little spread for everyone. I bought a BBQ and set it up on the balcony. It wouldn't be that much of a deal anywhere else but trying to get the message across in the store that we were looking for one was, once again, an adventure. As [View Full Entry]

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"Air raid sirens, and car, train and ship horns wailed and people stood for three minutes in silence on Monday to mourn the tens of thousands who died in last week's earthquake. The moment of grief was observed across the vast country of 1.3 billion people at 2:28 pm, exactly a week after the devastating magnitude-8 quake struck Sichuan. The death toll is estimated to be above 50,000. The silent tribute was the first of its kind for citizens killed in a natural disaster." (from the Chinadaily.com) The Monday morning flag ceremony at the school was a sombre one as all [View Full Entry]

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We thought a bit of a female perspective might be a good idea so I took the camera with me for one of my times walking around Wuhan, getting lost, and finding new and interesting places. I did, however, begin my trek on the bus. I started my morning at 9 am by getting on our normal bus, the 586. I hopped off at the wonderful little park with the windmill that was in earlier entries. This left me walking on Minzu DaDao (big road) and is a short walk to one of my favourite haunts, the mall with the Carrefour [View Full Entry]

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The numbers are still mounting quickly as more villages and towns near the epicenter are being reached. I have been getting a lot of my information from the cbc website which is interesting. Of course, it is all over the papers here and the television, but all most of us here can understand is the pictures. I think we probably know about as much as anyone else in the world does at the moment. There was a small assembly this morning where the situation was discussed with the students. A fund-raising campaign that was originally destined for Burma has been changed [View Full Entry]

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Now the news is starting to emerge we realize how bad yesterday's quake was. We didn't feel anything here at the school but other friends at home in their apartments at the time have mentioned that a little rocking and rolling did occur. Interestingly enough, the students at the huge public school across the street did really notice it...go figure. And apparently parts of Wuhan were shaking enough that some buildings were evacuated including Starbucks, where everyone was told to leave, the doors were locked, and that was it. Check out [url=http://www.ifgogo.com/77/earthquake-china-may-1 [View Full Entry]

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This is just a short note to say to everyone that the earthquake today had no effect on our immediate area as far as we know. I did not even take it seriously until Pat called a few minutes ago to see if we are OK!! I thought this would be the fastest way to inform everyone in one step. Will keep you posted. [View Full Entry]

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Today, Saturday, found me heading off to Mo Mountain with 7 others from our group of teachers and friends. The group probably would have been bigger if it hadn't been for a birthday party we all attended last night till 1 in the morning! Nancy decided to stay at home and send me off on my own for a change. Mo Mountain is on the side of East Lake and one of the top scenic destination parks in the area. It is a part of the East Lake Scenic Area which covers about 82 sq. km. The lake itself covers over [View Full Entry]

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Some photos around Wuhan. [View Full Entry]

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Three Gorges trip for May break. [View Full Entry]

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This is one entry I probably shouldn't publish but what the heck! I spent the day recovering from a night out on the town experiencing some of Wuhan's nightlife for the first time since we have been here. The place never sleeps as far as I can tell so far! We spent the day walking along one of the main streets fairly close to where we live. I'm sure we walked several miles and the new dinner plate sized blister on my foot that I am still nursing is the proof. As we settled down to a quiet night at home, [View Full Entry]

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