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Published: October 14th 2009
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It took me almost 2 weeks, but I finally sat down to start this thing. I think it will be the best way for everyone to know what I've been up to and see some pictures as well.
My Shanghai adventure started about a month and a half ago, and I am finally starting to feel settled. The flight over was long, but it was tolerable due to multiple movies, and a number of snacks my friends had sent me with for the ride. I feel like all I did was eat, watch movies and attempt to sleep across the row of seats. I thought that having an entire row of seats would be the best thing that ever happened to me, but it actually wasn't that comfortable. It kind of reminded me of the time a friend and I slept in an airport in Barcelona all night, so we could make our early morning flight to Malta. The ridges in the seats and the seat belt buckles makes for an uncomfortable position.
When I finally arrived at Pudong airport, I was excited to see who was going to be meeting me at the arrival gate. I was really hoping for
On the plane
My last caesar....so sad. a sign with my name on it- and that's exactly what I got!! It said, My name and the school that I was coming to teach for. One of the Chinese teachers from the school came to meet me, as well as the Head English teacher for our 4 campuses. Everyone was really friendly and I felt welcomed right from the start. The weather was a huge shock compared to the comfortable weather I had left back in Toronto. It was hot and humid....and that was the beginning of my "perma- sweat", basically until- now. It took about an hour to drive from the airport to the apartment that the school had found for me to live in. I found out on the way that I would have a roomate who was from Toronto. The drive was my first taste of Traffic in China...enough said. Well, I guess that doesn't really explain it for those of you who are not living in China. The cars on the roads here follow their own rules. Pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way and one lane of traffic can easily become three or four within seconds. Oh yea, and drivers here use
Chopsticks
My first night here we went for some dinner and ended up at a dumpling restaurant....the chopsticks were a struggle. their horns like it is their job. I have wondered if their horns ever break or stop working because of the use....I think I can count on one hand how many times I have used my horn on my car at home (just a side note).
When I arrived at my apartment was really surprised at how nice it was. It is on the second floor of a newer building, and it has been completely renovated. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a large kitchen, dining room table, closet space, balcony and back room with a washer and sink. It was almost fully furnished, we just had to buy a few small appliances and household items.
The first major setback was my matress. I have been told that in Chinese culture it is normal for them to sleep on a very hard matress. And when I mean hard, I mean hard. Rock hard, board like....so off to IKEA I went!!
I love IKEA 😊 The day I went to IKEA, I was amazed to see that it not only was a popular store in China, but it was also a Sunday "hangout" as well. Pretty much every piece of furniture-
Seafood section
I'm sorry but I had to do it. I couldn't believe they sell live turtles and frogs in Carrefour.
bed, chair, couch, you name it- there were people on it. I saw someone napping, two people looked like they were on a first date, and when I went to test a matress, the bedding was all ruffled up because someone had been sleeping in the bed!
I think I'm going to take some pictures next time because it is hard to imagine- I know.
The first 2-3 weeks were difficult, mainly because things just took a lot longer than usual to be accomplished. ie- internet. My first experience with buying a Chinese appliance was not the greatest. My roomate and I decided to buy a coffee maker and a steamer, rather than an iron (pure laziness).
The coffee maker began to smoke after 30 seconds of being plugged in and the steamer seemed pretty unsafe as well. Both were returned- and off to Starbucks I went!
Initially, one of the biggest challenges was language (no surprise). Especially in my area. Being in the school has made it become easier and seem less foreign, but speaking with locals is still a challenge. Just the other night my roomate and I were out for a walk and we wanted to look at some restaurants menues. Neither of us knew how to say menue, or "just looking". So each time, the staff thought that we would be staying and probably wondered why we were looking and leaving. The good news is, we did find some local restaurants that serve good, simple food that is cheap.
In the time I have been living here, I have learned how to say some basic words like; hello, thank you, see you tomorrow, good, bad, right, left, is it ok? (haha), numbers, students chinese names, drink water, my address...and I think that's about it.
The food situaton has been alright I guess. I have been lucky not to be overly sick...like some of the other teachers. There is a Carrefour about 10 minutes walking from my place. I usually buy my groceries there and you can find just about anything from household items to turtles in the seafood section.
My roomate and I try to avoid it as much as possible because it can be pretty crowded and the line ups can take a really long time. There is no such thing as an express lane, so if you are buying 2 things you are out of luck. I have come across a couple people who speak a little English, but usually I am on my own. A nice couple once helped me to find vinegar. I have started to get used to the starring. One day, a lady actually picked up my red onion out of my buggy, looked at it, and put it back. Then we exchanged an awkward smile and she continued in line. have been told that it is more of a curiousity thing, rather than a rude thing...but when there is a creepy looking man on the subway...I still find it rude.
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Uncle Chris & Auntie Dan !
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Hi Genelle
Great to get this blog passed on from Gramps Weiss. Please put us on your list. Sounds like you are having quite a time. Mostly good. I imagine it is difficult "not" to sample local culture including food. We haven't heard from your Mom or Dad. We are still so busy with work and keeping appearances at the cottage. Still lots of yardwork. Do you have a mailing address? Can we send you a Motts premix Caesar? Cheers and enjoy yourself. Auntie Dan