The main problem I face with this blogging malarkey is that whatever mood I am in when I write it colours my recollections of what I've been up to. But I'll try and maintain some distance this time because I've had an up and down couple of days. Sunday I was realyl homesick. I'm not sure why but I just missed everybody and was really fed up of China. I won't dwell on it because the next day I was fine, and headed to Hangzhou. Hangshou is about an hour away and is our closest major city. There will be a [View Full Entry]

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Being here has challenged my understanding of Communism, which was limited in the first place I admit. I Here, the rich get rich - mainly becuase they don't have to pay for anything as everyone is constantly trying to curry favour with them - and the poor either stay in the same state or get poorer. As a rule, rich people tend to be very showy and ostentatious with ridiculous expectations of the treatment they should receive. Even more ridiculous is that they are actually treated like the royalty they think themsleves to be. I have read a lot about China [View Full Entry]

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Did I tell you that I went for a full body massage a couple of days ago? I'd been really looking forward to it but it turned out to be one of the most bizarre experiences in my entire life. The place was a bit how I'd imagine a low rent swingers hotel to look - ornate rooms but a bit shabby with two large double beds and a telelvision screen and DVD player. I couldn't see any two way mirrors which was a bit of a relief! My lady was in her thirties, tiny but well built. She didn;t speak [View Full Entry]

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It snowed here yesterday. It didn't settle which is a shame - somehow snow makes it seem like there is a point to cold weather rather than just being unpleasant. Today it's back to raining though, and yes, still cold. On Monday I went to Hangzhou, the nearest city to here to look at Training Schools. We were in the post part of town, all Cartier shops and Starbucks. Was good to see it and to experience a change of scenery but was difficult getting cabs and so cold I thought my nose would freeze! I did enjoy visiting the training [View Full Entry]

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The weather in Tonglu is very similar to my memories of the weather in Scotland. It's raining, and I don't think it's stopped since last Monday. Wet and cold and grey. Even the house has been really cold but that was mainly because I didn't realise until last night that the AC unit in my room can also blow out hot air! I'm going to Hangzhou in the next day or two to look at other English schools and will try and buy a few warmer clothes then. Saturday was a great day - I taught a whole class myself and [View Full Entry]

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United Easy Systems is the Chinese equivalent of Mcdonalds. Given that most Chinese food is fast food (and by the I mean cooked and served quickly, not nutrionally suspect!) it seems like such a restaurant would not be necessary, but it is quite popular. The layout and seating is very similar to a KFC or MaccieDs but very, very clean and with loads of staff. We've had really good fresh meals there, steak n pasta for 3 pounds, mixed rice, sweet and sour chicken. (Incidentally, Tarik has just read this over my shoulder and says by comparing it to McDonalds I [View Full Entry]

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Last night was brilliant. Tarik and I went for a Mongolian Barbecue with Benny, Orrin (one of the teachers here) and their friend Ling Ge and one of his friends. It was a very relaxed evening and although I found the meat quite fatty, it was flavoured with a surprisingly delicate spice. I had corn on the cob too, but the men just had loads and loads of meat which made me laugh at the stereotype of it. Afterwards we went to KTV, a karaoke bar where you get a private booth. I even did some singing, which I never, ever [View Full Entry]

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I am SOOOOO full. We went to a foreign restaurant today and I had macaroni cheese, soup (it was a freebie), chicken satay and some chips (shared with Taz). I did go to the gym this morning, but I somehow don't think I worked off enough calories to justify such a massive meal...oh well, I'm on holiday. And I don't really eat much when we have chinese food so... I do moan a bit about the food here, but there is a lot I can enjoy and it's so healthy. The fruit here is amazing so sweet and fresh and generally [View Full Entry]

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Chinese people care a lot about 'face' and status. To lose face here is a massive deal and appearances are hugely important. For example, if you offer something that is discounted, many people won't buy it if others will know they paid a cheaper price, rich parents don't want their children educated with the less well off and, even in the school, if you want to discipline a child you have to be really careful that you don't cause them to lose face in front of his classmates, especially if they are from a rich family. This preoccupation with what others [View Full Entry]

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Another foggy day in Qingdao. I really need to look up what they did when the sailing was here at the Olympics - the cloud/smog cover is so thick that I find it very difficult to believe anyone would have been able to see anything.... I think I am getting a cold today - not good times. Of course, it might just be delayed jet lag but I'm dosing up to try and fight whatever it is off. I'm flying back to Tarik's in Tonglu tomorrow and they won't let me on the plane if I am displaying any signs of [View Full Entry]

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