Moving to China - fell at the first hurdle

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Well after weeks of sleepless nights and worry I had my leaving do, friday night, and the nerves started to dissipate and excitement began to set in. Once it started it didn't stop, I was practically giddy with just a little niggle in the back of my mind that actually this Volcano spewing out ash into our airspace still had not subsided even a bit, but of course pint after pint of ice cold beer put that thought to bed.

Saturday I got a little more concerned and the more the hangover lifted the more it dawned on me that this situation really was likely to scupper my plans, by that evening I was almost resigned to it but with the hope of grabbing the next available flight out.

This morning I woke very ealier after bizarre dreams of ash filled playgrounds and trains, at just gone 7am I knew I had to check out the latest. The NATS office had extended the flight ban again - not a good sign! But not a lot I could do at that time of morning, after a rather uncomfortable couple hours of kip (due to copious amounts of delicious home made Indian consumed for another leaving celebration the night before), I rung the tour operator who advised me my flight on tuesday is cancelled and there is no way I am getting a transfer with the same airline anytime soon. So now I am going slowly crazy until an update tomorrow as to how things may pan out, and even then we may be without a hope.

Still at least I am not one of the poor buggers stuck in an airport in another country with no way home.
So an interesting start, fingers crossed it all works out for the best!

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Photos

Sam and Jacqui
hiding from the camera

Steve and John
nice pint!

My Lisa Lou
she's my favourite lol!

Jacqui
is this a mirror?

Jacqui
finally - she has a face!

Mark
surprise visitor!

Mark, Lisa, Rob
well back of Robs Head

John and his new beau
ahhh

Rob
thats the face I'm used to seeing - grumpy bum!

Rachel
the beautiful Irish princess!

Lisa
my sweety

Random No.2
lucky number for Ox in chinese - shame I'm a dog :-)

Comments

[Eric]

I really enjoyed your post. I have always wanted to teach abroad. If you have the time, email us some of your teacher experiences in China at [e-mail] or check us out at dirty-hippies.blogspot.com Continued fun on your travels, Eric

[anonymous]

Hey
Nice to see you on here. Another good thing about this blogsite is that it's one of the few that ISN"T banned in China. Blogspot and most of the others are inaccessible. I sent you another e-mail. There will be a vacancy in one of the Buckland affiliated schools here in Shaoyang, same city as me. Just an FYI, although Yongzhou is only a few hours away. There are about 4 Buckland schools in Yongzhou city so there will be a lot of other teachers there to help you out as well. I'm curious to know which one they will transfer you to though. :) Hope that ash clears out and you can head over here soon!