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Published: October 15th 2012
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So what can I tell you about life in China? Firstly the traffic. Imagine driving across the city of Melbourne at 6.00pm on a Friday night. Now add in a couple of hundred cyclists and scooters and take away all of the usual road rules. This is what traffic is like in China and it gets worse during peak hour. The easiest and cheapest way to travel is by taxi but hailing one can be a challenge, especially in the morning and evening when the locals are travelling to and from work. I have learnt to enjoy travelling up front in the taxi. It’s a bit like a tuk tuk ride with the extra protection from the car body. The taxi drivers have been generally very honest, even though I’m sure one took a bit of a scenic route on the way back to the hotel.
Walking around the city, locals are always very happy to help and fortunately I have the addresses of where are agents are and our hotel, written in Chinese. The throat clearing by the locals can be sick sickening, especially when it’s beside you in the plane or in an elevator. Table etiquette is also
a little different and again a lot of throat clearing or spitting into a napkin can definitely be a little off putting. It just makes me wonder what mannerisms we have that are churning the stomachs of the locals? Hard to tell. Taxi drivers don’t think twice about spitting out of their windows but fortunately you don’t seem to see all this grossness when you are walking the streets. It could be because there is always someone cleaning. Sweeping the streets and footpath, wiping the barriers on the side of the freeway and collecting and disposing rubbish. Not sure where all the rubbish goes but I did spy a restaurant owner pouring a huge container of waste straight into the sewer. God only know what it was but it smelt horrible.
Three visits to education agents today. Both IDP and Eduglobal were already very familiar with Victorian education which allowed us time to give an overview of the special programs offered by our schools. All agents were very attentive and happy to receive the extra training. My taxi hailing skills are rapidly improving and amongst the craziness I managed to get one to stop for us. It’s much easier
wanting just one taxi. Sandra, the Principal of Blackburn High School left us to join another trip exploring partnership schools in China.
A new adventure this afternoon. Off on an agent visit by myself. What an experience that has proven to be. Catching a taxi on my own and trying to explain where I want to go, while at the same time trusting I will actually end up in the right place. Finding the entrance and lifts to offices is very challenging. Luckily my taxi driver dropped me right at the door to the office building and there was a lovely building information guy who took me straight to the correct lift. Often they are tucked away and specific lifts need to be used to get off on odd or even floors. Such a drama for office staff getting out of their building for lunch. Too many people and too few lifts. The meeting with the girls at Aoji went very well. I presented general information about government schooling in Victoria and then an extended spiel about Reservoir High. I then explained the special programs and strengths of the three other schools. I’m such a good ambassador. Didn’t even
think of dumping my competitions marketing material in the bin! Downstairs again to catch a taxi back to the hotel and again an easy feat due to the friendly help of the locals in Chengdu. The only downside was my taxi drivers spitting almost made me want to get out. Is it getting worse or is my stomach getting weaker?
The other three girls went off on a school visit and presented information about studying abroad and handed out my brochures for me. Well that's what they say anyway. When I got back to the hotel from my visit they were talking about a dumpling soup they'd had. Maybe that was as far as they got. Haven't seen any photo's of the experience yet!
Back to the hotel to pick up the extra brochures I had printed. Quite poor quality so had to bargain with the company through the concierge. Glad I only got them to print fifty and I’ll get more printed n Shanghai. Off to the airport again to catch the flight to Nanjing. My packing skills are becoming so efficient and I think I am almost to the stage where I can catch a plane
blindfolded.
A delayed but safe flight to Nanjing and my city view deluxe room was updated three levels. My room is amazing. Like nothing I've ever seen before and the hotel itself spectacular inside and out. I'm on the 70th floor as I type overlooking the city. Speechless. Shall quickly upload photo's and take a bath before bed. The bath also has city views. A girl could definitely get used to this!!
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Mark
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What a journey!
Your blog is fascinating Christine! No rest for the wicked. Your have certainly been working hard, but it sounds as though you are having a great time. You will certainly have many tales to tell on your return. Great to hear about your successes in the marketing arena! Well done! I certainly have had avoid chuckle about the humans dressed up in panda suits - sounds like a Little Britain skit! Hope you are not too exhausted. What is the next step in the "Sister School" stakes - you certainly have made a wonderful impression? Keep up the terrific work Christine. See you next week on Aussie soil. Cheers. Mark