Blogs from China, Asia - page 2314

I only managed to get my pack stuffed in time for meeting up with the group to go to the airport only because I had left two full bags with the hotel concierge - I'll cross the issues of getting it stuffed for my India trip on my return to Katmandu. As ever checking in as a group takes a while but I was very fortunate to get a row 'B' seat which meant that I could take photos of Everest from the plane window....admitedly saved as little Jpeg's you don't get to see them very well, but blowing them up on my LCD screen on the camera it's just awesome! Landing at Lahsa airport you could feel the difference of altitude on walking short distances, our guipe Ghopal informed us that if you drank lots ... read more

the landscape stretches out for infinity beneath me , the horizon blending into the sky and dissolving into the atmosphere. the terrain stretches out like a living thing - amoebic self propogating irregular cells and swirling ribbons of water and earth- protoplasmic. untrampled by human feet and untouched by the scarification of civilization the fringes of the tundra mesmerizes me like a prolific mushroom growing forever defying the limitations of boundaries. As enchanting as a masterpiece conceived and executd by an unknown abstract expressionist artist i float as if supported by the folds of clouds that roll beneath the cruising carapace of the 747 . i am tempted to jump, secure in the knowledge that the clouds will catch me and embrace me . And then, aaagh! suddenly, a straight line- the hand of homo ... read more

Jerry and I have had a very busy month. Lessons are going very well and my students have accepted that I will be using the text book for all my lessons and have stopped grumbling about it. It is hard work though as I have a lot of subject matter to get through each lesson. It is made more difficult because I can’t explain meanings of words to them in Chinese. Anyway we are halfway through the text book now - I actually only have 4 more lessons to plan before the end of the year. The rest of the time will be taken up with revision or fun lessons. Jerry is still thoroughly enjoying his classes and the students certainly love him! They are now able to stay in bed for an extra 20 minutes ... read more

spoiled by stars, Five stars that is. Presidential Plaza Beijing is my address thank you very much. If that sounds hoity toity, that's because it is. Like Mohonk Mountain House (Amy and Linda), around every corner, we let out squeals (maybe John doesn't) of delight as we discover yet some other example of five stars. I won't bore everyone with extensive description of hotel but i wander down every day before seven to the pool, steam room, sauna, jacuzzi, fitness center area with thick Turkish robe to open my personal locker fitted with 2 towels and flip flops. what a way to start the day. i am not a fish out of water but a fish in water. 3 days here and leaving tomorrow. hardly remember the travel night mare of 30 hours in transit consecutively ... read more

So it's been a little while since I've written last. I've started to fall into a schedule which I'm not sure that I really like very much. It mainly includes me waking up on Saturday and Sunday wondering why I've taken this job. I love the students, the other teachers and the classes but I don't love the schedule. I believe I would rather teach the same time of the day many days in a row instead of having class from 2:30-8pm on M&F, no class on T&R, class from 10-6:30 on W and class from 8-6 on S&S. This type of schedule really messes with my head. I'm trying to get more tutoring classes so that I can have more of a normal schedule but I don't know how well it will work out in ... read more