# 2 Retiring Teacher preparing to teach in China (Preparations)

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2006 has officially arrived in Miami, Florida. As always, the weather is sunny and warm, perfect for the many tourists from around the world, all recovering from a strenuous night.
But for me it is the official beginning of my travel and work plans to China. Within a few weeks I have to make the deposit for the Freighter ANL GEORGIA, where a few cabins are available for passenger-travel from the East Coast of the US via Panama Canal to Hong Kong, China. Because my teaching contract is for a year, I will now have to make visa arrangements with the China Cosulate in Houston, Tex. for the "extended" visa and present my teaching contract and letter of invitation from the Taizhou Normal College. A China- Visa-Agency in Ft. Lauderdale has notified me that some additional documentation is required, and I notified Mr. Lee, the spectacular Foreign Affairs Officer of the College in Taizhou, to help resolve this small problem. Two advance packages of personal items have not arrived at the College yet. They were sent about 6 weeks ago, in Nov. '05, and I am reluctant to send further packages until I have the Consulate's assurance of the year-long visa. I am waiting for the Visa resolution before I pay the freighter-travel deposit and make other travel arrangements within China.

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Comments

[Rhys, in Jiangsu]

It all starts here
Ah, Hans, welcome to the non-stop cycle of waiting on others and the gentle movement of paper that is living in China. But you're going to love it, no doubt. Although, would expect your packages to be here by now. Usually around two weeks from the US or UK.

[Rhys, in Jiangsu]

Bizarre coincidence
Hang on a minute, I just realised. In this country of 1.5 billion people, and hundreds of thousands of foreigners, I only now recognised Arthur Lee's name! I got given his details via a mutal friend, since he was interested in talking to me about offering me a job this semester, not two months ago. Bizarre.

[Hans]

about Mr. Lee
Thank you for your thoughts, Rhys. I think we are speaking about the same Arthur Lee, the Foreign Affair Officer of TNC in Jiangsu. I'm not sure if you have spoken with him, but he is simply the best. I look forward to working with him, and no doubt there will be many surprises in store for me. When I was there this past summer, every day was a new adventure, and it was due to his many efforts on my behalf. Where I might have hesitated before my visit, meeting Arthur became one of the catalyst for accepting the year at his college. It sounds like you are already in China, and was wondering about your status there. Are you at another college or U. in Jiangsu Province? Would love to hear about some of your experiences if you are already teaching. Great thanks for any of suggestions or commentary. Who knows, we might even have the chance to meet one day. Lots of sunshine from Miami and Happy New Year, Hans