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Published: July 26th 2009
So I have officially been in China for one week! And ohhh whata crazy week it has been. I arrived Saturday evening and spent the next day and a half locked up in my hotel room, sleeping off my jet lag.. And slightly terrified to venture out into this foreign country. When I finally woke up I decided to make my way downstairs to the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Here's what my breakfast consisted of: chow mien, thick ricey-pork soup, thick ricey-non pork soup, spicy shredded vegetables, brown seasoned hard boiled eggs (with the shell) and boiled roots, with a side of warm milk. Lets just say I walked out of that place still very hungry. Over the next few days I had an assistant from the my school help me become familiar with the city. She helped me find an apartment, taught me how to use the bus, showed me where Walmart and, most importantly, where Starbucks were located. We drove through a few different areas of town and from what I saw, Shenzhen is an extremely wealthy city. Everything is modern and newly built. Skyscrapers, hotels, restaurants, malls, everything... The city itself is only 25 years old, and according
My Hotel Lobby
My first Starbucks. I was very happy that day.to my China guide book, is the wealthiest city in all of China. It is the #1 Special Economic Zone in the country, which means it is the most successful city in international business and trade. Lucky for me International Business was my major... networking, connections, anyone?? Only one problem, absolutely no one speaks English. Even my tour guide/assistant can barely say 'hello'.. In a way it's not such a bad thing because I am forced to learn Chinese, or Mandarin rather, which is the dialect they speak here, but also presents a problem because I am constantly getting lost with little to no help of finding my way. For example, last night, after throwing back a few beers during happy hour with my fellow teachers, I was put on a bus that took me only half way to my apartment. Don't be mad mom and dad, but I forgot my address (which I usually always have with me written down on a piece of paper) back at my apartment and had absolutely no idea where I was. Yes, this was my freak-out point, so I jumped in a cab hoping I could direct him in the right direction, but
A Sidewalk
The sidewalks here are full of plant on both sides. Very Jungle-like. after 20 minutes of driving around I was even more lost than when I began. This was freak-out point #2. After pulling over a few times to find English speakers that could help, I came across two very sweet Chinese girls, one of which spoke "litto Enlis".... half hour later I was home. This was probably the worst of my getting-lost situations, which I swear has been happening at least once a day since I've been here. Other than that, everything is going wonderfully. I am living in a gorgeous apartment, fully equipped with a gym, pool and most importantly one block away from Starbucks and the mall. I really love the little kids I am working with. They are very young (2-3 year olds), so they are a bit of a hand full, but I swear the most adorable and obedient children I've ever seen (with an exception for Massimo and Camilla of course😊. The city itself is beautiful, very green and well kept, everything is very clean and manicured; really not what I expected China to be. The people are very nice, even tho I often get long stares from everyone wherever I go. I feel like a
celebrity! But in reality I just don't think they're used to seeing brown people:/ The extreme humidity is going to take some getting used to, but all in all I am very happy here. I will keep everyone updated on my adventures in the following weeks, make sure to check back here. If you have Skype make sure to add me because I'm usually on during your evening/night time. I miss everyone! Ciao Ciao! or in Chinese... Zia Jian!
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Heather
non-member comment
El!
I am so glad to finally hear from you!!! This experience sounds like it will be filled with (to us) random adventures :) I knew I could count on you to find the closest (and apparently the fanciest) Starbucks!!! jajaja... And ok, your apartment is beautiful!! Are you going to be keepin up those shiny floors?? jiji... Do you live with people from your program or sola?? And it is a block from a mall - how is the "Made in China" situation treatin ya? Have you bought more little teeeny tawny shorts MiC?? jajaja I can't wait to hear more updates!!! lOve, Heather PS maybe you should pick up a few of those bug catchers for your dad - something that won't electricute your friends ! jaja PPS Maybe take this time to try that weird food - develop those taste buds??? jiji (you know i would ;) )