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Published: January 1st 2013
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Cheese Ball
So, this was a, "Go stand up there for a picture for your family..." shot... that was taken almost immediately as a stray dog went running through my legs. Oh, China. I welcomed in the New Year last night with new people in a new city in a new world. I think I can honestly say that 2013 is bound to be a year of fresh perspectives, new insights, and loads of exploration!
Maeghan and I have found that we are having a slightly more difficult time settling into a routine here in Hangzhou than we did in Shanghai. We have talked about this phenomenon at length, and have mostly come to the conclusion that the move to Hangzhou came with no time to mentally prepare, and has been generally overwhelming. We’ve felt a little homesick for our friends and familiarity in Shanghai, but I will say that I am very proud of how well we have managed to overcome this.
Last night, I insisted that – despite our uncertainty of what relationship we might build with these people – we go out with the DE staff to a New Year’s celebration. We didn’t go to party and go crazy, but rather to do ANYTHING other than sit moping in our rooms, alone on a holiday. It was an adventure getting to the restaurant where we
all met… but pretty much everything in Hangzhou feels like an adventure thus far. But we had fun welcoming in the New Year Gangnam Style!
Thanks to our toughing it out last night, we received an invitation today to have a walking tour of Hangzhou and everything it has to offer. So, we spent the day on foot wandering around to… well… to the 4 Starbucks of Hangzhou. Basically, there is a Starbucks at each of the corners of the walk-able areas of Hangzhou… and we frequented all 4 of them today. Go us! But, in between we were introduced to several wonders, including places to shop for food, USA-sized clothing, house wares and other fun trinkets. It was one of those walking tours that you don’t think of as a necessity… but SO is upon arriving in a new city where you are to live for any extended period of time.
Our tour leader kind of abandoned us at a bookstore for a dinner date… but fortunately, we were left with two other cast members who have been in the area for 6 months or more. They led the way along a beautiful
lakeside path to a fabulous dinner – complete with a stop to Haagen-Dazs for a little treat. Having had this chance to get to know some of the staff at our new DE center I think will ultimately be the most crucial element of today’s walk-about. As one of our accomplices pointed out today, there are 8 teachers at this center where we are going to spend an upwards of 60 hours per week… you either get along with people or you don’t. Which would you choose? So, it’s not a matter of becoming best friends with these folks so much as getting to know them well enough to understand some of their antics and so on. We really need to reach that working relationship level where we can seek the help we need when we want it, and tell them to politely shove off when we don’t.
At any rate, I have successfully reached the honeymoon stage with Hangzhou. West Lake is absolutely charming at night, complete with a full water show that goes on for 3 hours every evening. I tried at one point to catch a glimpse of some fireworks over the lake, but
was unfortunately unsuccessful. I am told, however, that there will be plenty of opportunities to see fireworks here in China. Who would have thought? Regardless, the lake and its surrounding scenery is absolutely stunning: dotted with temples, hills and trees… I’m going to like it here. I can’t wait to see it in the day time!
(Scroll down for more photo wonder!)
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Wow! Happy New Year