Well, it's been quite a while since I updated this blog, but now that I'm on another long-term adventure, and particularly someplace where it's not convenient to use Facebook, I figured I better document some of the happenings for all to read.
I arrived late last Saturday night after roughly 20 hours in transit, not counting the 2 days spent in Boston and NYC with all of my luggage ("all" one suitcase and a backpack...) saying my see-ya-laters. I was picked up at the airport by two of the Chinese staff from my school and whisked onto the clean, modern, and convenient Metro, which makes Boston and NYC subways look pretty awful. After about an hour making our way across the city to Panyu, we hailed a cab to carry us the last bit to Olympic Gardens, where I will be living for the next year. After a stop at 7-11 for fish balls, tofu, and mini hot dogs (Who knew hot dogs were so popular in China?), a five minute walk from the front gate, and 5 flights of stairs, I came to the 3 bed/2 bath apartment void of roommates (and dishes, and sheets and towels, and blankets). Lucky enough to have arrived first, I staked my claim on the master bedroom, complete with a queen size bed and attached bathroom, which even has a bath (I understand this is quite uncommon). With a fresh tattoo unwashed through the international transit, I had to jump in the shower, and regretted the ill-considered decision not to pack a towel. I spent a very uncomfortable and virtually sleepless first night in China, buried under all the cushions I could find in the apartment.
Days 2 and 3 and the others have begun to blend together, with sheets, towels, a comforter, pots, pans, and dishes purchased along the way. The jet lag is subsiding after about a week of waking up between 7 and 7:30 am. Firsts include a trip to IKEA, chicken feet, and an X-ray. The required medical check was quite the experience, blood drawn, vision test, hearing test, ECG, urine test, all as I was ushered from exam room to exam room, feeling somewhat like cattle, though pleased with the cleanliness of the hospital designed for these standardized medical exams. I've gotten a handle on the Metro and bus system (to some extent, there are of course many many of them). I still only know how to say a few things in Mandarin, but miming, helpful Chinese and foreign co-workers who know more, and the consistency of written numbers go a long way. I've used a credit card only once, at a bar geared specifically toward foreigners, as cash is definitely king here. Ironic, being in a communist country.
My school is located at Jiang Nan, the old downtown area, about a 45-minute commute by bus or Metro. I am one of four full-time foreign teachers, including my manager, and work with about a dozen Chinese teachers' assistants and other staff. Thus far I have mostly been watching the other teachers' classes, though yesterday I was thrown into a couple of "make up" classes to teach. The first was less than successful, but the second went quite well, and tomorrow I begin my Winter class, teaching the Baby Animals book to a class of very small children daily for two weeks. After that is Spring Festival, when we will have about two weeks of holiday and I will have time to explore the city. Some of the other foreign staff are going on vacations, most to Thailand, but I cannot leave the country until I am issued a residence permit and multi-entry visa. Anyway, it's better than working illegally and having to hop over to Hong Kong every month.
Well, I think that's enough for now. I will try to update again soon, but we all know I'm not very good about that. Oh yeah, and pictures...
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