House hunting yixing style.

HOUSE HUNTING

My "community" - the apartment blocks are about 6 stories and there are probably 24 of these in this community.

On my first day in town it was time to go house hunting so Daisy and I were picked up by the real estate woman who happened to be wearing Christian Louboutin shoes. (Worth about $1000 so there must be money in real estate here)   Shown three flats all in the one community, about 10-15 minute walk from the school.  Thankfully the blocks of flats here only go up to 6 stories and the community has a good feel - lots of trees.  Don’t think I could handle living in a 20 storey high-rise.  

So much for my thoughts that I would be living in a tiny bedsit, cheek by jowl with millions of other people.  The first flat we looked at was huge – 3 bedrooms effectively and felt just too big.  The second flat had lovely light (facing south on 3^rd floor)but no sofa and kitchen, fridge, washing machine and air con were all old.  3^rd flat was good size and had new appliances.  Daisy knew much more than me about what to look for so I’ve taken that one.  Can move in the day after tomorrow.  This flat must have the biggest bed in the world!!  A whole Lao family with all their relatives could sleep well here.    And on the first floor - good not having to carry shopping up 4 storeys.  

The photos below are all of the inspection of my apartment  before the big clean.

The woman on the left is the real estate woman, she of the $1000 shoes.

This is my huge bedroom

Modern kitchen.  No oven

This is the 2nd bedroom.  Don't be fooled by that bed.   Underneath the red fabric is board and the springs are underneath the board.  So with my bed, I'm waiting, waiting for a foam mattress that I've bought on line to be delivered.  At present I have a complicated arrangement where I've put the thin foam from the lounge on the bed and other padding which makes it possible to sleep.

The closed in balcony off my room .  Washing machine and all appliances are supplied.  There is a rail where you hang your washing.  What an efficient system.

The bathroom.  

With a shower over the bath which is on the left. The shower had no shower curtain so when you used it, the whole bathroom got wet.

Every inch of this room has been scrubbed, including the ceiling.  

I just couldn't "like" going into the bathroom, it has no outside window and just didn't feel good.  

So apart from the big clean, I've added a shower rail (great extendable poles you buy at the supermarket) and bright bathmat mat and shower curtain.  There is a plant and little extras to make it a nicer space to spend time in.  Think it's getting there.

Dining area with new fridge.

We called in to the school and met the staff.  All these gorgeous young women who are the Chinese staff.  Foreigners are Herman from Australia who I spoke to on Skype when I was interviewed, Jessie from Dominica, and Robert a kiwi.  Also Nyasha from Zimbabwe who only works on the weekends.   They all seemed so relaxed and easy to talk to and helpful.  They gave good feedback about working for WEBi. 

Saw the lesson plans for all the lessons. It is a dream. So organised after Laos and the work I did on resources in Laos will stand me in good stead here.  

Daisy and I caught the bus home and I went to the supermarket for the first time. Spent ages, just looking and working out what different things were.  I was the only foreigner there and a bit of an attraction for the staff  who followed me around smiling.