The first two weeks

Where do I start.  Today is 2 weeks since I arrived in China.  And what a few weeks it has been. Overwhelmingly positive I would have to say

For the first 10 days I had no email or google and really felt quite bereft and like "China is a LONG was from Australia".  Baidu is the Chinese equivalent of Google, but generally I'm not able to use the it because nearly everything is in Chinese - duh!  I was able to skype my family and Peter just to let them know that I’d arrived and everything was going well.  But I did feel isolated.  There were so many things I wanted to check out and I couldn’t access google.  I wanted to download photos for classes but I couldn’t access google images.  Back to normal now.  And Jessica at work is teaching me the joys of Taobao.  (Online shopping like you wouldn't believe)  

So here are some of my first impressions.

• You go all day here only seeing Chinese people.  I come to work and the expat teaching staff are the only people I've seen who aren't Chinese.     This provides never-ending entertainment for local people who look at you as a curiosity as you walk down the street.  I just smile and say “nihao”  (hello)  and 9 out of 10 people smile back.  Little kids just look at you fascinated. I went to the park yesterday and was followed around by 2 women who were council workers raking up leaves.  They were lovely, explaining in Chinese what statues and different things were.  And when someone doesn't understand, of course you speak louder!!  A man joined us and another woman.  Felt a bit like the Pied Piper, collecting people as we went.  

• This is a different world to living in Laos and Luang Prabang.  In LPB local people may not speak much English, but it is a town which is set up for and makes it's living out of tourists.  So  if you want to go somewhere, you can usually work it out with the tuk tuk drivers and they will take you there.  People on the street here seem to have no English..  LPB is small, you can walk and not get lost.  Here I stick closer to home at present because I couldn't even say in Chinese the name of my community, or the street where it is.  On my phone I have photos of the sign for the street I  live in and the entry gate for my community.  So if I get lost, I can show this to a taxi driver.  There is no way I could negotiate a bus station yet.  I'll work on that for next weekend because I'd like to go to Suzhou, the "silk capital".    Also because there are no visible foreigners or tourists, you do feel isolated from the rest of the world.  And everything is BIG.

• Chinese people have been so helpful and friendly - everyone - people in the street, the staff at WEBi where I work, the man who delivers the water.    Lots of sign language and a great app on my phone where you write something in English and it translates into Chinese and vice versa.       

• Common brands of cars here are Mercedes, Audi and VW.  Even in the community where I live. 

• I have been forced into the 21st century and now own my first smart phone.  Will I ever learn to love it????  I think not, but time will tell.  
• I have also joined WeChat - the Chines equivalent of Facebook, but I really don't care that someone I work with has bought a new appliance.  WeChat is part of work.  Instead of email, things at work are communicated via WeChat.  I feel so old sometimes.  
• Kids here go to school from 6.30 in the morning until 5.30 in the evening.   And then there is homework in the evenings.  And extra curricular activities like english language lessons.
• I start Mandarin lessons this week. Free, provided by the school.   Really looking forward to that.  
• Of all the students I teach, only 1 lives in a house. Everyone lives in apartments

• There is no litter in Yixing and it is safe to walk home in the dark.
• Most students are only children.  A few have a little babybrother or sister.

• Supermarkets here have my 2 favourite foods - brown rice and oats, so Marg is a happy girl.

• My faithful little camera has "given up the ghost" so I can't add photos to my blog at present.  And it hasn't yet proved possible to download photos from my phone to computer.  
• I'm surprised at how many signs and goods in the supermarket have English written underneath.  Some products even come from Australia.  You know this by the kangaroo featured prominently on the packaging.
• Technology here seems so advanced and just part of everyday life.  People are forever scanning their code thingy to make contact with people or pay for things etc.  Taobao is an online shopping conglomerate that "everyone" uses.  You don't buy shoes in a shop, you do it online.  Often the staff had things delivered to WEBi and so will show off their latest purchase.  The 11th of the 11th was  a day when "everyone" in China shops online and there are big sales.  .  I read how many millions of dollars was spent this year and couldn't comprehend it. The average spend per person in this province was something like $15,000.

• Spent lots of my spare time in the first days cleaning my apartment.  It was just so grotty and now it feels so much better. My favourite place to hang out was the HUGE supermarket nearby.  Numerous trips to get cleaning products, doona, towels, kitchen things, iron and the many many things you need when setting up a home.  Ive never done it before from scratch.There are lots of staff who are there to help - explaining how appliances work and finding things for you.  Most are so helpful, laughing and having a joke even though we don't know what the other is saying.    While I was weighing out some brown rice, one of the ladies was smiling and going through my trolley to check out what the foreigner was buying.  

The teaching - what I'm actually here for

Teaching at WEBi.  (Web English International).  

Photos to come....

WEBi is one of the 3 largest English language providers in China.  They have schools in about  150 locations.  About 30 of them are in this province, Jiangsu, which is one of the wealthiest provinces in China.  

The school is in a luxury shopping centre called Bah Bai Ban or BBB, and brand new.  It's something like the 3rd biggest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere and I get lost continually because we are on the 5th floor..  And there is SO MUCH BLING ........    Must admit, I'd rather teach in some of the places I taught in Laos.  In the WEBi environment, you can't see outside, it's all white and air-conditioned and feels a million miles away from what is happening in the real world outside.  

I'd guess that half the students are kids aged about 12 to 16 and the other half are older.  You have to be well off to come to WEBi and some are seriously wealthy.  Apparently classes cost a lot but I don't know how much yet.  And you can pay extra to become a VIP student, but I'm not so sure what you get with that.  Apparently Gucci handbags and Hermes scarfs are not uncommon amongst the students!

We called in to the school on my first day here and met the staff.  All these gorgeous young women who are the Chinese staff, most are English language teachers.  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. 

Compared to Laos, this work is a dream in terms of the workload.  When I think of all the hours and hours  I spent doing lesson preparation in Laos. The work I did on resources in Laos will stand me in good stead.   WEBi is so organised and there’s real support here. There are learning objectives for every class and a lesson plan as well.  You can chose to use the lesson plan or use your own resources, as long as you cover the learning objectives. I also had 3 days of orientation.

 There are Chinese Tutors who teach the real basics in a mix of Chinese and English.  They also act as a contact for the students.   Students only come to the foreign teachers once they are at a certain level and of course, they get no Chinese in our classes.  Classes are from 1 student to a maximum of 10 students and are for about 53 minutes.  (You have a  few minutes before your next class and you have to update the computer on whether people attended/passed and write quick comments on all students in private classes.  There are also Business English classes available which I find interesting. In one class the student had to teach me about the stock exchange and futures and blue chip stock etc.

The school also has Client Consultants whose job it is to "sell" WEBi, and also to support the students.  This is a business so they have sales targets to meet etc.  ..... a whole new world.

I find it really interesting learning about the students.  The kids work incredibly hard.  School is from around 6.30 am until 5pm and then there is homework.  And extras like going to English language school.

And the adult students have, I think, all been to Uni and are often doing things I have little understanding of.  One young woman markets super absorbent polymers (her background) and we ended up discussing their application in continence aids for older people (my background).    Her husband is also a student and he develops green technology for the thousands of coal powered power stations in China.  Lots of the companies are looking at expanding internationally.  One young woman works as an English interpreter in ceramics (not t-pots, but ceramic components for industry)  They are expanding to India and work has sent her to visit twice.  We both spoke of being overwhelmed by India and initially afraid to go out of our hotel rooms.

A couple of my students are women who aren't in paid work.  One of the students came up and introduced herself.  She is learning English because she and her son are moving to Melbourne next year so he can attend Ivanhoe Grammar.

This is a different life.

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.  

CHINA here I come

It's finally happening.

I feel like I have been waiting for forever.

This is Marg with happy face and the bits of paper that say I can go to China and work.

Last view of Melbourne for a year

First views of China

That's Guangzhou below......hmmm high rise and smog.  Almost dark at 5.45pm

TUESDAY 31^ST OF OCTOBER.

Great flight really (9 hours), China Southern airlines were good.  Bit of a treat after travelling with Air Asia for so long.  On Air Asia, baggage is limited and unless you book and pay extra, there is no food or beverage on flight.  And certainly no films, and the seats are much closer together.  China Southern had the lot: baggage allowance: 2 bags of 23 kg each.  Good meals, lots of drinks and free films.  Watched "Love Actually" again after probably 20 years and a good fun Bollywood film.

My first sight of China was Guangzhou and all the high-rise as you fly in.  Arrived at 5.45pm and it was almost dark, the air was like “pea-soup” to quote my Mum.  Seems like all I’ve read about the pollution here is very accurate.  It’s daylight saving at home so at 5.45 it’s still very much light.  Waited about 2 hours and then the flight to Nanjing.  The only foreigner on the flight.

Got to the Fliport Garden hotel and checked in about 12.30am  China time – 3.30am Australian time.  

WEDNESDAY 1^ST NOVEMBER

Perfect timing: I made my way down to the hotel foyer and  Daisy from HR walked through the door.  We looked at each other across the foyer and she came up and gave me a hug.  What a lovely start to my teaching career in China.  It has a good feel if the HR person welcomes you with a hug.

1 ½ hour car ride to Yixing.  I was amazed that it was nearly countryside all the way.  I expected China to be city everywhere with highrise, but thankfully it isn’t.  In Guangzhou and everywhere along the highway were planted with beautifully landscaped trees and shrubs.  All well cared for and no litter.  It is autumn which really surprised me after spring in Australia and Laos without 4 seasons.   Recognise some of the trees.  I think, pine, golden rain trees, lots of willow, Some bamboo plants. 

Passed small villages of 1-2 story whitewashed houses with tile roofs.  Lots of yellow gold crop which I later realised is rice ready to be harvested.  Saw some highrise (and they are really high)  but not anything like I expected. 

Yixing     Pronounced Yee - shing

Arrived in Yixing.  And I was surprised by all the very modern stores.  Lots of neon lights.  And all the most modern clothes etc. This nothing like Laos. 

Checked in at the hotel. Daisy took me to the bank to convert some money.  They wouldn’t accept my passport and had to use her id card to change the money.

The sun is shining - a good sign.  These are apartment blocks

My first meal in China

We had lunch and Daisy initially wanted to take me to KFC, I think so that I would "feel at home".  I haven’t come all the way to China to eat KFC, so we went to a noodle place and had soup.  My using chopsticks greatly entertains her which is fine by my.  

We called in to the school and met the staff.  More on that later.

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. 

THURSDAY 2^ND NOVEMBER

Ready to meet Daisy in foyer at 7.20 and caught the bus to Wuxi  (pronounced oo sie) .  Went to a Govt department of something like health and quarantine for my medical.  Very efficient.  Given a list of all the tests/examinations I needed and what room each would take place in so I just went from one to the other having them signed off as I went.

These included.  Urine sample –(fill the tube that has your UR number on it and just leave it in the rack along with everyone elses urine samples.)  blood tests.  BP, pulse weight, abdo ultrasound, chest xray and minimal doctor examination where he listened to my chest and palpated my abdo and checked lymph nodes.

Wuxi was BIG>  BIG buildings – a bit like how I feel so dwarfed when I am in the proximity of a cargo container.  And the air was like fog.  Didn’t smell but it was really bad.  Once again, beautifully maintained trees and shrubs everywhere.  Clean streets.  1 hour bus ride. 

So we spent very little time there and then caught the bus back.   

Feeling bereft because there is no access to google or gmail on my computer.

Billy at work showed me how to a access the Chinese google called Baidu  Guess what?   - it's all in Chinese!!!! with very little english that I could follow..  Tried to join Proton mail, an email sight which is OK in China but you need a phone number to do it.  (tried to use the Capcha option but it is blocked in China.  Any sight which Is blocked doesn’t come up with a notice to say it’s blocked, it looks as if it will open, but it just takes forever until you realise nothings happening.  You could waste a lot of time just thinking the internet was slow.

One of the teachers Robert was really helpful taking me down to the MI shop and I’ve bought a basic smart phone. The first smartphone I’ve ever owned.  Havent got a SIM card yet (need to decide on my provider)

Sounds like it is hard to get teachers here because all the young English teachers want to go to big cities where there is more of a “scene”… so Yixing suits us oldies. 

Caught the bus home on my own.  Got off too early and couldn’t quite work out where to go so asked at a take away food shop.   and the gorgeous young thing brought me home in her car.  How lovely.  You can do so much without language in common.  Thank goodness I had the card from the hotel with the address..

 Well that's the first few days.  Must admit, Yixing is looking pretty good.