HELLO EVERYBODY!!!
Sorry it’s been ever so long but what with all
the trouble of finding a flat I liked, I decided to just wait for my first post
until I’d fully settled in!
Anyway, here I am! In Dàlián – a coastal city
in the northwest of China (about a 6 hour high speed train ride from Běijīng). Here
are a few pics of my new digs (living solo):
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| My building -I'm on the 10th floor (also contains a student dorm) |
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| The lounge area! |
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| My bedroom - that bed could fit about 5 of me in |
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| Little alcove off my bedroom |
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| The bathroom - classic wetroom |
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| Kitchenette! |
Boy is it different up here to down south! I
was pretty spaced out when I arrived (crazy long journey with little sleep) but
I was still shocked by the immediate differences I could see. I’ve been here
about 3 weeks now and have made a list of the most prominent ones:
~ First and foremost is the road conduct here – still pretty crazy
obviously, but there are next to no scooters around! And double-decker busses!
Madness!
~ Another major difference is the staring. I’m not sure if it’s
because Dàlián receives its fair share of foreign tourists or if I’m just sort
of immune to it, but I get stared at a LOT less than I did in Fúzhōu. Very
refreshing!
~ Also, I think there’s less spitting here. Thank God as that’s a
disgusting habit.
~ There are a heck of a lot more western and non-Chinese restaurants
available. At the moment, not a huge deal but in a few months time when I’m
really craving real bread and pasta they’ll be a godsend!
~ Climate – one of the reasons I chose the city to begin with! But the
weather here is a lot more like good old Blighty’s – meaning chilly winters and
bearable summers so I won’t be sweating like a sinner in church
~ Taxis: I’ve noticed that there seem to be a lot less taxis around
here, and that a lot of people taxi share to save on cost – but this makes me a
little uneasy so I avoid them where I can!
~ Finally, they have English translations on bus signs! As if! If
only they’d had these in Fúzhōu my life would have been so much easier when I’d
first arrived!
So that’s my Dàlián musing done for now!
Thus far, I’m really liking the city! Apparently it was voted the most liveable
city in China for foreigners and I can definitely see why.
As for my experience with my new employer… I
now work at EF (English First) and so far I really like it here! SUCH a
different set up to Belief. As it’s a global company, I’ve found its management
and organisation to be sooooo much better which is music to my ears, I must
say! Also, where Belief threw me in at the deep end with no training for
teaching, EF is the polar opposite with extensive training and observation
classes. At first the training put me at ease as I did feel pretty rusty not
having taught for a few months, but now it just seems quite unnecessary and
tedious because I HAVE taught before so I do know what I’m doing in the
classroom. But can’t be helped! Besides, everyone keeps saying I should enjoy
my easy schedule because in a few weeks time a couple of teachers will be leaving
and I'll have loads to do! Speaking of the other teachers, my new colleagues are
all friendly and helpful and it seems to be a really positive working environment
in the office.
So! All in all I’m happy! The only thing on
my mind now is stopping by Fúzhōu and collecting the bag that I left behind - which
hopefully I’ll be able to do in a couple of weeks.
Peace out
xoxo
