On Saturday we caught the bus into the city of Shaoxing. There are regular buses from opposite the West Gate of the College, and we line up with the other students. When the bus comes there is a rush - it is not uncommon for the bus to be already fully loaded, but everyone squeezes in to fit more in.
(I don't know whether I look like a weary senior, or whether it is the blonde hair, but each bus trip I have been offered a seat by either a young girl, or an older gentleman on the return trip.)
One of our trio, M1, had already been in Shaoxing so we felt some comfort in knowing that he knew his way. The ride was fascinating as the bus weaved its way through traffic of all sorts, and one wonders how there are not more accidents.
The bus stops at the railway station so we disembarked and wandered back through the city. We went to a huge supermarket which has more imported foods, and were able to buy cereal, milk, yoghurt, and other items. Here there are more staff who speak English so a little easier to find things. The customer service was extra ordinary!
Dragging our bags we went back to the street, only to bump into one of the other teachers (who hails from the Gold Coast). Fancy that - amongst the masses we find one of the handful of people we've already met!
We walked along the street trying to take in the sights, smells, and experience of it all. It is overwhelming.
And where did we have our lunch? KFC of course! Very much like at home, and very busy.
Afterwards we went to help M2 organise a mobile phone - and that was an experience and a half - it took almost 2 hours. All sorts of explaining to do with folk who speak little English even in the big bustling office of China Mobile. In the end he got what he wanted, while M1 and I just sat and watched the activities in the building. Chinese people are very superstitious - and they like phone numbers with the number 8 in them. There is a big wall of numbers - and those wanting to get a mobile phone spend ages choosing their preferred number.
Back onto the street, and by this time the traffic was heavier. We found our bus stop and once again had to find a tiny spot for us on the very crammed bus for the return journey to the college. It is a good feeling to be back inside the college gates again!
Monday, 25 February 2008
Sunday, 24 February 2008
The College
This is the view from my apartment window - the college buildings are on both sides of the canal. It is such a grand scale that it is overwhelming.
The college has some 7000 students - mainly girls - who are keen to study and get good jobs. It is a private college, so they have to have supportive parents or family to pay their fees.
The College is on 106 acres of land with impressive buildings with marble staircases, and Grecian columns everywhere.
According to the information given to us there are nearly 400 teachers, most of whom are full time at the college.
There are four canteens where we get meals. We have a plastic card with our credit on it, and we choose a meal at any of the counters of the canteen. Within seconds you are presented with a freshly cooked meal - you can see it being cooked from the counter. It is put on the plate and handed to you as you hand over your plastic card for processing. We take a pair of chopsticks or a spoon to eat and sit down at the many fixed tables and chairs. It is all so quick. And the students/teachers are in and out in no time.
The meals are good - we have found one place where the description of the meal is in English and we can point to the number on the menu - and we only choose things that seem OK to us. Pigs intestines and vegetables, or similar meals are not on our list of preferences!
There are many street vendors, especially around the West Gate and beyond where you walk through the winding lane ways of stalls all seeming to do brisk business as you dodge cars, bicycles, motor scooters and students and other strange vehicles. One can buy almost anything in the stalls.
The fruit and vegetable stalls look OK - I will buy carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, and some green vegetables there - but I have nothing to cook on. I'm looking for a cheap wok somewhere. But no hurry.
I have quite a list of things I need to get - so bit by bit I will set myself up in the apartment to make it comfortable for the next four months or so.
One thing I find amusing is that it is so cold children are rugged up so well, that they could not possibly bend their elbows with the layers of clothes they have, and women carry the little ones around and they look like dolls with arms and legs extended and unable to bend.
We have found the cold hard to deal with but it will warm up soon. Spring starts next week.
The college has some 7000 students - mainly girls - who are keen to study and get good jobs. It is a private college, so they have to have supportive parents or family to pay their fees.
The College is on 106 acres of land with impressive buildings with marble staircases, and Grecian columns everywhere.
According to the information given to us there are nearly 400 teachers, most of whom are full time at the college.
There are four canteens where we get meals. We have a plastic card with our credit on it, and we choose a meal at any of the counters of the canteen. Within seconds you are presented with a freshly cooked meal - you can see it being cooked from the counter. It is put on the plate and handed to you as you hand over your plastic card for processing. We take a pair of chopsticks or a spoon to eat and sit down at the many fixed tables and chairs. It is all so quick. And the students/teachers are in and out in no time.
The meals are good - we have found one place where the description of the meal is in English and we can point to the number on the menu - and we only choose things that seem OK to us. Pigs intestines and vegetables, or similar meals are not on our list of preferences!
There are many street vendors, especially around the West Gate and beyond where you walk through the winding lane ways of stalls all seeming to do brisk business as you dodge cars, bicycles, motor scooters and students and other strange vehicles. One can buy almost anything in the stalls.
The fruit and vegetable stalls look OK - I will buy carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, and some green vegetables there - but I have nothing to cook on. I'm looking for a cheap wok somewhere. But no hurry.
I have quite a list of things I need to get - so bit by bit I will set myself up in the apartment to make it comfortable for the next four months or so.
One thing I find amusing is that it is so cold children are rugged up so well, that they could not possibly bend their elbows with the layers of clothes they have, and women carry the little ones around and they look like dolls with arms and legs extended and unable to bend.
We have found the cold hard to deal with but it will warm up soon. Spring starts next week.
The bus trip to remember.............
But I get the feeling that there will be more of them!
Shanghai's roadways are modern and uptodate - a massive series of motorways, overpasses, bridges, toll gates, and traffic. Traffic of all kinds. The number of big (OK, not quite as big as we now see on our Brisbane roads), trucks, carrying all sorts of products, wind there way along the three lanes dodging cars, and buses, in a hair raising manner which would see many of them being chased by police with lights flashing. But none of that.
Cars, buses, and trucks often at great speed wend their way across lanes, pushing (without touching) the other traffic out of the way. Horns blare to signal that there is a vehicle trying to get into your lane, or is in your lane. Double lines? Ignored. Everyone seems to dive back and forth across the lanes at speed.
I think my mouth was stuck in "wide open in awe" as we watched the extra ordinary pace of life in the fast lane in Shanghai. On either side of the roadways were great plantings of trees and bushes. Nothing is green. Much of it suffering from the recent cold weather and snow, but no doubt getting ready for the warmer weather, rain and with any luck - if it can get through the smog, the sun. But the plants are all neatly trimmed.
Our journey of "three hours" took over four. The two girls (our welcoming party) slept for most of the trip and M1 andM2 and I just watched the events and tried to make sense of the views of life in China.
Of course there were many buildings - old houses (some set for demolition), and new houses. Old factories, and new factories. Acres and acres of small versions of the plastic hothouses (slightly smaller) of the sort we grow our Gerberas in, back in Gough Hill Farm. Advertising signs everywhere - on both sides of the freeway for as far as the eye can see great poles with huge posters advertising all sorts of things, including cars, phones etc.
On either side of the road there were small farms, and small collections of houses which were two or three stories high. On some of the farms there would me men with hoes, digging at the soil. People on three wheeled vehicles - with a box of things in the front, or being pulled behind them were on the small roads. These vehicles do not venture onto themain motorway here, but you see many of them on the side roads.
Canals and lakes are everywhere. I'd have loved to stop and take some photos but it was impossible to stop on the freeway - and on and on we went, still in awe.
The land is pretty flat, but every now and then you could see a hill/mountain, and on the top would be a pagoda. Then flat land again for miles. We were told it would be three hour trip, but it took much longer.
We were tired, having not really slept for 48 hours, and we were glad to make the outskirts of Shaoxing. Leaving the freeway behind we drove right into the chaos of traffic in the city. Hundreds and hundreds of people on bicycles, (some battery powered or motorised) and trucks, and cars, and pedestrians - all seeking some space on the chaotic roadway. It was quite frightening as our driver seemed to ignore all roadrules to get us to our destination.
The things we saw and could make no sense of. Nothing is the same, and I will be saying that often. Nothing is as we know it. It is a different world. This is China.
Shanghai's roadways are modern and uptodate - a massive series of motorways, overpasses, bridges, toll gates, and traffic. Traffic of all kinds. The number of big (OK, not quite as big as we now see on our Brisbane roads), trucks, carrying all sorts of products, wind there way along the three lanes dodging cars, and buses, in a hair raising manner which would see many of them being chased by police with lights flashing. But none of that.
Cars, buses, and trucks often at great speed wend their way across lanes, pushing (without touching) the other traffic out of the way. Horns blare to signal that there is a vehicle trying to get into your lane, or is in your lane. Double lines? Ignored. Everyone seems to dive back and forth across the lanes at speed.
I think my mouth was stuck in "wide open in awe" as we watched the extra ordinary pace of life in the fast lane in Shanghai. On either side of the roadways were great plantings of trees and bushes. Nothing is green. Much of it suffering from the recent cold weather and snow, but no doubt getting ready for the warmer weather, rain and with any luck - if it can get through the smog, the sun. But the plants are all neatly trimmed.
Our journey of "three hours" took over four. The two girls (our welcoming party) slept for most of the trip and M1 andM2 and I just watched the events and tried to make sense of the views of life in China.
Of course there were many buildings - old houses (some set for demolition), and new houses. Old factories, and new factories. Acres and acres of small versions of the plastic hothouses (slightly smaller) of the sort we grow our Gerberas in, back in Gough Hill Farm. Advertising signs everywhere - on both sides of the freeway for as far as the eye can see great poles with huge posters advertising all sorts of things, including cars, phones etc.
On either side of the road there were small farms, and small collections of houses which were two or three stories high. On some of the farms there would me men with hoes, digging at the soil. People on three wheeled vehicles - with a box of things in the front, or being pulled behind them were on the small roads. These vehicles do not venture onto themain motorway here, but you see many of them on the side roads.
Canals and lakes are everywhere. I'd have loved to stop and take some photos but it was impossible to stop on the freeway - and on and on we went, still in awe.
The land is pretty flat, but every now and then you could see a hill/mountain, and on the top would be a pagoda. Then flat land again for miles. We were told it would be three hour trip, but it took much longer.
We were tired, having not really slept for 48 hours, and we were glad to make the outskirts of Shaoxing. Leaving the freeway behind we drove right into the chaos of traffic in the city. Hundreds and hundreds of people on bicycles, (some battery powered or motorised) and trucks, and cars, and pedestrians - all seeking some space on the chaotic roadway. It was quite frightening as our driver seemed to ignore all roadrules to get us to our destination.
The things we saw and could make no sense of. Nothing is the same, and I will be saying that often. Nothing is as we know it. It is a different world. This is China.
Arriving in China
We left Brisbane at 11.45 pm and arrived in Singapore around 5.15 am (Singapore time) knowing we had some 2 hours to wait. I was last in Changi/Singapore Airport in 1991, and how it has changed.
It is much, much bigger, hugely friendly with displays of wonderful Singapore orchids. Altogether friendly and welcoming. I was travelling with two gentlemen - friendly Aussie blokes whom I met at Australian City College - and we were soon lined up at the Sports Bar for our first drink. I had a lovely red wine and the guys had a few beers.
We were very tired - sleeping sitting up in economy class is not a good sleep, but we were OK. One of the guys had been to Yuexiu before, and I was the only one of the trio that had never been to China.
There is now an airtrain that takes folk between the different parts of the airport. M1 managed to get on the train before the doors closed and M2 and I were stranded, until the train returned. We boarded and found that we had taken a different route. Back to the origional departure spot, and then on to the right destination and we were reunited again. Lots of laughs!
It wasn't long before we boarded the next Singapore Airlines flight - the 5 hours to Shanghai.
As it turned out we landed early in Shanghai and jour meeting and greeting party had not arrived. We had been given instructions to wait for two young ladies who would have "a plate with characters on it and our names." Eventually M1 found them - with the sign with thename of the college in English and Chinese and with "Dianne Michael" on it. The two blokes are both called Michael - which is why I will call them M1 and M2. Easy for me.
The girls had travelled three hours by bus and went off for something to eat, leaving us with our luggage to watch the world (in Shangai) go past.
The Shanghai airport was more than adequate - but compared to Singapore - well, there is no comparison. Shanghai was stark and functional, without the glamour and welcoming of Singapore. No doubt Shanghai Airport will upgrade one day to cater for the increasing number of Westerners to the country.
Eventually we found our bus driver and bus and were on the road to Shaoxing. Will I ever forget that bus ride? Never in a zillion years.
It is much, much bigger, hugely friendly with displays of wonderful Singapore orchids. Altogether friendly and welcoming. I was travelling with two gentlemen - friendly Aussie blokes whom I met at Australian City College - and we were soon lined up at the Sports Bar for our first drink. I had a lovely red wine and the guys had a few beers.
We were very tired - sleeping sitting up in economy class is not a good sleep, but we were OK. One of the guys had been to Yuexiu before, and I was the only one of the trio that had never been to China.
There is now an airtrain that takes folk between the different parts of the airport. M1 managed to get on the train before the doors closed and M2 and I were stranded, until the train returned. We boarded and found that we had taken a different route. Back to the origional departure spot, and then on to the right destination and we were reunited again. Lots of laughs!
It wasn't long before we boarded the next Singapore Airlines flight - the 5 hours to Shanghai.
As it turned out we landed early in Shanghai and jour meeting and greeting party had not arrived. We had been given instructions to wait for two young ladies who would have "a plate with characters on it and our names." Eventually M1 found them - with the sign with thename of the college in English and Chinese and with "Dianne Michael" on it. The two blokes are both called Michael - which is why I will call them M1 and M2. Easy for me.
The girls had travelled three hours by bus and went off for something to eat, leaving us with our luggage to watch the world (in Shangai) go past.
The Shanghai airport was more than adequate - but compared to Singapore - well, there is no comparison. Shanghai was stark and functional, without the glamour and welcoming of Singapore. No doubt Shanghai Airport will upgrade one day to cater for the increasing number of Westerners to the country.
Eventually we found our bus driver and bus and were on the road to Shaoxing. Will I ever forget that bus ride? Never in a zillion years.
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
Two more sleeps..................
my grandchildren would say. Yes, it is getting close now, and some things are not going well. There's been a holdup with the Visa - apparently the Chinese Embassy has changed some of their "rules" as they are being inundated with people planning to go to Beijing for the Olympics later in the day.
I've been assured that all is well - but on the day I leave I will be picking up the visa from the Embassy. I don't like cutting things fine.
I had my injection today - to protect me against a few things including typhoid. My arm is hurting bit now.
I have done all my washing and my suitcase is partly packed. Still a few things to go - but all up I think I'm ready.
I also purchased my Travel Insurance - through World Nomads. I was insured with them for the Irish trip in 2005 - and found them easy to deal with but I did not have a claim then, and I hope not to have one now. They are less expensive than other insurance companies, and I'm happy to be with them. They also let their clients have a journal on their site. I did use it a bit last time, but probably won't this time. But I have downloaded their Mandarin lessons.
I still have a list of things to do though and a busy morning tomorrow.
I've been assured that all is well - but on the day I leave I will be picking up the visa from the Embassy. I don't like cutting things fine.
I had my injection today - to protect me against a few things including typhoid. My arm is hurting bit now.
I have done all my washing and my suitcase is partly packed. Still a few things to go - but all up I think I'm ready.
I also purchased my Travel Insurance - through World Nomads. I was insured with them for the Irish trip in 2005 - and found them easy to deal with but I did not have a claim then, and I hope not to have one now. They are less expensive than other insurance companies, and I'm happy to be with them. They also let their clients have a journal on their site. I did use it a bit last time, but probably won't this time. But I have downloaded their Mandarin lessons.
I still have a list of things to do though and a busy morning tomorrow.
Thursday, 14 February 2008
Teaching Tools
I have my books from Teach International, and some other material that I have gathered from the Internet and other sources, but I don't need to be too clever. I'm told my only "tools" will be a big blackboard and a box of chalk. Now if only I had one of those tiny data projectors I might just take it, but I haven't and am resigned to having to use what is there.
The computer that is provided in the Teaching quarters is of more use to Chinese speakers and readers apparently - I shall be interested to see how it works, but I'm not concerned as I shall do as others do and connect my laptop and find my way around the internet in English.
Despite the assurances in some material that there is supervision of teachers, and support, the reality might be a little different. The size of the classes seems to have grown too - much bigger than I have originally been told, but discipline is not a problem in the class, so that is nice to know. All a bit daunting though.
No printer is provided with the teachers' computer, and it is almost impossible to get any printing or photocopying done - so I think I will be using the scant paper available, and my coloured pens. Oh, my. What a challenge.
One of the teachers that I met last night who is going next week, never learned any Chinese - other than shie-shie, he said. (shie-shie or shay shay is thank you)
I already have two or three words that I might just remember at the right time. We will see.
(I'm pleased to learn that the Chinese students like going shopping with their English teacher - so that sounds like a good idea)
The computer that is provided in the Teaching quarters is of more use to Chinese speakers and readers apparently - I shall be interested to see how it works, but I'm not concerned as I shall do as others do and connect my laptop and find my way around the internet in English.
Despite the assurances in some material that there is supervision of teachers, and support, the reality might be a little different. The size of the classes seems to have grown too - much bigger than I have originally been told, but discipline is not a problem in the class, so that is nice to know. All a bit daunting though.
No printer is provided with the teachers' computer, and it is almost impossible to get any printing or photocopying done - so I think I will be using the scant paper available, and my coloured pens. Oh, my. What a challenge.
One of the teachers that I met last night who is going next week, never learned any Chinese - other than shie-shie, he said. (shie-shie or shay shay is thank you)
I already have two or three words that I might just remember at the right time. We will see.
(I'm pleased to learn that the Chinese students like going shopping with their English teacher - so that sounds like a good idea)
One week to go..............
Things have been moving very quickly. I do have more information about the place I am going to, including the College. I still don't have my Visa, nor my tickets, and I won't collect them until the day before I go.
Yesterday in amongst all the things I have to do I sprained my ankle too. I didn't think it too bad when I first did it but over the next few hours it got worse, so I ended up at the doctor. I'd iced it, and taken analgaesics, but it was very difficult to walk. The doctor strapped it and gave me a note to get it xrayed today if necessary, but luckily it seems to be improving already - just 24 hours later than when I did it.
I had made contact with someone who had recently returned from the college at Shaoxing, and she gave me some of the information I had been seeking, which was good. And yesterday I went to the Australian college for a session on "Cultural Awareness" which was interesting, and I met the two guys I will be travelling with. One of them had returned last year from working at the college, and the other is new to teaching English, just like me.
I can't imagine what the school will be like really - oh, I've seen photos, but it is hard to contemplate the logistics of a school of 9,000 students who board at the school. It has 4 canteens - so we can choose which ones we go to to eat at.
The toilet (bathroom facilities) sound like they will be an interesting experience - even in the teacher's quarters. I'm not looking forward to that!
The students are around the 18 t0 22 years of age mark, and their English is pretty good, although they only use it in the class. As well they learn other languages so it must be hard for them.
From a teaching prospective the facilities are poor. Blackboard and chalk. For one that is used to using videos, computer, data projector it will be a challenge. As well there are no printing or photocopying facilities, so one has to be creative. Especially with so many adult students in a class.
And I won't know until I get there, what I will be teaching! Of course the most important part is the teaching English, but I believe I will also be teaching History, and Meeting Procedure subjects. Mmmm.
Yesterday in amongst all the things I have to do I sprained my ankle too. I didn't think it too bad when I first did it but over the next few hours it got worse, so I ended up at the doctor. I'd iced it, and taken analgaesics, but it was very difficult to walk. The doctor strapped it and gave me a note to get it xrayed today if necessary, but luckily it seems to be improving already - just 24 hours later than when I did it.
I had made contact with someone who had recently returned from the college at Shaoxing, and she gave me some of the information I had been seeking, which was good. And yesterday I went to the Australian college for a session on "Cultural Awareness" which was interesting, and I met the two guys I will be travelling with. One of them had returned last year from working at the college, and the other is new to teaching English, just like me.
I can't imagine what the school will be like really - oh, I've seen photos, but it is hard to contemplate the logistics of a school of 9,000 students who board at the school. It has 4 canteens - so we can choose which ones we go to to eat at.
The toilet (bathroom facilities) sound like they will be an interesting experience - even in the teacher's quarters. I'm not looking forward to that!
The students are around the 18 t0 22 years of age mark, and their English is pretty good, although they only use it in the class. As well they learn other languages so it must be hard for them.
From a teaching prospective the facilities are poor. Blackboard and chalk. For one that is used to using videos, computer, data projector it will be a challenge. As well there are no printing or photocopying facilities, so one has to be creative. Especially with so many adult students in a class.
And I won't know until I get there, what I will be teaching! Of course the most important part is the teaching English, but I believe I will also be teaching History, and Meeting Procedure subjects. Mmmm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)