So, i have finally made it to the internet cafe. I just walked around with a guy whose mandarin is much better than mine for about an hour trying to figure out where an internet cafe is and how to buy a card and actually use it. We walked into a couple places full of guys playing warcraft before figuring out the system.
the flight down and bus to zhuhai, pronounced juhai, was a serious fiasco. We couldn't fly into Hong Kong initially because there was a typhoon over here so I was stranded in San Fran for a day. I was able to meet up with some people from the program though, so that wasnt too bad. Once arriving in Hong Kong things got a bit out of hand. I won't go into details, but just say that so far i have not been impressed with this programs organization skills. everything is subject to change at any moment, including what we are paying for or not, and they have very little useful information about the city they chose for our training. but anyways, enough griping.
The people in the program seem pretty cool, and every chinese person i have met is very friendly. Except for the first guy looking at my passport when I arrived in Hong Kong, who proceeded to show my passport picture to the lady next to him and tell me i looked like a girl with my long hair. My mandarin is actually pretty good compared to most of the people in my program, and I got myself out of the elementary class. We have a very good TEFL(teaching english as a foreign language) instructor, and I am excited about teaching.
Walking around the gigantic supermarket yesterday was quite an experience, many things I have no idea what is in the package. However, I often feel I can trust anything with Jackie Chans face on it. This guy slangs pretty much anything over here, from beauty products to snacks to you name it. In most restaurants I often have to point at something that looks edible and hope for the best. However, it is usually delicious. Lots of fried rice and dumplings accompanied by strange vegetables.
This place is TROPICAL, which i was not expecting. It is humid as hell, sort of like florida weather, and I feel a bit foolish for bringing all of the warm clothes that I did. The smells are also very strange. one minute it is a delicious scent from a nearby restaurant, then urine, then another delicious restaurant, then overwhelming dumpster smell, then restaurant...
After walking accross a bridge to an island nearby, we found that you could walk up a set of stairs to the top of this island. on the way down, there was a view of the bay, filled with fishing boats, and large highrises in the background. as we proceeded down the steps, a man started playing his chinese guitar and i realized that this is EXACTLY how i pictured china. every city I have seen is filled with what I can only call neighborhoods, which consist of hundreds of skyscrapers that are entirely filled by tiny apartments. It remindeds me of that scene from the matrix where they are growing the humans. These buildings are totally black at night, which is a bit eery. We will be in Zhuhai for about another week, then we move to Shenzhen. I look forward to unpacking and getting to know the surroundings I will live in for the next year.
12 comments:
ayyyy stokes!
so DUDE, that sammme shit happened to me. they looked at my passport everytime i tried to get into china, and then showed it to the person next to them and straight up LAUGHED. one time the dude seirously didn't even believe that it was me and called a superior in.
but dude, im pumpedthat you are there...safe...and living the adventure man.
i hope you post often. i subscribed to your blog...
live the dream, bud
johnnie
What an amazing first hand look at China through the eyes of a new comer!
There's a very interesting news analysis by Jim Yardley in the NY Times (today, Aug 25): "After Glow of Games, What Next for China?" It maintains that the Olympics have been the organizing principle of Chinese life for the past decade. The Chinese government spent $43 billion on the whole thing, and considered the Olympics a great success for China. The games demostrated the might of the China, in the context of it centralized, authoritarian power. Definitely a win for the ruling Communist party.
Yardly raises the question of whether the games will also have the effect of rising the expectations of the Chinese people, including demands for better services. Just one specific example: now that the people of Beijing have experienced a month of delightfully blue skies and relatively clean air, will they expect this to become a real environmental goal for their country?
Yardley raises the possibility that the games may result in closing the long chapter in Chinese history referred to as the Century of Humiliation, characterized by aggrieved nationalism in reaction to foreign intervention. He, like Danny, found ordinary citizens extremely welcoming to foreigners during the Olympics. No xenophobia. Fears that Chinese fans might boo athletes from other countries were groundless. The Chinese are at new heights of confidence about their position on the world stage, and the Olympics were a huge boost in that direction.
That's how it looks to the NY Times. How does it look on the ground in China?
Glad you arrived safe, Danny. Sounds like you are in for an adventure!
yeah china! yeah danny! thanks for the details - definitely feeling the matrix reference.
Danny:
My previous message was my attempt to write something of interest to both you and other readers, anonomous to boot--thought that's how this is supposed to work? Anyway,now that I see other messages, and on a more personal note--your blog was wonderful! Such vivid descriptions, great combination of what you saw and did and how the logistics are going. It's odd to send you a message on a blog post, but here tis anyway: I love you man!
Dada
PS: I already had "sonnyboy" from when I commented on Carter's blog--not sure how I picked it, but tis moi. Keep them messages coming
Hey Danny! I am so excited to hear what's happening. I've been into the DNC this week and hadn't seen your post until tonight. So glad that you got there, despite the hassles and that you are enjoying the fruits of your labors, as in passing out of the basic Mandarin class! Enjoy that Chinese mystery food, keep rolling along with the ups and downs, and keep posting to your blog! We love you, Danny.
Danny and compatriots:
Hillary gave a so so speech two nights ago (Rosie and I thought it didn't go far enough to say Okay supporters, get with the Obama program). But Bill last night was much better, gave a great speech, and you know, I'm not always his biggest fan, especially lately. Biden also gave a great speech, so feeling good about his choice. Then Obama made a suprise appearance, the crowd went wild. Tonight is his official speech, to 60,000 in Mile High Stadium. So it seems like a good week all in all. When's the next post?
Dad
Glad you made it to China! Be sure to post your mailing address once you get one!
8/30--Hi, Danny! It's hard to believe I'm reading comments from the other side of the globe! Glad you made it A-okay to China. Work's just not the same without you:(
I know what you mean by mystery food--sometimes I open my refrigerator, or cook something that should be labeled "Mystery One" or "Mystery Two". But remembering how much you love Thai food, I think you'll develop a real fondness for the food there (just don't eat near the veterinarian's . . .). So, since I got a picture Chinese language dictionary, here's my Chinese word for the day--ji. It means to be near, soon, reach, or approach. The two characters put together are a food container and a sitter. A person sitting near a food container implies that the food is soon to be ready. Its original meaning was 'tobend down to eat' which implies approaching. Whew! Now I understand why the language is so difficult! It combines food, people, bending down, and the idea of time all in one character! So, I'm glad you (sorry about this) ji'd China! Be well. Maitri PS: my juggling still stinks!
Danny! OK, I caved and opened a blogger or google or whatever it is account.
Thanks for another great blog. You paint a vivid, vibrant picture. I never thought you were the kind of guy to let a woman walk all over you, though! I was deceived. You even appear to have liked it. Go figure. Sounds like you are having an incredible time and making friends already. Good for you. Be careful of that cheap beer, though. Hope you get your requested assignment.
I made a blueberry pie for Rick and brought it in for the gang today. (I made him share.) Too bad you weren't here to have a slice. We continue to miss you and Rick is still crying.
We are ALL asking who the hell is Palin. Shit oh dear. Not only is she anti-abortion (in ALL cases, including rape), but she is for teaching creationism in school, fought like hell on the side of the big oil companies to allow more drilling in Alaska, etc etc. You can't get more conservative than she. Her only political experience before becoming gov. a short time ago was as the mayor of this dinky little town. NO national-international experience. Scary with McCain so old. Then there is her questionable firing of one of her agency officials, her pork barrel projects, etc. I don't care about her daughter's pregnancy and think that should be a private matter, but it's proof positive that just teaching abstinence and being a "Good Christian" does not work! Can't see many Hillary supporters switching their votes to McCain-Palin!
Well, keep the stories coming, Danny. We all appreciate it.
Much love, Susan
Post a Comment