There is a lot to be said, this is my fourth week living in Shanghai. Side note please remember I live in SHANGHAI, if you hear anything going on in china make sure you know where it is happening because china is HUGE and I do not hear about most things because I do not watch the news. So do not panic, I am probably fine.
So here is a fast recap of what happened...
I will keep this short for the beginning. My plane was
delayed an hour from leaving Pearson airport. I was late landing in Beijing
where I was scheduled to board another plane in an hour and because the luggage
did not arrive on time I then missed my connecting flight. It was rescheduled
and I was sent to a hotel for the night that was a 20 min drive from Beijing
international airport. The bathroom was an all in one you stood in the middle
and you could use the shower while sitting on the toilet or washing your hands
in the sink at the same time. First encounter with China living. Efficiency is
key. After that I got back to the airport in the morning on time and with my
luggage intact. I checked in got on a bus and took a 15 min bus ride to the
plane. Apparently this airport is its own little city and you have to drive to
where the plane will take off from. Only we had to sit there for about two
hours because the pilot had to receive clearance from the army to take
off. It is fair enough to say they are
more cautious about life than the western world we are use to.
I land in Shanghai and am greeted with a sign with my name
on it and I said yes I am, Tamara Buckland. The gentleman did not speak English
but knew what to do and where to take me. I was dropped off at the company
apartment where I saw a familiar face. Abel, who I was communicating with while
applying to this job, helped me and the driver who did not speak English with
my luggage up 8 half flights of stairs to the fourth floor. I met the other
teacher who had arrived a day before me who was named Ismael, who is from El
Paso, Texas. Then I was put into a room with two sets of bunk beds and I took a
well needed shower. From there we went to the police station to register and
then we were left to explore and rest. Me and Ismael who is called Issy now,
went to find something to eat. The main staples of fast food were there, KFC,
McDonalds, Burger King. But I have not seen a Wendy’s as yet. We ate a cafeteria where the food was lined
up for us to choose from and then paid for it and then sat down to eat. The
seats were short and I looked to the left to find there were pillows on the
floor for people who chose not to sit on chairs at all. It was a Tuesday.
Wednesday we ventured out on our own to find the main office
for training. Success the metro was a breeze to navigate. I have not gotten
lost once yet. Needless to say I got adjusted very well very quickly. Thursday a new teacher arrived, Andy from
Boston, we all went with Abel to open our bank accounts and money was in there
by the end of the day. We went to training and went out for dinner with the
trainer and the group of teachers training at that time. The company took care
of the bill. Friday we went to our perspectives schools to start in class
training.
Saturday I woke up early for another day of training. After work I
went to view an apartment and signed a lease that night. Sunday I went shopping
for laundry detergent and cleaning supplies at Carrefour, which was like a
Walmart to me, mind you they do have Walmart here but nothing like back home.
Tuesday I landed Friday I had a phone Saturday I had my own place to live. By
Monday I was moved in, had pots, plates, utensils, cups, the works.
I am thankful for everything that has been happening and its
only by the Grace of God that I am here and self-sufficient. I have met great
people who are becoming great friends and I wouldn’t change anything. I am in
China, and the rest will come.
Pictures will come please give me time !
