More Hangzhou story....

Hi everyone

I Promised to finish this Hangzhou story for you. This just shows the way we have so much difficulty with the language. But remember there are 1.4 billion of them and they dont really care what we think, I am sure. The pic's are of a boat on the west lake and me obviously at the island of 3 lakes mirroring the moon.

Ok to continue the Hangzhou story ... I got up to the part where we left the food place without food & unsatisfied. Ok so now we go and get on the baot to take us out on the West Lake. And it's as cold as ice and the wind is blowing so there are not so many people. Only crazy ones like us. The lake thing is very impressive but it is a shitty day so not so enjoyable. But there were 2 European guys and chinese girls together and we see at various place on the lake. When we get back to the dock, they get off same as us, we start to talk a bit (I am thinking that if we have lunch, the chinese girl can translate for us). So yes we agree to all have lunch together, excellent. Now we go to a restaurant and start to order. And sure enough, what I order is not available that day. So I have to order again. Also the Danish guy has ordered aro dishes because one is only small. So the food starts to come out, good, everyone has food, except me. Then a small dish comes out and is placed in front of me. I ordered a rice dish so figure this is mine and start eating it. Then 5 minutes later another rice dish comes out and it is the one I ordered. Turns out I am eating the second dish the Danish guy ordered... oops. So I offer my dish to him. No, he doesnt like it or want it. Dam, so now I have 2 dishes to eat and pay for. Second time today I am screwed on the food. Anyway we get thru and the company is good. Interesting characters and business they are in (sourcing product in China for Danish companies). Then we have to leave, to get the bus back to Shaoxing.

So we get a taxi and somehow convince him to take us to the South bus station. Even though we got off at the East bus station this morning, we think the ticket girl gave us the incorrect ticket. Our friends told us the South bus station is right.

Anyway, we take the taxi to the south bus station and fight thru the traffic and people to the ticket booth. No english is spoken but we say Shaoxing and are met with a shake of the head and "no Shaoxing". I say yes Shaoxing, they say no Shaoxing and then again. This is not working, so we head toward to the Information booth. She sees us coming and says no Yingwen(english). Again the Shaoxing thing and again no Shaoxing. Just then a chinese man appears at the same booth and says in fine english that he also has made a mistake and come here buy a ticket to Shaoxing. But apparently the bus only goes from the East bus station. So he has to take a taxi there as well. So he kindly agrees to go with us in the same taxi (thank god someone who can speak english). From then on we have a smooth trip home even if it is Sunday night and everyone in China is travelling. The earliest bus we can get on is a 1.5 hr wait. Eventually we get home after the bus ride and waiting again at the local bus stop in Shaoxing for the bus to get home, which did not turn up, so we took a taxi again back to the college.

Wow that is a mouthful but so typical of the everyday situations. I am trying hard to learn some chinese but a ways to go yet. At the moment I can understand some words so I can guess a conversations context sometimes

Shaoxing Update

Hi all

Time for an update on Mike in Shaoxing China.

So far the Yuexiu College and the work and the teaching has all worked out really well. All is good and I might actually get paid on this Friday, which will be a bonus. Well not really cuz I havent been paid in a month.

Anyway, A couple of interesting things of note I'd like to mention. That I think every non Chinese person who reads this will appreciate. My students have clicked that I have a blog site and so I have to say all good things. Which I would anyway becuz they are all so excellent to work with and that is the truth.

I have to tell you about the students english names. Most of them make them up from english names or words they have heard. There are some really pretty and normal western names that would not be out of place for any western person. But there are also some totally outrageous names that are just words that people have heard and liked eg Happiness, Potato, Funny, Snow, Rainbow and there are plenty more. Feels strange addressing someone as Happiness. But all the stuents are just a pleasure to be around and so keen to be in class. It's been great so far and am sure will continue.

Although the "buz" word here is convenient. Things are convenient or not in some way. Sometimes they are convenient, or not convenient, or more convenient etc. It covers all territory. If an invitation or something works well for you, then you say yes thats convenient, or convenient to do and its set. If not you say it's not convenient and then there is no further discussion. Means, It's just not on, it doesnt suit me. Simple really.

And I need to tell you about my first trip to Hangzhou from here last Sunday... What a trip.

My co-teacher Dianne and I decide to go to Hangzhou. Which is a large city 45 mins away for the first time. This was just on Sunday last. So we try and get the info we need from our other freinds here re which bus, where to get off and maybe what to see etc.

We are told that we need to catch the coach to Hangzhou South bus station. Remember there is no english spoken in the ticket office. So Sat nite, I get online and find out the chinese characters for tickets, and south bus station & Hangzhou. We print it out to take and show.

We get to Shaoxing bus staion and show the sheet of paper... and get a blank look. So have we translated incorrectly or ? how do you know becuz they dont ask and we cant understand anyway. So she gives us 2 tickets and we actually get on the bus. Yes we are going to Hangzhou, becuz they know the word and we were told that No2 gate is correct and that is where we got on. And yes we travel to Hangzhou. And get let off at ? bus station. I take the map and go to the corner and check the street names. Dam, we are at the East bus station, not the South bus station. Ok we are here and we get mobbed by people wanting us to get in their taxi or bus. After making a decision(which I am sure was more costly than a taxi) we get in a shuttle to the West Lake area. Walk around a bit. Now I am hungry, had no breakfast. So we go to a place that has "great" pics of food outside but no english translations, but it looks good. in we go and try to order food. Usually that is pointing at the menu and saying this one or that one and a drink. Dianne orders some as well. We give them money to pay. next thing they are back with a small bowl of food and my drink(good service I think). Di says that can't be her food, looks nothing like the pic. and they put in front of me? Straight after they come back to me and open the menu point at the item I ordered and make a cross sign. Ah, not available. So I try to find out what it was, chicken, pork ? so I can order similar. They don't understand we neither, So they close the menu and walk off. bring back change only for my drink. Looks like I am not getting any food. Anyway Di still says that this bowl is not hers, so I eat it. And yes they did not bring anymore food for her. So it must have been hers and I ate it. Total failure so we leave unsatisfied.

This is the second incident after the bus station thing that happened that day, there are several more. I will add to this blog but not now as it is already to long. Let me say .. very interesting times... quite funny really. was when it happened and still so.

Anyway the pics above are: Top left - view of a Shaoxing canal, first spring leaves etc. top right: My(married) teacher friend Lily with first flowers on campus, Below left: Hangzhou -On West lake, island three pools mirroring the moon. and Below right: Dragon boat coming to dock on the West Lake.

Re Lily, I mentioned her in earlier blogs. She has been great to translate all sorts of stuff that we struggle with. She is great to have around and seems not to ever be bothered by us asking what this or that means.

So hope you enjoy, I will add the rest of the Hangzhou story later today or tomorrow.

zai jian

Mike T

Now, for something not so different. "the language barrier"

My weekend in Shaoxing

Ni hao to all (Hi there)

Here is a pic I took of one group in a class doing a interview role play. They really got into it and played the parts very well. Pretend tears and all. It was good fun for me and them.

Well two weeks have passed now and I had a good week. Started to get to know a few people and had some time out away from the computer...

I have joined a snooker playing group of guys from Yuexiu and that was good on Monday night. I have some practice to do I think to be competitive but was good to go. Maybe I will be better tonight.

Friday some of my students asked me to go to an english cafe in the city with them. Called an english cafe because it is where some locals and ex pats go to practice their english speaking. I went with the two students and another chinese english teacher of theirs. I learned quite a bit. and the environment was good. Met some new people. It was good.

Afterwards they asked me to go to a nightclub with them. Well not being one to say no.... off we went to the Jeep Club. Wow, the music was so loud you actually could feel it. Quite good really. and the drink situation. You buy a drinks package when you get inside. There is no bar to go to. So we had a bottle of Chivas Regal and iced tea mixer. Tasted good. All for 4oo yuan (divide x 6) between 4 of us. good night out. Met some new people and learned a chinese dice game(actually it is a drinking game) but went ok. got home about 2 I guess.

Saturday was dam cold and raining (5 degrees in the day) so stayed in.

Sunday went to a mall with my co teachers and my new chinese teacher friend (translation help) which was great. and Was ableto decipher a bunch of other mysteries with her help on Sunday. She ahas offered to assist with those kinds of things when we need. Glad for the help and she gets to practice her english. AND before you all go ... thats Mike.This girl is married and her hubby lives here as well.

So today been to work and done my stuff and had some fun. So far all is well. Weather looks like warming up so I might get to see a bit of Shaoxing and surrounds soon I hope.

Just a note. I am told that I cannot read the comments you might post just now, so if you have any comments please email to me, til I find a way around the block.

Zai Jian

Mike T

Yuexiu update

Hi all

First time tonight I am actually on my own at home. Usually there are others around or my roommate. How will I amuse myself.

A good chance to update this blog site I think, then maybe go have some dinner. Strange I can add to this blog and see the preview before I post it but I cannot see the finished article. China blocks it here, big brother. That's China.

Anyway I am including a couple of pics for you all. One classic on the door of one of the offices here. an some other of the Shaoxing city area we go to.

Settled in to the classes now. Second week. The workload is not to taxing, I have 4 classes for 4 days (thats 3 hrs ea day) and 2 classes on THursday. So total 13.5 hrs week so far. I do have to do some prep as well. Altho I am doing my best not to give any homework cuz I will have to mark it. dont want that.

I did promise to tell the SIM card story. About 3rd day here. So me and 2 people who came over with me (1 been here before) bt speaks no Chinese at all. Decode to take the bus into Shaoxing and wander. I say I want to get a new chinese SIM for my mobile. We find a China Mbile store and go in. Wander round a bit (no English anywhere). So I ask and am sent upstairs. When I get upstairs I have to get a number. But they dont really know what I am asking. So I wait.... seems they are looking for an english speaker. When she comes to me I explain to her what I need. She says you have to go downstairs for. So we go downstairs. to a counter. I say I want to pay on my credit card, thats ok but have to go upstairs for that. We get upstairs and when they see the Wizard credit card... no no cannot use that card. so now we have to go back downstairs to get SIM and pay by cash. Then I am downstairs in the cue with a number. waiting waiting (1 hour). then I get to the counter and the guy speaks no english at all. We then try and discuss what plan I need with a lot of pointing and gesturing. Then the english speaker appears again ( i use that term loosely). Different plans are discussed. I select one and we do the transaction at length. I walk out and my phone is working. Yeah (not).

Seems the plan I have picked sucks. Credit does not last so long. So I top it up across the road 100 Yuan. Went well I am impressed. Shopgirl was very helpful. But next day, one short phone call to Australia by my roommate to his wife and ... guess what all the credit is gone( i think, phone is "barred" and wont work.

So then I have to get the students to check for me and yep ... outta credit. So I top up again with 100Yuan and get 76 Yuan? cuz I was 25v over apparently.

So now it is text messages only .. 1 Yuan each.

Wow sorry that was so long but you see the frustration of the simplist of tasks.

Anyway we will get better at all that stuff as time goes by. Have found some good shops and have directions to others. And soon wil lget to visit some other places around I hope.

zai jian for now

Mike T

Yuexiu Update

China here I come

Ni Hao,

i must be a dunce, this is the 2nd go at this and the last effort was a 'book". So sory this time no book.

website to check it out is http://www.emteeone.blogspot.com/ you can post comments and stuff there(here actually) or you can email me at emteeone@hotmail.com if you have some juicy gos I need to know that is for my ears only.

Anyway, the pisces are falling into place (altho missing home).
Work(CE) done and over. Altho they still owe me commission money. Sue has promised.
My last week at home is over (what a stressful time). Course, homework, real estate agents, removalists, packing, selling car, ... wow I am so glad it is over.
Agent tells me my place is now rented (yeah)

First week here over. Also very stressful. There is no hand holding by the college. You are straight into it. Luckily the other teachers here who have been here a while have been great. We learn something new everyday. I think that will continue until we leave.

Did my first real lessons Thursday last week. It was a disaster ( i thought) but the kids are great. I am teaching 14 classes of Conversation english and 4 of Effective Meetings each week. Conversation class is a hoot. It just mostly games and stuff and role play for the kids. Really good. The meetings class is a bit more serious but there is a text book and the 2 major teachers are here in my building (Canadians with 30 yrs teaching experience). So I have been able to lean on them a bit. so far so good.

The college is huge. 8000 students. Mostly girls. The boys do get treated like little gods by the girls. Most of my classes have 30+ girls and maybe a few boys. Much less disruption and they all want to learn something, not like kids at home. Quite good really.

Any way I have to do some work right now. I have story to tell about trying to get my new SIM card for my phone ... watch his space and post commenets here if you feel like it.

for the smart asses out there who think this is a book ... thank you for reading this far.

Zai jian
Mr Mike