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14th Jan 2011
Touch down in Snowy Moscow, the passangers applaud and the feeling of sickness only just goes, I think I'm nervous.
It's the first time I've flown solo. Continually checking the time, looking inside me bag, passport still there? Jacket still tied round my waist? Calm. I'll be calm when we're in the air going to Shanghai, knowing I went to the right gate. Relax. I'll relax I can ask an English speaker about my visa; Ukraine, Russian, Chinese, ohh... "Your life jacket is located under your seat" The engine silences the dog yelping below, whilst the lights dim and I get chocked up again. This is it! Looking out the window as Moscow gets smaller. I'm diving into the unknown. The unknown, it causes butterflies, smiles, makes me feel anxious, excited, nervous. But without all these emotions it would be pretty boring and I don't do boredom. HELLO CHINA!
15th Jan
"Qingwen [excuse me] Sir, how long is my visa for?" "1 month!"
I thought as much, but I was still hoping since leaving England it was for 3.
Round and round they go, that one? Nope, that one? I hate that feeling, has my bag made it through transit? Finally after enough suspense, my blue rucksack trails towards me.
'Emma Roberts', boldly written on an A4 piece of paper, held by Felixs brother. "So you're Emma, so young and pretty"
Apart from the signs and number plates, there was nothing to make me realise I was in China as we drove to meet Felix's wife at my apartment. I'd seen photos of the inside, so modern and clean but looking up at the 10 storey building and the many surrounding I thought it was just a lure to get me there. The noisy, dirty lift was only making my thoughts worse 'So a dodgy looking building block, with strangers taking me somewhere hmm' Well upon opening the door of 1001, the photos weren't a lie and I wasn't about to be hostage or something (my mind was running over many things whilst going up to the 10th floor in the lift)
Felix's wife, whose name has escaped me, was so kind. Showing me the towel she'd put in the bathroom, how the bed sheet was new and all the bananas, chocolate, noodles, tissues, coke, to name a few that she'd got for me on the bedside table. She reminded me of Madam Jane in Uganda, her kindness and genuine care. "The message board down stairs says they're cutting the electric this afternoon, so would you like to come to school?"
Felix is the owner of 3 schools in the Songjiang area and he's who I've been in contact with, so it was finally great to meet him.
After a quick tour, Felix had a lesson and so we went to my first class. "One of the other teachers we have here is American, she's been here a month and hasn't met the standards that we expect from a teacher. I've told her she's got a week but let's just say, I need you to learn fast!" Right.
Driving to the next school, "Felix I have something to tell you about my Visa" He pulls over, this worrys me, "The ball is in your court and I can completly understand if you don't want to continue with taking me on but my visa..." He's relaxed, telling me how we'll re-new within in the month. This stops all my worries, allowing me to get on with the day at ease.
I sat and smiled all through the lesson. Around 10 little boys and girls, chat chat chat, what season it is, the weather today, what animals look like. They're English was very good, something I wasn't expecting. "My name is Teacher Emma and your name is Emma too" I told one of the girls during class break. She gasped putting her hand over her mouth and then smiling, when giving me a fruit stick 'thing'. Think I made my first friend.
Jet lagged and I thought I could stay in bed tomorrow, well Felix has other ideas. I'm in school 8am, jeewizz.
I'll put tops on the this self, shoes here, books there.. I'm un-packed and it feels great!
Bang, from outside. Delayed worry shock, because I forgot were I was for a moment, as it certainly doesn't feel like China.
Very cold nose. I'm in bed and finally the warmth is coming through from this electric blanket as Chinese homes don't have radiators. I'll wear a hat to bed tonight I think to myself, as my eyes struggle to stay open...
Lots of Love from Songjiang, Emma x x x
- comments
Diane This is great so good to have your life in words again. Sounds great so far! Have fun. Lots of love xxx
Aunty Net It sounds great Emma,can't wait to hear about your new adventures. Have fun and enjoy. We love you lots. xxxxx
lisa great to read u made it there, wearing a hat to bed reminds me of when we go camping, looking forward to reading more xxxxxx
ma good girl xxxxxxxxx