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Three days in, and the reality of day-to-day life in a country where I am basically a toddler - three phrases (plus assorted, largely useless pronouns) of the language, illiterate save for a few arbitrary characters ('China'; the numbers one, two, three and ten), and lacking the social skills for smooth inter-personal relations - has started to hit home. Before this move, the most dramatic I had undertaken had been my university year abroad in France. At the time it seemed huge, and despite the blase air I adopted about it I was completely terrified. Now, obviously, I look back on it and cackle at my younger self with all the omniscience of the faux-geriatric. This was a country with shared linguistic and cultural roots where I was at least semi-fluent in the language; where I was studying at a university with a ready-made social group of fellow ERASMUS and French students to ensure I became fluent pretty damn quickly; and where, if I couldn't quite catch the machine-gun fire of colloquial Norman French, I could definitely read it and therefore - for example - actually know my address and how to say it.
The situation does have its advantages, however. Not least that all of those day-to-day things, even the tedious life-admin tasks that you would normally put off in favour of the pub, suddenly become intrepid adventures for which you can legitimately pat yourself on the back (I've ordered something - I don't know what - using three hand gestures, the word 'good' and a grin! I'm a god damn pioneer!) Also, just as many (sane) people will see a toddler coming and quickly become absorbed in reading the paper/rolling a cigarette/looking desperately for the exit in the hope that someone else will deal with them, the world is also full of higher beings (Sophie Collins) who will pity on them as they rummage for ever more primitive means of communication and actually do some really kind and helpful things. With this in mind, for your entertainment, here is a list of the things I have managed to accomplish in the last two days with the aid of some very patient people, the phrases 'ni hao' 'wo zhongwen hen bu hao' and 'xiexie' (hello, my Chinese very not good, thank you), mime, the BBC Basic Mandarin Phrasebook and - in one instance - the bane of MFL teachers' lives the country over: the comically unreliable translation site BabelFish.
1. Hailed and directed a taxi to a hospital for my compulsory physical exam.
2. Undertaken my physical exam. Anyone wishing to stay in China is obliged to submit to this seriously brusque succession of blood tests, X-Rays, ECGs and ultrasounds of yer innards (they spent a long time pointing and laughing at mine, so I can only assume that my gall bladder is as outsized as the rest of me is on this side of the Pacific). This is probably the most toddler-ish I felt, as it involved the most primitive of methods of communication, namely frequent manhandling. The doctors' basic workflow went something along the lines of *shove* 'something in Mandarin' *stick needle in arm/attach electrodes to chest/yank up shirt and smear gel on belly* 'next' *shove*, but it was pretty efficient and got the job done.
3. Opened a bank account.
4. Asked for directions to Tianfu Square (see main picture, went there for the spectacular water fountain show last night and spent some time chillin' with the Chairman - biggest statue of Mao in China init). I was subsequently delivered in person to the Metro by a very lovely Tourist Information officer and eagerly talked through the process of buying a ticket and putting my bag through security (yeah, that happens on the Chengdu Tube).
My first day at work will be Monday, and my schedule is set to be both hectic and changeable - the school run a shift pattern which means that I'll be working either 9 - 5 or 1 - 9 five days a week, with two non-consecutive days off. This throws a bit of a spanner in the works, as it will be nigh-on impossible to commit to a Mandarin course as I'd hoped. I have emailed a tutor I found on the Chengdu Forum, though, and will hopefully start lessons with her next week. I've also been in touch with some local ex-pats who are organising a get-together later in the week so should get some socialising in too, hoorah!
Missing you all lots, and looking forward to Skyping soon. Ooh, and if you want to reach me on my Chinese number it's 13882239592. Much love!
- comments
Sophie Collins lucy lucy lucy, love you. love this. you are a genius! and i got a mention! miss u so much and am glad you are seeing all this weirdness as exciting. it is definately exciting for us lot! keep writing, it's fascinating and can't wait to Skype. LOVE YOU love the more toddler obsessed and less eloquent sister x
Yuranti Shona Clearly not working you hard enough yet! I love the way it's still ok to point and laugh at the weird foreigner...
goeastmychild Ha! I know, temporary reprieve I feel...meeting my boss at 9am tomorrow for a tour of the centre then straight into it on Monday...also YES, so much staring going on! Am having a bit of an I MISS LONDON fest at the moment, City of The Perennially Non-Plussed that it is. Also City of myFriends and Family. Had a grand day out in the parks and tea houses today though, which was ace. It is quite up and down (to be expected on day 3 I suppose!) - just need to get un-jet-lagged, find my niche in the city and meet some mates and I'll be away! xx
Katrina Brilliant as always! I'm so glad we'll be able to enjoy your wit by the medium of blogging while you are away. You've achieved a fantastic amount in 3 days - don't rush yourself, you'll get the hang of it and be dazzling. Much love, M x
Kat I MISS YOU. I miss you with all the missing feelings in the world. But it does sound like you're being pretty much a badass in Chengdu. Skype makes my laptop sulk- please sends me teh emailz. [email protected].
jeri youoyo i ve got my own blog now hahaha