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Ok... So we made it to China about a week ago. I was the first staff member here, and Kurin and I had the chance to get to orient (lol a little pun) ourselves somewhat to the surrounding area. We were given the quick and dirty tour of Shanghai, before our stockcar driving principal took us back to the "hotel" and our room. (more on that later)
The first thing you notice is the craziness of the roads and drivers. No one, and I mean NO ONE abides by any organised rules or method of driving here. It is probably one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. The traffic moves in this bizarre organic blob like movement, all the while, the cars honking their horns, for no other reason than to let you know they are there. No one gets angry, they just drive... down the other side of the highway, wrong ways on one ways, across busy intersections on red lights (which from what I can tell so far mean NOTHING) and swerve in between cyclists, skooter drivers (usually with a baby riding in front) and not a single helmut to be seen, anywhere. All that said, there have been no "oh s***" moments, like one would expect. It is very amazing. I am going to try and video tape it. I think that would be awesome.
Nothing seems to be maintained here. Everything is in a state of disrepair. That, and our apartments were less than acceptable in terms of livable, and I am still struggling to fix that situation. Finally got internet though, Yay! still waiting on a cell phone, and desperately trying to suss out what my job is, how I am going to do it, and whether we will be able to make it through. My principal is really gracious and generous and kind and the staff (especially the Chinese staff) have been very nice. That really makes a difference when you are thrown into a chaotic and somewhat disheartening situation. I think that once we buy a skooter (everyone has them!) and get a place in town, things will start looking up.
So, Facebook is blocked, as is youtube, and my office and home is a disaster, but hey, I am in China baby, and man I cant wait to see all the places I have dreamed of since I was a little girl. Kurin and I are going to explore the crap out of this country and others if we can, and I will try to keep you posted as our adventures occur.
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