IN RIZHAO CHINA

 

We Landed at Hong Kong Airport Exhausted

 

And we then boarded our next plane to Qingdao

WE ARE FINALLY HERE

We we have landed safe and sound in Qingdao.

Chloe met us at the airport, to ensure we were picked up safely and taken back to our apartment in Rizhao.  I also had the chance to see Helen, my new principal, at the airport as well.

We had to take a long 1.5 Hour drive to Rizhao.  And after a 19 hour trip, it was a long 1.5 hour drive.  Chloe, bless her, was speaking English well, and tried to converse with us as much as possible.

 

This is meant to be the longest bridge in the world

We got to our apartment and were exhausted.  We are on the 26th floor.  The view is stunning.

 

 

I can also see my school from the apartment.  The cream coloured small building with the red roof.

 

 

Chloe mentioned about walking to the school and having to do a few things the next day then introduced us to Mandy,and then left.  Too our dismay, there was meant to be food in our apartment and guess what, there was nothing.  We were hungry, thirsty and very tired.  Not a good start I must say.  And we had not changed HKD to RMB.  So Mandy said she would buy some things with school money and I could pay it back the next day.  And so we went to go get some toilet paper and something to eat. 

We bought toilet paper, 3 ply, with no holes in the middle as there are no places to put the toilet roll onto in the bathrooms.  I have also been warned that when you go out, you take your toilet paper with you and be prepared for no toilets, but holes in the floor.  And we have experienced that already.  And we found a KFC.  YAY!!!  So we just bought that for supper and went home.

                             
 The next day we had to the school, where Helen was waiting for me and we had a little meeting.  Then Chloe had to take us to go and buy a frying pan, and pot.  We had to buy our own iron on the Saturday as the school does not supply that cause Chinese people don't iron their clothes.  WHAT!!   We also had to go have more medicals done at the clinic.  It definitely does not look healthy in there but they are very professional and quick.  After Paul, Sarah and I had to have blood taken, urine sample (where we found out about the toilets), ECG, and X-rays done, we go back to reception and they give you a snack as you had to starve yourself since midnight.  Not bad.

Four small Chelsea buns, a cinnamon bun, and flavoured milk (YUK).

Chloe took us to a Chinese food court and treated us to lunch. She has been such a darling running around after us.  We again ordered KFC for supper.

Like a pancake filled with salami and egg.

 Hot noodle soup with tofu and fish balls.

Cold pasta salad with pickeled cucumber and penuts.

        Paul and Sarah enjoying the hot soup             

 

Chloe who has been taking us around

Kerry and Lisa enjoying the food.

Well the weekend came and on the Saturday and Sunday we walked to the shopping centre to do some shopping.  1 hour walk there and then 1 hour back with the groceries.  We have to buy a lot of water cause it is so hot here that you are drinking constantly.

Then on Monday was my first day of work.  I was very nervous.  I wasn't at school yet as they are still finishing the building.  So the office staff work in the next building and I had to go there.  But Chloe said that I could go home at 10am and then only come back on Thursday, when Helen came back from her principals orientation.

There is a lot of adjustments to be made, and a lot of getting used to things unfamiliar to us.  I did feel alone sitting in an office with just Chinese speaking ladies.  I am looking forward to settling into my own classroom.  So lets hope my next post will be a little bit more positive than this one.

I WILL KEEP POSTING SO YOU CAN KEEP READING.