Safe and Sound in Shanghai

After a ridiculously easy trip to Shanghai, I am safe and sound and enjoying a final relaxing night in China.

After hauling two months worth of clothes and gifts and tea down to the street, a very nice woman helped me flag down a taxi. I think the taxi driver was a little irritated with all my things but took me to the bus station. With a little help, I bought my bus ticket and loaded up for a 3 and a half hour trip to Pudong Shanghai International Airport. Once I unloaded I navigated through the airport to the other terminal and easily located my shuttle bus and got to my hotel.

My room is very nice and even has a bathtub! I enjoyed a long bath, did some reading, and am waiting for room service (yes, I am fulling living up my cheap luxurious life).

I plan on getting a full night of sleep and shuttling back to the airport at 8 tomorrow morning. I don't fly out until noon but I am happy to wait at my gate instead of being worried about missing my flight. My travel time is three hours shorter than my time here, with four hour layovers in Korea and Seattle. I should be back in MIssoula by 7:00 pm local time. Just to get that straight, I will travel 21 hours but only lose 7 hours of time.

I will post updates as I have time. I can't believe this is my final night in China. Two months has gone by so fast, but I am extremely ready to return to my life in America.

Last Day in Hangzhou

I can't actually believe I am saying this, but today is my last full day in Hangzhou. Two months ago, I left my home in Missoula to come to a place where I didn't understand the language, had a completely different culture, and has almost nine times as many people as my entire state. I remember that Sunday when I arrived at the school, asking myself how was I ever going to survive two months in this horrible place…. well I survived, and loved (almost) every minute of it.

I still have a little more adventure to experience before I leave. Tomorrow I will take a bus to the Pudong Airport in Shanghai (which takes about three hours). I will then find the shuttle to hotel, go there for the night, then shuttle back to the airport for my flight. I am not going to attempt exploring Shanghai alone and if I miss my flight I think my father might have a heart attack.

Today will be a day of packing and goodbyes. I even think I will be able to keep my luggage under the weight limit without having a huge carry-on, which is nice when having to navigate two of the largest airports in the world (in Shanghai and Seoul, plus a layover in Seattle). I am also going to splurge a little and go get a manicure and pedicure this afternoon, followed by a trip to night market to pick up a few extra gifts and then a solo dinner at my favorite restaurant here.

I will try to keep the blog updated as I bus 130 miles to Shanghai then fly 6000 to get back home.

The Joys and Pitfalls of Travel

Live has been pretty good in Hangzhou the last few days. We have been taking it easy, visiting our favorite spots, and eating our favorite food. Ben (Frances's boyfriend) flew in two days ago so it has been fun showing him around as well.

Just when I am feeling great and getting excited to go home, the worst happened (well feels like the worst): I came down with a nasty case of food poisoning. I didn't eat anything out of the ordinary but for some reason my body just decided to go crazy. I am through the worst of it I hope. I spent a large portion of the day with Lois, our American friend from California, who has a great apartment near the school. She fed me oatmeal and rice water which seemed to help, but I am still feeling weak and queazy. With this being Frances's last night in town before she goes with Ben to do some hiking I am a little frustrated I am forced to stay inside.

This week will be pretty open for me. I am going in to teach one more lesson with my sixth graders and have a spa date on Thursday. On Friday I will travel to Shanghai and Saturday I fly home. I am so eager to get home but will fully enjoy my last week in Hangzhou.

Two Tickets to Paradise

We have returned from a three day trip to what I can only describe as the paradise of China. Since we were officially done student teaching, we took a little trip to the Zhoushan Islands in the East China Sea. 

After packing up two backpacks the day before and getting some important phrases translated by a teacher at the school (such as beach, mountain, and bus station), we set off early Thursday morning in a cab to the bus station.  We bought our bus tickets and spent four hours on a bus to the big island of Zhoushan.  To get there, we crossed a ten mile bridge!!  The bus dropped us on the southern tip of the island, and from there we took another bus to our hotel on the island of Zhujiajian (reachable by bus).  Our hotel was beautiful complete with a balcony that looked over the golden beach.  The beach we stayed at is famous for the annual sand sculpture competition held there.  We spent the rest of that day walking the beach and returned for truly unique dinner.  

Another Picture

I forgot to add that on Friday night we climbed up on the mountain that is lit up at night. It was a beautiful night. Here is a picture of the city from the top.

Another Weekend and the Last Week

This recap of the weekend is a little late as things have been a little hectic because of a change in scheduling.

This weekend was spent staying close to the school. On Saturday we helped the school with their incoming student testing. All the potential first graders who want to come to the school are tested for aptitude. Frances and I were assisted with entertaining the students while waiting for open testers with small English activities. From 7 to noon, we saw over 600 students. Only 140 will be able to come to the school in the fall. Most of the students didn't know any English, but it was extremely fun to teach them some words and phrases.

That evening we went to a great dinner at an Italian/American restaurant and then took in some Jazz at another local club. It was great to unwind after a long day of little kids.

Mid Week Check In

Even though nothing very exciting has happened since this weekend, I thought I would check in and tell everyone I am still doing well.  I am currently watching Finding Nemo with over 100 first graders.  Even though they don't understand the words they can't stop laughing.  

It has been a strange week of teaching with many cancelled classes, but we are making up for it by helping out with new student testing on Saturday.  Since the school is private, students must test in before they enter first grade.  A few of the English teachers are arranging activities to keep children happy before and after testing.

Since I don't have much to update I will just give a rundown on a typical day of teaching here.  Frances and I wake up around 6 before the students are up and sneak out to go running/exercising.  There is a canal near our school that is the hot spot for the senior citizens of Hangzhou.  There are many interesting morning workouts going on including tai chi, working out on exercise equipment provided by the government in various locations along the canal, even a very wonderful lady who gets all worked up then bends back then forward then yells at the top of her lungs.  But our running is evidently not the standard exercise and we get very strange glances as we trot down the path.

After our run we come back to the school and grab school breakfast which is usually some sort of hard boiled egg (usually cooked in vinegar), and bun of some sort either filled with meat or seaweed or red bean paste.  Then it is up to our rooms to shower and get ready for class.  This is the prime time to talk to people back home because it is evening in Montana.  

I either have class starting at 8:10 or 10:10.  I walk to the middle school campus which is about 10 minutes away (depending on traffic, and yes there is traffic I have to deal with even while walking).  I teach usually all morning then Frances and I meet at a local dumpling shop for some soup that costs about $2.  Then either back to my room to work for the afternoon or back to the middle school to teach some more.  

I try to take a little nap in the afternoon.  If we have a free night, Frances and I like to get out and have dinner at one of our favorite places.  Even though food is served at the school, life gets really boring sleeping, working, and eating at one place.  Food here is so cheap so eating out isn't a problem.  Sometimes Frances and I have to do evening activity with the students which is a hour with the whole grade to either teach them a song (or in tonight's case we are watching Finding Nemo).  Then it is back to our rooms for a little evening work out, reading, and lights out.

Days all run together during the week especially because I teach the same lesson around 12 times.  My weekends are much more enjoyable and fun to write about.  I am just a teacher in a middle school five days out of the week.  

Even though I am still three weeks away from my return trip, I am starting to get eager to return.  I've booked my hotel in Shanghai to stay in on Friday before my Saturday flight.  I am also trying to figure out how to bring back the stuff I bought!!!  As exciting and wonderful as this trip is, it really makes me appreciate Montana.  

Here are some more pretty flowers from this weekend!

It Feels Like Summer

It's been awhile since my last post because not a lot has been happening aside from school. It is really starting to warm up here with temperatures in the 70's. Currently is it 88. Frances and I biked down to a cafe that has great gelato and we are spending the afternoon staying cool and working on school stuff.

After an average week of teaching, Frances and I went to a little place called La Luna that is right on the lake. We enjoyed some cool drinks and got some sunshine (I even got a little sunburn but after a long winter in Montana it felt spectacular).

Exactly Half Way!

Today is the exact half way point of my trip.   I have been here for 32 days and will return home in 32 days.  When I first arrived here over a month ago, scared and completely out of my comfort zone, I though it would take forever to start thinking about the end, and even though I still have a month to go, I am so proud of myself for doing so well. 

With that, a few interesting things have happened since yesterday's post.  After my wonderful hike, I came back to the school to get ready for what I though was a test proctoring.  One of the first grade teachers walked me a few blocks to a university building where I found out that what I was doing was reading dialogues while being recorded.  These recordings will be used for the high school entrance exams for the ENTIRE COUNTRY!!  Another college student from San Francisco was there and we spent thirty minutes reading the most boring scripts while trying not to just lose it and start laughing.  I got through it and actually got paid for my time! 

That money was just burning a hole in my pocket so after dinner Frances and I trundled off to the night market for some shopping.  If I haven't already explained it, night market is this huge outdoor market set up every night where vendors come and sell practically everything from socks, to clothes, to jewelry, to designer purses (but very fake).  It is always busy but a fun experience.  I found a few great little things and used my bartering skills to get great deals.   I also ate the best pad thai.  It was just spectacular.  Freshly cut noodles and a mix of sauces and fresh ingredients!! All for about $1.40.  I am getting really used to this deliciously cheap food.  

Already in Week Five!

I can't believe I am already in the fifth week of my time here in Hangzhou. As time goes on here I am starting to further explore the surrounding areas such as Beishan Mountain that looks over West Lake. Since I had today off due to the strange holiday weekend (I had school on Sunday but not today).

After a little early morning workout with Frances on the canal near our school, I grabbed breakfast at the school and packed up for a little morning trip to the mountain. I hopped on a red bike and rode as close to the lake I could before my bike chain broke so I turned in my bike and walked the rest of the way. As most of the maps are in Chinese, I had a difficult time deciding which path to take up. After taking a few hundred steps up to the top of the mountain, I came across a huge temple that you can see from miles around. The architecture is just amazing!

The Art of Making Tea

Today has been one of the most wonderful and authentic experiences I've had since coming to China. 

During her home visit, Frances stayed with a family who had a connection to a tea farmer close to town.  The Dad invited us out to spend the day picking tea and learning about how green tea is processed.  We lucked out with the weather and were able to go today. 

The dad and daughter picked us up and we headed west about 30 minutes to the more rural part of town.  The landscape is covered in tea plants, which look like leafy, well-groomed bushes.  When we arrived at the farmer's home, we were treated to tea drinking as well as some snacks of fruit (very exotic fruit) and sunflower seeds. 

The four of us headed out (well walked down the road for a few minutes) until we came to the farmer's tea plants.  We learned what to look for when picking.  The little leaves are the best.  We spent an hour picking and didn't have too much to show for it but it was enough for us.  Many workers were in the field.  The father informed us that workers come out and pick all day for a pay of 150 RMB (which is about $25 USD).

We returned to the house for a wonderful and huge lunch of about 11 dishes ranging from bamboo to fish and even pig's tongue.  They were all very good and filling. 

The father showed us a park  area and Frances and myself spent about two hours exploring the paths and finally found a stairway that goes over the mountain.  We didn't have enough time to climb over the top but we will surely return another day.  Being out of the city did wonders for my sinuses!  We also had a great time looking at all the landscaping and statues that seem to be everywhere. 

After our climb we headed back to the farmer's house to see how the tea leaves are processed. They had spent some time drying already but they were then put into a drying bin for about ten minutes to get the rest of the moisture out.  From there they went into another hot drum to be hand pressed.  They were then ready for drinking!! The farmer packaged them for us to be shared between Frances and me at a special time.  


The farmer and his family also gifted us with a package of tea.  Green tea comes in many varieties but we specifically picked West Lake Long Jing, which we are told is the best and very healthy.  I also bought two more packages to bring back and share with my family and friends in Montana.  

With the day closing in, we were driven back to the school happy, full, and with much tea to share.  Today was so relaxing and invigorating.  Tomorrow (which is Sunday) we have classes again but I am feeling great and ready to continue with my time here.  China can get quite overwhelming at times with all the people and the feeling of being an outsider and not being able to understand what anyone is saying, but experiences like today make me feel truly happy and blessed that I am able to be here and experience a completely different culture. 

The Art of Tea

Today has been one of the most wonderful and authentic experiences I've had since coming to China.

During her home visit, Frances stayed with a family who had a connection to a tea farmer close to town. The Dad invited us out to spend the day picking tea and learning about how green tea is processed. We lucked out with the weather and were able to go today.

The dad and daughter picked us up and we headed west about 30 minutes to the more rural part of town. The landscape is covered in tea plants, which look like leafy, well-groomed bushes. When we arrived at the farmer's home, we were treated to tea drinking as well as some snacks of fruit (very exotic fruit) and sunflower seeds.

Just Blame it on the Internet (This Post is a little late)

I was recently informed that I didn't post since March 27th which really confused me because I posted about last weekend and my home visit.  Well evidently my post didn't go through so here it is 5 days late…. 

This weekend was my home visit with one of my sixth grade students named Helen.  It was a fun experience to see what life was in a Chinese home.

Students are picked up from school on Friday afternoons.  Helen and I were picked up by her father who is an engineer and driven by their driver to her grandparent's home north of Hangzhou. It was my first time in a Chinese home and some of the customs were very new to me like wearing slippers when going into different rooms.  We just relaxed until dinner which was served on the round spinning lazy susan with many dishes including pork, beef, vegetables, rice, and fish.  The meal was very filling and different from the foods I have been eating at the school and at restaurants.  We were joined at dinner by Helen's parents, aunt and her two daughters, and grandparents. 

After dinner we went to the cinema to see The Great and Powerful Oz.  It was so enjoyable to get a full two hours of English!!!! There were Chinese subtitles but listening to English made me so happy. 

We retured to Helen's grandparents' house to sleep.  They set me up in my own room which was very big!  I had a full night of sleep and woke early (like I seem to do almost everyday). 

The next morning Helen's grandmother made me homemade dumplings which I love!!! They are served with vinegar.  After a full bowl we headed out to an older part of town on a canal.  There were many shops and Helen's family spoiled me by buying me a bag of Chinese sweets like peanut clusters and sweet breads.  

A Holiday Weekend in Hangzhou

Another very short weekend has come and gone at New Century. This weekend is Tomb Sweeping holiday in China so our week was only three days long. Since we have no school on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday (but we do have school on Sunday) we have had a lot of time to further explore the Hangzhou area.

After a fun night of Mexican food at a nice little place called The Maya, we woke up early on Thursday for a Tour de West Lake on the rental bikes. These bikes are not the best by any means, but a fun and cheap way to get away.

We worked our way around the lake, stopping at different points of interest including the West Lake Museum (where we finally found out that West Lake is a naturally occurring swamp but that people have scooped out the silt to make it a lake). Once again, we were the center of attention and many people asked to take pictures of me because of the blonde (or yellow as they see it) hair. My new way to combat this is to also take pictures of them. It is quickly becoming a fun game.

Getting into the Rhythm of Things

I know I haven't posted in awhile but nothing too exciting has happened since this weekend.  I am starting to get in teaching mode again which means going to bed early, getting up early, lesson planning and reflecting on lessons.  I am really enjoying working with the upper grades.  I never knew seventh and eighth graders could be so fun!

Frances and I were scheduled to lead three evening activities this week so Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings were devoted to teaching grades 5, 6, and 3 My Home's in Montana.  It is fun to sing about home but I am starting to get really tired of that song!!!  The kids really enjoyed it and think Montana is such a cool place (which it is). 

I did a little shopping today but didn't find much.  I am just not in the shopping mood here.  I think there is so much it is just overwhelming to find things.  There are a few key things I want to get while I am here like a silk dress, jade bracelet, and gifts for my family back home, but other than that I just am not feeling it (which is really strange for me). 

Tomorrow is a busy day of teaching and on Friday we have home visits with a students.  We each go home with a different student to their home for the night.  Their parents show us around and take us to some touristy places in Hangzhou. 

Hopefully I will have some more excitement in my next post, but for now I am happy and healthy! 

What a Weekend

As my weekend comes to a close, I want to share a with you more of my great experiences from Hangzhou, China.

After a fun night on Thursday, I took it easy and slept in a little on Friday. I had two sixth grade classes that went very well then Frances and I went for a little walk to look around and do some shopping. The shopping here is just overwhelming. I have bought a few little things and added a beautiful floral dress to my wardrobe on Friday. I figure if I just buy a few pieces here and there I will be spread my shopping and get things I really like.

After a hot shower and getting ready, we headed to check out the night life of Hangzhou. After a light dinner of noodles and salad at our favorite Taiwanese place, went a few places but spent much of the evening at a local place with some live music. It was really tuna and the owner even gave us a plate of watermelon and dragon fruit to munch on. We were the only white people in the bar but every made us feel so welcome!

Finally Friday

TGIF in Hangzhou! Even though it has been a great week, who doesn't love the weekend!

I didn't post last night because we were out having some adult time at a local French restaurant named Provence. It is one of the top places to go in Hangzhou and every Thursday they do a small meal and beverage night. We met a few interesting people and learned a little more about what to do in Hangzhou. Tonight we are going out to listen to music at another local restaurant.

To get to and from Provence last night we took the public bike system. As it might be a new concept to some of you (and it was to me) here is how it works. Bike cards are purchased and loaded with a certain amount of money. Located around the city are banks of bikes attached to a kiosk. You simply swipe your card, take the bike, ride the bike, and return it to any bike kiosk when you are done. It is a great way to get around quickly. It seems like everyone bikes here.

I've enjoyed getting to know all my classes this week. I'm teaching one class a week to every fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grade class. I am going to focus on parts of speech and incorporate a lot of poetry, literature, and pop culture to get the students engaged. They seem to be interested in American music so I am excited to bring that into my lessons.

Tomorrow we are meeting up with a local girl and visiting an everglade area. I am excited to get out of the city a little. Even though it will be raining I have a trusty umbrella and rain jacket to keep dry.

This should be a fun and relaxing weekend. I miss all of you back in the states and hope everyone is doing well!

Just an Ordinary Day

Today was quite uneventful compared to my last week and a half.  After a big thunderstorm kept me up most of the night (along with the caffeine from the milk tea I had last night), I was quite sleepy.  Wednesday is my day off of teaching but we had a meeting with all the English teachers of the school at eight.  After that joined my advisor Rhea and we met up with another professor from the University of Montana living in Hangzhou for two months during her sabbatical.  

We grabbed lunch at a great little noodle place and then I returned to the school.  I am reading a new book called Divergent that I am just addicted to.  I will finish it and start the second book tonight.  I love my Kindle that Travis got me and am making full use of it.  

Today I found out how to get my laundry done at the school.  These wonderful ladies did my laundry and folded it all for me in about three hours.  This school is so great and making me feel so comfortable.  

Tomorrow is a full day of teaching and after a restless night last night I am happily going to bed early. 

Rough Day

This has been the most difficult day since I arrived in China.  After a throbbing headache last night and restless sleep, I found out from my parents that our family dog, Sadie, passed away today.  We got Sadie when I was in second grade and has been the most wonderful dog I could ask for.  We've seen it coming for a long time but it doesn't making it easier.  I feel like I've lost a member of my family. 

If I was back in the states, I would have easily taken a day off to get my emotions together, but here I have no such luxury.  I still had to get out of bed, lesson prep, and go through the motions of teaching even if I wasn't completely into it.  Sometimes teaching becomes more of a performance than anything else.  It was my first official day of teaching so I brought as much enthusiasm into it as possible.  I am teaching over at the Zijin campus which is the middle school.  The kids were all so excited about a real English teacher which made my lesson really fun.  We read a book about Montana which made me really homesick.  

I feel really guilty not being home with my family right now.  I've never been more than a day trip away from them.  I can only imagine how hard it is on my Mom and Dad.  Thank goodness for Skype and my IPhone so we could be as close as possible even though we are 6,000 miles away. 

Frances and I were in charge of evening activity for the third grade tonight.  It is just 45 minutes of doing something fun with the whole grade.  We taught the whole grade "My Home's in Montana" and it was just wonderful.  

Because of my headache I didn't write yesterday, but it was full of new experiences (and new foods).  It was our official welcoming ceremony at the school and all the students assembled to present Rhea, Frances, and myself with lovely silk scarves.  We then had a banquet with the English teachers and Principal Mindy at a nearby hotel.  It was an amazing dining experience with so many dishes all put on a rotating circle at the center of the table.  As the circle rotates, people just grab what they like.  The foods included beef, noodles, a large omelet dish, shrimp and so many others topped off with fresh sugar cane.  I was so full. 

The evening meal was a more intimate dinner with Principal Mindy and her daughter, Mindy's friend and her daughter, Rhea, Frances, and myself.  We went to the most beautiful banquet room at a local hotel and once again had dishes on the rotating circle.  The food was more exotic with goose foot in gravy, snails, duck, crab with thick noodles, fruit, cucumber with caviar, creamed peas with bacon, beef cubes, and other I can't even remember.  We drank the most amazing orange juice.  

Before going back for the night we stopped at the night market to test our bartering skills.  I bough a small square silk in my favorite color of tiffany blue for 4 dollars (I talked her down from 5).  There was so much to look at but with my headache I called it an early night and returned to school.