31/5/11 Last day of May. Still not sure if I’ll get to teach. The man at the teaching center yesterday sounded like he wanted a SAT math tutor and asked for my score. AACK. Math, especially SAT math, is my weak point.
Today: grocery store to find some snacks, maybe a plastic bowl and chopsticks for my own, shampoo/conditioner, and later tonight: maybe night market, need to find Engrish shirts! I saw one that said “Leave me alone” and I saw another grandma wearing a skull and bones shirt. It was classy too, the pattern was all skulls.
Yesterday I got around the whole south west corner of Xi Hu (West Lake) on my own! I took a taxi there, asking to go to “Nanshan Lu.” Well, I realy just said “Nanshan Lu” and just nodded when he said something else. Apparently Nanshan is really long, so I kinda said “Ok” and pointed when I wanted him to stop. I ended up stopping a bit too early, but hey, I saved some yuan! I used the map to find a café which I guess isn’t there anymore…but ended up finding another place with free wi-fi called Costa Coffee. It was kinda overpriced, but the cool mango passionfruit smoothie was worth it. The girl who worked there, Helena, talked to me for a few minutes and gave me some great tips. I love it when Chinese people are genuinely interested in where you come from and what you’re doing here.
I think I’m developing something called “Foreigner Radar” because whenever I see another foreigner I tend to stare and wonder what they’re doing here. Yesterday I saw another African American/african (!) that’s a rarity. We exchanged a wave and smile. I don’t know if there are a lot of European and American tourists in Hangzhou, I’ve only seen a few European tourists, but there are a lot of Ex-pats (ex-patriates) around who seem to be on their e-bikes (moped type things) and bicycles like the locals.
I’m surprised by the sheer amount of Chinese tourists. In our little section of town near Ling Yin Temple, tour guides pass behind our apartment every. single. morning. I wonder what they could be saying in their megaphones, holding their flags : “And here is an apartment where we have heard news of foreigners!”
The family has a little baby girl and she is SO CUTE. Everytime she sees me she does a cute little wave and I’m like “awwwwww” inside. SO CUTE. CAN I STEAL CHU? KXIEXIE. (kthx, Chinese style.)
I still haven’t had to use my phrase, “my Chinese isn’t that good”. I use my two food vocab words, “mien” which are noodles and “tang” (sp?) which is sweet. I usually depend on our more talented peers who can order for us.
Now, back for a day on the bus and traveling by foot. We walk around a lot. It tires me out, but that’s fine. I’ve gotten used to the rock hard bed, now it feels normal! Sleeping at home is gonna be mega-weird.
zaijian!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
Traveling Adventures and Misadventures: Getting Settled in Hangzhou
Hangzhou (pronounced han (like the dynasty) joe (like coffee) is gorgeous. It’s supposedly the city with the most trees, and basically every street looks like Central Park. I’ve been fighting jet lag by walking everywhere, eating noodles, pork, and fish, shopping for snacks and exchanging currency. I’ve also been getting used to the Chinese tendency to stare at foreigners-sometimes I hold a private staring contest with them, or smile awkwardly.
However, not knowing Chinese, I feel both helpless and curious. Today I’ve learned the Chinese characters for yuan (the currency) and China. That’s two out of thousands. This afternoon I entered a clothing store, expecting to look around and then walk out. I ended up being swarmed by at least 5 employees who all spoke Chinese to me and told me to sit down. After the first “ni hao” I understood nothing but took the magazine they pushed into my hands and flipped through awkwardly. Three women pressured another woman to practice her English on me, and she pointed upstairs and told me “more, up.” So I followed her and looked at the expensive but nice clothing. She suggested some clothes to me and I nodded, smiling, but then pointed at my watch and then outside, saying “I have to go meet someone.” She nodded, a bit disappointed. I felt horrible but I had no money! She led me back downstairs, and I said I’d come back when I had money, making the international (I think?) sign for money. Then I said goodbye (one of the few Chinese words I know) and left. For the rest of the time, I walked awkwardly in front of other stores, avoiding that one store.
Everything is relatively cheaper here. A taxi cab ride costs no more than 5 dollars, about 30 yuan. Today I paid about 10 dollars for a surge protector, bananas, oatmeal, honey, toilet paper and Chinese orange juice, which I swear has fake pulp and tastes like Sunny D…
I’m staying on the third floor of an apartment with two other ACI fellows, and it’s an interesting experience to say the least. The apartment is located at Ling Yin Temple (look it up!). It’s a great area, kinda touristy though.The roof in my room is slanted. I painfully realized this when I was unpacking some of my clothes last night when I arrived. It has a small window that opens to the backs of more apartments. I also learned that mattresses in China are not very comfortable (excuse me if I’m making a wrong generalization). The one I slep ton last night felt like a box-I’ve decided to make a layer of clothing and blankets in order to lessen the back pain. I’m sure I’ll get used to it soon…I’ve been pampered in America! I feel like my sentences are all monotone sounding so I should Lanham-ize right about now.
I really wish we had wi-fi in the apartment because I need to look up some Chinese phrases stat. Things like “Please”, “How much?” and basic food stuff…so I don’t end up eating a whole fish again. Chinese menus are no good now-I can’t wait until July when we start learning Chinese for real!
So basically, here’s a list of things I’ve learned on my first day in China:
1. The Chinese like to stare at foreigners.
2. Mopeds are huge.
3. Noodles are yummy.
4. People like to cough, hack and spit on sidewalks.
5. Pedestrians have no rights or protection
However, not knowing Chinese, I feel both helpless and curious. Today I’ve learned the Chinese characters for yuan (the currency) and China. That’s two out of thousands. This afternoon I entered a clothing store, expecting to look around and then walk out. I ended up being swarmed by at least 5 employees who all spoke Chinese to me and told me to sit down. After the first “ni hao” I understood nothing but took the magazine they pushed into my hands and flipped through awkwardly. Three women pressured another woman to practice her English on me, and she pointed upstairs and told me “more, up.” So I followed her and looked at the expensive but nice clothing. She suggested some clothes to me and I nodded, smiling, but then pointed at my watch and then outside, saying “I have to go meet someone.” She nodded, a bit disappointed. I felt horrible but I had no money! She led me back downstairs, and I said I’d come back when I had money, making the international (I think?) sign for money. Then I said goodbye (one of the few Chinese words I know) and left. For the rest of the time, I walked awkwardly in front of other stores, avoiding that one store.
Everything is relatively cheaper here. A taxi cab ride costs no more than 5 dollars, about 30 yuan. Today I paid about 10 dollars for a surge protector, bananas, oatmeal, honey, toilet paper and Chinese orange juice, which I swear has fake pulp and tastes like Sunny D…
I’m staying on the third floor of an apartment with two other ACI fellows, and it’s an interesting experience to say the least. The apartment is located at Ling Yin Temple (look it up!). It’s a great area, kinda touristy though.The roof in my room is slanted. I painfully realized this when I was unpacking some of my clothes last night when I arrived. It has a small window that opens to the backs of more apartments. I also learned that mattresses in China are not very comfortable (excuse me if I’m making a wrong generalization). The one I slep ton last night felt like a box-I’ve decided to make a layer of clothing and blankets in order to lessen the back pain. I’m sure I’ll get used to it soon…I’ve been pampered in America! I feel like my sentences are all monotone sounding so I should Lanham-ize right about now.
I really wish we had wi-fi in the apartment because I need to look up some Chinese phrases stat. Things like “Please”, “How much?” and basic food stuff…so I don’t end up eating a whole fish again. Chinese menus are no good now-I can’t wait until July when we start learning Chinese for real!
So basically, here’s a list of things I’ve learned on my first day in China:
1. The Chinese like to stare at foreigners.
2. Mopeds are huge.
3. Noodles are yummy.
4. People like to cough, hack and spit on sidewalks.
5. Pedestrians have no rights or protection
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Traveling Adventures and Misadventures: En route to Shanghai
So my traveling began yesterday (Tuesday the 24th) early, at 5 a.m. We drove over to Charlotte where i said goodbye and went on to wait for about 4 hours for my flight to JFK. I knew that I was pushing my luck with my 45 minute layover at JFK, and then there was a ceremony for a fallen soldier and my flight was delayed by 30 minutes so I thought i was screwed. Delta offered me a re-route but they never mentioned it while I was boarding so I figured I would be fine...
The flight took about 1 hour and 20 minutes. I was counting the minutes anxiously as we arrived 30 minutes before my flights departure. But THEN the jetway people were lagging and we didn't deplane until 20 minutes before departure. I don't know if you know this, but with international flights (and most other flights) you have to be on board 15 minutes before departure. Well, I got there 13 minutes before departure. As they smirked and told me "You gotta be here 15 minute before! It's gone!" I was frustrated and almost at tears. The plane was most definitely NOT gone. I went over to Gate 11 to see what Delta could give me. At first they wouldn't give me a hotel night, and I was too defeated to fight for it. I had gotten used to the idea of sleeping in the dirty, nasty Terminal 3 which I swear hasn't been renovated since the fifties when I met up with some people who had also missed the connection. They said they fought with the Delta people for 30 minutes, yelling and screaming, and Delta finally gave them a hotel room. So, heart filled with hope, I wandered back to Gate 11 and very easily got myself a room at the local Doubletree. Happily, I headed to Federal Circle to meet the shuttle (which, btw, took 45 minutes to arrive.) My head was pounding from lack of sleep and I was generally worn out.
After crashing in the hotel room from 5 to 8, I got a free dinner (yeah delta vouchers!) and then decided to stay up out of fear of missing my shuttle at 4 a.m. I drank coffee and watched Glee and Modern Family for hours, then left on the shuttle. I sat next to this ADORABLE German lady, she was tiny and old and so cute. The whole time she was saying "Half of my butt is off the chair!" and giggling in her German way. Of course, silly me heard a clang on the floor of the shuttle and didn't realize my phone had fallen from my pocket. Once I realized I didn't have it, I went after the shuttle which had just left from the terminal. I chased it for like 30 seconds, then lost it. I then went 2 terminals over to call Doubletree to ask if I could pick up my phone, and they said the shuttle would be back in 15 minutes LIES. I waited for 45 minutes, no shuttle. So whatevs, maybe I'll convince my mom to get an iPhone, or maybe I'll find an iPhone for cheap in China?
After that ordeal I boarded my flight to Detroit, sitting next to a smelly, quiet Kazakhstan(i?) girl. She had just run through the airport to catch the flight, I could tell. Finally, I'm here in Detroit, awaiting my 3:30 boarding time for China, mellow, tired, but happy. I can't wait to get on that plane.
So here is my last blogpost from the states, for 2 months! Hope you enjoyed (for my 2 readers). And if you want to keep up with me, (I'm not sure if blogspot will be accessible) please read my xanga.
The flight took about 1 hour and 20 minutes. I was counting the minutes anxiously as we arrived 30 minutes before my flights departure. But THEN the jetway people were lagging and we didn't deplane until 20 minutes before departure. I don't know if you know this, but with international flights (and most other flights) you have to be on board 15 minutes before departure. Well, I got there 13 minutes before departure. As they smirked and told me "You gotta be here 15 minute before! It's gone!" I was frustrated and almost at tears. The plane was most definitely NOT gone. I went over to Gate 11 to see what Delta could give me. At first they wouldn't give me a hotel night, and I was too defeated to fight for it. I had gotten used to the idea of sleeping in the dirty, nasty Terminal 3 which I swear hasn't been renovated since the fifties when I met up with some people who had also missed the connection. They said they fought with the Delta people for 30 minutes, yelling and screaming, and Delta finally gave them a hotel room. So, heart filled with hope, I wandered back to Gate 11 and very easily got myself a room at the local Doubletree. Happily, I headed to Federal Circle to meet the shuttle (which, btw, took 45 minutes to arrive.) My head was pounding from lack of sleep and I was generally worn out.
After crashing in the hotel room from 5 to 8, I got a free dinner (yeah delta vouchers!) and then decided to stay up out of fear of missing my shuttle at 4 a.m. I drank coffee and watched Glee and Modern Family for hours, then left on the shuttle. I sat next to this ADORABLE German lady, she was tiny and old and so cute. The whole time she was saying "Half of my butt is off the chair!" and giggling in her German way. Of course, silly me heard a clang on the floor of the shuttle and didn't realize my phone had fallen from my pocket. Once I realized I didn't have it, I went after the shuttle which had just left from the terminal. I chased it for like 30 seconds, then lost it. I then went 2 terminals over to call Doubletree to ask if I could pick up my phone, and they said the shuttle would be back in 15 minutes LIES. I waited for 45 minutes, no shuttle. So whatevs, maybe I'll convince my mom to get an iPhone, or maybe I'll find an iPhone for cheap in China?
After that ordeal I boarded my flight to Detroit, sitting next to a smelly, quiet Kazakhstan(i?) girl. She had just run through the airport to catch the flight, I could tell. Finally, I'm here in Detroit, awaiting my 3:30 boarding time for China, mellow, tired, but happy. I can't wait to get on that plane.
So here is my last blogpost from the states, for 2 months! Hope you enjoyed (for my 2 readers). And if you want to keep up with me, (I'm not sure if blogspot will be accessible) please read my xanga.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
china on tuesday.
I'm kinda crazy excited slash worried about missing my flight in JFK because i have a 45 minute connection slash wondering where i'm going to live slash really crazy excited.
check out my collab channel (if i can call it that?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qslljKf_jks&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
check out my collab channel (if i can call it that?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qslljKf_jks&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
Friday, May 13, 2011
Airport Incidents (1)
I just had an interesting encounter with an airport worker.
I was on my laptop, on reddit, per usual, and I noticed that he was kinda hovering so I looked up and he was like
"Oh hi, I just wanted to say hi."
And I was like..."Hi?" And then he shook my hand and I was confused. And then he asked
me if I was a college student and where I went to college and what my name was, all very quickly. I felt like I was on one of those weird news things where you hear about the person being killed or something-I was probably overreacting. But anyways, it was strange. And then he gave me another bro-handshake and said "have a nice day" and I kinda mumbled something unintelligibly as he walked off.
What what what! Maybe Dulles is just filled with overly-kind airport workers or something...
Well, 2 more hours to boarding time.
___
On another note, Things I love about airports and traveling:
1. The feeling of going somewhere, and the fact that you share this feeling with everyone else who's there.
2. The random assortment of cultures and races-hearing Spanish and Amharic in the same terminal.
3. Airport food and books
4. Waiting, creeping on facebook and reddit and blogging
5. Looking at people as they walk by
6. Hearing other peoples conversations and wondering where they're going and why
7. Looking at the huge planes and wondering where THEY are going
8. The feeling right before the plane's wheels touch the ground
9. Landing, rather than taking off
10.Arrival
I was on my laptop, on reddit, per usual, and I noticed that he was kinda hovering so I looked up and he was like
"Oh hi, I just wanted to say hi."
And I was like..."Hi?" And then he shook my hand and I was confused. And then he asked
me if I was a college student and where I went to college and what my name was, all very quickly. I felt like I was on one of those weird news things where you hear about the person being killed or something-I was probably overreacting. But anyways, it was strange. And then he gave me another bro-handshake and said "have a nice day" and I kinda mumbled something unintelligibly as he walked off.
What what what! Maybe Dulles is just filled with overly-kind airport workers or something...
Well, 2 more hours to boarding time.
___
On another note, Things I love about airports and traveling:
1. The feeling of going somewhere, and the fact that you share this feeling with everyone else who's there.
2. The random assortment of cultures and races-hearing Spanish and Amharic in the same terminal.
3. Airport food and books
4. Waiting, creeping on facebook and reddit and blogging
5. Looking at people as they walk by
6. Hearing other peoples conversations and wondering where they're going and why
7. Looking at the huge planes and wondering where THEY are going
8. The feeling right before the plane's wheels touch the ground
9. Landing, rather than taking off
10.Arrival
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Ultimate Dream
The day began before the crack of dawn at 5 a.m while i speedily put in my contacts to avoid being in the bathroom as a sick floormate was about to barf. I have a problem with barfing.
After this not-so-pleasant beginning to the day, I rushed over to Val and we promptly left for regionals, me driving a van of 6 sleeping ultimate frisbee playing college students 2 hours through Vermont to Dartmouth in New Hampshire.
Our first game with Harvard was not so good. We tied...almost very point. We tired them out eventually and got the lead for a point or two, but then they came back in the end and we lost 14-12. We shook it off, did our song-cheer for them, and went off to play Tufts.
Tufts is incredibly good. Their girls are super fast, they have great throws, and they know how to score...a lot. We went 15-2...they crushed us. But the record against Tufts was a measly 3 points so...no hard feelings.
Our third game was more frustrating-Boston University had just played a tiring game against Harvard but they came out strong. We were behind for a few points, and then came super close (only 2 points away)-however in the end BU pulled it out. However, during the second half we had really pumped up ourselves and our older teammates were playing with enthusiasm and guts. We may have lost point-wise, but we won in spirit.
My favorite part wasn't watching awesome layouts or great point blocks. My favorite part was hearing the seniors talk about why they would miss ultimate. It made me think about cherishing my time here, and my time playing ultimate. I'm going to miss the seniors, and our coach who's leaving...
However, laughing over garlic knot pizza and choosing choice music on the carride home was great fun. I'm excited for the very last frisbee event which is tomorrow...but I'm still a bit sad about the seniors.
Anyways,
I've come such a long way this year. At the beginning of the year, my throws were horrible, my cuts were disgusting and I couldn't even understand the rules. Now I'm cheering from the sideline, throwing hammers, and cutting deep, and sometimes even scoring and laying out. I'm so glad I stuck with ultimate, and I'm so so so excited for the next three years here.
After this not-so-pleasant beginning to the day, I rushed over to Val and we promptly left for regionals, me driving a van of 6 sleeping ultimate frisbee playing college students 2 hours through Vermont to Dartmouth in New Hampshire.
Our first game with Harvard was not so good. We tied...almost very point. We tired them out eventually and got the lead for a point or two, but then they came back in the end and we lost 14-12. We shook it off, did our song-cheer for them, and went off to play Tufts.
Tufts is incredibly good. Their girls are super fast, they have great throws, and they know how to score...a lot. We went 15-2...they crushed us. But the record against Tufts was a measly 3 points so...no hard feelings.
Our third game was more frustrating-Boston University had just played a tiring game against Harvard but they came out strong. We were behind for a few points, and then came super close (only 2 points away)-however in the end BU pulled it out. However, during the second half we had really pumped up ourselves and our older teammates were playing with enthusiasm and guts. We may have lost point-wise, but we won in spirit.
My favorite part wasn't watching awesome layouts or great point blocks. My favorite part was hearing the seniors talk about why they would miss ultimate. It made me think about cherishing my time here, and my time playing ultimate. I'm going to miss the seniors, and our coach who's leaving...
However, laughing over garlic knot pizza and choosing choice music on the carride home was great fun. I'm excited for the very last frisbee event which is tomorrow...but I'm still a bit sad about the seniors.
Anyways,
I've come such a long way this year. At the beginning of the year, my throws were horrible, my cuts were disgusting and I couldn't even understand the rules. Now I'm cheering from the sideline, throwing hammers, and cutting deep, and sometimes even scoring and laying out. I'm so glad I stuck with ultimate, and I'm so so so excited for the next three years here.
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