Home Sweet Home?

I'm sitting on my bed which is in-training to become hard as nails (nearly there) sipping on the second to last of my lemsips. Beijing smog is slowly clawing its way out of my lungs, unfortunately it seems bent on taking the rest of my sinuses with it. Delightful. Will be hocking lugeys with the best of them by the end of the week.

So what day! Sophie and my good self are slowly muddling our way towards settling in.

We were whisked away from our cosy motel and popped into a taxi for a drive across the city. I really do wish that I had had my camera out for you to share what an enormous place this is.

Turns out we were in the central part of the city- very close to the main train station- but as we drove away from the centre for a good 25 minutes more and more city kept appearing in front of our eyes. Apartment block after skyscraper loomed out of the distance with their designs varying from cookie cutter concrete blocks to new age steel and glass to (and I kid you not) Disney castle-que hotels/communities. We got a little excited when we pulled into the forecourt of one of the latter, but had to belay our enthusiasm when it became apparent that the taxi driver was just using the space to perform a U-turn that then allowed him to cross eight lanes of traffic with minimal effort (such as using the official lanes).

Eventually we pulled into the school in which we will be staying, but not teaching at exclusively. We are working for a language company that will have us at a couple locations. But more about that later.

First impressions: Outstanding. If I went to a school like this in England I would consider myself the cream of the crop and would be downright disappointed if I was not offered a place at Oxford on a silver platter. All in all a little intimidating! Regarding the school itself, as I have not even explored the grounds properly, I will save its virtues and exciting nooks and crannies for a future post. You can expect multiple pictures, and I will expect to be sitting in McDonalds for a long time as they upload. Woop.

Teacher's Digs:

We share a floor with many of the teachers of the school- apparently there are six other foreign teachers, however they live off campus. My Chinese will clearly be taking leaps and bounds if I am to buddy up to my new floormates.

Pictured: Shawshank….. I mean my corridor

Sophie acquired a room of three beds (not sure if she will end up sharing the room with someone!) and I am in what appears to be to only one bed room on the floor!

Pictured: Y'all know how much I love panoramas :)

Walking in initially it is a little like stepping into your university dorm room in the run down block for the first time.

Pictured: I mean, who doesn’t like to have their shower and toilet on top of each other?

But, as you do with your dorm room, you accept your fate and make it your own. In fact, in the light of my bedside lamp, this looks so darn cosy I will just have to share it with you.

Pictured: I'll give you three guesses as to where I am from.

But enough about the room. The rest of the day consisted of being lead to a bus stop, then a metro station to cross the city back to the city centre to find our other school. Forty minute commute. Hmph. Turns out the headquarters for the language school we are working for is nearby in (you guessed it) a skyscraper! We were then informed that we would be getting our curriculum books on Friday and will be given a couple weeks training before we a thrown into class. Doesn't sound all too bad!

Turns out we were a little early in arriving for the school's liking so we are essentially being left to our own devices for a few days. After this short introduction to the boss man and boss lady, our quiet contact Carey packed us off towards the subway with some words of encouragement and the assurance that she would see us…. Maybe? But definitely by Friday. Hmmm. We know where you work now- so expect visitors Carey!

Tomorrow's mission:

• Explore the school.
• Find the canteen/get a meal card.
• Make way back across the city to bother poor Carey with all our questions.
• Visit Ikea to buy a mattress topper. With some urgency. Ouch.
• Make friends in this enormous city. Nearest bar please!