It’s hard to believe this part of my year is over it feels like I only just got settled. I really want to experience as much of Chinese culture and scenery as I can in my remaining time here. Happiness has slowly crept up on me over the last couple of months, I really enjoyed teaching the teenagers when they came for the summer program and I finally made some good friends. I have been back to the Longji rice terraces for a 3rd visit and completed an enjoyable hike between Dazhai and PingAn. A large group of us hiked along the Li river for 5 hours between Yandi and Xinping, Duane and I managed a refreshing swim in the Li River, Di opted out but she was quite jealous of our wet clothes when we recommenced hiking. While the heat was unbearable I still managed to climb some waterfalls near Guilin and did a huge drift down hill in a 2 person kayak with Betty.
Once I had voiced my desire that I wanted to move on things began to speed up. I was offered the option to move to Shenzen to do some private tuition for a couple of weeks and that is what I am embarking on. It involved a sleeper bus ride which is the easiest option from Yangshuo but usually involves some sleep deprivation. I was picked up from the Shenzhen bus station by Vivian, she explained that the lady (her boss) the one I am supposed to be teaching has gone to Hong Kong for a couple of days so in the meantime I am staying at her place. It feels a bit strange but she is doing everything in her power to make me feel comfortable.
Vivian apartment is on 20th floor of a 32 storey building it is very spacious with 3 double bedrooms each with it’s own bathroom and huge televisions everywhere. May is her 8 year old daughter and currently she has another house guest who is leaving tomorrow. There is also a housekeeper quietly going about her business but she is too shy to speak to me. I arrived this morning a bit anxious and tired but after a shower and rest, Vivian announced that we would go out for breakfast, I had already said I like Chinese food just as long as it wasn’t too spicy – I was picturing the usual noodle soup. Well we went to a Seafood dim sum type place, the dishes we got included chicken feet, liver, prawn dumplings, I found it very difficult to eat this type of food for breakfast and I was mortified when I realised that I hadn’t fooled her with my pretence. Apparently I was being monitored very closely. After a nap she then ordered In a lunch of omelette, tofu and fish without any spice, so I was feeling bad I was depriving them of all the flavours. May just came into my room (I think it’s her room) and I helped her with her English homework and I got a chinese lesson. Her class is planning w a 2 month trip to Australia in a couple of years, I hope she comes to Perth.
