Over the past week, I have learned and experienced more than can fit in one post so I'm going to focus this one on the place where I'm living. I'll talk a little bit about the school, but I'm going to save those details for next week.
I have told you all that I am in Anshan, but it turns out that Anshan is the name of a district as well as the name of a city. I am actually in a town called Tai'an (pronounced "tie-ann") and I am told the population is about 300,000. There are only three foreigners in Tai'an, of which I am one, so you can imagine how I stick out. Bill, who you met in the video is another, and I met Nick (from London) yesterday. I don't think I'm the first female teacher that has been here but I think I'm the first white woman many of the newer students have seen. I get stared at a lot in the street and in the halls and I often hear "piao liang", which means "pretty" but the Chinese are very shy and generally don't approach me. Still, Ricky (the English name for my teacher's assistant) doesn't let me walk anywhere by myself.
Last Thursday (the second day I was here), I was taken to Bill's school to watch him teaching his classes. His students pulled out their camera phones and wanted to take pictures with me. Bill started using it as a bribe: practice your English with the new teacher and you can have a picture. It was all rather embarrassing for me.
On Friday I was taken to Anshan city to apply for residency. It took us a little over an hour to get there. Anshan city is more like I was expecting when I envisioned living in China but it is still very Soviet-industrial if you know what I mean. As part of the resident application process, I had to go to the hospital for an EKG and X-ray (don't ask me why) and all I have to say is I hope I don't get sick. I think the hospital would make a fantastic set for the next Resident Evil movie. While I was in Anshan, I met two more foreign teachers: Ed from Wisconsin and Oscar, who is also from London. All told, I believe there are 9 foreign teachers spread out across Anshan district.
I'm not sure how many schools are in Anshan district, but there are two in Tai'an (at least I'm working at two). The school where I am mainly at has about 25oo students and I'm told it is the largest one. Some of the students board there. There are 5 floors...I share an office with Nick on the 4th floor (add my 20 minute walk to work and the fact that I live on the 4th floor of my apartment building and you can imagine I'm getting a lot of exercise!). Perhaps I'll be able to bring my camera to school one day and get some video.
OK, I have lots more to talk about but I don't want to make my posts too long. I'll write more next week. Until then, I love receiving your emails!
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4 comments:
We want to see more video of China!!!
Hello, I am another foreign teacher in Anshan, John from New Zealand. This is my third year here, and even though the city is not very pretty, the people are very friendly and I am enjoying it very much. Good luck and best wishes from jcinanshan@gmail.com
Hm. So much poverty and quite backward, still the students have camera phones! Gives a perspective on what folks view as important.
I am so happy you decided to keep a blog! What an incredible experience! Do not worry about lengthy posts, we want to hear all about everything (including some philosophical thoughts). I plan on spending the next few days absorbing and savoring all your posts. I am sending you love and good wishes. I am so proud, envious, encouraged, inspired, moved, and more by your courage to do this. Peace, Dana
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