New Semester

Not much to blog about at the moment. The start of the semester at school is never smooth sailing as far as schedules go and classes are still being moved around a little. I have enjoyed my first week of teaching Junior 1 (12- 13 year olds) They're the youngest kids at our school and are a lot of fun :-) For the first week they have been very keen to learn and seem less shy than the older kids (I think). I hope I can keep their interest and enthusiasm up! I mentioned that the sports ground is completed and tomorrow I will try to remember to take my camera to school and I will add the pictures to this blog. I have been moved into a new office with Junior 1 teachers. I don't really have a lot of need for an office as my apartment is only 4 minute walk away from the school and I usually just go home if I have free periods..but it is handy if I happen to only have one free period between classes, also the junior 1's all ask where they can find me if they need to ask me something and I can just hang out at the office and the teachers are really nice. I already know Tina (an English teacher) and Nina (a Chinese teacher)as they are friends of Nettie's and we have all been out for dinner and a club experience together. There is some talk about Nina giving me Chinese lessons and me giving Nina English lessons but she doesn't speak English so I'm really not sure just how we will do that :-)
The weather has turned cold again this week. Last week it went as high as 23 degrees today it was 5 degrees and very gloomy weather. It really is a very, very strange city...NOTHING is predictable here!

Catching up a little!!

There are a few reasons for the lack of content on my blog lately. 1)The internet connection has been particularly slow over the "Spring Festival Holiday" period and it can be very hard to post pictures and video...they just wont upload when it is so slow. 2) Whilst Mum was visiting we really had hardly any time to be at home...we were very very busy for the whole time she was here 3)In general, life here in China is always very busy with social engagements and many things to do.
There are some obvious big events, pictures and videos that I will try and add to my blog. The Fireworks on "Chinese New Years Eve" were like nothing I have ever seen before...Mum and myself spent time running backwards and forwards to my lounge room window(to see the fireworks on the city side) and my bedroom window(to see the fireworks on the countryside). It sounded like war had broken out...really a sight to behold. Yesterday was Chinese Lantern Day which meant more fireworks and lanterns. It feels like there are many celebrations in China!
Mum's visit here was really great. We did so much and saw so many great things. Really I think she got to experience a more normal Chinese experience than many people that visit here as a tourist and only see tourist sights and hotels. We regularly had to get by on my very limited Chinese meaning we weren't always 100% sure of what I had ordered from the menu :-)Or if we were traveling in the right directions :-) I think it just made it all more fun !!Of course I was very sad when she had to return home and have had to re adjust but Mum herself has also had to re adjust as I think China may have got into her blood also...What an experience this country is!
School has re started and my schedule has changed. This semester I am teaching Junior 1 and Junior 2. Some of the Junior 1's have very little English so it will be a challenge.
The school sports ground has been completed and looks great! It is sunny today and the students are all out there trying it out :-)
I finally gained enough confidence to get my hair cut :-)Another interesting experience, laying down to have your hair washed and your head, ears and neck massaged before they cut your hair !!
The weather has gone from freezing cold to really quite warm basically overnight. I have heard it said that Yichang almost only has two seasons...Summer and Winter...It kinda feels like that at the moment!
OK...that's just a brief summary but right now I have to go and get ready for class
Back to work !

Shenongjia (Part Two)

Day two and I had my first skiing experience. Before I talk about that I must mention the drive up the mountain to get to the skiing place! This road was also very long and winding but had the added extra of rocks and holes in the dirt track. We not only got to experience Skiing but also a Four Wheel Driving expedition to get there and back
(about 1 and 1/2 hour drive)The man driving us for our trip was Mr Zhou. He knows the roads well and is a very good driver! The views whilst driving through and up the mountains were absolutely stunning.


To the skiing. I keep bragging about the fact that I didn't fall over once. It was great fun and a lot of hard work... I really enjoyed it and would like to give it another go, :-) I had my reservations about Mum getting on ski's but there was no way I could stop her. All my friends here think she is wonderful, which of course she is :-)!

Shennongjia (Part 1)

All of my friends really look after me very well here in China and since Mum's arrival she too has also been treated to many gifts, meals, outings etc. Everyone has been keen to give her a warm welcome. We were extremely lucky to be invited to visit Shennongjia. When you mention this place to most Chinese people, they reply by saying "Ahh yes, a place full of mysteries" Legend has it that a Yetti lives there along with many near extinct animals and plants. It is set amongst the mountains and is one of the most amazing places I have ever visited. The drive there from Yichang City takes about 3 1/2 hours and the road is long and winding. Nettie supplied us both with a patch to wear to stop car sickness...I'm so glad she did...I never ever would have made it without that...I think you need to actually experience the drive to fully understand just how windy the road is.

Upon our arrival we were taken to a local restaurant for dinner. The food was great, the heating drum in the middle of the room keeps the guests warm and the food warm when it arrives.


This is our little friend we made at the restaurant. The owners said she never follows the guests around and never accepts food from anyone but themselves...She could not understand why the dog loved us so much...We had two meals here and both times she stayed with us :-) Very Cute!

Shennongjia is full of big things :
Shennong



The Big stairs to get to Shennong (Just short of 1000 stair climb)




The Big Drum



The Big Bell



The Big Tree


The Big Views

GeZhouBa

I have had trouble with very slow and dodgy internet lately so it has been very difficult to add any photo's to my blog. Now it seems a bit better so I'm trying to catch up.
Mr Zhou and Jess treated us to a lovely day out visiting with their friends and also having a look at Gezhouba, which is the other smaller dam in Yichang. As usual with most people we meet here everyone was very hospitable and friendly. We had a delicious home cooked meal with home grown vegetables, walked around the community before heading out to see the dam. Later that evening we went out for a meal. Another very busy day !