Category: Guangzhou

One day of quarantine…I think my test is negative…

So government quarantine for Covid-19 is tolerable. I am at the Long Hui hotel in tianhe. To get here I was greeted at my apartment by a person in full containment gear. I’m glad I had an opportunity to pack things in advance. So what did I pack?

  • Only about 4 days of clothes. They can all be washed in the sink it shower and I’m really getting multiple days out of them as I don’t get dirty
  • Two pairs of workout clothes with foam roller and exercise bands
  • A caftan I bought in Egypt. I seriously understand why my mom longer in them all those years
  • Pajamas
  • Travel underwear. My quick drying ones I travel with.
  • My bag of travel essentials, toothpaste, etc. I always keep that packed
  • Extra lotion. Most hotels in Asia don’t supply it.
  • Detergent to wash
  • A fan as the AC is not turned on. It would spread the virus if someone has it
  • A mug and instant coffee. It is not supplied at all. I always grab extras from hotels just in case.
  • Computer, SD card with workouts
  • All chargers
  • My diary. I’m behind on writing things down. Not that life is exciting. I don’t even know what day it is.
  • My asthma inhaler. My nightguard.
  • A container of leftover food as I was sure I would miss the dinner they served (I was right).
  • All the raw veggies and fruit I had left in my frig. (Spinach, 2 zucchini, tomato, 2 cucumber, 3 plums, 1 Asian pear)
  • Yam chips and protein muffins I had just made.
  • A knife

Others have been in government quarantine when they arrived in the airport so I had already heard some of the recommendations of what to pack.

The worst part was the walk from the apartment to the ambulance. I’m not sure what the guy was saying but it wasn’t the standard coming through greeting. Once they saw him and me and whatever he said, people would look terrified with some running to get out of the way. Because the ambulance could not park outside my complex, we walked further than we should have and I felt like crying by the time I was in the ambulance.

We drove lights and air horn but not complete sirens. Once there they checked your information, checked to be sure they knew the countries you had visited and how long you had been back, took my temperature and gave me a room card. I then went to the front desk where they made copies of the passport and double checked info and room. From there I went to the room myself.

This is an older hotel but nicer than most old chinese hotels. It is larger.

The rooms have a chair outside that they put water and food on. There is a waste basket for my trash and another for medical waste. There are video cameras in the halls, etc.

The room is a bit stuffy. I have allergies and there is an old musty smell but not too bad. I opened the windows anyway. If there are mosquitoes I’ll have someone bring me an electronic zapper.

I knew the wifi was slow but I was having trouble with everything. I was frustrated and talking to Ryan on WeChat when he suggested using my US sim card. Since I use Google fi I only pay for the first 6 GB and the rest is free. That is about $80 but worth it. It is so fast and I can use my phone as a hotspot. Not only can I work on the free PD with the state of PA for certification but can also watch Netflix as a reward!

As I arrived after dinner I was sure I would not get tested until the next day.

That next morning I think they forgot about me as it was a new crew. I messaged a person who reached out to me when they knew I would be arriving. He is a friend of one of my friends and had been here a few days already. He was able to contact the office here and they brought me breakfast.  Steamed buns are the best! One of them had a nut filling that was amazing.

I was tested after breakfast and temp checks are at 10 am and 4 pm. I will not be given the results of the test unless it is positive and they take me to the hospital for 20 days instead.

I was finally given the WeChat group info so if we need anything we can message and get a response. My school is in continuing contact with me as well as many friends and I’m grateful. I’m glad to talk to family often.

Though they don’t do requests for meals, one of the office admin had been calling them often about me and told them I require vegetarian. They have done this for me so I don’t complain about anything about the meals.

Lunch of shredded potatoes and carrots with Chinese broccoli underneath and rice.
Egg drop soup, tofu with mushrooms and Chinese broccoli with rice.
Congi (rice porridge) with a hard boiled egg, donut, and steamed bun.

I’ve had 4 meals and they have been pretty decent and normal Chinese fare. In the second wechat group just among foreigners here they order from international restaurants. It is possible because the contact I mentioned above is the owner of one of them. I was going to order if they could not get me vegetarian but now many restaurants are being forced to close. Not because of anything specific but more anti-international sentiment. Many Chinese places are packed routinely so hopefully they are closing some of those down too.

Regardless, some people are really asking too much. Having things delivered that are non-essential. I really feel they will stop delivering everything if people don’t start thinking. They will only deliver at two times a day. Some people were ordering bottles of wine. A waiver is to be signed for being able to drink and there was quite a tirade of messages. I know it is tough to be in here but I just think differently than most people. Not that I’m right but just think differently. There are many things we don’t need and life does not have to be that complicated.

I can live on the food I’m given. I could have lived without my phone being a hotspot. I had books I could read on my computer, etc. I was prepared for no internet if need be. I am grateful I have the ability to take this extra time and work on PD when I don’t have the pull and demands of being at school. I finished a 10 hour class the first day!

So a day and a half has gone by and they have not dragged me off to the hospital…. So the result must be negative!!!! That is great news.

If I’m here until the 26th (that is what is on my paperwork) and that last test can’t be used to go back to school (all teachers and students just be tested), then I won’t start school with the others on the 27th as it will take time to go get the testing and get the results back.

While I was writing this my friend brought me the bug zapper which is good since I am getting bit. The fan would be good but would just blow around hot air. We were able to wave and yell to each other with thumbs up. He just wants a beer for payment. Most definitely!!!

My friend Bill who came all this way to bring me a zapper and use apps to translate. What a good guy!

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

Today is already Thursday and Thanksgiving here in China. There has been a lot going on which is true anywhere you are. Teachers especially can relate to this time of year and the school year in general.I would not really be aware that Christmas is coming other than the “cable box” which includes some US channels now regularly has Christmas commercials. I might also add the Black Friday ads in my inbox and blog feed that I see but am glad to miss the actual event. I still however search on weekends the channels I know are most likely to play Christmas movies. But I’m glad there is not the craziness here or that I don’t have to do much gift giving as family does not do that anymore. For the kids, I fly them out to see me once a year instead.A local store in the expat area does bring out the seasonal goodies and I am on charge of the secret Santa at my school.I have had fun joining a craft club. This month we used glass paint to decorate glasses. We meet at a local restaurant, eat, and craft. Fun!I am thankful to be in an area where good fresh food is cheap. Everything in this picture was 85 kuai. That is about $12. These before were purchased for a Thanksgiving dinner I cooked for a Chinese friend of mine who had never had an American Thanksgiving dinner. For reference the turkey we bought was 280 kuai or about $40.That is a good system that is honest in what it costs to bring something to the table. The US good system has everything skewed incorrectly. The food here is fresh and must be used in a few days unlike the week or so veggies last in the states.The night of Thanksgiving dinner. Lily and her son had never had roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. She loved mashed potatoes and wants to learn how to make them. Lily brings international people together. I met her at a ball and was welcomed into her group. She does so much for us that we loved to do this for her.From left above is Killian the athletic trainer, Lily, Edward her son, Stephen, Evan, and Siqin who are good friends at the school.I also go to Internations events once a month. Each time they are at a beautiful hotel with great food and people from all over the world who are members.The Canton tower from the hotel deck of the last event.Since I’m training for a half marathon on December 8, my life is pretty much just running. This includes after school with kids, with the Nike run group, and on my own on weekends.At the last run with Nike at the sports center there were more groups dancing including these women in traditional Chinese clothes and umbrellas. One of these days I’m going to just join in their dancing. Very graceful and beautiful. You can see groups dancing in every park throughout the day.On other runs on the weekend I run along the river……Or I run through the mall of the world pedestrian area. It is always beautiful.Our school did have a Thanksgiving dinner the weekend before and a barbecue with corn hole competitions the night before. Both were a wonderful time but I forgot to take pictures!As for school work, my students turned in their individual assessment. This is a scientific experiment that they create and report on. Think college level publishing of an experiment. They take a long time to grade.Tso Tso loves the pencil but waits patiently until I put it down.

This week…and travel plans!!

I finally finished planning my next vacations. Over the holidays I will go to Cairo (maybe learn to dive? Alexandria also) and Athens including some islands.

For Chinese New year in January it will be New Zealand for an adventure vacation. I start with half arthon in Auckland. Then: Skydiving, tough kayaking and hikes, hot springs, abseiling into glow worm caves, hobbiton, and beaches… Lots of adventure. Excited for both now that they are planned..

Glad I finished planning these before my tough week.

This last week was long….

Parent teacher conferences run two days and it is like speed dating with teachers. Non stop. Parents are generally positive and receptive. Some students and parents want to question predicted grades for their IB students. As my kids are now 12th graders it can count towards college acceptance. I find it difficult as this is my first time predicting and no past experience to draw on. I sought out advice and made my best predictions.

As usual, my school provides breakfast and lunch which makes getting ready for school easier.

On the first day of conferences, the other student council advisor, Katie Dean, made this beauty. Tasty… As usual… Yummy!!! Marshmallow, caramel, chocolate ganache… Teachers hyped on sugar!

The simplest meal near my apartment is where you choose the veggies, proteins and noodles. You pay by weight and they make a noodle soup from it. You then add seasonings at the end to your liking. On weeks like this, it is easy, fast, cheap, and yummy.

At the end of the week, a school from New Zealand visited and demonstrated Maori dance and culture. New Zealand is one of the few countries whose native inhabitants are actually mainstreamed into the culture. It is not forgotten there. It was fabulous.

Here are two dances that I recorded:

Now I am sitting in an airport ready to fly to Shanghai for the last meet of the year for cross country.

More Guangzhou…

Ryan and I toured around areas of Guangzhou before he left.

Dongshan neighborhood

My friend Lily hosted a lunch at a local vegetarian restaurant that I am familiar with: shifunyuan vegetarian behind the Wuyangcun metro. We had fun lunching together with her son and my friend Siqin.

Siqin is in the center and Lily is on the right.

We ate wonderful food. A pumpkin dish.

Vegetarian fried rice.

Eggplant in a Thai sauce.

Sweet and sour tofu.

We then walked around the charming neighborhood a few blocks away. Very expensive to live with great schools, historic homes with architecture, and beautiful churches.

There was a history of silk and women’s role in garment industry art installation.

There were also commemorations to modern China as the holiday was this last week.

The canals on the way to the park.

We cut through the local park to get to the metro that could take us home. It was beautiful as well.

Taigucang

At night we met other friends for dinner in an older part of Guangzhou. There are not many high buildings despite having a large metro stop with a huge underground mall that spans several blocks.

Frog legs, bamboo with mushrooms, soicy green beans, spicy cabbage, and other meat dishes.

Afterwards we went to the wharf where there are large converted warehouses. This city amazes me with everything it has. It is crazy big.

Amy, Ryan, me, Amy, Siqin, Stephen, and Fiona.

We were pretty whipped and Ryan needed to fly the next day to go home. Always pretty emotional.

At the airport.

I tried to get a tattoo appointment whole he was here just do he could see the tattoo artist from last year that he had met. Through setting up the appointment he had a chance to meet with her and have some fun one night. I left him at the airport to go to the appointment. The result is this tattoo. This is the artist and the girl that Ryan was able to see again.

And a better view of the dragon tattoo. It is upside down of course.

Chinese National Day

Ryan came to visit during the second biggest Chinese holiday of the year! They always decorate the various areas around the city with flowers arranged in incredible sculptures. He actually arrived the day before the start of the holiday and I was glad that they opened the exhibit across from Canton Tower early before it became crowded. As usual it was beautiful.

Each of these large flowers are made of plants. China National Day was on October 1st and celebrated the birth of modern China and the Cultural Revolution.

This is the 70th anniversary of national Day.

After viewing flowers we walked to a hotpot restaurant. I love restaurants like this where you choose bins of various foods that you can add to the hot pot from veggies to various proteins. You cook your goodies in a pot with very fragrant broth at the table.

After that I showed Ryan the book center. It is many floors of a book store. Each floor is a different genre with other stores surrounding it as well as restaurants and cafes. This is the English section. I always seem to be drawn to Marvel.

We met with Killian and his twin brother Zach. Killian is the athletic trainer at the school and a lot of fun. Zach is a journalist from Taiwan who just applied to law school. We went to the Beijing Lu temple for vegetarian food and then went to play pool at Mr. Rocky’s cowboy bar. They actually did a great job in designing the bar. It was packed on a week night and many things for people to do. Here Zach ordered flights of beer. It came with dry ice coming up from the middle. I especially liked the peppered beer. Yes, it tasted like pepper. I like to try the unusual foods!

Afterwards we played ping pong at the sports center near to our apartments. Since playing I finally bought my own paddles. I might as well learn from the masters here in China. They are really good here and never toil busy to give helpful hints on holding paddles.

I love the exercise equipment that everyone uses and found on the street. People use it regularly especially those who are older. It helps with flexibility.

The next day we went for Korean food and ate bibimbap. I added these little fishes and it tasted great!After, we went to Liwan Lake Park. Right outside this sign is so funny. Since it has clothing in the store I think it should read “children’s wear center”. Instead you see this….

Other views of the park.

We missed some of the celebration including the fireworks but had a great day having fun.

Mid autumn festival

It is still hard to believe this is the start of my second year here in China. I’m settled in my new area and really getting used to how to get around.

It is still like a first year with IB Biology as it is a two year program. I did work ahead at getting materials ready for this year knowing how crazy it is with cross country.

I am also thinking a lot about my dad and my family. On the 19th it will be one year since he passed. There are still times the realization dawns again that he is not here….

Moon festival or mid autumn festival


Also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Chinese Moon Festival falls on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. Besides Chinese new year, it’s one of the most important traditional events for the Chinese.
Legend traces the story to a hero named Hou Yi, who lived during a time when there were 10 suns in the sky. This caused people to die, so Hou Yi shot down nine of the suns and was given an elixir by the Queen of Heaven to make him immortal. But Hou Yi didn’t drink the elixir because he wanted to remain with his wife, Chang’e (spoken as Chung-err). So, he told her to watch over the potion.
One day a student of Hou Yi tried to steal the elixir from her, and Chang’e drank it to foil his plans. Afterward, she flew to the moon, and people have prayed to her for fortune ever since. Food offerings snd family reunions are part of the holiday.
When the full moon rises, families get together to watch the full moon, eat moon cakes and sing moon poems. It is an important holiday here.

My friend Lilian invited us to the cowboy bar Mr. Rocky to celebrate. She brought moon cakes and we celebrated at lunch as she would be downing the evening with her family. We had a great time. She shared the legend, the importance of the holiday, and we shared a meal.

This is Lillian. She meets people and strikes up great conversations then brings everyone together.

I spent some parts of the weekend catching up on sleep and doing school work. I had wanted to go away for the long weekend but decided against it as I will be leaving for a cross country meet in Thailand.

On Saturday night, I went to ptv, a karaoke place. It is incredible. There are costumes you can try in and takes in with you.

I had to try this wig on.

My friends Ping arranged the room. It cost 75 rmb which is about $13. This includes a full buffet.

Each room had a dining table with tea set, two screens, a standing microphone and other hand held mics. There were plenty of comfy places to sit. You can choose from a vast array of some and artists and they had a great variety of singers from all over.

We had a blast. I normally don’t like to sing but thoroughly enjoyed myself.


The rest of the weekend I also spent exploring and running of course. I found new places to eat including the Mojito Cafe in my neighborhood (yes, the Mojito’s were good) and finding a new wet market to get my produce!

And I enjoyed moon cakes and spending time on Guangzhou for the holiday.


The start of year 2

I intended to write a blog post before now but the days have been running together. Things are still new: I moved to a new apartment so learning new places and being more adventurous and year two of biology is just as new as the first year as it is a two year program. I also am in an apartment where things are not done for you, so a little learning curve there. This includes getting my own police registration before I can get my work visa renewed.

But many things are easier this year. I worked hard at the end of last year to get materials ready for the start of this year and that has really helped. Much of the learning of Chinese culture makes each successive year easier as well.

I’ve spent days walking in different directions to explore my new neighborhood. Nearby there are three universities and their campuses are beautiful. This is at the Agricultural University.

This is in the park at the China Normal University.

I’ve been paying more attention to places to eat and buildings now that I know hidden gems are in these massive buildings and not really noticeable from the outside.

On a walk I always look at names of businesses too as they can be quite funny. This pizza place had my brothers name on it. I have yet to encounter a Chinese man taking that English name. And, there are also not many pizzas places here.

After living in Western PA, I’ve seen all manner of holding parts on cars, but I’m thinking the use of duct tape here may be for decoration?

I have also been walking along hidden paths in my building that connect adjacent buildings together. This little kitty is guarding antiques. Not sure what this space is for but other spaces have a nail salon, Indian grocery store, etc.

I still run with the Nike run club on Tuesday nights and I am much closer to it and get home a little earlier as a result. I also ran with a few members of the cross country team before school started (and the other coach) one morning before it became too hot. This picture is facing the river.

This picture is facing away from the river and the direction towards my apartment.

I have been going out to dinner to try new places. Some of the events are with Internations to promote meeting people from other cultures.

On the first day of school. My new assistant principal on the left, IB coordinator and curriculum director on the right.

I created a breakout box for my classes for the first day. This class had to get through 5 boxes with locks to get the vaccine to save us from the zombie apocalypse (and to get the carb treats for energy.) Fun!

I’ve gone running to various parks and get lost in other areas of the city. That is easy to do here.

Many intersections start to look alike but every once in awhile I recognize a place I’ve been and know where to go.

After seeing the pedestrian bridge I saw the Russian restaurant and knew I was on my road. Still a distance away but glad to know where I was at since I was running and getting tired…

After being gone for several weeks it was good to see construction projects that had been around for some time near completion. Here is under a bridge on the way home from the river. It is a great place to hang out now. They have sculptures of musicians and play music underneath. It looks as if a small stage is being constructed too.

I also upgraded my bike to a trek a friend was selling. On the way there to get the bike I saw my old friend the statue policeman. It is so funny.

At a local Japanese restaursnt.. I love the different groups that have great ideas for dinner. We had fun after school one day. There is always a different School bus to take for a different area and we all travel it together.

I joined a 30 day challenge as I have between deficient working and, weights, and squats. We meet for a killer workout at a gym then rewarded ourselves with good tasting food.

Last weekend’s Internations event was on the 65th floor of the Park Hyatt. Great food including sesame ice cream and a gorgeous view.

I met some people I had seen before and some new friends!! Sara is from Finland and teaches Chinese classes here. The other two are from the British school. Kim, the lady in the blue, gave me a fabulous company to take dive classes in Bali. I’m considering that for the holidays.

Where I used to live is in the smallest building in front.

And it is always great when you find all the resources you need in your new neighborhood. Finding a vet that is owned by the same company as the last one was great. They have the computer records for my cats and they are in walking distance!

Looking forward to more exploration!!!! Miss everyone back home and hope the last part of your year treats you well.

Liwan Lake Park

My friend Killian and I met at Liwan Lake Park. It is quite a distance on metro from both our apartments.

The best part of the parks here is that it is a place for older people to meet (other ages too).

There are many groups exercising. What would seem odd to us in the US, allows older people here to be free from many cardiovascular and joint related diseases. They perform activities that use natural body movements. It may look like they are clapping hands in weird ways or swimming through the air, but it works for them.

Dance also is very fluid movements.

These dancers have a paddle with a ball balanced in it. As they move they can’t drop the ball.

There is a large lake here with lotus blossoms.

The trees are amazing with the prop root system that provides support above ground. They look like the trunk of a tree.

It is a beautiful day.

Parks are laid out beautifully. They have a great sense of design and utility of space.

Fish sculptures in the lake.

A temple that houses great embroidery samples.

Scarves (weijin)

As we walked around the park we could see other dancers.

Others were performing Tai chi.

There are those that perform Tai chi with swords. Dull, of course.

Some were just exercising.

Colorful exercise equipment can be found all over the city for people of all ages to use. They focus on mobility and stretching.

Other pictures of structures around the lake.

This area was very beautiful with the design in the rocks.



They are meant to massage and relax the bottom of the feet.


Wr also saw boats and dragon boats on the lake.



Chinese poetry on the tiles.



There was a band and singers as well.

One woman was singing Peking Opera which has a distinct sound.

Moving…

Moving to a new apartment was interesting. No car but you can hire moving people or a car to help. I hired a driver for 200 kuai ($28.87). Pretty cheap but I did not have much stuff but so it was a lot to get it packed in the van.

I should have taken a picture of it before packing but in a hurry. Nicole helped me at my old apartment and Killian helped me at my new place.

My landlord had someone painting the living room, so I put the cats in a room and my belongings in another.

We walked around the neighborhood until I could go back and unpack. Killian showed me where he takes his cats to the vet. Pretty close to my apartment. There were some pretty cats there.

We stopped at Hefu noodle which is one of my favorite places to eat.

At the sports center we watched people playing ping ping which is very athletic here.

We then walked down to the old apartment and did crazy photo shoots along the way.

This is a tour of my new apartment after I put things away and furniture was moved back in.

A few days later it was my turn to help Nicole move. She is going to Egypt to teach and had a bit of luggage (there is a reimbursement from schools for these expenses.) I am happy fur her and sad to her go as we were running buddies. I will be going to visit her in Egypt.


Now to pack for going back home! I have the person who will be taking care of my cats lined up and need to get everything in place for them too.

My first year done

I can’t believe it is the end of my first year overseas. Much like other schools there is a checkout and saying goodbye to students and teachers. However, the teachers who are leaving are going every where around the world.

I have completed other first years, but learning what you need to know in a foreign country adds another level.

At the end of the day there was a goodbye mixer. A hallmark of all our meetings is potato chips, pretzels, and m&m’s.

Of course wine and beer.

We had time to say good bye and see what others are doing on their way home. Many more ideas for vacation!

Fiona is going to teach in South America and adrienne is going to Africa.

Glenn on the left is going to Toronto. Already have plans to go visit there. Others, Bei and Dan will be back next year.

Scott teaches chemistry and will be back next year.

Or departing athletic director who hounded me until I said yes to coaching cross country. It was a great experience.

Eli also completed his first year here. He is from Brazil. The party continued with karaoke on the bus. If course we had to tip the bus driver as we were pretty obnoxious.

After getting back I had to get ready to move the next day. However I made time to eat with some if my girlfriends and go to the pool.