Week 2 - Life in China (A post I started but didn't finish and forgot about)

We are still working to get ourselves set up in China.  One thing I have learned... Nothing is easy in China.  Everything is complex, even simple tasks.  My friend told me that every time they go back to the states they are amazed at how quickly they can complete a to-do list.  I am beginning to see why.

Marcus has a cell phone already set up from his past visits.  I, on the other hand, do not.  We are working on it but in typical Chinese fashion, it is taking considerable time with many complications.  Our internet is set up but it took the assistance of two church members and it is still sketchy (due to the great firewall of China).  Some websites work with the VPN (personal network allowed for foreigners) but certain websites don't work with the VPN on.  We are slowly learning.  We have also learned (through experience) that the internet is not reliable.  We have restarted Skype calls several times (and some times just give up) which can be frustrating.

Marcus set up a bank account and had to wait in line for two hours.  He went first thing in the morning.

China has a site called Taobao that is comparable to Amazon (I hear) and requires you to sign up with a system equivalent to Paypay.  We have been working diligently on this for probably 8 days and are still not set up.  It is complex!  I hear that once we are set up, it will be worth it.  Many people I talk to just give up and have friends order items for them.  I can see why.  We are pushing through though.  Realistically it is because Marcus has a co-worker that came and helped us for a couple of hours, reading the web pages in Chinese and entering our information.

Marcus has had to run errands for our house and for resident visas and many times comes home unsuccessful because of some small glitch.

Even getting issues resolved in the house we are renting seems to take forever.  We are still waiting for them to switch the beds, fix an air conditioner, replace a toilet seat and a broken stove burner (there are only two to begin with).

Today, Wednesday, we were able to go with some friends on a mountain walk.  We have some mountains within walking distance of our villa.  I had no idea.  They were beautiful.  We went in the morning and were drenched with sweat.  I have never had so much sweat on myself, and had never seen the kids so wet.  Even Paige had dripping hair.  It is really hot here.  Really hot.  Our friends told me that if we walk on the trail twice a week we will adjust to the heat more quickly.  I believe her but am not sure I can convince the kids to do it again.  We will see.  It was a beautiful walk.

Once we were home we changed and went to the pool.  It was a great break from the heat.  I am very grateful for air conditioning.  I can't wait for it to cool off just a bit so exploring is a bit more enjoyable.

Also, I can't forget to mention that I was able to join the same friend for a pedicure last night.  There are a couple of shops within walking distance of our house.  The pedicures last about one hour and are amazing!  It felt so good on my tired, swollen feet.  It costs just over ten dollars.  AND you get to sit in a real recliner, American style (ie soft).  I wish I could have brought one of those home.  It was a wonderful evening and the first time I have been awake past eight o'clock.  The girls are already begging for me to take them.

We also tried a Mexican restaurant this week.  We won't eat out as much in the future but it has been somewhat necessary for survival the past ten days as we are busy getting tasks completed for living.  The restaurant was wonderful.  The owner, a female American, was there while we were eating and I chatted with her for awhile.  It tasted just like it should have.  Wonderful!

I have officially started tracking our expenses here.  It took a little bit for me to understand the money and the conversion AND mentally be able to handle it.