I arrived in Shanghai two days ago and things are going fine, although I am still trying to get acclimated to China. The city is huge, but luckily dad lives pretty much in the center of the city, so it is easy to get around. We live on the 11th floor of a swanky apartment building with modern furniture in it. Looking down from our window, I can see the roof of another building, with a golf driving range on top of it.
Traffic is one of the things that is very different in China. Cars drive two inches from each other on every side, and don't pay much attention to any traffic laws that might be in place. When dad and I were taking a taxi from the airport to the apartment, a car in front of us accidentally accelerated, crashed into a guardrail, and then bounced off and swerved into the other lane. We were almost involved in the accident, but luckily our taxi driver slammed on the brakes. Then, we slowly made our way past the car (now with one side of the door completely skimmed off). Our taxi driver sighed: "My god, that car! That car!"
Yesterday, I saw another accident. A car had hit a schoolgirl, and then had run over one of her feet. The driver got out, but the poor schoolgirl had her toes trapped beneath the tire and was laying on the ground screaming and crying. Yikes. One must be extremely careful when crossing the street.
Today, dad and I are going to search for schools for me. He wants me to go to a university, but the problem is that the application deadlines have mostly passed already. So we are going to visit one that is associated with the University of Michigan, and see if I can squeeze into the upcoming semester.
So far though, dad and I have gotten many important things done. I got a cell phone yesterday and we registered me at the local police station. I also met up with a friend of a friend who lives in Shanghai and happens to be Mexican. He introduced me to two of his friends, but sadly they are going to be leaving China soon. However, they did give me some good advice about Shanghai, including a "magic number" that gives help to ex-pats with anything they need - translation, directions, etc.
Keep an eye open, I will be posting pictures soon. And give me a call! I am still getting over my homesickness here. My number is: (86) 1500-194-0015
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
HI, Sweetie! I'm glad you're safely arrived..maybe rested by now, too. You seem SO VERY far away [you ARE.too], and I wonder how long it will be before we see your beautiful face again. Remember You're invited to our family gathering at Christmastime, and you KNOW we'll be delighted to see you, and hear about your studies and the traffic you've survived, some terrific recipes you''ve learned, and all the rest of the wisdom you've acquired. Today was the first day of school citywide. I brought 2 crysalli, 2 caterpillars just starting their change, and 3 teeny tiny caterpillarsin a jar filled with fragrant dill. The 9 classrooms' kids I visited today had LOTS of questions and comments. Tomorrow I'll bring my BIG butterfly "cage", and food, And put the inhabitants in. I know the kids will love to watch the metamorphoses. Gm'pa H. is fine and happy [as am I] and we wish the same for you and your DAD. Lots of love G'ma ROSIE
Hi Amanda
Sounds like you're having adventures already. I'm looking forward to seeing some of your photos and hearing about your discoveries on "Amanda's Dispatches from China."
Let's try to video chat soon. I chatted a couple of days ago with Grampa from Italy and it was like we were living in the future. :)
Love you sweetpea and thinking of you all the time,
Mom
It's great to hear from you guys! I definitely feel very far away from the United States at the moment :-(. At least I get to spend time with all my dads family - a few days ago I met my dads deaf cousin, whom my dad has been telling me about for years and years. He is such a character, and he loves Michael Phelps! Isn't that funny?
I am hoping to come home for Christmas vacation, but I will be in contact otherwise! You can use skype to call or text me, my skype name is amandatsang86.
Missing all of my Bayer and Kuehne family members,
Amanda
Post a Comment