China Day 3

Today I took the bus into Beijing all by myself.  I feel like that was a big accomplishment, and has been the only real independence I have had since my arrival.  I have to go into the city for training, and I believe tomorrow is the last time I need to go in for that ... maybe more next week, but I am not sure.  I stopped along the way for a Starbucks Apple Blossom Tea Latte (they didn't have the advertised Peach).  Had passport photos taken today for my residence permit and visa.  The pictures must be on a blue background, so the ones I had on me were useless.  They made me tuck my hair behind my ears and remove my earrings.  Weird. On the way home, I went to a Chinese restaurant called Cloud 9 and ordered fish soup with noodles, veggies, and pork dumplings followed by a beer.  The bill was 33RMB, around $7CAD (the beer was $2).

Going home was a bit more confusing as I hadn't taken the bus back before and I had to find the bus stop on the other side of the street.  Rob erroneously told me that the stop would be next to the news stand, but there were 3 of them, so it took me a while to find it. I waited 20 minutes, and when the 968 came by, it packed full.  So .... I took a cab, which meant calling Amy and having her give the driver directions.  We're a new subdivision in the 'burbs, and most cabbies don't know where it is. Anyway, 30 minutes and 58RMB later, I'm home.  Lesson: Stay away from buses in Beijing during rush hour.  After this week, next week at the latest, I won't need to come in for work related matters.  I'll still make plenty of trips in, but I will be avoiding rush hour.

Decided to have Kevin hook up the WiFi tomorrow instead of tonight.  I was late getting home, want to Skype with the family , and am just not in the mood for it. Pictures are being taken and will be posted soon, I promise. There IS one photo on my Facebook page, it's the view of the mountains and the housing community where I live, taken from the school.  I managed to upload that while I was having dinner and using WiFi at a restaurant.

Tomorrow: Medical check, another training module, and hopefully will have my WiFi, finally.  Friday I get to meet my students!!