Arrived Sunday night to 4 degrees minus the wind chill factor that took it to 0 or
below! Was taken to a beautiful Chinese restaurant for dinner but wasn't at all hungry after 3 meals on Qantas. I tried the eggflower and pickle soup, the spicy
duck (lived up to its name) and a couple of vegetable dishes – using chopsticks I might add! Then had a 3 hour drive and ferry ride to Nantong along 6 and 8
lane freeways most of the way. I was wondering where the reported traffic chaos came from – but discovered the following that daytime traffic is a whole
different story from night-time! The mobile I bought specifically to use in China doesn't get coverage here so I
wasn't impressed at not being able to call home – specially when I found the landline at my apartment didn't give me
overseas access either. Finally phoned the consulate in Shanghai and after crying down the phone at them, they
put me through to a lovely Aussie who e-mailed Helen for me. Got an IP phone card that afternoon and called Don that night so all was well with the world again!
My apartment is pretty basic by Aussie standards – large main and 2nd bedroom which is used as the study,
kitchenette, bathroom with washing machine, and living area. It's on the first floor, so not too many steps to climb,
and is next to the main police station so I should be safe! Apparently the police will be visiting to check on my security arrangements!!!!
Monday morning we went off to the local police station to register my presence, then did some shopping. Some of
the shops are similar to Myers and DJ's – multiple floors of really expensive gear. I got a coat, slacks and jumper at
a more reasonably priced place – on special, but not really much cheaper than Australia. OR maybe I got decent
quality at average Oz prices! I saw traffic at its chaotic best – very reminiscent of India, then caught a bus home.
It has an English 12 on the front so I can actually recognise it! Interesting thing about the traffic lights over here – as
well as the red or green light, they show a countdown of seconds till the light will change!
Tuesday I had my medical – what an experience! Hordes of people, mostly males heading to Russia to work, "lining up" (which equates with push and
shove, not queuing) at various rooms along corridors of 2 floors. I had and ECG, ENT and eye exam, abdo poke and prod, ultrasound of liver, spleen and
the works, blood tests – can't remember the rest except for the X-ray. I watched as about 10 guys had chest X-rays done – all staying in the room as
the others were done! Fortunately I was first in line when the plate was changed so didn't have to hang around!
Went to a local bakery and supermarket after that. My interpreter couldn't understand why I wanted a BIG coffee
cup – she suggested I get paper cups so I didn't have to wash up! I got thermal underwear for about $6 a set, some
strange looking greens, and eggs – was looked at very strangely when I asked for 6 – they're bought by weight here!
I'd like to go back on my own soon – the interpreter ignored the sections I was really interested in like chocolates, biscuits and other sweet stuff!
This morning I gave my demonstration lesson – the big bosses took me to a welcoming banquet this evening so I guess they aren't sacking me!
The students read fluently, but their understanding is very basic. Some of the words in their text are interesting – like "metropolis" and "perilous gases".
This afternoon I ventured downtown on the bus by myself armed with a map and a slip of paper with "bookshop"
written on it in Chinese characters. Couldn't find the place so went into a bank to see if someone spoke English.
No go. However, a lovely lady escorted me across the road (not as easy as it sounds when pedestrians have no
rights even on "crossings") and down the street almost to the shop I needed to buy postcards. Fortunately, I'd taken
and Aussie postcard with me, but there was a lot of discussion before someone found some Shanghai postcards in a drawer!
The banquet was something I was dreading after seeing some of the dishes favoured over here! It was 15 courses,
and in deference to my Western sensibilities, they served each course up individually so I couldn't skip any on the
quiet! For someone who doesn't usually eat mushrooms or prawns I think I did pretty well because there's "fungi" in
most and shrimp in quite a few. The two courses I did pass on were the Fungi soup and the huge prawn that Don
would have loved. I actually managed to eat some of the shark fin and some other very strange looking and tasting stuff – just tried to swallow without too many chews on some of it!!!!
Getting the Internet connected this afternoon has given me a tremendous boost – I feel I'm back in touch with the
world again! Haven't got access to the English TV channel yet so have no idea what's going on in the world! Have
found out there is quite an ex-pat group here in Nantong somewhere (none at this Uni), so I'm hoping to get in touch
with them over the next week. Have survived 3 days – only about 300 to go! Bring on the warm weather because I'm wearing about 4 layers at present!
Arrived Sunday night to 4 degrees minus the wind chill factor that took it to 0 or
below! Was taken to a beautiful Chinese restaurant for dinner but wasn't at all hungry after 3 meals on Qantas. I tried the eggflower and pickle soup, the spicy
duck (lived up to its name) and a couple of vegetable dishes – using chopsticks I might add! Then had a 3 hour drive and ferry ride to Nantong along 6 and 8
lane freeways most of the way. I was wondering where the reported traffic chaos came from – but discovered the following that daytime traffic is a whole
different story from night-time! 
