Dan

So as the Olympics begin (at bloody last) my time in China comes to an end, for now at least. Its been great fun and not as difficult as I had expected. I guess I thought the infrastructure of the place would be less developed than it is and apart from a few nasty bus journeys (suspect I have another one of those coming up tomorrow) getting around has been easy. The locals have been great too with few unfriendly folks, though I never made it to the east coast which is notorious for being a amiable. I'll experience that eventually because i'll be back in 2 months travelling up the east coast on my way to Beijing and eventually catching a train or 5 home.
I didn't experience the culture shock I had expected after arriving here but there are certain aspects of chinese life that are either pretty filthy (persistent spitting of vile green flem is THE one thing that really got too me) or just downright insane, the driving can leave a lot to be desired sometimes. Other parts of the culture where really inspiring especially the Chinese habit of socialising all the time in big groups. They're a far more socially minded and uninhibited nation than back home. The food here is great too really cheap and quick to be served, much simpler and less greasy than the British Chinese takeaway, the vege's in particular are great. Beers cheap too, though I haven't drunk for the last 2 months. I don't really know what happened I just stopped. Will most likely pick up again in Laos as there local beer (imaginatively named beer Lao) is apparently one of the best in asia!

Some of the other teachers.

Kunming has been a good choice for a base this last ten weeks I'm glad it transpired that I ended up here though I wish there hadn't been an earthquake of course which was ultimately the decider between this place and Chengdu. The weather has been nice with cool breezes and sunny days apparently the du is sweltering at this time of the year. The city is pleasent too and its not to big so you can't get terribly lost. The bus service is also pretty amazing, this seems to be the case all over China. The UK could learn a lot form putting on plenty of simple services at an affordable price. Nearly everyone seems to use the buses here if not they're on a bike or a scooter. Another notable effort the Chinese are making environmentally is the banning of free plastic bags in supermarkets. This was implemented about 2 months ago and for about a week people would go to the supermarket, forget to bring bags and get pissed off at having to pay for some. But in no time everyone started to bring there own. This sort of thing would be so easy to implement back home.

This was my favorite class.

Said my goodbyes at school this week. The students seemed genuinely disappointed that I was leaving which was nice. Sometimes I was unsure if they where really enjoying the lessons because of there confused looking non English speaking faces trying to understand my odd accent. I've really enjoyed the work shame I couldn't do more as I would have liked to stay until the end of this term, not just for the 3 month bonus I would have received. Think i'll definitely look into teaching as a career when I'm back, its going to be a completely different experience teaching English kids mind.

So tomorrow evening I have a bus to the border then i'll wave goodbye to China on Sunday after crossing the overland.

I think I agree with Eric Idle "I like Chinese, they only come up to your knees"

written by

Dan on August 8, 2008 from Kunming, China

from the travel blog: Been there, Dan that!

Send a Compliment

3 comments...

Trips:

Shorthand link:

Buddy List

Bit of a washout

Louang Namtha, Laos

Welcome to Laos!

Louang Namtha, Laos

On the move again

Kunming, China

Explosions in Kunming

Kunming, China

Visa ok

Kunming, China

Update

Kunming, China

The apartment

Kunming, China

Got a job

Kunming, China

Giz a job!

Kunming, China

One last Nan!

Urumqi, China

Heading South?