Gardens

 This past week I've been able to get around and see some of the beautiful gardens China has to offer. I had a day off on Wednesday and I took the chance to explore Zhangjiagang Park. Its a very beautiful park located in the middle of the hectic Chinese street. There is a large lake in the center of the park where people can rent paddle boats. Its a nice retreat from the noise and buildings of the city.  

On Sunday I went to Suzhou (pronounced sue-joe), which is about an hour and a half southeast, for church but decided to stay and make a day of it. Or as I like to say "I got my tourist on." There are some very beautiful gardens with a rich, ancient, history. I visited The Humble Administrator's Garden which dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). It was originally a private residency, then a monastery, then a retirement home for a poet during the Ming Dynasty around 1510 and now a world heritage site. It is beautiful and serene with many pavilions, bridges and pools. The next three photos are of that garden.  

Humble Administrator's Garden

And finally just a block away there is the Lion Grove Garden, which was built during the Yuan Dynasty (around 1342 AD) by a Zen Buddhist monk. It's smaller that Humble Administrator's but was full of huge, naturally shaped rocks, bridges and a pavilion shaped like a boat on the water.  Tons of people were there too. I had to fight my way though the tour groups just to get a quick glimpse at all the sights. But I guess being in China I should get used to the crowds. :) Lesley   

Lion's Grove 

    

My Apartment

I moved into an apartment at the end of last week, I feel pretty blessed that I got such a nice, modern and beautiful apartment. I had a choice of something closer to my work but this one just seemed like it fit me the best. The only downside is that it feels too big for just me. I have a whole extra room thats not being used and seating for 14 people (thats including dining chairs). So if anyone wants to visit there is plenty of room!! I do really like it though. I live about 5 mins from the big park in Zhangjiagang so it makes the walk to and from work that much easier.

Living Room

Bathroom

Drying Room

Kitchen

My Room

Spare Room

Food

So much to talk about... The first few days were a bit overwhelming, there is so much to take in a whole new language, city, apartment, and not to mention the food. Zhangjiagang (pronounced kind of like john-jaw-gong said fast) is a beautiful city that has a mix of the new and old world. They're known for their Walking Street which is basically an outdoor mall, its blocks of shops and restaurants, but they have a large park that is reminiscent of ancient times. I started work on Monday and so far it's been going great. They have been waiting a long time for a foreign female teacher so everyone is vey excited I am here. I've already made a few friends and the locals are very friendly and helpful. There has always been some one to help me when I needed it.  

They have KFC's everywhere (its like their Starbucks) but it's nothing like in the US, luckily the fries and ice cream are the same. The first few days I stuck pretty close to KFC but I've found some food that I really like, Chicken Buddy is a local chicken eatery they have pretty good chicken bites, the kids in the office got me hooked on it. A friend took me for a real Chinese buffet, if you look closely you can see a duck's head and prawns, I also have sheep and what I think might have been pork, I drew the line at octopus. 

I live not to far from a big supermarket, RT-Mart. I've gotten the hang of shopping in China and try to pick things that I can tell what the picture is. They do have a variety of interesting flavors for many of their dishes mostly fish or prawn flavored. I think with time I'll branch out and try some of the local flavors but for now I'm sticking to things I know I'll like. I discovered yesterday that they have Oreos!!

It's been a fun week of adjusting to my new life  :) 

5 Days to go!

Lots of people have been asking me about what I'll be doing and where I'll be living. I have a year long contract with a local school teaching English, I believe it will be with adults. Luckily for me they already know English but want to refine it, make it sound less bookish. I'm really excited to get the chance to hone my teaching talent, I've always been comfortable teaching but haven't ever done it professionally so this will be a new twist on a current skill. As for where I'll be living, it's a city named, Zhangjiagang (anyone know how to say it?) Its located about 2 hours west of Shanghai and next to the Yangtze River. It looks like its pretty urbanized with shopping malls and coffee shops, they have a Wal-Mart too. Click the link to find out more and I attached a few photos of the city to give you an idea of what it will be like. The school will have a temporary apartment set up for me when I arrive then will help me find an apartment more long term. They also give me a monthly housing stipend that will cover my rent. The cost of living is pretty cheap so I am looking forward to saving some money. :) 

I've got a lot to do in the next few days which is kind of stressful but I'm super excited to get this new chapter in life started!! 

P.S. If anyone has any good tips or fun facts about where I'll be going please let me know :)