Shaoyang City, Hunan Province
Well, after a 6 hr bus journey (which wasn't the best way to travel) we arrived in Shaoyang city. We were to meet our new employer Phenix at the bus station so we got off the bus and walked to the entrance. The reaction from the locals was totally unexpected. We were surrounded by people just staring at us like we had landed in a space ship, I have to say it was quite unnerving. Luckily Phenix was near by and we walked quickly...to his car. We drove through Shaoyang to the private school Phenix and his wife Summer owned called 1 UP International. We were introduced to everyone and they all made us feel very welcome.
You soon get used to the staring from the locals and you certainly get used to hearing the word foreigner. The trick is to look at them like you know what they are saying you usually get a smile back..lol
It took a while longer for our apartment to be ready so Phenix put us up in a hotel in the meantime. We were on a whirlwind of dinners and outings for the next couple of weeks while we were shown off to the schools and principals/ vice principals.
So we both had positions in middle schools I work at N0 4 and Jared works at N0 5.
I have a very lovely lecture theater where the kids pile into my class for their lessons and Jared has to hop from class to class to do his lessons... who got the best deal? We both have class sizes of around 80+ students which is about the norm in China. While our reaction to this was OMG! when we actually saw the classes its not quite as scary as it sounds and the main plus side to is that they actually want to learn. Chinese students are very respectful to their teachers and they fear the heads of their classes being told if they are naughty. One of the worst things a student can do is bring shame to their family so its a mortal sin to have your parents called into school...
You soon get used to the staring from the locals and you certainly get used to hearing the word foreigner. The trick is to look at them like you know what they are saying you usually get a smile back..lol
It took a while longer for our apartment to be ready so Phenix put us up in a hotel in the meantime. We were on a whirlwind of dinners and outings for the next couple of weeks while we were shown off to the schools and principals/ vice principals.
So we both had positions in middle schools I work at N0 4 and Jared works at N0 5.
I have a very lovely lecture theater where the kids pile into my class for their lessons and Jared has to hop from class to class to do his lessons... who got the best deal? We both have class sizes of around 80+ students which is about the norm in China. While our reaction to this was OMG! when we actually saw the classes its not quite as scary as it sounds and the main plus side to is that they actually want to learn. Chinese students are very respectful to their teachers and they fear the heads of their classes being told if they are naughty. One of the worst things a student can do is bring shame to their family so its a mortal sin to have your parents called into school...
A few days and nights out with the guys we work with and their friends. Meeting up with the translators from term one was really nice. It was great to see them again and chat about old times and future plans. A big thanks to Shelley and Scott for putting on a lovely dinner, it was delicious. We had a great laugh playing cards afterwards and drinking a few beers when we lost.
These are more than work colleagues, they are our friends. Gonna miss you guys.
These are more than work colleagues, they are our friends. Gonna miss you guys.
Chengnan park 'Childrens day' and Mia at the funfair. Relaxing by the river :)
New Shaoyang pics 27/03/13
Rob's leaving doo 22/03/2013
BBQ in the mountains.....China style
New year In Shaoyang
This is the main park in Shaoyang, it looks beautiful with all the lanterns.