Last night in Beijing

Weather: mild, sunny and gorgeous
Temp: 17 - 25
Ladies in Lavender: another Spring delight- Irises have popped up all over the garden.

Moving is not for sissies. Moving in China, speaking only broken Mandarin, takes balls of steel. Being in the middle of it I can safely say it's one of those "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" experiences. But like Gloria Gaynor says: I will survive! (sing along now)

The movers came today. They picked up 289kgs of stuff. That may sound like a lot, but it's couple of boxes, 2 bikes and a dressmaker's dummy. I wished Frikkie hadn't bothered shlepping all our books to Shanghai on the plane - at huge expense. Anyway, it's done. The apartment is close to being as we found it. The couch is a bit worse for wear - thanks to Sam, but we're loosing our deposit so I don't feel too bad about it.

The cats had to go for their pre-flight inspection today. What a mission. I asked about 10 taxis before I found one that a) had a clue where the place was and b) was willing to take the cats. Eventually I found somebody, but the cats had to go in the boot. Yes, shock, horror. They survived though and seem none the worse for the experience.

It's my last night in Beijing as a resident. Boo-hoo. I said goodbye to all my friends this week - Elkarien, Bob, Jo, Jetta, Liora... Boo-hoo-hoo. But I'm hugely looking forward to Shanghai - it's almost like moving to Cape Town from Joburg, but with no snooty Cape Townians to ruin it and a little more Chinese of course. But less Chinese than Beijing - if that makes sense. And with expensive wine. So saddle up maties, let the Shanghai adventure begin.

Summer Palace

Weather: lovely
Temp: 9 - 24
Exchange rate: RMB1 = R1,28
What's in a name: I've now been to the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity. Perhaps it will make me a better person who lives longer.

What the hell is going on with the Rand. Not a month ago it was hovering around R1,45 to the RMB, now it's R1,28! Seems like electing JZ as el presidente has done the rand some good. Not good for us though. Oh well.

I was in tourist mode yesterday. I dusted off Time Out Beijing guidebook and headed for the Summer Palace. I've been meaning to go for ages, but since it's the Summer Palace I figured it was best to go in summer. And I was not disappointed. A, it was a lovely day. B, the Summer Palace is magnificent. There's a museum with some of the artifacts removed from the many pavilions and pagodas in the complex. Truly impressive.
Then I ambled down the 750m Long Corridor, an outside walkway beautifully decorated to the Longevity Hill where I climbed what seemed like a millions stairs. Unfortunately you're not allowed to take photos of most of the really amazing artifacts and Buddhas, but I understand that a million flashes may damage paintings etc.

As a little treat I took a rickshaw back to the subway. My rickshaw was racing another rickshaw guy. But I think we had an unfair advantage - the other guy was peddling with 2 big Indian lads in the back.

Got home and had some excellent pilsner from BOKB micro brewery in my complex. Alfie, my flatmate left this morning for Qinbuangdao, where he'll be managing (having loads of fun) the Beijing Sailing School for the summer. Only 3 sleeps to go and then we go too. Now if only I can lay my hands on some bubble wrap.

The problem with wrapping things up

Weather: mild
Temp: 8 -21
Then and now: I think I prefer the spring time picture, although my first snow ever was pretty cool.

All quiet on the Eastern Front. Absolutely nothing to report. The kitties and I had a late morning. Well, why rush things when you have, oh well, nothing to do. I went to Secret from Africa, Miranda Allan's shop to get some of Melissa's Chilly Ginger Jam before we move to Shanghai. She even had Lunchbars. It's not quite the South African shop in London, actually it's not even close - I recon it's better - they just got Charlotte Reece.

You all have yourselves a great long weekend.

We're leaving on a jet plane

Weather: good
Temp:9 - 20
Wall flower: Pretty Shanghai graffiti.

Usually I can handle just about anything. I've been told that I'm a pretty tough cookie (and some other choice descriptions). But today China got the better of me and I had a little cry. And I DON'T cry.

I'm guessing that life for the fabulously wealthy is easy. Pay somebody and all the pain goes away. Must be nice for those folks. The money grabbing bitch My friend Kiki from World Care Pet Transport offered to take care of getting the cats to Shanghai for a measly R1300 per cat. That "includes admin and the flights". Unlucky for Kiki I'm not fresh off the plane anymore. So I booked the cats' flight etc myself. But of course it wasn't THAT easy. I wanted to fly with China Eastern - they had the cheapest flight. I should have known that things were going to go horribly wrong when the Chinglish voice prompts were: "Press 1 for operator. Press 2 for sex". I pressed 2 and got a fax line. I phoned again and pressed 1. Despite choosing English as my preferred language I got through to a person who did not know what a cat was.
I explained in broken Chinese. "Aah! You fly cat Shanghai."
Yes, three cats.
No, fly only 2.
But I have 3 cats.
No, you no fly 3 cats. Two cats for each person.
What do you suggest I do with the third cat.
Only two cats can fly.
Is there another way (by now I'm starting to loose it)
Only two cats can fly.
Henri hangs up and has a little cry.

I then dried my tears and phoned China Air, spoke to an amazing, helpful, friendly, knowledgeable person. The cats, all three, are booked on the same flight as me and we're leaving Beijing next Thursday. All for R450.

Communication skills

Weather: rain predicted, but it seems fine for now
Temp: 9-22
Dragon lady: Perhaps this salon/factory is aimed at horrible mother-in-laws.

Flora, Frikkie's office secretary in Beijing, has offered to help with the logistics of moving us to Shanghai. I really appreciate her offer - otherwise we'd be stuffed. You need somebody to explain everything in Chinese to the locals. So I mailed her a couple of questions yesterday. All set out in bullet point, very clear, logical. About 10 in total. This has mostly to do with booking the moving company and flying the cats. She answered one of my questions, with no indication that she understands my questions/ are trying to find answers/will get back to me regarding the others. This lack of communication really frustrates me. Flora's English isn't that hot, so it I fear that it will all get lost in translation...

NuNu is having her teeth cleaned today. Under general anaesthetic. For the princely sum of R1200. Between her and Sam my wallet is considerably lighter. But there was no other way - she lost one of her canines sometime over the weekend and I don't want her to loose all her teeth. Her jaw was damaged when she was run over (before I got her) and I suspect we'll be dealing with her teeth problems for the rest of her life. I'm so getting pet medical aid when we get back to SA.

Barbie for president

Weather: a little windy
Temp:9 - 24
I think this photo says it all...

I had a good time in Shanghai. Thursday and Friday were spent apartment hunting. Argh - some people have extraordinary bad taste. Where do they find the crap they put into their apartments?

We found a 1 bedroom place in the former French Concession area in a old block. It is the complete opposite of where we live now. Now we live in Fourways, we're moving to Obz in Cape Town. The most exciting part is that we will have our own outside terrace. Granted it's not enormous, but big enough for a table, a couple of chairs and a braai. So all the neighbours will be staring at us when we're outside, but so what. Yes, there wasn't a round eye in sight. The area is VERY Chinese. And our building has not been renovated, bar our apartment. Our new place is on the second floor. To get there you have to go through the communal kitchen, then up the (dark) wooden stairs, onto the landing which has another communal kitchen and lav. This second communal kitchen is next to our front door. I can't wait to learn how to cook proper chinese food - I'm counting on my neighbours being neighbourhly and teaching me. At the moment the apartment has no kitchen. Our new landlord, a single guy, never cooks, so didn't need one. He's putting one in for us, but this means that we'll only move in 1 June. In the mean time we're hoping to stay in one of the Hassell flat in Pudong, close to Frikkie's office.

On Saturday we went to explore our new neighbourhood and popped into the biggest Barbie shop in Asia. WOW. I'm not a big Barbie fan, but as a brand experience it was pretty cool. I loved the fridge magnets. My favourite one says: "I wasn't built for house work". You go Barbie, atta girl.

Voting! Done and dusted

Weather: a little cool
Temp: 5 - 18

I just got back from voting! Whoop, whoop. It felt a little bit like '94, just with no queues. I cycled to the SA embassy in Sanlitun, voted and had tea afterwards. Met two Saffers teaching in Shanxi province (three hours by speed train) who came to Beijing especially to vote. Got to love that dedication.
Who knew there were that many parties, I certainly had not heard of most of them.

I'm leaving the cats alone for five days. Alfie my flatmate is away and since Frikkie no longer works in Beijing I can't ask Flora, Frikkie's office secretary... I know this is not ideal, but let's hope they're all fat and flourishing when I get back.

Right, got to start packing for Shanghai. Can't wait to see Frikkie. It feels like it's been forever.

Getting ready to vote! VIVA!

Weather: warm, with a slight breeze
Temp: 10 -24
Spring has sprung: there are flowers everywhere. I love it.

I'm loving springtime in Beijing. I just can't get over how quickly the city has changed. I was gone for 2 weeks and boom - winter's done and dusted and there is this lush, green city that's replaced the dry, dreary place I call home. Perhaps it's the suddenness with which it occurred that fascinates me, being a country bumpkin from the Southern Hemisphere. I've taken millions of close-up photos of all the blossoms I've come across. Pointless, but beautiful. Perhaps I'll get creative, have the best ones printed on canvass and hung in my house. Mmm, on second, thought, perhaps not.

Tomorrow I will go and vote in the South African general elections. I'm excited. I believe that my vote will make a difference. I have to believe, otherwise I may despair. And I don't want to despair. I want to have hope. I want to be feel the way I did in 1994.

I'm also off to Shanghai tomorrow afternoon. We need a place to live and I need to find it. I'm excited about moving. A whole need city to go and rummage around in. Whoop, whoop.

Hey, hey, it's Friday

Weather: mild
Temp:12 - 23
Band on the run: Stella and I hanging out with Pete, the lead singer from London band, Playmaker.

I said good-bye to my Mandarin tutor Demi today. Instead of having a class we went for breakfast at Grandma's Kitchen near the Bei Xin Qiao subway station. I really like Demi. She's forever telling me things about Chinese society that slightly shock me. Like this - somebody offered her a large sum of money to write the entrance exam to a master's degree on their behalf. Because said person doesn't have the time. Apparently this happens quite often. Oh well, as they say, TIC (This is China).

Youtube is still blocked. And has been for two weeks. In case you don't know the background, read it here. I guess the question is: will Google remove the offending video? We all know what the South African government would have done in this case, but let's see how Google, the owners of youtube, reacts.

Sewing

Weather: warm, polluted
Temp:12 - 27
Pink: Beijing has lots of peach trees, so there are little pink blossoms everywhere. Who needs to go to Japan to go see the cherry blossoms if you have these on your doorstep.

I know I'm a little bit slow, but I finally joined Twitter. My friend Rebecca loves it, so I figured it can't all be bad and what can I say, I have time on my hands. You can follow my tweets here http://twitter.com/LifeInChina

My class was canceled today, so it's just me and the kitties hanging out. I'm thinking of sewing something, but I may just finish this great book I'm reading (White Tiger by Aravind Adiga). Decisions, decisions.

Sam seems to be doing fine. He actually has some personality instead of just standing there jowling and peeing on stuff. I think we both felt pretty crappy yesterday and slept for most of the day. The older I get the worse my hangovers are and the longer it takes to recover. No seriously. I was in bed by 9 last night. Frikkie rang me up at 11:30 or so. Or should I rather say Andrew Lamb rang me up (Aussie who works with Frikkie), speaking broken Afrikaans... Andrew, Holly and Frikkie had been to a drink all you can (and then some) champagne evening somewhere. Andrew's Afrikaans wasn't half bad actually. Frikkie wasn't feeling so hot this morning though. Maybe I'll ring him at 11:30 tonight...

A whole new level of weird

Weather: muggy and hot
Temp: 10 - 28
Els girls: Aren't they beautiful? Natasha, Annemarie and I at my mom's place in East London.

Ok, I just experienced a whole new level of weird. I went to the vet to pick up Sam. And they wanted to give me his nuts, in a little plastic bag. WTF? Like I said, a whole new level of weird.

I am severely hung-over today. Severely. I met Stella at Face Bar and let's just say it went down hill from there. The funniest thing happened. One of Stella's friends, who's name escapes my hung-over brain right now, is on her gap year. So, I said that I took a gap year to0, to kibbutz in Israel. Her response? "Ah, my mom did that too. It must have been an era." I started laughing. She looked puzzled. I guess she could have been my kid if I got pregnant at 17.

What did I do before?

Weather: hot
Temp: 9 - 30
Birthday love: My godson Jackson has great taste - he must get it from his mama cause how else did he pick such a perfect gift for me.

I was wondering today what I did with my time before we went to South Africa. I'm bored. Beyond bored actually. For two weeks I pretty much dashed from one appointment to the next. Now - nothing. Ok, not nothing, I'm teaching at 5, but that's certainly not enough to keep my mind occupied. And my mates are busy so I'll only see them on Saturday.

To break the tedium I went back to one of my favourite sites and folded this origami flower. I bought a Chinese origami book a little while ago, but I think you need to be able to read the instructions as well as follow the illustrations. Doh. At least I had the little squares of paper handy, so it wasn't a complete waste of money. I dig my little flower.

Sam is going to the vet at 4pm for his op tomorrow morning. Hallelujaaah!

I love Beijing in the Spring time

Weather: hot, hot, hot
Temp: 9 to 29
Blossoming: Sam and I spotted these blossom during our walk.

Spring has arrived! Hooray! The garden of Phoenix City is slowly but surely coming to life after the harsh winter. The grass is still dead, but the cleaners were cleaning the water features today so I'm hoping it's just a matter of time till they runneth over. And they fill the swimming pool. Soon.

I cleaned the apartment today. Or more precisely I tried to get rid of the cat pee smell. I have, I think, for the most part, succeeded thanks to P-Off - something I found at Diskem and lugged all the way here. Sam has of course done his best to eradicate my efforts, but, touch wood, he's going for his snip on Wednesday and that will be the end of that. It will also be the end of Sam's nuts. He is on thin ice - I had to wash ALL my bedding today. My bedroom door will stay firmly shut tonight.

My godson Jackson and his momma Rebecca gave me the most beautiful bracelet for my birthday. I LOVE wearing it. I'll take a photo of it tomorrow.

And I'm home

Weather: sunny and warm
Temp: 8 - 23
Monkey loves luggage: I hadn't even unpacked everything yet when Monkey squeeze herself into one of my bags.

I'm back home in Beijing. The flights were long, but somehow bearable. Sam still yowls, NuNu is eating again, all the plants are still alive, so all is good in Beijing. And have I mentioned that the weather has greatly improved? It was warm today! Warm people. Come on summer! We won't mention that the apartment now really smells of cat pee. Well, it can't all be good.

I had the best time in South Africa. I spent an amazing week in East London. I went for walks on the beach almost every morning, got to spend loads of time with my family and loved every second of it.

And then I got to hang with my in-laws and friends. Not as much as I had wanted to, but it was good. I can't believe how quickly the kiddies are growing up. Jackson, Erin, Riley, Jared... it's quite amazing how much they've changed in 6 months. Thanks everybody for making the effort and spending some time with me. Love you long time.