I probably shouldn't read too much on the internet, but I had heard horror stories about the public restrooms in China, so I began to investigate. I won't say too much here, but if you begin to investigate the public restrooms in China you will find words like "squatty potty" and "trough" mentioned. I'm glad I read up on these. I think I am prepared now. I also think I will try to avoid the tourist area public facilities.
I must say, though, I am getting more and more excited about seeing the Great Wall. I can not even imagine how it must feel to be there. The only things I can imagine as breath taking are the Grand Canyon and the Badlands.
I have the incredible opportunity to travel to Jinan, China and teach at the Shandong University's summer English session. What an experience! I hope to keep up with my happenings on this blog. I look forward to hearing from you, too! Please comment!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
All the Little Things
I've never prepared for a trip that will last this long. It's very strange. Every site I have visited offers different advice. Right now, I'm focuing on finding a way to avoid burning up my hair straightener. Apparently, I need adapters and converters. I have read that the adapter used for charging my computer will actually work in China if I use an additional adapter to change the prongs. However, I intend to check that out about three more ways. I think burning up my computer would be even worse than burning up my straightener.
I'm glad I have a month after school is out to check into the many details (and the large ones like the visa): figuring out clothes, medicines, food, which books to load on my Kindle, etc. I'm also trying to understand how to deposit, exchange and handle money while there. Sometimes I think I may have "bit off more than I can chew" with this trip, but then I think of how unbelievable this opportunity is. When I was about three or four I had a set of paperdolls from around the world. I used to think it would be great to go to all of those countries, but I never thought I would get to do that. All of those countries seemed too far away--almost far enough away to be in a different time period. Now I get to see the country which seemed to be the most unlikely one to visit. I guess you never know!
As you can see, preparing for this trip is a mental activity as well as a physical one.
I'm glad I have a month after school is out to check into the many details (and the large ones like the visa): figuring out clothes, medicines, food, which books to load on my Kindle, etc. I'm also trying to understand how to deposit, exchange and handle money while there. Sometimes I think I may have "bit off more than I can chew" with this trip, but then I think of how unbelievable this opportunity is. When I was about three or four I had a set of paperdolls from around the world. I used to think it would be great to go to all of those countries, but I never thought I would get to do that. All of those countries seemed too far away--almost far enough away to be in a different time period. Now I get to see the country which seemed to be the most unlikely one to visit. I guess you never know!
As you can see, preparing for this trip is a mental activity as well as a physical one.
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