Job Discussion Forums

Hansen · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 737 Location: central China

Lister, I once was comforted by the sight of a policeman in the middle of a street where buses made tilted turns as they raced through an intersection. I proceeded, confident that the police would put some fear into the lunatic drivers. Here comes a bus, turning through the intersection full of people, not slowing a bit.

Luckily the policeman was able to jump out of the way in time but it was close.

I had good luck with a guide my first few days here. Fairly certain he kept me out of harm's way until I realized where I was and how the drivers operated.

colonel · Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 89 Location: Nanyang and Cha-Am

Many thanks to the posters offering constructive advice.

Had I known that I would be expected to walk 16kms. every other day I would not have touched this job with the proverbial.

If the expectation of a little honesty 'upfront' is being naive then I'm naive.

I entered into a contract with a government educational establishment, not a group of ne'er do wells.

However, I'll see the contract out, in stoical fashion, - and smile as I leave!

Jordean · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 238

It rains where you are? Count your blessings. Much of the north is in drought, which will make for lovely dust storms this spring...

killian · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:15 pm Post subject:

can't have a proper depression without a dustbowl.

Jordean · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 238

Pelham · Joined: 05 Mar 2009 Posts: 9

Hmm... some of this stuff sounds A LOT like Korea.

Buck Lin · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 405 Location: nanchang china

clownel are you at my school? I do the same amount of walking but it is in a forested park area. Are you the guy who complained at the restaurant because you weren't allowed to choose what you wanted to eat at the restaurant when the school took you out for a meal? Are you the guy who complained because you couldn't buy cheese and milk at the store near you. Are you the guy who came here tellling everyone about how you broke up with your true love and left her everything? Are you the guy that turns everything for me that I enjoy into something negative?

chengdu4me · Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:59 am Post subject:

colonel..I have your solution...4km is about 2 1/2 miles....so you walk out of your home and get a cup of coffee....you enjoy your coffee while you walk and about half way there you stop for breakfast....then you continue on your way...about 3/4 of the way there, there is a cute little sweetheart that works in the store on the corner....go in and talk to her...get to know her..teach her a little English....then go on to work....do this everyday for about a month, then ask the cute little sweetheart out to dinner..take her to the restaurant that you go everyday for breakfast. Let her take you all around town and she can show you HER China.......but no whining..Chinese woman like their man to be strong and confident!

lemons.......lemonade.......any questions?

Buck Lin · Joined: 13 Oct 2008 Posts: 405 Location: nanchang china

This whole story reminds me of a scene in the movie PARIS TEXAS where a father asked his son if he could walk him to school, and his kid says,"no one walks in America." Well they walk but only on treadmills at their local gym.

JZer · Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 3898 Location: Pittsburgh

Didn't the OP do any research? If you want the comforts of your home country then why did you come here?

Don't forget not everyone in this world is given a car by their daddy to drive!

evaforsure · Joined: 26 Jun 2004 Posts: 1217

I think the OP is someones daddy....

colonel · Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 89 Location: Nanyang and Cha-Am

Try Granddaddy!
I've been cycling for over 50 years and couldn't resist a wry smile reading the comments from 'Buck Lin' etc.
May I remind these "draft dodging" individuals that little boys should be seen and not heard.
I posed the question, " How many people would sign up for a (sometimes) 16km. hike each day?".
I came here to teach not to yomp around the pavements (sidewalks) of China for several hours each month.
My leisure time is valuable to me but for someone with 400+ posts in a short space of time, who berated me, I guess that point is lost.
I'm still in China and will be for quite a while yet - I'm not a quitter.

Ariadne · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 960

This year the university where I work stopped providing a bus for the teachers. It's a brisk 35 minute walk from one side to the other and I sure don't enjoy the hike. Especially not when it's pouring down rain. Ugh. I've been making do by using a combination of the local bus and walking. I might get a bicycle next year. We'll see. My classes are in different locations on the campus, so I only have to worry about the long walk twice a week.

OP, are there any other housing options for you that might put you closer to your classes? I think you have every right to be irritated by the distance to your workplace. I would hate having to do that every day and it would affect how/if I enjoyed my job.

.

Itsme · Joined: 11 Aug 2004 Posts: 624 Location: Houston, TX

Interesting how time flies when you are walking in China. The "quick" walk from the subway station to my place took about 20 minutes. I did not notice it thought because there was so much commotion going on around me. I only noticed it when I was running late and had to get a bicycle taxi.

Walking is good for you!
now I run 3 miles a day but still can't fit in the clothes I would wear in China... and I never ran there.

colonel · Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 89 Location: Nanyang and Cha-Am

Indeed Ariadne, it does detract from the overall enjoyment of being here.

A Chinese teacher, however, has very kindly lent me his son's bicycle, his son is at uni, so the commute is no problem - except when it's pouring or blowing a gale!