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2 over lee · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 4:07 pm Post subject:

Thank you for the reply, it wouldn�t be for me, however I can imagine wanting to do the same in say Lao or Indonesia, so maybe it�s China fatique on my part.

What province are you in? Do you get out amongst villagers and the countryside, any actual quiet, clean spots? I usually found Chinese villages to be uninspiring brick buildings and the fields to stink of night-soil.

peggiescott · Joined: 20 Mar 2004 Posts: 162

2 Over,

I'm in JiuJiang, in the JiangXi province. The school is an easy walk to the lakes and parks. One of the parks on the far end of the lake is surprisingly clean, even the air. Near here I've traveled to Lu Mountain (where the students hid me till they could negotiate a 10 Yuan price on the rooms), The West Men's Monastery, Thousand Island Lake (I kid you not), and the site of an ancient university. They were all in unpolluted areas and lovely. We're only a few hours by bus to NanChang or WuHan and an overnight train ride to BeiJing, Shanghai or Hong Kong so it's pretty easy to get a "Western" fix when I need one.

I have two close friends, another FT from the states and a student. One evening the three of us had dinner together and then attended a film showing at another school. When there was some confusion about the arrangements the student began translating for our host. The host said, "Oh, that's why you brought him, to translate." I said, "He's with us because he's my friend." And had a hard time not adding "You insensitive dolt!" But it does show, I think, a difference in the relationship one expects to have with China (or any other country) and the experiences one seeks out.

Peggie

Ciara · Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2004 5:50 am Post subject:

I like my dinky, polluted city (ok, not the pollution!). The people are really friendly and I love my students (well, some...lol). I'm from the city back home, so it's a nice change. Although Shanxi has received a lot of criticism, it has some of the nicest sites. There are places in Shanxi that aren't polluted! I am 4 hours from Beijing, close to Mongolia and Xi'An. The location is great for me to travel. I have already been south of China. My friend in Beijing says there are many schools in Beijing that will hire me and pay me really well (even though I am the "wrong" colour) Razz

I am looking to learn Chinese and travel. If I wanted to make big bucks, I would be back home earning my 50K with all the standard perks. If you want more money teaching, go to Korea or Japan.