Wide eyed
After Chinese Del Boy drove the pickup van containing me, my belongings, Chinese Rodney & Chinese Trigger to my new Shanghai pad, I finally moved everything in. I was honoured with a seat in the front while Rodders and Trig were wedged among the recently released books, rugs and the now slightly stale smelling wooden furniture, behind the side door in the back of the van. Confirmation that the immediate danger of bruising and chipping of both the men and the furniture was to be hastily and pragmatically ignored as the door slammed shut. Perhaps the driver would take it uncharacteristically easy on this journey?
I reassure you, all is well: I went out by myself today and survived. I have eaten meat (mystery meat meatballs), and there is a shop on my new complex that sells wine; a most reassuring, novel and significant circumstance when considering my move from the Middle East was still fairly fresh in mind.
The Cadshores continue to mind me as best they can in my attempts to avoid disaster consequential or otherwise. So far the most adventurous experience has been the introduction to fried chewy bottomed dumplings containing stock and some form of meat – pork, I think. We sat below a shopping mall and I struggled to maintain dignity (an unnecessary diligence – hindsight making things exceptionally clear on this front) whilst balancing a fairly weighty dumpling between chopsticks and nibbling the edge before slurping and sucking out the juice. So this is how it’s going to be. I see.
With due attention to detail being necessary in order to avail you all that I am well and happy – at the very least surviving – I have decided that you must be informed of even the more basic occurrences surrounding my integration. Therefore even the decision to purchase a bicycle will herewith be explained. Apparently, a bicycle is highly necessary in Shanghai especially when one has a relocation allowance which permits such purchases. At present, I both dread and look forward to this decision manifest when I can sail through the streets astride my shiny new transportation discovering exciting new things whilst simultaneously avoiding low flying spittal and crazy apparently rule free pavement driving. More anon.
Saturday is to be the first time I see my new colleagues out on the town; seeing as I appear to be the only one not partaking in Dry January, I’d imagine all the stories on Monday will consist mainly of me drunkenly doing stuff that EVERYONE remembers; my nerves, delayed jetlag and stubborn refusal to refuse alcohol working their combined magic in creating a small and memorable little monster. Still, I speculate. Perhaps I will not be the only one and perhaps my endeavours to represent myself as fun, intelligent and independent will shine through. Dare I say it? More anon.
They start the working week on a Monday here in China, like the UK but unlike the UAE. Confused me somewhat today. This admission to a simple weekly working day routine causing confusion, I think, suggests that success here is likely to necessitate a little ‘manning up’.
Of course, I miss you all, my treasured friends; I miss the sun of the Middle East and I miss the closeness of those who know me. While I suppose that cannot be physical closeness for a while, you must stay in touch so I do not become too remote in this new and ever so different of places.
She went to Shanghai 