Settling in

Went to see some other apartments. One on about 10^th floor overlooking the sea. Actually almost all the apartments overlook the sea so mystique is losing significance. This apartment is very nice but a bit holiday-home in style and decor. Comfortable though. Many Europeans in the complex.

Looked at another apartment 100 metres from beach – sort of out the door, down the path and onto the beach. The complex was ubra rich villas but this apartment was grotty and dank. Another apartment looked at was a nice layout inside but the nearby buildings were so close you were looking out of the window into either walls or other peoples apartments. We waited by the bus stop near this apartment. The heat was getting a bit much to bear but nearby there was a big sort of shop/warehouse type building with a big “Kitchenware” sign over the door. We thought we would investigate the air conditioners in this building and maybe even look at kitchenware. At the door a whole load of pretty girls met us but there were no signs of any

kitchenware. We asked and found it was a massage place. How much were the massages? They were about 200RMB. Ummm! A bit expensive for a massage. Maybe they mean Massage.

Need to evaluate my feelings about these apartments. However nice they are, the idea of living in them for a year fills me with dismay. They are small claustrophobic shelves in 35 storey buildings. All are pretty much the same layout. Balcony, sitting room with 1,2 or 3 rooms off that with a tiny kitchen. Door opens onto a corridor or stairs. I want space. The heat is also a factor here. I cannot be outside for more than a couple of hours so these apartments are a bit like prisons.

Eventually we settled on an apartment. Not the nicest we had seen but had certain features that would make life easier. The apartment has windows front and back which means we can get a draught running through. The bedrooms are not just off the living area which seems better to me. There are three bedrooms which gives more room. Outside the front door, the communal area is wide and long with windows. Also a caged area where we can put stuff. The block is about 30 stories high and we are on the 19^th floor. Unlike the previous apartment, we are surrounded by “old town” which makes life more interesting. Also very close to bus stop. On the down side, the landlady seemed nuts. She wouldn’t provide a cooker as cooking polluted the apartment. Actually that is true of Chinese cooking. She wouldn’t provide mattresses cos that meant we would sleep or something. Chinese mattresses are no great luxury anyway. We took it and so for better or worse, we are here for a year.

Next day went to the University to see about registering Naryan as a student. He should have registered a month ago but that sort of got left undone. Anyway, there was no problem if he is going to pay then he is welcome. University is a beautiful place and a refuge from the off campus world of noise. Had lunch in what I suppose is a sort of student union or student residential block. Food was one of the best we have had. Waitress spoke good English. Other things that Naryan has to do is to pay – via an account on the campus banks; have a medical at the Chinese immigration quarantine place and find a place to live. While on campus, I also opened a bank account. I wanted to put money into it via my overloaded credit card but they wanted 3% handling fee for putting money in So I didn’t transfer any. Natasha is looking for jobs for Viny. Viny has some interviews.

Took Naryan for a medical check at the Immigration Quarantine place along the coast northwards. I can tell that Naryan is not looking forward to this. The process required ECG, Xray, vision test, an ultrasound scan (I think they were looking at lungs) and a blood test. This is the real test. The nurse stuck the needle into Naryan’s arm and no blood came out so she wiggled it about a bit. Still nothing so she stuck in another needle which did get blood but it dried up after one phial so she ground it about a bit. Naryan had been stoic up to that point went into a state of collapse. The needles were removed and Naryan lay down but then the blood started flowing making a pool on the floor. We eventually got out of there alive.