Adventures in Kunming and Beyond

So much to recap! Let’s start at the beginning. Dali was a good trip out of the city. Of course, with lots of amusing tidbits along the way. First off, the “bus” we rode in resembled the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo and doubled as a delivery service. We made some random stops, including picking people up on the side of the road and dropping them off on off-ramps. And, I also discovered what you do in China if someone needs to go to the bathroom in between designated stops. No, you don’t pull off and stop at a gas station. Your driver finds a nice bushy area and there you have it (thankfully it wasn’t me!). If that wasn’t enough to scare me into starvation for the trip home, our designated rest stop restroom facilities lacked doors on the stalls. Yes, a very public display of EVERYTHING. Welcome to China. Anyway, once in Dali, we had an awesome hostel that I would definitely recommend. The Old City of Dali was very chill and laid-back. It was hard to get used to at first because we’re so used to doing things a little less leisurely, but once we got the hang of the relaxation part, it was fun. And of course, lots of delicious Western food. We definitely splurged on cookies, real pizza!! (um, twice) and lots of other delicacies. On a more serious note, we witnessed an accident where a car ran over a small child. It was horrible, and was one of those bizarre things in that we kind of ran into the child and one step later the child ran out in front of the car. Being right there was horrendous, as was the whole incident. The car was part of a wedding group, so that made it even worse.

Anyway, so we made it back to Kunming in time to find out more of the madness involving the sports competition. Prior to leaving for Dali on Thursday (11/15), we were informed via e-mail that the Foreign Office was not providing the outfits we needed for the opening ceremony of the sports competition as previously promised. Instead, they were going to give us 700RMB to buy clothes. Someone inquired about what kind of clothing to which we were sent a picture of a track suit. On Tuesday night we also received a detailed itinerary requesting our presence at random things (opening ceremony walking practice, etc.). Whatever. So, we got back and scrambled to get the money and figure out where to go for a track suit, of all things. We hunted them down on Wednesday, only to then find out that by track suit, they had indeed meant formal business clothes. Don’t ask. Of course, it was too late to do anything since the event was the next day. So, we figured we would just compromise with something we already had for teaching. (Yes, I am now the proud owner of one blue fake Adidas tracksuit. Pretty sweet, I know.) Fine. In the midst of all of this hoopla, it turns out our Foreign Office contact had been relieved of her duties!! As in, was no longer employed with the school. Very excellent news, especially considering my track record with her. Well, the icing on the cake came Thursday morning. Of course, we didn’t have class…or so we thought. Turns out, on Wednesday, the school had decided to reinstate classes for Thursday morning. BUT, no one had told the foreign teachers. So, a whole mess ensued for the two of us who actually have Thursday morning classes. That was it, especially considering the class I missed was an IBS one, who I already have a history with. However, due to the communication error, it wasn’t my fault, so I won’t get penalized. But, the overall truama of the whole event had me ready to pack up and go home. There were so many incidents within one week concerning the sport competition and this was the last straw of ridiculousness. Anyway. So, the afternoon came, and we showed up to the ceremony and were paraded around in our own faux Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade-type glory. Awesome. It was truly an outrageous event where each department, right down to the campus security guards, took part in the ceremony. And, the coordinating outfits, ranging from matching suits, cheerleader fringe costumes and a variety of tracksuits, were quite a sight. Sadly, no leg warmers or sweatbands. I guess the competition actually included track and field events, but I’m not going to lie, the concept of an aerobics competition had me hoping for more of an ’80s Flashdance-type atmosphere. Sad. We finally got out of there and were able to celebrate Thanksgiving Italian style with pizza and wine. Hey, I don’t really like that much turkey anyway, so it worked out well, but missing a family holiday was pretty rough.

The weekend was busy, but in a good way. On Saturday we went to Dounan, which is the largest flower market in Asia and distribtes worldwide. Even though we got there a little late in their day (11 a.m.), we still found lots of cool stuff and I managed to leave with about 60 daisies, quite unintentionally, and for very cheaply. Anyway, so I hauled my flowers back, standing, for an hour on the bus. It was also then I discovered that finding a vase in the city was nearly impossible. And then, I also rediscovered that I am not Martha Stewart. Flower arranging is not necessarily my area of talent, so there’s no way better to find that out in a large-scale than being surrounded by five dozen flowers. Oh well, they were pretty.

Saturday night there was a Christmas fair put on by some local foreign-owned businesses, which made for a very Christmas-y atmosphere. Sunday was also hectic and came with the onset of a cold, which made for a brutal week and has until now kept me hidden in my apartment, aside from classes. Oh yes, and did I mention the building they removed on one side of our building? Yes, we returned from Dali to find that that building was scheduled to no longer exist. And by finding that, I mean that on my third floor apartment, I was now eye-level with Chinese construction men dismantling the building. Of course, since the curtains on the opposite side of my apartment are usually permanently closed (due to my students informing me quite happily that they could see in my apartment), I guess why not eliminate my remaining source of sunlight. Of course, that was better than showering with an audience. So yes, the week has been filled with near earthquake conditions when they decided to pull that building’s walls down one morning, to salvage crews working around the clock to find good bricks in the rubble. So now, we are fully exposed to the rest of campus and of course, know that if a building is coming down, the duration of our stay here will likely be filled with construction on a new addition to campus. Swell.

Other than that, I was VERY thankful for potato soup at Silver Spoon while I was sick this week. Just like home! I’ve also hit my three month mark in China. Scary. But, down to two months until the semester break expedition!! YAY!! Also found out we have a break for Jan. 1, but the school hasn’t set the dates yet. And, that falls within some of the finals. I will say it’s very difficult to understand how an organization functions with such seemingly little organization. I only say this because of the lack of knowledge of all school dates…it’s just unfathomable, right down to when school starts and ends. And, how is it fair to reinstate school the day before?? Honestly, I think that some day I will wake up and discover China has decided to change the days of the week, at the last minute.

So, those of the highlights of the recent weeks. Oh, and did I mention that my new favorite clothing item is long underwear, a beautiful solution to lack of central heating?

MIA again. But I’m trying to keep a low profile. Of course the usual array of mishaps and trouble have found me, but I’ve come to believe my purpose in China is to be an unintentional rebel. Sweet. But, having been here over two months now, I think the initial culture shock has worn off, so a lot of things that I would have flipped out over don’t really phase me anymore. Anyway, somewhat survived midterms. But on to current events. We’re hopefully heading to Dali for the weekend. (By hopefully I mean that I have yet to receive approval for cancelling my one Friday class.) If I do indeed get to make the trip (trust me, it’s entirely possible that said department will revoke my request), it should be a good weekend away from Kunming. On a sidenote: Halloween China-style also rocked.

In other interesting local news: The weather has been decent and somewhat Fallish. Despite the periodic rain, I think the overall climate is pretty awesome in comparison to other parts of China (ie. I regularly see a clear blue sky and the sun). Um, also if you happen to see Kunming in the news anytime soon, there was a huge drug bust on a deal that was headed here. And finally, just for your amusement, our school is hosting an aerobics competition next week. Yeah. It’s insane. It’s like synchronized aerobics for guys and girls. If you walk around campus, there are huge groups of people practicing. I’m even talking all-male groups. But, the best part is that the foreign teachers are going to be paraded around at it…in special outfits. It will be picture-worthy, for sure. And, evidently school is cancelled for two days for this blessed event. Nice for Thanksgiving, but lack of notice is not cool. Never a dull moment

And finally, if there was ever a good introduction to China, it would be this (hilarious and sadly true!!): http://www.sinosplice.com/china/pictguide/