Chongqing at last!

After a week of relative luxury during Beijing Orientation, yesterday I finally arrived in Chongqing. It was a bit of a baptism of fire, going straight from the airport to the office for a briefing by the Deputy Team Leader and a meet and greet with the other staff – many of whom are Australian.

A quick recap of my time in Beijing –

Saturday – Arrival. Taken to Beijing Culture & Language University where we were staying – great facilities. An easy day – given our agenda for the week, tour of the campus and facilities & free time (to nap!). Welcome dinner in the evening.

Sunday – Full day of China briefings re. history, culture etc etc. That is, a full day of Powerpoint presentations. Yawn. Into San Li Tun for drinks & to watch the rugby – fortunately we arrived just as the game was finishing. Dinner at a muslim restaurant – lamb kebabs and belly dancing.

Monday – Morning: Language lessons. With no Chinese language skills at all, I was placed in what we affectionately dubbed the ‘retards group’. Afternoon: Free time. Went to Silk Market with another AYAD. This was an incredible experience. Last time I was in Beijing the Silk Market was an incredibly crowded open-air market of about three alleys. Now the Silk Market is an incredibly crowded five story shopping mecca with the same stalls but in a mall and about fifteen times the size. Also caught up with Mandy, Kate’s former colleague, for an ice-cream. A wander through Wang Fu Jing St (a pedestrian shopping mall) and past the Forbidden City proved interesting – being National Day, a public holiday, the place was PACKED and it really felt like being in a country of billions of people. Despite this it was never scary, people here obviously used to being in big crowds. Had dinner at a local restaurant where we were given a private room.

Tuesday – Full day of language lessons. That’s right – a FULL day. Was slightly hysterical by the end. Jiaozi for lunch made it bearable. Mmmm jiaozi. Cheapest meal so far – 6 RMB each (incl. drinks) = <$1. Mongolia-bound AYADs arrived. A big group trip in the evening to Houhai Lake where there is a number of cute (very touristy) bars and restaurants. Another private room.

Wednesday – Free day. Went into the city again to the Silk Market with a couple of other AYADs. Was supposed to be a quick morning trip. Arrived home six hours later. Onset of Beijing belly, less than a week after arrival.

Thursday – Morning: Australian Embassy for consular briefings, AusAID briefings and morning tea with the Ambassador and his wife. Free time in the afternoon (rest for me after all that chocolate cake with the ambassador) and then a farewell dinner.

Friday – Bright and early flight to Chongqing! I am now missing my AYAD mates who have flown off to all corners of the country. We are hoping to catch up in various places for a few long weekends here and there which would be really fun. While still suffering the effects of Beijing Belly I ventured into the city last night to catch up with my new colleagues for a drink (sprite = xuebi) at the Newcastle Arms, the local expat bar. I took the monorail into town – a hilarious experience. There is nothing orderly about it – people race on and jump onto seats, despite the fact that it was the evening and the train was pretty much empty. I was very impressed with the monorail, all the signs were in Chinese and pinyin which meant I could read them, and all the Chinese announcements were followed by English. It was surprisingly user-friendly. It also gave a good view of the city at night – this place is like Vegas, all lit up in neon. I remember hearing once that the local government encourages buildings to decorate themselves with lights. I can’t wait to take some photos.