Poked and proded

We have been in China now for 4 days, it doesn't feel that long at all. So much has happened, already we have met some amazing people, all so different!

We have managed to buy groceries/household stuff at a grocery store, direct a taxi using idiot cards, get lunch and dinner several times, and have a medical this morning which included - blood test, x-ray, dentist check, ECG, ultrasound (for parasites!), blood pressure, eye test and height/weight measurements.

Food is really cheap, usually under 40RMB which is around AU$5. We are going to buy a scooter tomorrow which will cost approx 2000RMB - AU$350. It is battery rechargeable and reaches around 45kmph.

I have a mobile number now though I can't remember it. Buying a new sim card was tricky, it took several Chinese to work out what I wanted cause I didn't take my old one with me. The word for sim card is 'sim ca'.

We now know a couple of words, I think I might do some lessons. They are pretty expensive but apparently worthwhile, 2 hours, twice a week. A fair bit of money though.

Our compound is pretty sweet, it has 9 multi-story apartment blocks (between 20-25 stories each) with four apartments on each floor. They are all under 1 year old and brand new, 5 blocks aren't finished yet and most apartments are empty, so it's lovely and quiet at the moment. I'm sure that will change later on when more people move in. We have a pool which cost 20RMB each time you use it, a free gym, a tennis and basketball court (these both cost), extensive ready-made gardens, a management office with staff, small grocery store, coffee shop and a full time tennis coach. - And we don't have to pay for it!

We will get an Aiyia (sp?) which is a helper. They clean, wash, iron, shop and can cook for you and cost around AU$50 per month (depending on time spent doing your jobs).

That's about all for now. Kane is at the gym at the moment, I'm not sure what we will have for dinner tonight, but fresh veg sounds good!
Cheers Kelly