My stuff arrives

Been here three weeks now. Time just whizzes by. Tamer week this week, marked by the arrival of my boxes and golf clubs .

My Scunthorpe United door mat is in pride of place just inside the front door. The Iron bedding is waiting to be used when the bed is changed. However big problem - haven't worked out how where to put my Iron curtains. The windows are all too big and attaching them over the top of the other curtains may be a challenge, especially as standing on a chair I can't quite reach the ceiling.

Still the high ceilings mean I can practice my golf swing in the front room.

Had the same driver this week - all week, who was very calm and steady. Found all the good routes to the office, however Friday we got stuck in my first Traffic Jam. What is normally 20-25 minutes became 100, as an unfortunate couple had broken down on the entrance way to the Nanpu bridge. (There are 8 crossings of the Huangpu river, 4 tunnels and 4 bridges, with plenty of signs showing how busy each one is allowing diversions, which is fine until you go past them and get stuck).

Not sure how much English the driver understands, as we have our twice daily negotiation over the time to pick me up either from the office or home the following day. Sometimes I think he is having fun with my slow Chinese. This thought has hardened after Tuesday night. We had a very late call with London (I know they wouldn't have been there at the equivalent time if we had asked!) - so said good night to the boss and driving home, when I get a call. The boss's car had a flat battery. Taps my driver on the shoulder and tells him in (my almost perfect northern English) "we need to go back to the office". He immediately reacts and turns the car round and heads back. Only when we get there do i realise I have not had to negotiate in Chinese. Still makes for good practice.

Wednesday in preparation for a meeting I ran on Thursday, went to a kids market near the office to get some toys. Had fun haggling the prices, especially watching the torrent of Chinese when saying "tai guile". Even though I got a couple of bargains I left feeling I had overpaid...the vendors were smiling.

Thursday we had a meeting in the Shangri-la hotel where the buffet lunch had Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, roast potatoes, onion gravy. And it was really good. I had much fun explaining what Yorkshire pudding was. Well worth it. That night had a dinner invitation across the road from The Shangri-la at the Park Hyatt hotel. Dinner was on the 91st floor. (See picture) - the lighted building is the Jin Mao (previously highest building in shanghai) and you can see the Pearl Tower landmark as well.

Friday another busy day, as well as the stuff arriving, had a small party in the house. A number of the girls in teh HR and Admin departments all have birthdays close together, this week and next week. So they wanted to have a pizza and DVD / Board game night. So being the English Gentleman, said they could hold it at my house. They arranged everything, so Pizza delivery arrived first, and much as I was starving I placed it in the oven to keep warm. The 10 girls arrived, with cake and ice cream. When they saw the space they just wanted to disco. They cleared a space and danced ate pizza. I thought it might be a long night, but almost Cinderella like 9.30pm they were ready to go home. Apparently this is the way in China - bed early.

Saturday golf clubs at the ready went for my first round. Strolled up pushing my trolley with clubs and shoes on. Saves carrying them. This amused the security guards and the doorman at the clubhouse. The bemused reaction of the golf club reception staff resulted in more excited Chinese statements - which brought many laughs when I took the bag off the trolley and pushed it to the side.

Went through to the starter and there were my clubs ready to go. They had found me a two ball to play with and a caddie who spoke some English. So played the venue of the BMW masters from 2003-2008. The caddies are all female in bright pink uniforms, with big brimmed hats tied on with pink scarves. Wandered round, and my partners, Mr Jang and Mr Siayang (I think that is how it is said) had virtually no English. My Caddie was great (Ming I think she was called) she could tell me how far to the hole it was, and slice, lefter bunker, but anything else we had no way of making conversation. Still the sun was out and played in Golf shirt only. One of the caddies was much smaller than the others (4ft 8?), and had plenty to say - in Chinese - including grinning broadly when the ball went in the water or the trees. We walking down one of the fairways, my two partners in front, me with two caddies on my left and this bundle of fun on my right. All of sudden the two caddies broke out in laughter, and looked across - pointing finger at the other one, looking at me and saying "Baby". Little things amuse...

Played again Sunday, they knew what to do with my trolley this time, and no doubt have a nickname for me. I was still down as Geraldine though on the sheet (we have joint membership!) Nobody bats an eye at the name - as they probably think it was one I chose. This time I was matched up with a Dutch member, and a Taiwanese with good English and a local Chinese. So more pleasurable to have conversation, even though it was bit cooler - had to play in a jumper. Though my caddie had less English - she was a better golf caddie, advising on line and suggesting different clubs. They were all delighted when I holed in 1 on the 8th. This is China so there were many many forms to fill in as a consequence. So a Houldridge first. Hybrid off the tee, pitched middle of green, disappeared over the ridge in the green. Thought it had rolled off the back initially until one of the caddies found it in the hole. By the time I got back to the club house they all new, and the starter and others came out to congratulate me.

Life just gets better and better - now have music and DVDs so instead of 88 channels of Chinese TV, and Star sports showing re-runs of Port Vale vs Accrington Stanley - FA cup, I can watch something more of interest. I did notice yesterday as it was the closing ceremony of the Asian Games in Guangzhou, it was shown on about 60 of the 88 channels. I thought the remote had broken. This is China

Off to cook dumplings...

Living accomodation

When the family flew over to China for a look round (5 days!) we were shown a number of properties that may be suitable for us to live in. I guess we all did not know what to expect. We were not disappointed. Geraldine and I quickly decided that we would prefer to be on the golf course but when we tried to go back to the first house we had seen it had been let. Thinking further when we got home we asked Maple (the relocation agent) to find us one on the same estate. Maple duly did and sent us some photos of the empty house, that had just been refurbished. We went ahead and when I came out on the 8th October had chance to look at it and discuss the furniture. It is smaller than some we saw - only 5 bedrooms all en-suite - has a small garden. It is five minute walk from the golf club house, 15 minutes walk from the gym, at the end of a cul de sac, with two friendly security guards outside.

The attached pictures show some of the rooms - a bedroom is a bedroom and bathroom is definitely a bathroom, though two of them do have jacuzzi baths. Most rooms are locked and unused at the moment awaiting my first guests. There are two master suites so you will be well accommodated should you decide to visit.

The golf course and estate is called Thomson Golf, in the Pudong area of Shanghai. There is a Carrefour supermarket 5 minutes drive away and it takes about 20-30 minutes to drive to the centre of Shanghai.

Leaving do

Normally I hate things like leaving do's and did my best to try and avoid having to have one. However I was stunned with the organisation Marion and the team had put in to ensure I had a send off. Apart from the flattering comments making me suitably embarrassed it was a good event made even more special by the cake.

As you can see something special

12 days fly past - this is China

So 12 days have just flown by. Friday night in a warm Shanghai and had a fantastic first 12 days, and only this evening have my feet really touched the ground.

I will recount a number of stories below and chronology for those that like that sort of thing. First though some thoughts:-
Hopefully these comments will help explain how wonderful this place is and the scale of the contrasts that exist as well as the sheer magnitude that is here. However my literary skills are not sufficient to cover it all - you have to come and see it, add it to your list of things to do before you die.
Shanghai is a tremendous place - whistling along with immense energy - however within it when you engage the people (with and without Mandarin - more below) you find big smiles and a genuine desire to want to help you as best they can. Certainly makes you feel better after a long day.
The team and the office have really made me feel welcome. They are charming, have fafascinating stories to learn and have made it easy to settle in. One or two are starting to reflect my humour - which may be worrying for some of you. Though I am not sure they understand what they are letting themselves in for.
If any of the office team are reading this - Thank you - what a great place to work and I really appreciate how you have looked after me.

Have been into China and seen two third tier cities - been on the high speed train, and driven down the
motorways. These may be more what we expect to see of China in the west - more industrialised, smaller workshops and huge factories. However amongst this you see huge developments and massive investment in infrastructure, housing and development. Soon these cities will overtake places like Birmingham, Memphis in sophistication, quality and lifestyle. This is where the real powerhouse in China lies, and where the opportunity will come from. Anybody who believes the China growth is a bubble just needs to see this.
Back to Shanghai - on my drive to work everyday I go past the new Shanghai exhibition centre. they have started work on a new building. Each morning two lanes deep there are about 3km (along the streets) of trucks, diggers, cranes etc lined up waiting to enter the site. This line is virtually empty when I come home. No messing about - this is a huge development, and one of many.

Myth or Fact - I was told in the office - that there are more high rise buildings in Shanghai than there are in the entirety of the USA!

Fire - you may have seen the tower fire on the news. It has created a shock in the city, there are still 36 people missing on top of the 50 or so dead. One of the girls in the office lives next door and has not been allowed home for fear of collapse.

In my 12 days I have spent 5 days in Shanghai. I spent five days in Chengdu, one in JinHua, and one in Ziangegjiang.

So arrived at Pudong on Monday 8th after having travelled via Helsinki with Finnair - excellent service. Note there was snow on the ground in Helsinki. Journey went really quick - any journey would after watching your team score in the last minute to win a local football derby. Sorry Roger - still smiling now.

We landed at 8.15 am, by 8.50am I was in the car with my luggage, having cleared immigration and the red customs channel.Arrived at  my house to start check in at 9.15am. At the police station (temporary residents permit) by 10.30am, then to Carrefour for my supplies, and back - changed and in the office by 2.30pm.

First shock - Bedding - is extremely expensive - duvets run into £100's with pillows and sheets proportionately less. Maybe a little earner here - importing made in China bedding from the west into China. Saw a market stall in Xiantiendi last night selling bedding at lower prices - and they were mobbed, however it was still excruciatingly expensive. deep pockets short arms houldridge only bought one duvet and pillow. Haven't lost my roots just yet.

First experience of Chinese efficiency - as part of work permit and residents visa you have to have Chinese authorities medical. Turned up at 08.30am - as scheduled and had a battery of tests and examinations, to be back in the street dressed at 09.00am. They checked my form, asked me health questions, blood pressure, heart rate, height, weight, EEG, Ultrasound scan, chest X-ray, blood test, eye and hearing test. there were about 10 other people going through the tests at the same time. Paid my dosh. The doctors even had a sense of humour, as I started giggling when the cold gel was applied to my belly and she began the ultrasound examination.

Flew to Chengdu for Chinese Orthopaedic Association meeting and exhibition, which runs Friday to Sunday as the 15,000 surgeons who attended cant get time off to attend. We had other meetings. Chengdu is a city of about 10 million people - and is where the Pandas are. The food is excellent and is noted for its spicy nature. And it is sharp spicy not the Vindaloo curry hot. When you get a spicy bit your eyes water, your throat swells and you sneeze - all at once. Recovery can vary from 5 to 15 minutes. Of course the regulars are immune and find it amusing.
Arrived in Chengdu to attend sales force dinner (after 3 hour flight - economy) and walked through one of the downtown pedestrian squares where there were two groups of about 150 -200 people dancing to music - from a portable DVD player. Anybody can join in.

had a number of my language encounters in Chengdu - made my mind up to practice what I had learnt. The effect on the locals is amazing at times. Sometimes because you get it wrong but most times, shock, as they are stunned you know words and then they respond really positively.

Language encounter 1 - hotel restaurant for lunch - buffet - so wandered up to the cake counter, as you do, to see row upon row of exquisite cakes. Many were labelled in both Chinese and English (it was an intercontinental hotel). One chocolate cake was not labelled, so taking the chance, I pointed at the cake and asked "Zhe shi shenme?". The response from the assailant was a big smile and an excited and very rapid 30 second burst of Chinese - obviously telling em what was in the cake, where it had come from, the date it was made, the sell by date and how she felt after she ate a piece earlier. Well it could have been any of this as I had no idea what she was saying! I Had to apologise and ask her to tell me in English. To which she responded the obvious - Chocolate layer cake. It was very nice.
I have to be careful asking Ni Hao ma? (how are you) as when you get a long reply I have no idea whether it is good or bad, so have no idea how to react.

Language encounter 2 - breakfast in the same hotel - I was asked what I wanted to drink, to which I replied "Wo yao yi ge hei de kafe" - (black coffee) - the young girl quickly disappeared with concern on her face. She reappeared with her friend who in perfect Englisher asked me what I had said. I  carefully repeated what I had said - with a little trepidation. The response was greeted with a - you want black coffee? Phew - so I asked what the girl had thought I had said - oh rose thought you wanted a black man! Fortunately we had a good laugh about it and they remembered me in the restaurant.

I have had great fun in the super market asking for things and trying to say no. I asked in  mix of chinese and hand signals where the food hall was, and in great English was told down the aisle, turn left and down the escalator!. Why wasn't he around when I was trying to find out what the special offer was on the kettles...

Had a three hour journey on a CRH high speed train. Just like East Coast trains - but faster and on time, and the train crew smile at you,. The seats are like airline seats with tables in the arms and - leg room. The stations have no english on the signs, so you need a guide.

Went to see a supplier and obviously had questions to ask. Andrew my Chinese colleague who signs his name XX, (his chinese name) looked after me fantastically well, and translated for me. We had the usual comedy sketch where I ask a simple question. Long passionate exchange in Chinese and the the translated answer is yes.

Have managed to avoid fish and beer, by explaining I am allergic to both. The toasting when eating with the suppliers or the sales team is challenging when drinking curler or sprite. The Chinese tradition of touching glass, making a toast to you and then both of you down in one is a little challenging with four curlers or four sprites. Trying to avoid the bubbles coming back up through nostrils, ears etc.

Touching moment to end on - went for three vaccinations to complete the set. (My new job involves being a pin cushion). I went to a Birthing Clinic - it did other things as well - and the look of horror on the face of our receptionist who was sent with me to ensure I got to the right place was one to remember. However there was a corridor - 10 feet long - and on both sides floor to ceiling and full length was pictures of babies born in the clinic and the letters of thanks from parents. wouldn't be allowed in the UK in the middle of the clinic.

So 12 days of whirlwind experiences. When You wake up in the morning just remember that I have had a few more that day. 8 hours to the UK makes planning calls challenging, however my wireless Internet has worked better than at home. BT disconnect blog to follow....

Mandarin in 3 days

Thanks to a wonderful tutor at Berlitz - by the name of Doris - I have just been though 7 sessions of 2 and -half hours each  of Mandarin instruction in 3 days. As in all good rushed organisation the course materials arrived when I had finished the lessons provided. Still Doris did well and using the internet, video and interactive white board we managed.

My tongue at times felt like it had been chewed by a dog and pasted with green chili sauce. I didn't realise that you had to curl your tongue for so many letters and sounds. A genetic physical impossibility for this Houldridge- though the other family members can curl theirs. (They cant touch their noses though!)

Now all I have to do is try to use what they have taught me and make sure I drink my curlers though I think they are taiguile.

If only the Chinese would speak at my pace...I might have half a chance. Still I guess it might be like facing fast bowling, once you get used to it the ball goes quicker to the fence.

As for reading and writing

the start - or the end

A number of people had suggested I do a blog of my experiences surrounding moving to China to work. Well I managed to find out how to start a blog (thanks Stuart) and here it is.
My intent is to fill in the blanks since deciding to move to China and now - two days before i leave, so that more of you can comment on the happenings.
I hope people find it interesting and are willing to comment, and I am sure I am not doing this for my benefit.
Well I have to go  now for my 20th Hour of Mandarin lesson in 3.5 days

Zai jian