Do you want to take a look at our neighborhood? Our "complex", consisting of three apartment buildings, is located a block from the river and walking-distance from the university where Drew will attend classes.
Here you are at the front gate, opening to Ai Min Lu, our street. Across from the gate are several hole-in-the-wall vendors of fruit, hot foods and daily-use items such as toilet paper -- very convenient! Portable vendors also set up tarps or carts to peddle fresh fruits and vegetables. The small road is busy with students on foot, motorbikes, and small cars.
Oh yeah, and friendly Uncle Zhang guards the gate. He knows everyone and we like him already.
Now you're inside the gate and to the left, that is, north. We'll walk down this street to our apartment. Our regional coordinator, team leader, and four teammates live in this complex as well. Foreigners are concentrated in this complex, but of course there are overwhelmingly more Chinese. That's a good thing.
Now, see the barred window second from the bottom, on the right-hand side? That's our master bedroom. The window just to it's left is Titus' room. Windows have bars for a couple reasons: 1) to keep out theives; 2) to keep drying clothes from blowing away. At least -- that's what I understand the purpose to be.
Come up the stairs! Just a short walk...we're only on the second floor. Did you know that "four" is unlucky in Chinese (sort of the equivalent of 13 in north American culture). The word four, si, sounds like the word for death. Some think it could be unlucky to live on the fourth floor, or have a phone number with fours, whatever.
We live in apartment 204! Our next-door neighbor is Jeff, an American from Colorado. We are looking forward to becoming friends with this guy. This afternoon I also meet a Chinese woman who lives all the way up on the sixth floor of our stairwell. Our resolve is to befriend all the neighbors. So far we're buddies with the guy who collects and sorts our trash, Uncle Zhang, the building manager Mrs. Ti, two teammates (others are in Thailand), and a couple Indonesian girls.
Now you're inside, looking straight out from our master bedroom window.
Well it actually looks like this because of the bars.
Look left (east): Over the wall is a busy highway, and past that a river walkway and the river which you can't really see.
Look right (west): The gate out to our street, Ai Min Lu, and the vendors selling fruit and such.
Now you're looking north, out our living room window, to the backside of our apartment building. Since our building forms the northern boundary to the apartment complex, all you see is actually outside the parameters. The building you see there is filled with several businesses, open to the busy street on the other side. A hair salon is directly across from us, so we can see posters of "Nexxus" hair models and women walking around with towels on head.
Looking right (east) to the highway and the river. I know, it's hard to make out anything with those bars!
The same view with no bars. (I just stuck the camera through them.)
Now you can see to the left (west).
Today we met with the landlord and his wife, a cordial couple. There was some kind of miscommunication (yet to be sorted out) and basically, the landlord and his wife were not completely satisfied that our lease is only for six months; they prefer twelve. That is, eviction is/was a concern. I think the likelihood is small, but it's there.
After experiencing the fear of being kicked out I have come to appreciate our home. I was thankful for a place to stay... but all I could think about before was the unceasing noise and layers of grime. My attitude has changed. This is a good home, a very good home.
I do ask you to lift up the possibility of needing to move. Lift up the landlord and his wife.
Goodnight, and love,
Rachel, Drew & Titus
These pictures were taken during our layover in Hong Kong.
