E-bikes, traffic a sports bar and a night club

The e-bikes( electric)are everywhere, and every size and shape. Millions of them everywhere. No one wears a helmet. You will see babies on the bikes, and they have no helmets either.
No 0ne yields to pedestrians. Cars and e-bikes drive on the sidewalks. Its pretty crazy.

Last night was someone from the complex's birthday. We went to a local sports bar. I couldn't believe I flew half way around the world, they had Corona beer.

Everybody drinks a lot. After the sports bar, we went to a night club, which, on a Sunday night. When we first got there they were showing Britney Spears videos. Not a whole lot in the way of sports, nothing on the TV, one pool table and a foosball table. Yet more drinking. I limited myself to one beer.

I had hoped to be able to upload a couple of pictures I took the other day, but iPhoto is not working, and I couldn't get Photoshop to recognize my camera. Guess I'll have to email them from my phone.

Tomorrow, training starts. This afternoon I get my schedule. I think I start teaching Friday.

I think I got the pictures off my camera.

Boy Girl Mart, Chinese burrito, e-bikes.

Shopping and Eating

Went shopping for the first time yesterday. There is a big store down the block that everyone calls "Boy" "Girl" mart because it has a big cartoon boy and girl there. Bought a loaf of bread, some iced tea, yogurt, spoon, coffee cup, fork, bowl and drinking glass. We have bottled water in our apartment. You just plug it in, and you get hot water. The instant coffee already has sweetener and creamer in it. Very convenient.

After two meals of beef ramen, I asked my roommate if he could recommend someplace. He said I could tag along with him and his friend. He pointed out that there was a restaurant next to the Boy Girl mart that had pictures you could point to. Also, there is a street, not too far from the apartment, that is called Food Street. We went there and had grilled tofu, and bread. It doesn't sound like much, but was fairly decent. There were meats and other things available, but I figured the tofu was a safe bet.

I start my training Monday, and it will last 3 days. I am really sorry I didn't take Chinese before I came here. You are really lost without it. I asked one of the people who worked at the school if there was someone who would be interested in tutoring me for a small fee.

At least I have my translator app if I get really stuck.

First Day in Jinan

Today was my first full day in Jinan. Its been hot and humid, and we had a bit of rain. I was surprised and pleased to learn that the apartment, though small, and sparsely furnished, has air conditioning, and my room has a fan.
Yesterday, I changed some money, and had dinner with a group of people from my building, who are also teachers.

I should have taken Chinese before I left home, I am lost without it.
Today I went to get a Chinese sim card for my phone. It took  an hour, and there was lots of paperwork. Same with changing money at the bank yesterday. The guy who picked me up at the airport, and lives upstairs from me helped me out with the the money and the bank card, and helped me at the supermarket today. Bought some basics, towels, and some food.