Shelbi and I live in the Boashan District off of the metro line 3 (the yellow one). Our complex area (we found out from one of our local school teachers) is called Forever Spring. Once we arrive at the entrance of our complex, in order to get in we have to swipe our blue entrance swipe chip key. This area is guarded. Once through, it is about a 4 minute walk to be at our door. The whole area looks very similar and one could easily get lost if they are not paying attention. The buildings are tall and often times have laundry hung out on the lines. Some of the lower apartment buildings have a little outside area and are decorate with flowers and treasures. There are many dogs. About half way from the security gates to our building is the 'dog hangout area'. I believe I have mentioned this before in a different blog post, about people in a little paved area chillin with their dogs. One of the buildings across from the dog area has 3 flickering lights and it looks a little post apocalyptic at night. The building managers should really get those lights fixed. But yet I also like looking for the flickering lights.
Parking here in the complex seems to be first come first serve. It is impressive to see people drive and park in this area. The streets look like they are only wide enough for a single car to go down it, but the Chinese push the limits and I have seen two cars pass each other while going down one lane. The spaces are very close and it's amazing that I haven't seen any accidents yet.
Outside of the buildings there are mailboxes in a brick wall. We have one, but don't use it. I think I could easily reach into someone's mailbox and take their mail if I wanted to, hence why I don't get mail sent there. Except our bills do get delivered there. The mail that people don't want, I see them just tossing it on the ground. One day we had an unexpected knock on our door and it was 2 women. They gave us keys to something, but we were trying to convince them that we didn't lose any keys. We figured that they just wanted a sneak peak into our apartment. Weeks later we realized they were our mailbox keys.
When we first arrived at our apartment, everything was still wrapped up. It was obvious that new furniture was purchased for our arrival. We have a new fridge, toaster, microwave, mattresses and bedframe, a night stand, a big closet wardrobe, a small table, two chairs, a tv (that doesn't work), and a washer machine. We also have a toilet brush, a cutting board, wooden spatula, pot, pan, 2 spoons, two butter knives, 2 forks, 2 sets of chopsticks, 2 bowls, 2 plates, and 1 sharp knife, 1 garbage can, and a broom set. No cups, no soap, no water. (So on our first night there we had to go pick up a few necessities). The place looks great, it's fit for a princess apparently compared to some other places. Literally though. It was made for a princess. I'm not complaining, but I find it funny that our couch is pink, the living room and bedroom curtains are pink and purple with flowers on them, the pillow cases and the bed quilts are all pink and purple, and the walls are pink with a silver pattern on them. We are able to turn on as many appliances at the same time and not have to worry about blowing a fuse (unlike some of our friend's apartments). So, we really lucked out and are blessed. The shower here is bigger than my old shower at my apartment back home (wouldn't mind a tiny bit hotter of water). People in China air dry their clothes so there is no dryer, which is fine because I air dry most of my clothes anyways, but now all my clothes are full of lint because there is no dryer to catch the lint. We have a great heating and cooling system in our bedrooms. I've been blasting the heat since I go here, but lately it's been warm so I haven't turned it much since the beginning of April. The few things I wish I had was a bedside lamp or little Christmas lights, a bathroom shower matt, and a little bedroom area rug. Of course these things aren't necessary, but it would make the place feel homier. I'm sure I could find some in a store somewhere, but I don't feel like buying these things since I will only be here for a few months. I recently moved my bed over slightly and found two wall plugs, so that's a plus!
The walls in our apartment building are thin. We can hear people walking and chatting. Today was the first time I remember hearing someone else's TV blaring. Every night from 9 to 9:30pm, the people above us play the piano. I really like hearing this and I get a free piano concert every night. However, there is music that I don't like. At 6:30am and at 9:30pm there is what seems to be a wake up/go to bed residence call. At first it was annoying, but now I find it funny and am able to tune it out sometimes. Some of the music is catchy and stays in your head. All day long. We thought it might have been playing at a military ground, but we've asked and people say there isn't one near by. We recently discovered there is a school at the other end of out street so I'm guessing that maybe they are playing the music. China is a very loud place. There is always noise. There is always some type of construction happening every corner you turn. I certainly miss being able to hear my own thoughts.
The apartment building itself isn't pretty. It's pretty hardcore actually. Some might think it is a little sketchy looking. I haven't seen a single smoke detector. It has heavily chipped paint, dirty floors, the hallway lights only come on when you walk by them, the stairs are concrete, and there is no elevator. We do live on the 3rd floor and it wasn't fun carrying our suitcases up the stairs on our first night here. But all of this is fine. Just different compared to Canada.
Of course I'm missing Canada and home. It is weird being all the way over in China. Sometimes it doesn't seem real that I'm here, but then other times it is very obvious that I am somewhere foreign. I miss the material things I have at home, but have realized that I will survive without them. I find myself planning how to decorate and arrange my new apartment back in Canada that I don't even have yet. I miss my friends and family at home and the way of living (and the quiet).
This is all apart of the incredible opportunity I have been given and I look forward to experiencing more of it. For now, the princess apartment is my home sweet home and it still feels just as good to change into lounge pants and hop into bed to relax after a busy day.
Just past the entrance gates at Forever Spring:
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