Thursday, March 19, 2009

DAY TWO (5th March)

Only managed to sleep a bit yesterday night. The weather was too cold. Despite sleeping in a sleeping bag and under the blanket, the cold was still very unbearable. Managed to get about one hour of sleep at around 4 A.M. But woke up at around 5.10 A.M and I could not get back to sleep since then. At around 6.30 A.M, struggled to crawl my way out of my sleeping bag. Not surprising, the weather was extremely cold, my feet were numb and the minute I got out of my sleeping bag, my teeth started chattering uncontrollably. But no choice, got to wash up as we would be assembling at 8 A.M later on.

As soon as I was on my feet, ran to the heater in the living room to warm myself. However, my efforts were fruitless. Soon, I went to bathe at around 7:10A.M. Luckily there is a water heating system. Really enjoyed the hot bath. However, as soon as I left the bathroom after my shower, the coldness returned. At that moment, how I hoped that I was at home, lying on my comfortable bed, in the tropical weather climate. Soon everyone in my dorm was ready to go for assembly and off we go to canteen 1. The weather was actually not as cold as yesterday night’s. Had breakfast at canteen 2. Had soya bean drink and ate a few buns. Paid only about 5 RMB for the breakfast and thus it was obvious that the food items in China were really much cheaper. After the breakfast, went back to the dorm and the school’s IT personnel came and helped us solve our internet problems. This meant that we will be able to use the internet starting from today! Was very excited and happy because I finally get to contact my friends and family members in SG for FREE.

After that, had a tour around the WUST campus. The campus was really huge, we had to walk quite a distance to get from one place to another. Also, there were some shops in the campus as well. Shops like provision shop, photo printing shop and even a hair salon were set up in the campus. We took a few group photos and proceeded to the foreign language school block, where our classroom is in. Entered the classroom and was quite impressed as there was a computer on every table. Was really desperate for internet connection at the moment, so I quickly turned on the PC and prayed hard that there will be internet access. Was really glad that the internet can be accessed and I started logging in to my facebook account. Soon, Mr Chua started to give us our own personal username and password for the internet access. Was elated. Finally can access internet from hostel already. After that, we left the classroom and proceeded back to canteen 1 to top up our canteen card. Deposited 50 RMB into the card. With this card, we can buy food without using cash. All we had to do was tap the card at a reader, much like how we used the EZ-link card in Singapore.

After that, had lunch and ordered fried rice. Once again, the plate of fried rice only cost 5 RMB, in addition the serving was really big. After having lunch, proceeded back to the dorm where we await for further instructions. When we all reached the dorm, the first thing we did was bring out our laptops and type in the usernames and passwords given to us. Was really very glad that the internet browser started to appear and the webpage appeared.

After awhile, we assembled just outside the lecturers’ clubhouse. This building is meant for recreation purposes for the lecturers in WUST. There are facilities such as table-tennis. Soon we were given instructions to make our own way to Lu Xiang Shopping Mall. So off we go. Took the bus 901 to the place. The bus fare was pretty cheap, only 2 RMB. We alighted at the bus stop about half and hour later and we had to carry on on foot. Before proceeding LXSM, we went window-shopping at other shopping malls. Just when we exited these malls, was really stunned when several different men approached me, trying to sell me a Nokia N95 handphone for 1200 RMB. I instantly rejected as they were really suspicious looking. I noticed that whenever there were police patrolling nearby, they stopped their ‘promotion’ and acted as if they were just some common person on the streets. However, whenever the police left, they started approaching passer-bys, trying to sell their phones. I guessed that this must be operated by a syndicate.
After some window-shopping, proceeded to LXSM via an underpass. Finally reached LXSM at around 4P.M. So much earlier than the assigned time, 7 P.M. was really hoping that I will get some cheap deals on some Adidas or Nike merchandise. But was really disappointed when I realized that the price of these items in China is the same as the price in Singapore. I did not buy anything as I felt that it would be better to buy these stuffs in SG since they were of same price and I did not have to risk the possibility of an overweight luggage. Had dinner at KFC and went back to WUST. Reached WUST at around 6:10P.M. and went back to the dorm to get some rest.
At 8:30P.M, went to Mr Ma’s room for briefing. We were encouraged to buy sim card as it would be easier for lecturers to contact us and it would be cheaper to call back SG using the sim cards. Was told that our first lesson will begin the next day. After the briefing, went back to my room and began typing this journal while chatting with my friends in SG. Felt really good as I really missed them all. Cannot blame me because this OIP will take 42 days, this meant I cannot be with them for this long. Planned to sleep after finishing this journal as I’m having a slight headache.

Outside canteen 2. Was trying to blow smoke out.
First breakfast in China.
Group photo outside clubhouse.
The clubhouse

Campus main administration building
Campus library that looks like the WHITE HOUSE!
Another group photo outside Foreign Language School

Welcome banner..

Local Shopping Centre

A very very interesting sign. =D
Exterior view of shopping centre.

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