First Impressions

I've been meaning to write this entry since we arrived last week.  Now it will be difficult to capture those first 2 days when I was thinking "What have we done?"  I am much happier and it has only been 6 days.  Alot of that has to do with Fiona's transition to her new school and how thrilled we are with our soon-to-be apartment, building and neighborhood.

As you know I am doing this blog as an electronic memory book which is my motivation.  I absolutely despise writing which explains why this is so late.  I feel like I'm in high school, procrastinating on a paper.  Hope you give me a good grade.  ;-)

I've read about it but to SEE it...

• Pollution - First day was bad - the air smelled funny and then we were idiots and decide to go out that evening at rush hour and "explore" the neighborhood.  Yeah, great idea!!  Let's breathe in fresh fumes while we walk around the masses of people staring at us (see below).  Since then, I haven't noticed it.  We've had several blue sky days but I hear from others that it can be bad so I must be prepared.
• Masses of People - yeah, I know, they have a billion+ people but to see them is another story.  The buses are filled to the brim, the bus stops, they are EVERYWHERE!  I ate at Subway the other day and there were 6 people behind the very small counter...doesn't sound all that odd but it was.  BUT they are a friendly billion people.  Have not met a rude person yet (except drivers-see below).  They are so friendly (even when they are staring and pointing) and kind.  They've got 'southern hospitality' down.
• Bad Driving - Imagine the worst driver you have ever seen and multiply it by 10 - no exaggeration!  They don't signal, they don't wait, they'll plow over pedestrians and bicyclists, they merge like it's a game of chicken.  I saw a poor man and his 3 year old stuck in the middle of the street b/c cars would not stop to let them cross.  I've heard that the drivers here are only one generation from the bicycle which is why they drive cars like they are bikes.  Very pleased we won't need to drive much when we get to our new home.  Fiona and Isla's school is a bike ride/long walk away and Patrick plans to bike to the subway station.  But now I am spending 2+ hours in traffic (see below) so I've seen some off-the-chart bad driving.  If it wasn't so dangerous, it'd be funny.
• Traffic - I'm from Houston...I've seen my fair share of traffic.  Just avoid certain areas during rush hour and you'll be fine.   How can you avoid the entire city when it is a parking lot?  I might be exaggerating but not by much.  Did I mention how I am thrilled to not be driving in the not-near-enough future?
• The Chinese Love Children (especially Western children) - That is 110% true.  Case in point: I was setting up a bank account on Friday and I look over to check on the girls and they are surrounded by SIX Chinese women hugging them, taking their picture with them, overall spoiling them with attention.  And that trend continues...wherever we go, Isla gets stares and smiles.  She, of course, loves it!  :-D
• Communism - I've only noticed it a few times - had to find a way 'out' of China to get access to Facebook, Iphones are sold here without Wi-Fi, that's about it so far.

Let me know if I missed something you have read about but would like to know how it compares to reality.  Also, please join Facebook or visit often.  I'm posting status updates, pics, etc.