Welcome/ Goodbye to Planet China! (as the book says)

Well, here it is.  The last blog for all you incoming fledgling TEFL teachers.  Thought I’d round things off by giving you the latest shenanigans from Chengdu, as well as leaving you with some useful travel China tips:

Firstly, gotta say that Christmas and New Year here were the bomb.  In order, it went something like this; spent Xmas eve with local friends at their café, scoffing turkey, lamb, mashed taties and mulled cider. Xmas morning was spent showing said friends how to make pastry and pumpkin pie.  Xmas day, caught up with the Chengdu Massive to spend Xmas in a local hostel, (thanks to all staff at Sims Cozy for a fab time).  Boxing Day was needed for recovery – read that as more drinking!  Spent my birthday (27th Dec), in a local recording studio, recording tapes for the school to use in the end of year English exams. 

After a few days back at school, (which incidentally is the reason we are all here), it was fireworks and fun on the school fields to celebrate New Years Eve, followed by yet another night of drink and debauchery in Chengdu.  This time big thanks have to go to the Shamrock Bar in Chengdu for a wicked Priscilla, Queen of the Desert theme night.  What a party!  Such a good atmosphere, and getting to spend it with people from all over the world – where in England would that happen?  That night I got to spend time with Italians, Germans, Polish, French, Canadians, Irish, Aussies, Spanish, Israelis and Americans – oh, and of course some Chinese and some Brits.  A truly international New Years Eve.  For me, the best ever!  No trouble, no fighting, no arguments, just good old fun.

Now we’re back at school and things are winding down for final exams (next week), and the start of Chinese New Year and the Spring Festival.  For those of you coming out to China next week, what a great time to do it.  China is buzzin right now just in the build-up to the New Year festivities so you are gonna have an awesome time!  Just thought I should pass on a few tips from my fellow out-going interns:


•    Try and get yourself a copy of ‘Lost on Planet China’ by J Maarten Troost.  A great read (thanks Erin), which will give you a really good idea of what to expect. 

•    You might also want to think about bringing the following;

•    Blue Tac (hard to get),

•    Pritt Stik (glue here is rubbish – the nail varnish has better adhesive qualities),

•    Nail varnish (Chinese nail varnish is almost impossible to get off), and remover (the stuff here wouldn’t remove a dirt speck),

•    5 months supply of tampons (almost impossible to get because the Chinese don’t use them and if you can get them in Western stores, they are limited and costly.  Also, some of the feminine products here could pass for nappies!),

•    Lots of photos and cards etc, (they are a great way to decorate your room and make it seem cozy when you first move in),

•    Deodorants, (again quite costly here),

•    Good condoms, (Western brand condoms like Durex are expensive here and the local Chinese ones are crap, so I’ve been told),

•    A good memory stick (loaded with your favourite films, TV progs and music),

•    For ladies, a good supply of beauty products, (as most skincare and beauty products contain whitening chemicals – to have white skin is the nirvana of most Chinese women) sun creams and bronzers, (again impossible to get because no-one uses them here),

•    And last but not least, good chocolate, (the chocolate here is limited and sickly sweet – and again, costly), because everyone will need it at some point, and because it makes a great gift also.

So, having said all this, It’s hard to believe that some of the interns are actually leaving this weekend!   While it’s exciting to be moving on, (well for most but not for me as I’m actually staying), it’s really sad to see our little family being split up.  And they are family. These are the people that you’ve spent so much time with over the last 5 months; you will have cried together, laughed together, shouted together, taught together, drunk together and recovered together.  We’ve been here for each other through it all – highs, lows, sickness, disappointment, love, hate and homesickness too.  And believe me when I say that most, if not all, of you will get homesick at some point.  Some more than others, but I don’t think there are many that will escape it.  I was adamant I wouldn’t get homesick before I came out but the first bout of illness drove down my defences and all I wanted to do was to go home.  But, as soon as I was well again, I was sure I wanted to stay.  I don’t think I would have got through those times if it wasn’t for my family of interns.

So here’s to you guys, the one’s that have made this the best experience of my life.  I couldn’t have done it without you all. 

Now that I’m staying, hopefully I’ll be able to pass on some of your wisdom to the next fledglings.  Good luck to all of you, my friends for life; those that are travelling, those who are returning home, those who are moving to teach elsewhere and those few of us who are staying.  Whatever you have set your heart on, this is where it begins and this is where we got the confidence and the experience to do it all! 

I’m REALLY gonna miss you all, but looking forward to making new friends too.


Love and hugs


Denise (on Planet China) xxx

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