Planting trees? Whatever next?

Another fantastic weekend is coming to a close. On Saturday it was the ‘Friendship Garden opening ceremony and tree planting day’. I got to spend time catching up with Becky! It was lovely seeing her again; I’d got so used to chatting to her all the time leading up to my departure from England. The whole day was amazing! We’d signed up to go, not really sure what to expect, but thought as it was a free day all arranged, why not? We turned up to realise it was a pretty big event! Two bus loads of ‘foreigners’ were taken to the Friendship Garden where we had to write our signatures on the banner, listen to speeches and help to plant some trees! It was a bright and sunny day; we released balloons into the sky and had our photos taken (a lot!) We met so many people who were also teaching in the area, principals of schools and all sorts. Lunch was plentiful – lots of new dishes to try! After that we were taken to a strange sculpture park of giant foraminifera. Giant white sculptures were scattered about between winding paths, leading up to a fantastic view of Sanxiang town – I hadn’t realised how big it is here. We then went to look around an antique market full of old traditional furniture shops, trinkets and an array of Buddha statues. Was like a treasure trove full of exciting things to discover. I felt a bit like Aladdin wandering around...

After the day finished, Elin and I went back to meet the new girl who was arriving to teach here. We first had to prompt Mark to make the apartment a little less disgusting before her arrival! Her name is Gemma, and she was first placed on her own somewhere and wasn’t happy, so was re assigned to Sanxin and here she is! 26 years old, Irish, very tall with red hair! I am not alone.

Last night the Zhongshan lot came and met us for dinner. We’d invited Patricia, Tamara, Lou Lou, Annetta and Amanda out too – so there was a mass group of us! Amanda (our Chinese friend from school) took us to a local market area, walking distance from out flats, and we sat outside and had an amazing meal. Soooo much food... I’ve also now got a Chinese name! Mei Gui – which I believe means ‘Rose’? There is a song about it too, which Amanda starting singing to me... Love her! I think one of the best parts of my life here is all the wonderful and different people I am getting to know.

Anyhow, today we arranged to go to the hot springs for some well earned relaxation! A day of lazing in hot water, body scrubs and being massaged from head to toe...complete and utter bliss. Life is good here ;-)

• China
• China Internship 2010