The first few days...

It has been a fascinating few days here in Shanghai! It is almost impossible to know where to start! I'll start with the always safe topic of 'weather' to inform everyone that it is cold here; hovering around 5 or 6 degrees each day and around 1 or 2 at night. Big jackets and scarves are a must!
Now I can get started on the really interesting stuff!
Facing customs in China was a curious experience. It took the officers some convincing that I actually was the person in my passport. Amazing what 8 years can do to your looks, or is that called ageing I hear you say? :P
The biggest and best highlight would have to be seeing April after almost three months! We are both very pleased to be reunited again!
The most fascintating part to Shanghai is the driving habits of the locals. Although China has defined road laws, about one-third of Shanghainese to my eye, disregard red lights, pedestrians and other cars to get the best spot on the road! As I knock off to sleep, I can still hear the car horns frantically going off. I have never experienced so many horns going off so often. Funny that none of it achieves anything other than make a hell of a noise!
The funny part to my introduction of Shanghai is how it is very much what I expected it to be. The real 'culture shock' hasn't yet arrived, although I am waiting for it!
Tomorrow I am off to my companies office to meet my boss and present a 10 minute mock teaching situation. Not sure what I can do in that time but i'll figure something out.
Hope this gives you a piece of what of my first few days here have been like.

Newly learnt Mandarin - Wo Bu Hui Zhong Wen - I don't understand Mandarin

Preparations

Well, i've come to know what a pin cushion may feel like. They immunisation requirements are comprehensive to say the least. They are, of course, necessary for a safe and successful  journey. Life is busy at the moment and I am looking forward to a time where I can settle down in Africa and try and enjoy a slower pace of life. Better get some readers for this blog, so it's time to promote. See how I go, eh? Steve, how you doing??

The beginning

Well, school's out for summer. School's out forever! Only to begin again in about a month in Eritrea!

Steve and I are setting up this blog as a kind of social experiment. We both became teachers at the same time, both are currently a bit worn down from the pressures of teaching in Australia today and both going to use our educational know how overseas. Only difference is he's going to bustling Shangai, China- part of the developing world, and i'm headed to Barentu, Eritrea- part of the underdeveloped world. He leaves in a few days, I leave in a month. 

This blog will document our experiences from our perspective regions and we're thinking it should make interesting reading for those interested in teaching, life overseas or just those with a spare 5 minutes and nothing better to do.