Journal: Camping at 1-3-1

Most of the people in Dalian live in apartment blocks. Mine is in the xiaoqu (little district) of Hongmei, meaning Red Plum. Unlike Perth suburbs, this xiaoqu is clearly delineated with a low fence around it. Pedestrians enter through one of several gates. Obviously a product of urban planning here in the Dalian Economic Development Zone, Redplum consists of rows of long thin apartment buildings, all of similar style but with some variation in colour. I'm in block 31, shared entrance number 1, level 3, apartment 1. This was written for me as: 31#1-3-1

There are marks on the wall and chips in the lino, but I'm happy with my new home. Most importantly, it has all the facilities I need including furniture, a fridge, a stovetop fueled by a gas bottle underneath it, a washing machine, and central heating. At first glance I concluded that its only deficiency was a shower. But in fact there's a shower head on the wall in the bathroom, just no cubicle. I guess I'm supposed to use the red plastic tub that I found on the verandah, but without a shower curtain this could cause quite a mess!

Despite the facilities provided, I still feel like I'm camping. I haven't had a bath or shower since I arrived, I have to wash my teeth with a cup full of boiled water and shave without a mirror! This morning, I set myself the daunting task of making a cup of tea. Wary of the water quality, I decided to boil some water so I could wash a cup. I don't think I'll bother in the future, but of course the water for brewing the tea definitely needs to be boiled vigorously for several minutes. Even after that, I had to psych myself up to drink it! These small achievements (both mental and instrumental) are all part of the process of adapting to a new situation.

Yesterday's achievement was shopping. This was time consuming and frustrating, but no more so than in Australia! I had been told there was a supermarket on the other side of the university, so I headed in that direction and luckily I was able to find its inconspicuous entrance by walking in the opposite direction to the stream of people carrying white plastic bags. The signs above the aisles had English translations, and there were plenty of staff around for me to ask help from. Until I'm more familiar with the shops in the area, I'll be doing all my shopping there.

There were just a few items like matches and wrapping paper that the store didn't stock. For matches, I tried a little shop operated from a basement apartment in Redplum. I'm not exactly sure what kind of shop this is, but it has toys and cigarettes in the window. The window is at ground level: you walk up and sit on a short short stool and the man or woman (presumably husband and wife) slides the window open. I asked for matches, and received a box of "Double Happiness" safety matches for 1 jiao (less than 3 cents Australian).