The past week has been filled with settling into my off-campus room in Chengdu, registering for the semester, applying for my permanent student visa and adjusting to big city life.  It also means adjusting to the cold.

         Upon landing in Chengdu, 3 1/2 hours north of Luzhou, the rain and chilly weather hit.  The temps dropped from a roasting 92 along the Yangtze River to a “freezing” (at least in my mind) 63.  All those summer clothes I had packed were useless as I shivered my way through a week of 24-hour drizzle, wet and cold.

          Needless to say, I repacked my suitcase on Friday,  returned to Luzhou for the weekend, left my summerwear behind and filled the luggage with fall and winter clothes.  I also visited a bit more with the Peace Corp volunteers, having a potluck in my home.  

         The two assigned to this school are Angela (California, age 25) and Jeff (Florida, age 22).  Their majors are not in education, meaning they are beginning teachers, so they had loads of questions about the schedule, the students and basically getting started in the classroom:  the hows, whys and whats to do of teaching. 

         We were joined by Greg, in his mid-20s, whose Peace Corp placement at the Luzhou Medical College.  Greg had taught 3 years in Korea, all ages of students, so he has a bit more experience to draw on than Angela and Jeff. 

Welcome, new Peace Corp Volunteers! In my home, from left to right: Jeff, Greg and Angela.

          I am so sorry I am not here to help our PC a bit more with their teaching experience but I’m sure they will do fine.  Next year at this time, when I return to join them, they’ll be old hands at this.  It’s just this first semester that will be the most challenging.

Final Note

          I have as yet to connect to my computer to the Internet system in Chengdu.  On this trip to Luzhou, I am still using the Luzhou server to post my reports so I thought I’d get in at least two before taking off again for the capital city.  Might not be reporting for awhile until I get things set up properly.

          Until next time, here’s wishing you Ping An (Peace) for your day!