I was invited by my friends Andy and Lucy to visit the Kindergarten that they have set up in Bo'ai village in Yunnan Province. Having the day off I jumped at the chance to see more of the country. Left school on the back of Andy's motor scooter and headed to the bus station only to find that the bus had just left.....but never fear Andy rings Lucy who gets the bus driver to stop and wait for us!!!! Well Andy then thrashed the motor scooter, with me hanging on for...

Well since the wedding its been business as usual. No other celebrations for now just living and working in Baise.I suddenly realised that I'm starting to become a local and finding my regular places to shop etc..just what every girl needs!!! I've found a hairdresser -cut, colour and blowdry - $12 approx. Full hand treatment and Manicure - $5 1 hour chinese massage - $5 shoes - $5-20. Noticed new winter leather boots today for $20-$30 Dresses - simple day-$5 upwa...

I thought getting the appropriate visa to come to China was the difficult part....oh how wrong was I. Once here my passport had to go to the local police to register me then sent off to get the Residents Permit. BUT there was more to come, off to get the health examination by the proper authorities and I now have the evidentary proof that I am fit and well enough to live in China. One was duly presented with the "Red Book" that tells everyone. Ah I thought, final...

Well it has been a most interesting week here in Baise- I have had both earthquakes and weddings - talk about going to extremes!!. Apparently we had a small earthquake on Sunday....announcements were made over the PA system telling students and staff what to do if we were hit by a bigger one......unfortunately I still don't understand enough Chinese so was lucky that someone translated the message for me!! Can't say I felt the earth move but we have so much cons...

Well after yesterdays successful encounters with the buses I thought today I would endeavour to get out and see a couple of the nearby counties....so off to the bus station I go ready to do battle language style again. Luck was on my side as I encountered the same lady as yesterday so we both know what we were doing...sort of.... I had my trusty map in hand and pointed to the counties I wanted to visit - that was the easy part - then I had to decipher when the bu...