I do understand that I am in a country where I do no speak the same language, but this post is not about my frustrations with the people who only speak Chinese. It is with the people who claim to speak English without putting a disclaimer that they only speak a little and those who actually know the meaning to “yes” and then misuse the word.

On a daily basis there are many communication obstacles that pop up, but I (and usually Fabien) push through them without too much struggle. If you read one of my previous blogs (Keeping it Classy in Guangzhou), I explained the experience of renting an apartment. For weeks now, we have been trying to accomplish a couple important missions. This blog chronicles our quest to have internet in our apartment.

The first two weeks in our apartment, we couldn’t even find the China Telecom store. Then one day, while walking through a mall, I saw it. When I went in, no one spoke a lick of English and I didn’t have my Chinese books, so I decided to try again another day.

The next day I went to the store, I memorized the words “internet” and “apartment” hoping they would understand. Somehow, they weren’t putting two and two together. After about 20 minutes the girl said, in English “You want to go online in your home?” The light bulb went off. Yes! She told me I needed to buy a sim card and a portable wireless router. I bought my computer along so I could make sure it was working before I left store. As soon as she saw my computer she said “You don’t have a Chinese computer?” Okay, seriously? If I can barely get out the two words “apartment” and “internet” then why would I have a Chinese computer. The salesgirl advised me that I needed a different USB plugin for my computer and I’d need to go up the stairs, down the street and left to get this special plugin. BUT, she would be willing to sell me the sim card in the meantime. Ummm…..no thanks. I decided to no go on the wild goose chase and instead go home. China Telecom 1, Stacie & Fabien 0. Good thing because I found out that portable internet is super slow.

The next time was Saturday morning. Fabien woke up determined to “get internet in our apartment by noon”. I couldn’t help but chuckle when he said that knowing that at noon he would probably be having a meltdown in China Telecom (rightfully so). So, he & I went to a different China Telecom where they also spoke a little English. After only a few minutes Fabien communicated what he wanted and they seemed to understand. Then the conversation went like this:

Fabien: When will it be installed?
China Telecom: Yes.
Fabien: When will installation happen?
China Telecom: I guess, Monday.
Fabien: You guess, Monday?
China Telecom: Maybe.
Fabien: Okay, how will I know what time to be home on Monday?
China Telecom: The worker will call you.
Fabien: Does the worker speak English?
China Telecom: Maybe. I guess.

You can see where this is going. After an hour of this type of conversation, all parties agreed that Fabien would come, Monday morning, to their office and they would come install it. However when Monday morning arrived that was merely a point where they would schedule installation, which was Tuesday morning at 10:00. Whatever. We had a day, time and a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.

And sure enough, the universe decided to give us a break and the China Telecom installation guy was here at 10 a.m. For the most part, he did get us internet. It doesn’t work on my computer because “It’s an Apple and you need special software.” (which I’ve never heard before). I almost punched him when he looked at my computer and shook his head “no”. Fabien talked to someone in his IT department that advised him we could just buy a router and have wireless thought the apartment. But, we have internet. Hallelujah.

The next blog will be Foreign Frustration Part#2: We Fought the Law and the Law Won.

Also, there are pics from this past weekend of us around town in Guangzhou and at the Zoo (i.e. cuddly panda’s and tigers) in the Photo Gallery.

I should really let Fabien write this post because he is really cheap and passionate about how inexpensive everything is here. Every time we go somewhere he instantly says, “This meal was only 1 euro.” followed by the biggest grin you’ve ever seen.

If an effort to prove to you how inexpensive everything is, I’ve kept track of some of the best deals, converted to US dollars, of course.

• Dinner (rice, beef, vegetables) with a Coke. $1.50
• Monthly subway card. $8
• 1 DVD. Less than $1 (I’ve talked the the DVD guy on the corner into 3 for $1) (See below for my Dollar DVD of the Day)
• 2 hour massage minus the happy ending (that was for you, Ryan). $12
• 1 hour cab ride. $15
• 6 inch sub, chips and drink at Subway. $3
• 1 cup of Starbucks Cafe Americano and blueberry muffin. $6 (Okay, no change here)
• 1 Tiger beer (local brew), 1 Guinness and 2 appetizers at our new neighborhood bar. $10
• 1 French Baguette. $1
• Taylor Swift CD. $7
• 1 round trip train ticket to Hong Kong (2 hours each way). $40

I know you are probably really jealous and angry right now, but that is not the motive behind this post. The goal is to advise you of what a great deal everything is here so you will come visit. Yes, the flight is expensive (direct from Detroit to Hong Kong is $1,100) and you will probably have to use a Squat toilet BUT I think you could justify the humiliation and expense for $12 massages, custom made clothes and $1 DVD’s. See you soon!

Dollar DVD of the Day
I have a lot of time on my hands these days and buying DVD’s is cheaper than renting them, so I’m watching a lot of movies that I’ve wanted to see for a while. When I see a really good one, I’ll go ahead and share. This week I recommend “Love Happens” with Aaron Eckhart and Jennifer Aniston. It’s definitely for the ladies as it’s guaranteed to make you cry. There are a couple unnecessary, cheesy parts, but overall, it is a great movie about a guy dealing with the loss of his wife. And the soundtrack is simply amazing, almost so awesome that you should watch it for that reason alone. Let me know your thoughts.

There are also some pictures posted of our weekend in Hong Kong in the Photo Gallery.

As I write this, Fabien and I have been in our apartment for one whole day. I have already made two trips to Ikea and two trips to the corner grocery store. Being that we have no car, I can only buy what I can carry. My plan was to buy a cart, but Fabien laughed at me and said “Like one that little old ladies use.” Well, after the day I’ve had I don’t give a squat toilet what he thinks.

On Tuesday, it was my goal to get kitchen supplies at Ikea. I knew this would be a difficult task because that stuff is heavy, but I had it all worked out. I’d take the Metro to the store and hail a taxi home. Little did I know that at 6:00 it’s impossible to get a taxi downtown unless you are a black belt in karate. I did manage to get one to stop but some man jumped in the car, looked at me, looked at the four bags of stuff I was struggling with and said “Sorry”. It was at this moment I learned the city has no mercy for a white girl stupid enough to buy all this stuff and try to bring it home during rush hour. But this also were I taught this cab stealing, heartless man a couple four letter English words accompanied by nice jester with my middle finger.

My options were to 1) cry (which what I really wanted to do), 2) continue to try for a taxi or 3)haul my stuff to the Metro. Growing more angry, upset and irritated about the situation, I mentally prepared myself with patience and I chose option 3. When I got on the train, per usual, everyone ran to get a seat. I gave one lady who nearly pushed me over, such a dirty look that she intelligently opted to give me her seat. Like she had a choice. Then upon switching trains, someone else graciously let me go in front of them so I could get on the train first. This slightly lifted my spirits and proved to me that there are still nice people in the world.

Finally, I made it to my stop. Phew. Only a few more blocks. I had to stop in between and take a break. It was at this break that I was rescued and made my first friend.

A young Chinese girl came up behind me and grabbed two of my bags. I pointed to where I was going and thanked her several times. She started by telling me her English is not good and that she lived in the same set of buildings. I think and feel that there are no coincidences in life and that everyone comes into your life for some reason, whether it be big or small. Her English name is Kitty, which is proof to me that we are suppose to be friends because I love kitty cats. She’s 12 and goes to the school across the street from our apartment complex. While we walked, Kitty quizzed me on where I was from, how old I was and many other English questions she knew. Then she very graciously helped me bring the bags into my apartment and asked if I would help her study for her Oral English test next week. Of course, that is the very least I could do. It wasn’t the first time (or the last) a kitty would cheer me up.

Also, there are a few more photos in the Photo Gallery of our apartment and of Yia Xiu Park, which is the city’s largest downtown park.