Need to clear up a few things about our apartment. Some of these questions go way back to March when I first posted pics of the place.
- The pictures of the streets are not “public” streets and explains why they are devoid of people. Every photo from yesterday’s post was taken within the walls of the complex. There is one gate in, another gate out and they both have guards stationed at them. The guards are so sweet, I have my favorite. The whole Oakwood complex takes up maybe a small city block? There are cement walls and iron gates. It’s not like a prison or anything, actually we barely know they’re there. The other night Anders and I were walking back to our apartment and there were 4 little kids running around, totally unsupervised. They were maybe 2,3 4, and 6 years old. We commented how nice it would be to raise kids here because there isn’t any way someone who doesn’t belong here is getting in or out. It’s incredibly safe.
- The palm trees took me by surprise too. I remember driving from the airport the first time and thinking that I didn’t expect palm trees. They just aren’t what you associate with China. But there are plenty of them in this part of the country.
- Our apartment is average sized in the ex-pat community. We saw places that were bigger, lots bigger as a matter of fact, but too big for what we needed. Compared to most Chinese apartments? We are living in the lap of luxury. Ben lives in a 3-room apartment with his wife, baby, and mother-in-law. (Oh we’ve had good conversations about that!) I also think that even without the one-child policy China would be a nation of one-child families 😉 Just think, you’re living in a tiny apartment and your mother or mother-in-law moves in for the first 3 years of your child’s life to help raise him/her while you both work. So not only is there a lack of privacy to do what you gotta do to have another baby but would you really want to repeat the process of having your mother or MIL move back in with you again for 3 years? Every time you had a child?
- Having a washer & dryer is the norm for ex-pats but by Chinese standards, no way. Most people hang their clothes to dry on their balconies if they have one. I do too but not out of necessity. I feel sorry for them. In the winter time it takes forever for clothes to dry outside because there’s no sun, no hot air, and way too much humidity. Which leads me to another thing: most Chinese don’t have a wardrobe the size of Delaware.
- The microwave is high off the counter but I can reach it. I pretty much only use it to warm up my coffee. The worst part is that I occasionally bump my head on the shelf!
So this concludes the post about the apartment. I think that if you have more questions you need to visit and get the answers for yourself!
5PM – 81°