CHINA NEWS

Hi Everyone,

I arrived back in China swine flu free! However because of the strict Chinese Rules I had to be quarantined in my flat for a few days! I arrived back on 13th August and couldn’t teach until the 19th August. The Chinese government are very concerned because of SARS in 2003. However, although I had read a lot on the internet before I arrived in the UK, when I arrived it wasn’t like I thought it would be. People were very relaxed about it. I think the media always paint the blackest picture they can and that is what is seen abroad. I was temperature tested in Korea but just had to fill in a declaration form to get into Shenyang.

It was great to meet so many of you while I was back as I had 2 Sundays at Oakwood this time. Sorry if I missed you and you were there but I did try to get round to as many as possible.

The teaching is going well and as I write this I’ve just completed a full weeks teaching at the school. The kindergarten will start back next week so really next week will be fully back to normal. I’ve got another 1-1 during the holiday but not sure if he will continue into September as no free time during the week and I’m already fully booked at the weekend. It’s a period of change for the students as they move from one year to the next and they will not know their schedules until they start back in September.

By the time I write the next report it will nearly be the October 1st National Holiday which is the birth of modern China. As this year is the 60th anniversary there will be big celebrations in Beijing. I will probably try to get away for a few days during the holiday period.

Best wishes to you all.

Alan Hill
23rd August 2009