I'm the Alien!

This morning (Thursday) I woke thinking about my current circumstances. In May I turn 65 and here I am facing the biggest challenges of my life.....a new culture, entirely different language, new living quarters, entirely new set of relationships, new job, different food, a lack of certain conveniences, and a constant puddle of water on my bathroom floor.....and all this is one week's time. What do they say about change and stress - I must be due for a breakdown!

Actually, I'm doing rather well, thanks to the grace and presence of the Mighty One, I'm sure. Today I did begin to feel it some. It may be jet lag is catching up. Last night I felt very tired, with my body beginning to fight off something, and today the tiredness continues. Last night was the first in my new quarters and I slept fairly well on my rice pillow. Yes, you heard me right....a rice pillow.....another first! Those firsts just don't stop.

And, yes, the bathroom floor. My bathroom doesn't have a shower stall. Instead the shower is one of those hand-held units mounted to the wall, with the water tank positioned horizontally above. A floor drain next to the wall is supposed to take care of the water, but mine doesn't. Apparently the workmen didn't grade the floor properly so there I stand in a puddle before the sink and toilet anytime of the day. Maybe I should just stop taking showers! We will discuss this tomorrow I'll give you a bigger report of my apartment after I find out what happens.

Tomorrow students return. This place and the whole area will be humming, or maybe I should say throbbing. Hulan District is a university town, unlike anything in the USA. At home, on West Genesee Street we have "car row" with one dealership after another - probably most larger US cities have that kind of street. Well, here in Hulan District it's "university row", on the main street and off it. I look out my apartment window onto another college. I am told there are currently over 100,000 students in this district, with more building in progress. I'll be one of the oldest guys around!

And speaking of being an alien.....I've been told I'm probably the only American living here. You can imagine the curious looks I get. If any of you want to be the center of attention, this is the place to come (before they get too used to an American)!