Tag Archives: China

Evicted. Twice

Wednesday night, 9 pm, two men come and knock on the door.  They are here to change the locks.  What? You haven’t paid the rent for the last two months.  What? Sure we did, here are the receipts. To make … Continue reading →

Aside | Posted on July 1, 2017 by | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Miss Dumpling and speaking Mandarin

I don’t speak any Chinese. My vocabulary consists of 5 spoken words (hello, thank you, small, big and tea) and 4 written characters (person, big, middle and small). I get along fine. I gesture a lot, point to what I … Continue reading →

Aside | Posted on December 19, 2016 by | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A primer in Chinese renters’ rights

Unlike many new comers to Shanghai, we did not have a problem back in July finding an apartment (money helps). What we have had is a problem holding onto the said apartment (money doesn’t help). We got “evicted” a couple … Continue reading →

Aside | Posted on December 5, 2016 by | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Buying an ugly cat

It’s a teapot, not a real cat. An ugly teapot. The kitschiest, nastiest thing on earth. It’s filthy, still has the tea ring inside proving it was once used as intended, and has a perpetual frown due to being hand … Continue reading →

Aside | Posted on August 5, 2016 by | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

My hubby got a shot

No, my husband did not get shot.  He got a shot.  By a doctor.  A Chinese doctor.  In China.  Because apparently we have a thing for visiting medical facilities in emerging countries.  Not as visitors, but as patients.  That’s what … Continue reading →

Aside | Posted on January 29, 2016 by | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

To pee or not to pee

That is not the only question. The problem is where to pee. And how to pee.  And if front of whom to pee. And what happens after you’re done peeing.  And I am not even talking about poo yet! Oh, … Continue reading →

Aside | Posted on October 22, 2015 by | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Very unhealthy

It’s awful, simply awful.  I am talking about pollution in Beijing.  Of course I had read about it and we were prepared for it, having bought a full artillery of protective masks.  We have the daily masks, the heavy masks, … Continue reading →

Aside | Posted on October 9, 2015 by | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments