Finally - Chengdu!

Blue skies!  Holy crap, there were BLUE skies today.  I woke up this morning, and I could not believe it.  It was like a whole new world.  So amazing.  I honestly did not think I would have the chance to see blue skies again until I got home.  We have been in Chengdu for almost 2 weeks and that week in Beijing and almost every day was humid and the skies were “overcast” so I never saw any blue skies.  But I guess those really were clouds (for the most part) here in Chengdu.  I caught the tail end of a really beautiful day for you to see!  For you it might be ordinary sky, but for me it was a miracle.  Appreciate it people.  You don’t know what you have.  Missing those open blue skies surrounded by mountains at home.  Among some other things.  Lol  I figure I’ll have a list in a few weeks.  I’ll share with you when it is a little more substantial.

I only caught the tail end of it, but it was completely clear this morning...I swear!

The weather here is really great though otherwise.  It has been raining at night the past couple nights, leaving the city a lot cooler with less humidity.  If only every day were like this weather.  Perfect.  Not too hot, but not so cool that you have to put on a jacket.  And barely any humidity.  That’s the best part.  Lol

So a few of you have been curious, so here is what my apartment looks like.  Captions included.  

Stagnant water on the building next to mine after a rain shower.  Can you say disease?

Apartment buildings are definitely the norm here.  View from my bedroom window.

My bedroom!  I lucked out and got the biggest one.

One of the bathrooms!  With a jacuzzi AND a sauna room that doesn't work.  How's that for you?

Super tiny kitchen.

And the other bathroom.  Shower and toilet all in one space.  Let's just say bathrooms here are an experience. 

 

 

 

 

 

The maid's door...what?!  lol  These apartments were intended for rich people.  The maid has a separate entrance to keep her away from the rich folk.

And for some reason the maid's room is shut off from the rest of the apartment.  No access.  And kind of creepy.

Our living room. In the side of the picture you can see the rack where we dry our clothes.  No dryers here.  Luckily no handwashing though.

This apartment is A LOT bigger than what I expected.  My classmates in the dorms even have really big single rooms.  And by Chinese standards, we are in big spaces.  In the Chinese dorms at school, it is 4 to a small room with no heating.  We are definitely just as lucky here as we are back home.  Our particular apartment is a little bit run down but we are definitely okay here.  We even have an extra bedroom since there is only 2 of us!  Ever drop by in Chengdu during the semester and I have a place for you to stay.  lol

Whelp, I figure that’s a pretty good introduction to life for me here in Chengdu.  Definitely more to come!