MONDAY, 8/4/14
The first few days back we were just sleepy, but now we’re both feeling the effects of moving to the other side of the world. We have that washed out feeling, similar to the feeling I had when I stayed up all night cramming for a test in college. We’re both waking up in the middle of the night and struggling to get back to sleep.
Judy heads back over to BISS to work on her room. I go to Metro for groceries. Back at the apartment, Lilly is cleaning. The internet guys show up right on time and we get hooked up after 45 minutes. The cost for the year is 1160rmb (around $190). I kept telling them I needed the fastest and most stable internet possible, and they tell me I’ve got it. It doesn’t seem much stronger than what I had before, but here’s hoping.
Lisa sends a text telling me the cable guy is rescheduled for tomorrow. We still have television, but it could stop at any time. We are both worn out by 7:00 pm and ready for bed. The sun isn’t even down yet.
TUESDAY, 8/5/14
Judy goes back to school, and I’m headed to the police station to register our temporary residence. We have to do this every time we leave the country and return. I take the passports for both of us, and our lease agreement. It’s always a little bit of a daunting task, because no one speaks English, at all. I’ve done this enough that I’m less worried than I used to be, but there can always be surprises.
The new part of today’s experience is that I rode my bike to the police station. Deb and Graham had given us their bikes when they left for Cambodia, but today is the first chance to use them. Riding a bike is not a new thing for me, but I really can’t remember the last time I was on one? I’m a little shaky at first, but it comes back to me pretty quickly. The ride is without incident, and the bike made the trip so much easier. I’m going to enjoy having some “wheels”.
The cable guy shows up, get his money (360 rmb, $59 for a year), and leaves. When Judy gets home we order food from the Blue Frog in Sanlitun for delivery. They serve western foods. It’s a nice change of pace. We’re still ready to sleep way too early. We fight it as long as we can, hoping to sleep through the night, but no such luck.