We left the flat in the morning, in Hong Kong, my grandad and I, and we made our way to the train station. This is where I met my first friend from the training team.
His name was Turbo.
I don't kid you, its not a nickname as such, but his genuine English name. Turbo.
Nonetheless, my grandad introduced us to each other. I gave him what I thought was a charming, polite, friendly smile. But I don't think thats what he saw. Hoping he would talk to me, because I'm one of those who feels more comfortable when people are talking (preferably I'm included in these conversations), I smiled at him and tried to talk Cantonese to my grandad to show him I could.
I gave up soon after, most of the time my effort was put into trying not to yawn too obviously and explicitly.
Within half an hour, three or four stops later, our train pulled up at Lok Ma Cheu, where we would cross the river (by an indoor bridge with cool moonwalking flat moving walkboard things) to Shenzhen, in Mainland China.
It was a special moment for me, walking on the bridge, knowing within a few footsteps I would be in China.
Unfortunately this was the time Turbo finally decided to talk to me. Quite honestly I would rather let the feeling of walking into a new country run through me without disturbance, but its too bad the timing was bad.
Immigration went pretty smoothly, the unsmily man told me to sign some forms, which insisted that as someone who only entered China with a visa, I was referred to as an 'alien'.
Next we took a taxi to Shenzhen airport, the taxi was in quite a state. The passenger seat was stuck and broken at an unkindly angle, the childlock looked as if it had been ripped apart, and the remain left was a loop was silver wire.
I took many photos, but they all look like I was taking pictures of the same seat in a common taxi again and again with slightly different views outside the winbdow. When I saw the views, it was a great sight for me, as it was a new bright city. However, I don't think the camera was able to capture that special feeling as my eyes were.
When we got to the airport, grandad was immediately on his phone again, trying to gather the numerous amount of people together, which is not as easy as one would think.
I met Mr Mak, who seemed very nice, and talked to me about places I have never been to.
Cecilia, lovely lovely, kindhearted, caring and hardworking Cecilia, with the funky little hat with a large shade.
Jacque bounced along, shouting 'Mr Bun, Mr Bun!' (my grandad is called Ben), with her cute little run. She was to be my head teacher, and she was passionate and motivated.
Then came along Darwin and Patrick, the two guys who were nearer my age. They were already friends with each other, and talked a lot, and seemed charismatic, so I wanted to be friends with them.
My clever technique, once again, was to linger and smile.
Patrick introduced himself first, even if only out of courtesy. But soon after things weren't done out of courtesy only.
And about 20 minutes later, so did Darwin.
It was the first step I guess. We talked about things, such as how long the plane journey was from America with Darwin, and Hong Kong with Patrick.
Basically, I really wanted to sit down by then. I hate standing on still grounds for too lengthy a time, and being impatient I just wished the others would show up.
I also met Sophie for the first time there, a little lively spirit with an adorable hat. I don't think she got my 'British accent' at first.
I asked her, 'you're Sophie?', and she got a little confused. But after spending over 3 weeks together later, she got used to my voice, and me.
Susanna/ Auntie Susanna, was there too, but she already knew me since I was pretty much born.
And then Diana. Dr. Diana King.
What a character, the first time I 'met' her, was when everyone was panicking that we 'lost Diana'. And suddenly, there she was wandering towards us in bright 80's pop colours in her own little dreamy state.
The lovely couple Frank and Dorothy arrived soon after, with the 'cool' and silent Terence, who may or not may have been wearing sunglasses.
I went in for a hug, with the large and warm Frank, and to my delight I got two kisses on the cheek, along with his Santa-beard.
So finally, half the gang were gathered together, let the first flight to Guiyi begin.
His name was Turbo.
I don't kid you, its not a nickname as such, but his genuine English name. Turbo.
Nonetheless, my grandad introduced us to each other. I gave him what I thought was a charming, polite, friendly smile. But I don't think thats what he saw. Hoping he would talk to me, because I'm one of those who feels more comfortable when people are talking (preferably I'm included in these conversations), I smiled at him and tried to talk Cantonese to my grandad to show him I could.
I gave up soon after, most of the time my effort was put into trying not to yawn too obviously and explicitly.
Within half an hour, three or four stops later, our train pulled up at Lok Ma Cheu, where we would cross the river (by an indoor bridge with cool moonwalking flat moving walkboard things) to Shenzhen, in Mainland China.
It was a special moment for me, walking on the bridge, knowing within a few footsteps I would be in China.
Unfortunately this was the time Turbo finally decided to talk to me. Quite honestly I would rather let the feeling of walking into a new country run through me without disturbance, but its too bad the timing was bad.
Immigration went pretty smoothly, the unsmily man told me to sign some forms, which insisted that as someone who only entered China with a visa, I was referred to as an 'alien'.
Next we took a taxi to Shenzhen airport, the taxi was in quite a state. The passenger seat was stuck and broken at an unkindly angle, the childlock looked as if it had been ripped apart, and the remain left was a loop was silver wire.
I took many photos, but they all look like I was taking pictures of the same seat in a common taxi again and again with slightly different views outside the winbdow. When I saw the views, it was a great sight for me, as it was a new bright city. However, I don't think the camera was able to capture that special feeling as my eyes were.
When we got to the airport, grandad was immediately on his phone again, trying to gather the numerous amount of people together, which is not as easy as one would think.
I met Mr Mak, who seemed very nice, and talked to me about places I have never been to.
Cecilia, lovely lovely, kindhearted, caring and hardworking Cecilia, with the funky little hat with a large shade.
Jacque bounced along, shouting 'Mr Bun, Mr Bun!' (my grandad is called Ben), with her cute little run. She was to be my head teacher, and she was passionate and motivated.
Then came along Darwin and Patrick, the two guys who were nearer my age. They were already friends with each other, and talked a lot, and seemed charismatic, so I wanted to be friends with them.
My clever technique, once again, was to linger and smile.
Patrick introduced himself first, even if only out of courtesy. But soon after things weren't done out of courtesy only.
And about 20 minutes later, so did Darwin.
It was the first step I guess. We talked about things, such as how long the plane journey was from America with Darwin, and Hong Kong with Patrick.
Basically, I really wanted to sit down by then. I hate standing on still grounds for too lengthy a time, and being impatient I just wished the others would show up.
I also met Sophie for the first time there, a little lively spirit with an adorable hat. I don't think she got my 'British accent' at first.
I asked her, 'you're Sophie?', and she got a little confused. But after spending over 3 weeks together later, she got used to my voice, and me.
Susanna/ Auntie Susanna, was there too, but she already knew me since I was pretty much born.
And then Diana. Dr. Diana King.
What a character, the first time I 'met' her, was when everyone was panicking that we 'lost Diana'. And suddenly, there she was wandering towards us in bright 80's pop colours in her own little dreamy state.
The lovely couple Frank and Dorothy arrived soon after, with the 'cool' and silent Terence, who may or not may have been wearing sunglasses.
I went in for a hug, with the large and warm Frank, and to my delight I got two kisses on the cheek, along with his Santa-beard.
So finally, half the gang were gathered together, let the first flight to Guiyi begin.
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