Minhang, French Concession, and Pudong
I realized I never actually explained where I'm working and living, and that it changed.
I had originally been told I'd be working in the French Concession. This was what I told people when I found out, so I think some of you might still think that.
Not too long later, I got an email with the address of my school. It was in the Minhang district. I assumed the Minhang district was part of the French Concession. It's not far from the label on the map that says "French Concession."
However, what actually happened was that I got switched kind of at the last minute because I'm replacing another teacher who left suddenly. So I'm now working at a different school than I was originally going to work at. The Minhang district is *not* part of the French Concession. It also is much cheaper to live in, and it's kind of a suburban area.
I'm happy with this change, so I don't mind it. It means I pay less for rent, and I'm in an area that is less crowded. I went to the French Concession yesterday and it was nice, but not necessarily somewhere I want to live. It seems very touristy, and there is tons of shopping there. The flat I found is actually very close to a mall still, without feeling crowded or full of tourists. There are some nice little food places nearby, like the barbecue place where Cinnamon and Richard took me.
Today I plan on going swing dancing for my first time in China, out on the Pudong promenade. I'm really excited about this. I think it'll be awesome not only to meet other lindy hoppers here, but also to be in that area of town, since I haven't been over there yet. :)
I had originally been told I'd be working in the French Concession. This was what I told people when I found out, so I think some of you might still think that.
Not too long later, I got an email with the address of my school. It was in the Minhang district. I assumed the Minhang district was part of the French Concession. It's not far from the label on the map that says "French Concession."
However, what actually happened was that I got switched kind of at the last minute because I'm replacing another teacher who left suddenly. So I'm now working at a different school than I was originally going to work at. The Minhang district is *not* part of the French Concession. It also is much cheaper to live in, and it's kind of a suburban area.
I'm happy with this change, so I don't mind it. It means I pay less for rent, and I'm in an area that is less crowded. I went to the French Concession yesterday and it was nice, but not necessarily somewhere I want to live. It seems very touristy, and there is tons of shopping there. The flat I found is actually very close to a mall still, without feeling crowded or full of tourists. There are some nice little food places nearby, like the barbecue place where Cinnamon and Richard took me.
Today I plan on going swing dancing for my first time in China, out on the Pudong promenade. I'm really excited about this. I think it'll be awesome not only to meet other lindy hoppers here, but also to be in that area of town, since I haven't been over there yet. :)