Greetings from Shenzhen

September 3, 2009

Well, it is true. Blogspot.com is blocked in China. Sofia was able to access her account from Hong Kong early Thursday morning Hong Kong time. But, none of the kids has been able to acces their accounts to update their blog since we arrived in Shenzhen this morning at 9:30. Stirling may have found a way to work around the block by using email. We'll try that tomorrow and see how it works.

Our apartment is a 15 minute humidity-induced swim from the Peking University School of Transnational Law where I will be teaching. The wet push from the South China Sea nearly knocks me over each time I step outside.

We met our neighbors. They offered to go with us on Bus #43 to the Rainbow Shopping Center to help us buy things we need: towels, a garbage can, dishes. The husband is an English teacher; the wife teachs too; the ten-month old baby is enormous. Through their screen door, I heard the mother counting with the baby this evening -- yi, er, san, si . . . .

This is how tired we all were this evening after our 14 1/2 hour night on the plane, four hours in the Hong Kong airport, and half hour ride on the ferry from Hong Kong to Shenzhen-Shekou. Isabel voluntarily went to bed rather than insisting we stay at the university for the students' movie night. Jacek let me touch up his teeth brushing without a complaint. Sofia ate white rice without many vegetables for dinner. Stirling is snoring next to me. I haven't collapsed . . . yet.