English in Xi'an airport? Not so much.

Our campus boulevards are lined with beautiful arching trees

Anyone in the Xi’an airport speak English? No. Anyone here to pick us up? No.

It is amazing how fast the world turns when you are tired and combating a healthy case of jet lag. 5 PM Saturday to 10 AM Monday is still pretty grueling  Going through immigration and customs in Xi’an was a breeze which we had unnecessarily worried about (things like taking a year’s worth of medicine, etc.). 

We don't know if its just a Xi'an thing or what, but there are
walnut carts everywhere. We have not tasted them yet.

We finally arrived Monday morning at the Xi’an airport. We quickly cleared customs and immigration and entered the greeting hall. 


Where were our greeters? No where to be seen. Can anyone help us? Oops. No one speaks English. 

As the one looking out for us, Paul felt like it took at least an hour for the University to show up. He was concerned.  Ann, who was passively waiting on Paul, says it was only a few minutes. Paul counters with "but it was long enough to walk the entire airport as well as find an ATM and get some Chinese money." 

In any case, our ride finally showed up. We were picked up by a teacher from our department at the University as well as a student and the driver. We were driven to our apartment by van. It was a sight to see considering the van had to carry 3 greeters, the four of us BYU teachers, 8 very large, heavy suitcases and lots of over-sized carry-ons.

The 10 flights of stairs are a true "joy" - or not.....

75 Stairs, Oh my...

Our apartment is on the 5^th floor which is just fine – a better view – but there is no elevator!  It took quite a sweaty effort to take our 4 extra heavy suitcases all the way up the small un-air-conditioned stairs on a 90+ degree very humid day.

We now reside in a 2 bedroom apartment with a nice office and view of the tops of the sycamore trees that line the street. We have made so many trips up the stairs with a varied assortment of food, drink, and other items that any time we go up empty handed it is almost easy.

Our Apartment

In walking us around campus, Zhang Yi showed us a hotel about 2 blocks from where we live that the China Teachers lived in until about 5 years ago. She said they did not like it. Too small and run down. We, however, are in comfortable circumstances in the apartments they now use for the BYU teachers.

Our apartment could not be in a better location. All that we need is so very close. Although it is a 50-60 minute bus ride
to the "new campus" where we teach, at least the bus stop is close. We like that they have us living on the old campus.

Our apartment is in the ideal location. It is in an older 6 story building with a number of stairwells having 2 apartments on each floor. No elevators and 75 stairs up to our 5^th floor apartment. Modern security. Pergo type flooring. Lovely, heavy, traditional Chinese dark deep red doors and frames. Small but adequate kitchen with a small full size refrigerator, microwave, toaster oven, 2 burner stove, sink (without hot water or enough water pressure to use), clothes washer, small table and 4 chairs. 

The only 2 items missing are an oven and a clothes dryer. Running hot water in the kitchen would also be ok. It is tight but fine. 2 bedrooms (one for your visit). Queen+ beds. We are sleeping well so the beds measure up. An office (could be a 3^rd bedroom) with 2 nice desks. A small living room with a couch, 2 chairs, and a TV. Small western bathroom (meaning real toilet) with plenty of hot water. The shower is small, but larger than a cruise ship one. We are happy and comfortable here.

The shower window in the kitchen makes it great if you want
a snack while you are showering! Interesting water heater.

2,000 student elementary school right next to our apartment

Oops…no power or hot water
To get settled we needed start the gas, electricity and water. The first night the electricity went out about 9pm and leaving us in the dark. Unpacking by flash light was more than unique. Since the gas was not turned on, cold showers were the order of the next three days.  Scout camp!  We are now settled in and the utilities are working just fine. We have a washing machine in the apartment but no dryer. Sheets and articles of clothing are gracefully draped on our porch to dry and with only so much space, clothes are being washed all the time.

Making flower design in front of school

Elementary SchoolRight behind our apartment is the campus elementary school. All the faculty kids go there plus others.

View of the flower arranging at the school
from our apartment window.