This morning, over breakfast, we found out where our next posting will be. China. My application for the Director Arts job was several weeks ago, but finally we got the email from London which confirmed what we'd been hoping for. I feel relieved, slightly nervous, excited... and a bit sad for our respective mums. We've got around 4 months before the big move.
China is quite daunting. Big and bureacratic; grey, polluted, 'unlovely' cities; tough language; hard, hussling people (apparently); extreme winters, in Beijing at least; getting settled... But on the other hand, it will be a teriffic adventure. It's got an amazing history and incredibly rich culture. Beijing has boomed courtesy of the Olympics and should be 'easier' than when we briefly visited in 2002. Very excited about the possibility of travelling to places like Guilin, Yunnan, Tibet, maybe even Sinkiang and Mongolia. I'll be interested in learning more about Confucianism and Taoism. The job should be really interesting with lots of arts exchange on the cards. We have friends, mostly in Shanghai, but shouldn't take long to make more in Beijing.
Now begins the process of looking for a school for A & N, finding somewhere to live, visas, briefings, language training, removals and all the endless admin that goes with an international move. Ah well, we're up for it. China... who would have thought?
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