Wednesday 17 April 2013

Rats and rain.

Yes we have rats and rain.
The last month has been very rainy. It is usual and a sunny day is a good day.
March and April are wet and everyone needs an umbrella. We have
experienced heavy downpours which are something to behold. During one of our
morning classes a storm came in and quickly darkened the sky in an eerie way.
Even the students wanted to go to the hall and look out. The thunder was deafening,
which is the only way it thunders here. Lightening provides a true light show. This
particular storm, which occurred in broad daylight, made the streetlight sensors
turn on the lights. For some reason, it triggered the alarms in many of the parked cars
on campus. Another storm, a few weeks earlier, caused damage and even fatalities
with the accompanying hail. These storms are spectacular to see and hear.

The students don't like the rain. Clothes are damp for weeks. Laundry doesn't dry on the
balcony. (Neither does mine) The walls in our apartment are damp and mould can be a problem. We are not
used to living in a humid climate. Last night it felt as though we were walking in a cloud,
a mist. But, it is never cold, even if you are soaked.

The rats are always here, in rain and sunshine.
Coming from rat-free Alberta, they were a shock. They are large and can be seen when I look
out my kitchen window. They gather around the garbage basket and scurry to the bushes
whenever someone walks past. One day I watched as a little girl "played" with them. The rats
would run to the bushes. She would wait quietly until they peeked out and then she would stamp
her feet, making them run away.

Rats also come into our apartment building, which is quite open into the stairwell. There is a low
table on every floor, to service the four apartments in each cluster, that is used by us to place
our bagged garbage on. Often, holes have been made and the contents scattered. More than
once, a rat has been surprised and is seen racing down the steps and under the door.
Ian can tell you that this is true. I say that if a rat gets into our apartment, I am leaving.

The students have problems with the rats. The dorm rooms are not very secure as the windows are
often left open. They complain about rats coming into the rooms and eating their food.
The rats could enter these old buildings and rooms even if the windows were closed. The students love
the freedom and adventure of being at university, but their living conditions would surprise and even
shock our Canadian students.

On another topic, friend Sheila Sinclair commented that she was hearing some scary things about China these days.
There is avian flu in the Shanghai area, but so far it seems to be under control and observation. They take
this very seriously. There is worry over North Korea, but it is not urgent or passionate and you probably
have better information than we do. If anything, the sadness in Boston makes me feel safe here in China.

Here are some photos of our campus, taken by Alisa.