The Penthouse

Our new apartment has 4-bedrooms, a study, a large open area and a laundry room that is 250 sq meters in size (it’s bigger than our house). It’s huge! It’s on the top floor of the apartment complex and it has two levels (so we’re the Drummonds, up in the penthouse with two floors. What? You don’t know who the Drummonds are? What you talking ‘bout Willis? If you still don’t get the reference, either I’m too old or you’re too young and I’m opting for the latter.) It takes some getting used to, having two levels but over time, I am sure we will become accustomed to the changes. It is an older apartment complex (for here, older could mean between 5 and 10 years) but we’re not sure when the complex was established and you can’t really tell from the apartment. The Chateau Regency, where we originally lived was less than 10 years old but based on the appearance and how things were breaking down; you would’ve thought it was much, much older. We gave up some of the “newness” of the Horizon complex and some of the benefits from that but we were able to find a place that was cheaper by a large amount and where we could still be less than cramped. After all, we had less than 10 days to get out so we’re very lucky to have found this place.

Thus far the landlady seems very nice. She was here when we moved in and came back to watch them install a new AC unit in Jacob’s bedroom. That was interesting to watch. The AC units have an interior and exterior component. The interior is a rectangular unit that hangs on the wall. The exterior unit is a small box (maybe 70 cm x 50cm x 30 cm) that goes outside (like an AC unit at home for central air). We’re on the 9th floor so placing the exterior unit outside is a little different. They have to go out the window, remove the old unit and put the new unit in place. The guy uses a rope for a harness and ties himself off to the framework for the AC units on the outside of the building. It’s a little dicey to watch, it’s not like he is using a safety harness like we would see back home, it’s a self-made rope harness. It looks like something that Bear Grylls would use to cross a ravine in Man vs. Wild. I also wouldn’t trust my life to the framework, I mean he has about 4’ of rope between him and the harness, he could build up just enough momentum if he slipped for the framework to get pulled off the building where the rope is attached and down he goes (it’s not the fall that kills you…). They know what they are doing (I guess) but it’s not for me, that’s for sure. It didn’t take them long to replace it and get the new unit running (no accidents). After it was changed out, they talked to Warren about the controls (totally ignoring me, what am I chopped liver…I guess they’ve heard about my Chinese language skills). He seemed to understand and got the basics but they are a dozen buttons on the remote. How many do you really need? On/off, temp up/down, heat/cool/fan….anything else? Anyhow, it is what it is and we’re ready to use it when the weather will require a change.

For many of the other items in the house, I took photos of the controls and had to get with the kids from work to provide the translations. They gave me the Pinyin spelling (which is the pronounciation of the character) and I took it home and looked it up to find the real words. Unfortunately, some of the literal translation doesn’t work so well and needs some additional translating. Strong Wash, Strong Dry, Quick Wash, Quick Dry are okay but others like Quick Spin, I don’t know if this is a rinse cycle or a drying cycle (since this is a washer/dryer combination). What’s the difference between the Strong Wash and the Strong Quick Wash, I don’t know. I guess we’ll have to try it and find out.

The complex we live in now has many more Chinese than Horizon and it shows in several different ways. First, in the building opposite us there is a guy that plays a Chinese wind instrument that makes it sound like we are in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. He plays it very often and it echoes around the buildings. I have to admit it’s not super annoying and a little soothing but it’s not something we are used to hearing all of the time. He is pretty good too but I am surprised at how often he plays it. Out in front there is a blue pajama party every morning where the ladies (dressed in their light blue jam-jams) perform Tai Chi, sometimes with swords. Nothing gets you moving faster than an old lady with a sword in her hand (I’ll show you whipper-snappers). In the evening, a group made of mostly of women will meet out in front of the marketplace in the complex to dance. It’s an odd line dance type thing but it is interesting to see. At first I thought it was a special night or something; but they seem to do it quite regularly. Of course the third thing is that there are a lot more Chinese living in the complex. Since the apartments are cheaper, they are in the price range of more of the locals. It isn’t a problem and actually is a little more fun to watch the people here.

We gave up the garbage disposal (bummer) and there are not as many outlets in the apartment but otherwise, we’re doing okay in the new place. We also gave up the code entry door to one where we have to carry a key (that’s so 80’s) but it could be worse. We can still get to our favorite restaurants and walk to the same places as we did before. Some are closer, others are a little farther away but it’s all good. We have a small view of the lake so at least we’re not just stuck staring at another building. So, there you have it in a very short summary (you don’t have to thank me), our new penthouse. So you knock on the door (the doorbell plays Oh Suzanna, now that’s annoying) to the penthouse don’t expect to see Mrs. Garrett (back to the Different Strokes reference again)…it’s just us.