The container from Hong Kong has arrived at the Shanghai port this week.  I signed the release papers on Friday.  Now it is just a matter of time…as they say about China,  “Anything is possible, nothing is easy!”.

It’s been a heck of a weekend trying to get the new place ready for the arrival of all our things. The flat has stark white walls – really great for kids!.  In preparation, I have been painting this weekend.  Below are a few shots of the finished product.

 

   Entryway                              Dining Room

The first experience was trying to buy paint and get the colors mixed right.  The only savior was B&Q.   But I must say even at B&Q, the linguistics challenges were daunting.  I did not know that with custom mixed paints, first you have to take the base colors and pay for them, then come back with the paint and receipt to have the colors mixed.  Mr Nei, my driver, was out the door with the paint to load it in the car seconds after I paid – I had to chase him down to explain that there was no color yet!

Though, I must thank the Brits for having a home center in Shanghai or you never know what I would have ended up with. But they did not have ladders, so it was off to a local hardware store.  I know I got ripped off (I had to pay foreigner price – 50RMB over locals), but when you need it…

 

Guest Room                       Master Bedroom

After getting supplies, Mr. Nie offered to help me paint.  “Great”, I thought,  “another set of hands”.  Little did I realize, he had never painted before and my Chinese is not that good to be able to fully explain how to hold a brush and where to paint.  After a lot of “buhao” (no good) for his technique and “meiyou” (not have) for where he should not paint, he finally got the idea.  Needless to say,  on Sunday I painted solo. 

Three rooms down,  three to go!  Off to the drop cloth again!