Shirts and Other Updates

hi everyone!

so our chinese volunteers put together a couple tshirt designs - i've attached them - and they look pretty sweet. if you're interested, send your shirt sizes to me asap. we don't know exactly how much they'll cost right now, but i'm guessing less than $10 a shirt. some of you may also want to purchase a couple extras for your host families. we'll have them at orientation. and if memory serves, chinese tshirt sizes run on the small side, so beware the extra smalls.

as for host family gifts, think along the lines of non-perishable stuff that's unique to where you're from - nice california coffee table books and the like. i'd try to stay away from food.

as far as airport pickups go, the airport is pretty far from the hostel, so i'm going to ask that those of you who are arriving on the 8th get to the hostel yourselves. a cab ride from pudong airport to puxi, where we'll be staying, should cost less than 200 RMB but can take up to two hours in heavy traffic. ask for a quote before you get into any cab, and be on the lookout for sketchy people who look like they're trying to rip you off. we'll talk more about haggling at orientation :) i'd recommend coordinating your cab ride with another volunteer who's arriving around the same time.

i'll have my cell on me, but i'm getting a phone when i get into the country, so i won't have a number until then. you guys will know how to reach me as soon as i find out.

major brownie points to those who have sent me their intros. to those who haven't, i have bags full of scorn with your names on them. kinda. k, not really, but it's important that we get these intros up so that we all have a chance to familiarize ourselves with the other volunteers before orientation!

in these last couple of weeks, look over the addendum, and let me know if you have any more questions.

see you all very very soon!

elaine