A Coloradan Freezes In South China

It's been cooler here the last couple of days, somewhere around 50F with some rain.  For a few days recently the temperature was back up into the low 70's.  It felt like  heaven.  Maybe, just maybe, some of you aren't aware of the severe winter conditions we've experienced in China this year.  By all accounts it's the worst in 50 years. 

Snowstorms that began January 10 killed at least 107 people, wrecked crops and houses and ripped down power lines.  According to "official" government reports, the storms killed 69 million farm animals, damaged 3.2 million acres of vegetable, orange and other crops, and caused 354,000 houses to collapse.  Trucking and rail transport were disrupted, causing shortages of fresh meat and vegetables in some areas and pushing up prices.  Perhaps the most difficult part of it all, at least from the Chinese perspective, was that the cold temperatures and heavy snowfall disrupted travel plans for millions  as they prepared for their annual treks home to celebrate "Spring Festival"  At one point over 500,000 souls found themselves stranded at the Guangzhou train station in neighboring Guangdong Province.

The economic impact was unusually severe because snowstorms blanketed a wide area of China's temperate south, which usually gets little snow and has few preparations for severe weather.  Here in Liuzhou City, we didn't have any real snowfall, but for more than three weeks the temperature hovered just above freezing.  I remember one stretch where there was no sun at all for 17 days.  It's been cold and damp and dark.  I know in and of itself that doesn't sound so bad but as Bill Shakespeare said, "ay, there's the rub".  You see here in southern China none of the buildings have any heat.  Read it again and let that sink in for a moment.  None of the buildings are heated.  There is no insulation to speak of and often the inside temperature is not much warmer than the outside temperature.  In my classroom I had to wear gloves, a heavy coat and a hat as I taught.  My students often looked like they were on the way to the slopes for their next run, breath visible in the air as they practiced their oral English.  My house was much the same.  After a week or so I made my way to the nearest department store to buy a space heater.  It worked well enough to heat the bedroom and except for the essential forays outside I stayed there, in the bedroom, for about three weeks.  I went back two days later to buy a second heater but I couldn't find anything anywhere.  I was told the entire city was sold out.  I decided to just grin and bear it. I was already worried about the prospect of an astronomical electric bill.

The Space Heater 

Of course I am complaining.  Please understand that much of this commentary is my "tongue in cheek" attempt at humor.  The poor and homeless of China were affected much more severely than a "laowai" teacher from the US.  According to the fine folks at the Civil Affairs Ministry, total damage is estimated at 111.1 billion yuan, or $15.5 billion,   A recent AP report cited a recent announcement that China's central government will spend more than $1.25 billion to rebuild wrecked houses, restore farms and help the poor pay for food and heat.  Urban families that qualify for government aid will get about $2 per month for the next three months, while those in the countryside receive the equivalent of $1.40. Yep, about 15 yuan for family. 

My electric bill?  I received it yesterday.  Over 800 yuan.  Sadly I don't qualify for the government relief program.

 

 

tags: liuzhou  china  winter  cold  heat  utilities  teaching  weather  government  

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