The apartment

Spartan and gloomy. (Although for many Chinese, it would be luxury). High ceilings. Grey with clunky dark furniture. Low wattage bluish fluoro lights. (I’m going to buy some small lamps with warmer incandescent globes). The giant tiled floor would be freezing in winter – no mats or rugs. Nothing on the walls. No colour. My apartment is facing north so I get no sun.
Essentially two interconnected rooms (each with a keyed front door to the corridor), with a smaller windowless room in each (“kitchen” and bathroom) with ceiling exhaust fans.

Contractually there is a microwave, fridge, washing machine, hot water service, shower, TV, water dispenser (with a hot and normal temperature), large 3-piece lounge, a couple of small cushions wardrobe, double bed (ridiculously hard mattress), cheap linen and towel , desk and telephone and allegedly an internet connection.

There is central heating and a form of air conditioning. There’ are adequate power points and all things seem to work. The kitchen consists of a few cheap cupboards, sink, hotplate, wok, frypan and 3 cooking implements. What more could a boy want?

Well, this boy would want it clean, at least. This responsibility apparently lies with the woman who met us with the keys. Although she had done a cursory job (the obvious areas were clean), the kitchen and bathroom and shelves and cupboards were not so good. In fact, filthy. And there was overriding bad smell coming from the bathroom. Or wardrobe? Or under the bed? I’m glad I brought along some eucalyptus oil. Later I purchased some bleach, toilet cleaner, and degreasing products, and got to work. (James fared better with his apartment – which is furnished identically).