When we got back from 大连 (dà lián), the temperature in 石家庄 (shíjiāzhuāng) had already risen to over 30 degrees Celsius and I was having trouble sleeping because it was so hot. I also didn’t want to leave the window open as mosquitoes seem to always find a way into my room. I decided to go shopping for a new air conditioner with 申琦 (shēn qí). The first shop we went to, a place across the street from xinbai plaza next to KFC, actually recommended another shop that was cheaper. OK…..thanks for your help.

We went to the second shop and ultimately picked out a 海尔 (hǎi ěr) unit with a heater and remote control for 1500 RMB installed (just under $200 US). Score!

I had never seen an air conditioner be installed, but I was very surprised by the process. Two guys showed up at my house the next day and went right to work. They didn’t need to get permission from the building or my landlord. They just start hacking up my apartment like there was no tomorrow. At one point while the head honcho was half way through drilling a hole the size of my head through a foot and half of concrete, he stopped to look outside and see if there was anything outside where he was drilling. Ummmm…..that might have been good to check before you started boreing a crater in a supporting wall……DUMBASS! As it turns out, there was nothing there, but I still found it quite amusing. Needless to say he didn’t check to see if there were any pipes or electrical wires in the wall, he just started drilling.

At one point he had to go outside to epoxy seal the backside of the hole he drilled. He put on this big elaborate harness that I am assuming was meant to save him if he slipped and fell. I figured he would anchor the harness to something, but no…..that was way over his head. He instead had his buddy come by and grab one of the harness’ straps with one hand. Yeah…..that will work well when you drop off the 3rd story ledge.

Anyway, they actually managed to get the unit installed and working in just under 2 hours, and I can now sleep quite comfortably.

Now I just need to go get my winter jacket out of storage because my room is a meat-locker!!!!!!!!!!!!!