Holiday? I am more tired than if I had been working!
However, I had a lovely couple of days away.
On Wednesday I had an earlier start than anticipated (although I thought it was going to be earlyish anyway) because not only did I feel guilty about not being around to watch Joanna compete in the 800m and hopefully gain a first prize for all four of her years but she told me it was a pity because she was the student speaker at the opening ceremony.
Well that started at 0830 (meaning an 0630 alarm) but despite an inward groan at an unearthly start to a day off, I could hardly not go to watch her - she won’t be here for too much longer. I have to say that despite my not understanding a word she said, I thought she did a good job and sounded confident even if her speech notes were trembling like mad!
At 1030 I left to take Pepsi to “prison” for the duration, having made arrangements to travel to Tongling with Ali, one of my sophomores whose family live there. She was going to take the train but I demurred because it was going to be absolutely mobbed with students going home and I had no intention of standing for an hour and half. She protested that the bus is twice the price - 9y on the train, 20y by coach. For the sake of what is basically £2 I decided I would pay for her. We had arranged to take the next available coach after noon but she finished her exam that morning earlier than expected and as I arrived at the station ahead of time we got a head start - and a seat each for the journey!
She saved me 4y when we got there by us leaving the coach before the station, the cab costing only 6 instead of 10y to the hotel, checked me in and then she went home. I was very tired, Qing was coming at four so I decided to have a couple of bottles and take a nap. Whilst doing that, Qing and I decided to invite Ali to join us for dinner that evening at the special fish restaurant. I then turned in on my firm but cheap (128y a night) mattress. Normally when I go to sleep I turn my phone off but in case Qing wanted to contact me I left it on. It was something I regretted because I never got a wink. Ollivier sent me a text just as I had dozed off, informing me that cream cheese and butter are now available in RT Mart - welcome news but not at that moment in time. Still, it pleased me this evening to learn he had no idea there was a holiday and had gone to class yesterday to find an empty room. Serves him right.
Ali, Qing and I had a lovely dinner at the restaurant (and I got to see Qing’s mum again) and more importantly Ali loved “my” fish. I have mentioned it in my classes but now one of their own can enthuse about it as well. Also, there is a student in her class who I call Qing due to her remarkable resemblance and now too there will be independent confirmation.
After dinner Ali went home and the pair of us were just so tired we called it a day. I grappled with the hotel computer for a while which was as slow as paint drying on a wet day and eventually succumbed to fatigue. Although this was the third time I had stayed at the hotel - and the third time in room 205 - I had never before noticed the army barracks tucked away behind it. Both mornings (even with the windows closed) I was roused to the Chinese version of Reveille played over loudspeakers at six and then exercise music at eight. This morning a bloody cockerel woke me at 0450 and it was still pitch black! Rest? This is China!
During the meal Ali had said her parents would like to invite us to lunch yesterday at their home. Not only was this to be the first time a foreigner had been to their home, it was also to be the first time I had been to one of my student’s homes. Assurances garnered from Ali that her mum was a good cook, I was asked what food I would like. The simple answer “What she would normally cook” was insufficient so after being pressured I said jen jowza (fried dumplings) and was surprised to be told “No problem.”
And so it was that Qing and I set out by taxi yesterday morning. We were dropped off some distance away because unless you know where the place is, cabs don’t either. Unfortunately for me it was an all uphill walk but thankfully the apartment was on the third floor rather than the sixth as I had feared might be the case. Ali’s family home is very nicely furnished and mum and dad made Qing and I most welcome, leaving the young ones and the old man (me) chatting and nibbling on the Tongling speciality, which is pickled ginger root.
As you will see from the photos, mum put on a good spread - too good in fact because I don’t eat anywhere the quantity Chinese folk do. I did though rate the grub highly, in particular the dumplings, sweet pork and a mushroom and cabbage dish. We had a lovely time.
When we left we got a bus to Tongling Town (distinct from the city and very select), where Qing took me into a patisserie called Amant. I couldn’t help but notice the translation/typo in the sign on the door and so when we left after having ice cream I had to take photos. I have seen some amusing signs here but that has simply got to be the best anyone has ever seen!
After an hour or so sitting by the lake we went to an hotel for a buffet meal. Whilst Qing made a good fist of it at 98y per head, I could hardly eat anything - I was still stuffed from lunch (and indeed still am not hungry) but when I found out that the all you can eat deal also included booze, well, I did my best!
This morning, my stomach, being unaccustomed to so much input, was playing up and I felt rather melancholy for some reason, not simply because it was soon going to be time to return. Qing felt the same but I think more because although she earns good money, she is not enjoying the job and now regrets not taking the opportunity to go to Sydney to study. Seeing as she insisted on paying for every meal I suggested (as I really wasn’t hungry - those dumplings sit there in the pit of your belly for ages) we go for a cheap and cheerful lunch. Shame I wasn’t hungry, for she took us to a Chinese “pasta” place where she had some in a sort of a soup while I had the fried stuff with beef and vegetables. Very nice it was too, even though I could only eat half of it.
Then it was time to go. Having just found out I should have the keys to my new apartment sometime next week, I told Qing next time she has to come here, when I shall pay. Ok, it will probably be spring festival and freezing so we won’t want to go downtown, but cooking western fare for her will be adequate recompense.
It was a real pain getting off the bus and having to go and get Pepsi out on bail from the town, then ride all the way back to school, but at least I was rewarded for the first time ever there with her going potty to see me. This time nobody thought (as they usually do) that I thrash her daily. Early night for me, long day tomorrow at the little school.
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