Tuesday 29th September, 2015             1715

I forgot to mention this in the last entry. Whilst I was in Hefei I received several text messages in Chinese. Normally I simply delete them because they are either advertising or from my mobile pone provider promising me hundreds of yuan if I put hundreds more on in credit, then in two years the “free”  money will be credited. I fell for that one with the free bike I got for a freshman in my first year and yes, eventually I did get the credit but 18 months later.

For some reason I kept this one and got Mulan to translate it. Her translation has been confirmed since by Joan. All these texts were sent on Saturday and concerned a credit card debt of mine which HAD to be repaid to the Agricultural Bank of China by 2100 that night in the sum of 1,280 yuan.

When I first arrived I had an account with them which the university opened for me. Unlike elsewhere, schools (and for all I know, companies) have their own “pet” bank and anyone attending or working for them has to have an account there to either pay monies in or receive their salary. No such thing as simply opening your own account and they pay into another bank. Pain in the ’arris when after two years they switched banks (bigger kickback probably) to the China Construction Bank.

Well with ABC all I had was a book so when I wanted money I had to go to a branch when they were open. When I became friendly with Sonya who worked there and over dinner I complained I couldn’t use a cash point, she suggested I get a bank card. Just a debit card but one that I could use out of hours at the ATM. I had to pay 20y for it but it was convenient.

When the school changed banks Kevin and I spent an endless hour opening new accounts with CCB but I still used to pop into ABC on the occasional lunchtime to chat with Sonya. I mentioned that I would keep my ABC account open just in case but she advised me to close it because even if I didn’t use it the bank would charge me (I think) 15y a month just for having an account. Bowing to her expert knowledge, I surrendered my card, was given back the remaining cash in the account and Sonya closed it down.

For three years I have not had an account with them and I have never, ever had a Chinese credit card.

Quite how this is happening I know not, but I told Mulan the story and asked her to call them and explain it. The answer was that they would call back. To date they haven’t and I have received no more texts. It does make you wonder though.

Because of Hefei I never prepared an activity for the second lesson for each class, so lazybones is showing half a film to them with the remainder to be screened after the golden week holiday. Anyway, with no class Thursday it seemed pointless spending time and effort inventing yet another TV game show. Yesterday and tomorrow they have Ice Age Continental Drift but Dumpling’s class today got out of sync last term and they had to have the second half last week, some three months after the first instalment!

Anyway I had to show them something different and I gave them a choice - old English sailing men-o-war or a prostitute. With more than a few raised eyebrows the little sods (an all girl class) opted for the prostitute film. Before anyone thinks I am corrupting them I am not, the ship film is Master and Commander and the one they picked is Pretty Woman. Made before they were even born but they loved Julia Roberts and her antics and I suspect they will be looking forward eagerly to the second part after their holiday, doubtless with a few tears shed when Gere climbs the fire escape to “rescue“ her.

Joan is coming for a shower and dinner tonight and on the menu is ham, egg, chips and pineapple. The ham has good texture but for me it could have been a touch more salty. Andrei just left with a lump for him and Juliette and he thought more salt was unnecessary. Everyone’s tastes are different. The main thing is it is good to go as the Mercans say.

Last night I received a gift in a parcel from Ollivier. Inside were two Tsingtao beer glasses (heavy duty too) with mini rugby balls for the World Cup. One is destined for Kevin and it was a nice thought. I think Ollivier and his family and parents may well now be five miles high en route to France and I wish him a safe flight.