Well, I collected Joan from work yesterday and en route to the hotel encountered a problem. The flipping batteries on my bike started to peg out. It’s not even a year old until next month and I’m not happy but it does explain why just running about around campus and to the bus stop have seen me getting caught out and thinking I must have used it more than I thought.
I left campus fully charged yesterday and there is no way it shouldn’t have easily made the return journey two-up with juice to spare. I have no idea whether batteries are covered under warranty or not but regardless I need a new set so tomorrow Joan or A N Other will be making a call. There’s no way that I can countenance riding to town and then every time having to stop at a restaurant for a beer (as I did yesterday and indeed was no hardship because there was no hurry) and having to beg to use their extension to recharge. I KNEW there was something wrong but having bussed everywhere lately I just thought it was me going potty.
Anyway, we got to the hotel, entered and asked reception if they had somewhere I could charge my bike. Yes, in the underground car park. Eventually we found an extension (which I think belonged to the owner of the bike which was already charging!) and I plugged in.
Back up to reception to check in, where we were turned away. We were refused because there are two check-ins - one for economy customers and another for superior ones. I try not to skimp.
Off we trotted to the VIP section (OK, it had cost me more than double the cheap rate but at 288y was still very reasonable) and we were in. Where is the advertised bar? It’s a green tea bar. Marvellous. And the western restaurant they talk about on the internet? Don’t know what you mean. All ye who enter here, forget an English breakfast.
Having said that the room was capacious. The hotel carpets could do with a deep clean but otherwise it was bloody good, especially given the price. Bath and separate shower, mini fridge and we were greeted by two kissing swans fashioned out of towels on the bed and scattered with fake cloth red rose petals. The bathroom sink was full of water with real petals floating atop.
So no bar, no western restaurant and no free razor. Not a good start given that in my hurry to get to the freshmen welcome party I had forgotten to shave that day. I had gotten up after twelve because my teeth had kept me up most of the night (I think I am in danger of overdosing on painkillers - dentist visit this week regardless) and so I wasn’t happy. They did have western films on TV which soothed the savage breast somewhat. In fact the room was great.
The restaurant was advertised as a seafood hotpot place but it isn’t. On arrival Joan was told they had no tables. We were really getting off to a flying start. I made the comment that we were guests of the hotel and they had better find one fast. They did, although it quickly became apparent why they had little space. A company was having a works outing with at least thirty or forty employees and boy, were they enjoying themselves! The wine, baijiu and beer were flowing freely and they kept breaking into song. A grouch would have begrudged them but I found myself rejoicing in their unfettered enjoyment of their evening - red faces and all. See photo, the only one because I never took my camera in my haste.
We were shown into an aquarium where a vast range of seafood was on display, still alive, from abalone to really sizeable Australian lobsters at 580y per 750g. I like to do things in style whenever possible but with the probability of one lobster costing 1500y and notwithstanding that it is my favourite food on the planet, I resisted. Instead we chose baby squid, a fish, live prawns and two scallops. These were transformed into very tasty dishes and, unusually for China, brought out at intervals. It was excellent. Jane Horrocks and her husband (well she was a Chinese version) were at the next table and too late we were informed they also did steaks, plus I saw Jane thumbing through a menu with photos.
I asked for a copy and although I don’t regret the seafood option, they do other stuff such as roast suckling pig, baked horseradish and the like which I will indeed try, for this was not the first and last time I will go there. An excellent evening made better by the drunken antics of the employees cavorting not six feet away.
Back in the room it was time to do what I intended, relax and watch a film. Sadly my mouth problems interfered with sleeping and so when the alarm went off not only had I been desperately trying to get back to sleep since darkness but I was plumb tuckered out.
Joan of course needed breakfast and to be frank even if they had western food on offer I doubt I would have eaten it, I felt dreadful. She managed two plates of traditional Chinese fare, I smoked a cigar. I could have had a fried egg on toast. I really wish the internet would stop lying.
Then we left. I pictured the map in my mind (never took the computer) and got us back. Joan had a computer exam in the business street followed by a class so I dropped her off there - the battery held out.
At dinner last night the translation company had phoned with a 4,000 word job that is apparently vital for them, they have translated it several times and the client is furious because it is not ok. I wanted to go back to bed on my return but against my wishes I cleaned it up and can see why the customer isn’t happy, it was shit. Maybe one day they will learn to send it to me first instead of trying to do it themselves to save money. It may still be but I can only mop up the translations I am given, not easy when these days all I get are medical studies with vocabulary I am unfamiliar with. It’s done now (I hope) and some more in the pot for the Harbin Ice City fund which will require at least six weeks’ salary to undertake. I am hell bent on going though even if I have to spend more than a day on a train to get there.
It’s Joan’s birthday tomorrow, she thinks I have no idea and of course doesn’t realise this weekend was part of it and she has no idea about tomorrow’s party in class. With luck the right things will arrive later for me to make fudge but if not we still have the cake. I would love to buy her one of the bracelets I saw her admiring a couple of weeks ago but given the 600y it will cost me to get Bristle spayed and the spending on Harbin/Shenyang, I really can’t splash out at present. I WILL get her a bracelet, just not now.
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