Saturday 4^th August, 2018 1100

Yesterday saw my first visit to Wanda Plaza.

Using Google maps, I ascertained how to actually get there, I needed a bus to the train station then a “short” walk to take a 16 bus. There is an alternate route which necessitates decamping from the 131 early but as I had no idea which stop (and I was bound to lose count of the number of stops) so took the route I felt would work for me.

The “short” walk was, for me, a trial. However I did get to Wanda Plaza. I had taken an empty cigar packet and at the information desk I enquired where I could buy them. Nowhere in Wanda Plaza apparently could sell me what I needed. They suggested I try the supermarket which was outside and turn right. I was doubtful, I have yet to find a supermarket that sells tobacco products in China, they simply don't.

My problem wasn't if they did sell cigars would they have my brand, it was finding the supermarket in the first place! I never did. And my hip grew ever more painful. I gave up. The only thing I bought was a Burger King meal for my dinner – I realised I would get back too late to cook. In fact unless you are in the market for expensive clothing or designer jewelry and perfumes the only reason to visit the mall would be for Starbucks, Cafe Bene, Pizza Hut etc.

Defeated, I left. But where was the bus stop for the return journey? The bus there had dropped me off a couple of hundred yards north so I guessed I needed to head in that direction. I couldn't have been more wrong. I walked and walked and walked, by now I was stopping every fifty yards or so to rest my leg and still no sign of a bus stop. With relief I did observe a 16 bus passing me so knew at some point I HAD to stumble across a stop.

And so I did, by now if there had been no empty seats I swear I would have sat on the floor. And the stop I should have taken? It was a hundred yards south! Naturally the railway station stop was at a guess about a mile from the station and it was ever so tempting to throw in the towel and take a taxi but I didn't.

By the time I got home it felt as though I had walked from Lanzhou to Beijing but the reality was more like two or three miles in total. I am suffering today as a result and abandoned all hope of making a final, probably fruitless, trip to China Tobacco today to see if stock has arrived. Maybe tomorrow but I am resigned to the fact it is likely I shall have to buy expensive ones and then top up with even more expensive ones in Europe. If I smoked fags I wouldn't have such a problem.

On a happier note the camcorder works and Alice sent me a short clip, the picture quality I am pleased to say is very good. I just need to learn how to use it!