Thursday 20^th February, 2020 2300

Well there we have the lunacy of the “policies”. New ID card that I had to have yesterday? A load of kids manning the barriers today and none of them dared challenge me when I walked through today! I think the only reason I had to be issued one yesterday was because Jody was with me and could translate. I know there are disadvantages to being in China and not speaking English, hell I should know, but there are also advantages. Quite often they simply don't know what to do with you.

But today I did move myself and we did have that roast chicken dinner. As usual I cooked twice as much as I needed but it was the first proper food for three days. And yes, those potatoes were somewhere between the shit ones and the good ones. Maybe soon the good ones will return. Jody was upset because her plate was too full. Now, in China the steamed rice comes after the meal, I found that out early on. That's for the people who aren't full to fill their bellies. Well, they don't seem to realise western people do similar, just that we like to overfill their plates so they don't empty them. I told her there was no way I would eat all mine and I was happy for her to throw what she couldn't eat, the entire meal cost less than £3. But I'm going to stop wasting gravy on her – she's devouring my Linghams chilli sauce like nobody else!

Brenda emailed me today to tell me I am famous. I said yes because I am fat. “Who said that??! I said I did. No, she said I am respected and famous because I never ran away. Even Nordine, the Algerian/French teacher is still in France and refuses to return until the all-clear is sounded.

Quite why I am respected is unclear, the Chinese have no choice but to sweat it out yet they are not thought any different. But I will take the respect if it means I get my two more years!

I did actually ask Brenda if I could give blood because I had read that cities are running out of it and as a universal donor (O+) I could get rid of some of the haemoglobin from my smoking. Age range 18-55. Ok, so I am an old fart and they refused to take my claret in the UK because I was on medication but just maybe in China?

She said they only want blood from people who recovered from the virus. Well that's nonsense.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202002/19/WS5e4c8a55a310128217278908.html

Still working on that bit. I know I am old and they won't want a laowei to peg out on them but a few drops of blood? I doubt though that in China you get chocolate digestives and a cup of Twinings afterwards!

So, ten days until we allegedly go back to work. Still not got my timetable or coursebooks. Good job I am best at winging the teaching thing, eh?

Oh, and the taxi back seat thing? Yes, they all have notices now telling you to sit in the back. As if two feet will make a difference!