Tuesday 25th June, 2013             1230

Yesterday was less wet than of late (and anyway the rain doesn’t seem to have that much impact on the temperatures) and we were told we could go and collect our new contracts, foreign expert certificates and our expenses. Except shortly after receiving that message the money part was rescinded. We duly collected our documents and with Cinny’s help (she really is a gem) we were told that the money might not be available until next week or a little later.

I duly pointed out that if the cash wasn’t in our paws by Sunday at the latest the school was in breach of contract and that we should be free to actually board an aircraft home on Monday without having the worry of not knowing if we will be skint. The cash means a lot to all of us, although admittedly considerably less to Ollivier because his Chinese in-laws would help plus his wife is the Sino equivalent of an eBay trader, selling imported baby clothes and milk. In fact he is cluttering off before Monday to another province to be with the wife’s family and show some of his French relatives the sights while they are here on holiday.

I then left and waited for Amy, who I had invited as my companion for the meal Email and LJ had invited me for at the Tsingtao restaurant. Email encountered bad traffic and was consequently late in picking us up, however we got there in the end. When LJ told me the place sold fruit flavoured beers I had a suspicion I had been there once before and I was right. The four of us were joined by Zoe who is studying media at Sydney university (I must get her phone number from LJ to pass on to Qing) and we sat down to a rather nice meal which included Chinese “pizza” which is nothing of the sort but I quite like it. The trouble is I can only eat a little before flames engulf my tongue.

Our hosts wanted to go somewhere else after the meal and so I reiterated my dislike of KTV (karaoke places) and they said they would take us to a bar. I agreed knowing that Amy has no exams today although I did point out that her dormitory is locked at eleven. Said bar was quite pleasant but very loud music was playing and the beat of the music gave my stomach a most unpleasant sensation but I did become accustomed to it. Although it was impossible to have a conversation in there we did have quite a bit of fun playing liar dice. I think LJ paid for the entire evening which was extremely generous although I did attempt to pay for a round of drinks and was refused. Amy did get back in time - I think the entire experience was an eye-opener for her - and during the course of the evening I learnt that Email had been a student of mine for the first two months I was here. Stupidly though, I neglected to take my camera. Sorry folks.

This morning Cinny called and it seems either she has worked her magic, our comments hit home or a combination of both. We can go and pick up our monies this afternoon. Now I need to decide whether to take Joanna to the bank of China and change it into sterling, it would make sense unless I want to lug a six inch pile of banknotes all the way to Blighty.

1945

We are now the happy owners of our spending money and indeed I had a result. Whereas after my first year I was stiffed on whatever exchange rate the school used by 150y, this time I benefited by 400y! That’s the laptop bag more than covered.

Kevin is going to get his English money tomorrow so I have asked him to order some for me, which due to convoluted regulations making it nigh on impossible for foreigners to obtain foreign currency from mainstream banks, will see me having to take Joanna. With her Chinese ID card she can get as much as she likes with no questions.

The flipping rain Gods frowned on me today, just before we went to get the money it rained having been dry all day and just now as I was about to leave the shops to come home it started again. I hope I have better luck tomorrow because I fancy a ride to town.