Words to describe today? Impromptu, unexpected, different and above all enjoyable.
I did indeed get up early to see for the first time in three years the military passing out parade. I should say that military training here is not really that - more a patriotism thing and the students are no more equipped to fight at the end than my cats.
They can’t even march in time although to be fair it takes longer than ten days to get 3400 young people into shape but it was passable nonetheless. Except for one boy, who I shall mention shortly. This was nothing like the Edinburgh Tattoo, Dartmouth, Sandhurst etc but nevertheless it stirred my emotions - simply because I was looking at China’s future serried in ranks below.
The parade itself was quite boring with very little to grip the imagination and so I doubt I will attend another but I felt I should do so at least once. One thing that I couldn’t help thinking though was that the Chinese equivalent of an RSM had a microphone with which to issue orders. Would a British regimental sergeant major EVER need a microphone? Actually, I wouldn’t either!
Back to the boy. In the regular army in any country he would tonight be under punishment. Sadly I never thought to take a photo but among 3400 souls marching past not only was he on the outside nearest the inspection/salute dignitaries but he was the only one wearing a red shirt underneath his uniform and which hung below his jacket by a good three inches! In a sea of camouflage there was a clear flash of red.
After the parade I took Pepsi for a beer outside the sweet pork place, the intention being to have a couple and then a kip before taking Petty aka Ashley out for dinner. Three of my few boy students (one of them Tony who is a pain in the proverbial) and Tony asked me to treat them for a beer as they were just “poor” students. You may imagine my answer, but after thinking awhile I decided to break my habit of only taking girls for meals. I treated them to lunch. While they enjoyed the two dishes I ordered more than the ones they chose, I don’t think any of them will challenge me to a drinking contest any time soon. No, I wasn’t in competition, far from it, I was tired and simply wanted a siesta after in preparation for tonight, but the bravest of the three managed two bottles of beer (the equivalent of one bottle of western beer) before having to rush to the toilet to throw up. Why they have to try to prove their manhood in this manner is beyond me.
When I got home Ashley called. Her friend (who I never invited anyway seeing as we were going on the bike) was busy tonight so could we do it tomorrow? No we bloody well can’t and after three years don’t you trust me? Apparently not, so end of invitations for her - I don’t need that.
Anyway I had a kip and on waking went to my “office” wondering what to do. Solitary dining is not preferred and all the girls I would have liked to invite were either busy or had gone home for the holiday. My thoughts turned to cooking one of the pies that arrived yesterday for my dinner but then two of my students (to my shame I can’t remember their names) asked if they could talk to me. You know what happened next.
I rode to the Japanese place, they took the bus. We had a lovely meal and yes they had the fire ice cream at the end. It was great and at the finish I insisted I pay for a taxi for them to get home seeing as the nearest bus stop was one hell of a long way. They wouldn’t hear of it and I have no idea how it came about but eventually there were three of us on my e-bike! Normal for Chinese, not for me but we got home safely, if a trifle cramped.
All in all a great day as indeed those days when you simply go with the flow so often are. Enjoy the photos.
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