Saturday 1st November, 2014            2100

McDonald’s every time I go shopping has to stop. Well not entirely, just when it’s after ten o’clock. I am not enjoying the burgers although I suppose I could have a box of spicy wings. As it was raining yesterday I took the bus just after noon and when I returned I thought I would save money by also getting the bus - 1y bus vs. 30y taxi. The problem is, McDonald’s is the last stop before it leaves town so is usually crammed. Indeed the first two were, so I had a long wait for number three which was also standing room only. A rather nice female student did give up her seat for me though, although I suspect it was for an excuse to sit on her boyfriend’s lap! As for the rest of the day, a nap and little else.

This morning I decided to ride to town and go earlyish so I could have a McBreakfast - those I do like. I got there at five past ten and they had already switched menus! I gave them my biggest little boy lost look and for thirty seconds the menu went back to breakfast so I had two McMuffins to make it worthwhile. The trouble is, I’m not hungry now and it’s past dinner time!

Whilst in the supermarket I bought some pork fillet (which I must remember to start curing in the morning) to make some more ham (the remains of the first hock went into the soup) and spotted a couple of pieces of loin that would make perfect back bacon. Three of my students happened by so I asked them to request the “butcher” slice the meat using their machine. Unbelievably the guy said he couldn’t. I asked if I could come through and do it myself  but that was refused. It’s damned annoying as I really don’t want to spend a fair bit on buying my own slicer, although if plenty of proof-reading is sent my way I may consider it. The problem is, with the complete lack of job security, if I leave I won’t be able to take many things with me unless I send dozens of tea chests with all my gear to any new school. Admittedly that would be cheaper than starting afresh at a new place I may only stay at for one year - really the only thing I would want to buy new would be an e-bike.

When I got back I took Pepsi out to office number four. I was really tired so decided I wouldn’t stay long but whilst there I looked in my phone numbers for my remaining two new wives, Rita and Nancy. Having taken three for dinner already it is only fair to treat them as well. I had Nancy’s number stored but not Rita’s so I sent Nancy a text inviting her to lunch tomorrow. Her reply was to the effect that perhaps I had made a mistake. No, you are one of my wives so I want to invite you. Yes, I am one of your students, said she.

About fifteen minutes later a familiar looking girl approached me and greeted me. Her name was also Nancy. She is in Yvonne’s class and I had invited the wrong girl! I explained to her my mistake but as it would have been churlish to then cancel the invitation I said we were still on and that when I got home I would invited the other Nancy and Rita. Blow me if they both haven’t got classes tomorrow! Well there’s no way I am taking one person to the Sichuan restaurant, their portions are too big to order more than one dish if there are only two of you. So now Anna and Carol are coming. Sadly I am still sans camera until Lucy returns otherwise I would be able to post some pictures later of what is now to be called The Accidental Lunch!

Some of you may know that in China there are public bicycles you can borrow for free on production of your ID card. For the past term or so tandems have appeared on campus. Recently though there has been a proliferation of triplet bikes (a la Goodies, three-man) and weird four wheeled ones that look like golf buggies where the two riders sit side by side and both have a steering wheel. The thing is, here the kids use them, especially at weekends.

Oh, and Mum the dog is pregnant again.