Despite seeing in the new year alone at home I still managed to “party” until 0400! I found Winds of War and War and Remembrance on YouTube so started watching the marathon series. I think I saw them on TV years ago and I certainly read the books when I was at sea but one advantage of getting older is that you can sometimes watch films years later and you have forgotten what happens!
I have done absolutely nothing today so far, I haven’t showered yet and have even decided not to bother going to the business street even though I do need to top up the credit on my phone. It can wait until tomorrow.
Instead I will clean myself up shortly then stroll down to Dumpling’s dormitory block so that we can walk together (yes I do walk on the very odd occasion!) to get a bus to town. We are meeting Kevin and Vivi for dinner at an unknown restaurant so I sincerely hope the number 7 bus is the one we need (still need a taxi nearer to town though) because the 29 will probably be mobbed. We need to be at the eatery for 1730 as apparently it is fully booked this evening. I hope the food is good because initially I suggested eating at Dong Rong - Kevin uses it to stay when he visits here since I recommended it to him - but he thought it a little on the expensive side. I think where we are eating is a place Vivi found. Ah well, I can give my new fur lined trainers their first outing.
Saturday 2nd 1800
And so four of us enjoyed a new year’s day meal. I was not that impressed to discover that Joan had been correct in her comment that the No 7 route had been changed when I found us sailing past fifty yards from Dong Rong where Kevin is staying. I didn’t dare stop the bus and get off because if he wasn’t actually there at the time we would have had to wait for the next bus. As it turned out, he was there and could have given us a lift but no matter.
I found the place with ease thanks to some photographs of landmarks he had sent me earlier and indeed Dumpling and I were there a good twenty minutes before they were. I would be lying if I said we had a sumptuous feast but at 200y for four it was economical. There was a hotpot listed as being lamb (not keen) but there was scepticism over whether it was lamb and so I tried a chunk. I said it was probably beef, Kevin opined it could be that or perhaps goat. On reflection for all I know it could have been dog but one piece was enough for me, seeing as it was like Dante’s Inferno. I confined myself to the rather nice king prawns and later, the delicious sweet pickled turnip slices. Winter melon leaves me unmoved, as do the shredded potato sticks the Chinese somehow manage to remove all “potatoness” from. It didn’t matter, I ate enough and afterwards on the spur of the moment we decided to go to the western bar which amazingly - given the dearth of customers whenever I have been there - is still open.
There lattes, Cointreau, Kahlua and Bacardi black were quaffed. Kevin had paid for the meal so the bar tab was mine and by sheer coincidence it came to exactly 200y as well. I think everyone enjoyed their evening and Dumpling and I were dropped off where we could hail a cab with ease. Always nice to see Kevin again, albeit all too briefly.
This afternoon I did a shop and observed from the bus that already all trace of McDonald’s has been expunged - even the golden arches have gone. Burger today, burger off tomorrow!
Being Saturday the buses were crammed so again once finished I took a bus the wrong way until the terminus. As luck would have it, the one I had hopped aboard was also the next one due to depart on the return trip so I could leave my shopping and simply get off for a smoke and entice a wild dog over for a fuss while I waited. The drivers now either think I am stark raving mad or ingenious in my method for my driver seemed to go to great pains in explaining to the female driver of the next 29 to arrive, precisely what the dotty laowei is doing nowadays. I don’t care, I just want a seat.
When I came back I tested the errant student in my “office” in the business street. She explained that when she found out she had missed her exam she was eating her lunch! She did however redeem herself. I had spent fifteen minutes trying to buy salt in RT Mart to no avail and not a soul spoke even that one word - salt. I found sugar, bicarbonate, baking soda, MSG - you name it, everything but table salt. I wanted some to make more ham.
I even looked in the small shop in the business street on my return but without success. The student found it after her test. No wonder I couldn’t find it - they have changed the packaging! Previously it was a white paper bag with blue print and I recognised the characters. Now it is white plastic and with green print. At least I know for next time but it really annoys me that they print English as well on all the other things I mentioned but never on salt.
Oh, and I went to top up my phone credit. Hitherto a painless process wherein you handed over the money and tell them your phone number (yo san lieu, yo ooh lieu lieu, chi lieu chi ooh) and they deal with it. Seconds later a confirmation text arrives.
China Mobile have caught up with the rest of the world!
I was given a scratch and sniff card to the value of 100y. I confess it rather threw me because I thought perhaps the assistant was trying to flog me internet data. Seeing my confusion, she kindly used her phone to credit mine with the value of the card. Once in the “office” I pulled out my spectacles and managed to read the outrageously tiny printed instructions. I may just be able to do it unaided next time.
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