Friday 19th August, 2016                 1620

Sleep is still disturbed but probably more to do with a new regime coming up, the (probably irrational) fear that I won’t actually get a visa in Hong Kong and of course the actual having to go there.

I did have a very kind offer yesterday from a friend which, whilst I hope to be able to  either manage the finances on my own or cajole the school into helping, was very welcome indeed and removes a worry. I confess to being embarrassed because as I have aforesaid I had more than enough cash in the bank to not even have to mention it and indeed plenty for the start-up costs of moving into a new place. The more I think about my being kept ignorant the angrier I become. I would still have gone to Shanghai but much later, stayed cheaply in Chizhou and after the Hong Kong trip and I would have flown economy everywhere and bought my own cans for the flight. I don’t think I have been foolish as I DID confirm HK was not necessary, albeit I never got a “no” but then again I never got a “maybe” or a “yes”. They must have known. I may have experience here but I only ever have really arrived once for this rigmarole. Damned annoying.

So basically my time here is another form of limbo. I am waiting for the foreign expert certificate and the letter of invitation before I can even move towards planning the visa run. I also daren’t go sightseeing because that costs money and my days so far have been confined to my room, the local supermarket or my new office for a couple of pijou and my evening meal. That’s not too dreadful, I am quite happy doing bugger all.

Last night I decided I had to have vegetables along with my meat and had a really nice sizzling beef and pepper platter. I did ask for a childrens’ portion but to no avail and of course I didn’t finish. If the food in that restaurant is indicative of the local cuisine then I may well not cook so much here, I quite like it. I have yet to try the local speciality of beef noodles but doubtless I will.

When I returned from my lunchtime drink earlier I checked what they call the “Laundromat” and the washing machine was empty so took the chance to wash three days worth of clothes. Of course I couldn’t work the machine as it was in Chinese but the girl on reception assisted and told me it would be done in 40 minutes.

I went down after that time had passed only to find my clothes still languishing in the deep end of the swimming pool. The reception girl also expressed surprised but managed to drain and spin and my gear is now drying in the room. I can but hope the clothes were at least washed. Come Monday I will have just a week left of being legally in China so I really hope I have the requisite documents to flit to HK.

I have had an offer of help in HK from an Old Conway who lives there and that was like manna from heaven. You can’t beat local knowledge.

I’m taking a nap now. At least that way if I go to bed late I won’t suffer too much when someone starts hammering on doors or a group of Chinese men decide to have a loud party outside my door instead of in their rooms.

2130

I’m not sure that siesta was such a good idea. I am now even more tired than I was then. Maybe it is just things catching up with me. I went for a mini stroll earlier, not far because I am not used to using my legs so I may have a crack at going further tomorrow. I don’t need to but I reckon I will be in trouble if I don’t exercise seeing as I will be hoofing it around two campuses.

The new office does offer good fare, tonight was kung po chicken but I can’t even eat half a portion. I may eat street food tomorrow.