Friday 30th September, 2016 1340
A thought crossed my mind this morning. It’s just as well I have no money and no plans to go travelling during this holiday. I have no passport!
Certainly I could have used the foreign expert certificate (as it isn’t much use for anything I told the school to keep hold of it, although next year when they change them from books to proper ID cards it will be a different story) which would allow me to purchase train tickets and, I am told, take internal flights. The problem presents itself when you want to stay in an hotel. None of the posh ones (Hilton, Sheraton etc) will take anything less than a passport with which to register you and even some of the cheaper places won’t take it. Had I made plans and was liquid then quite rightly I would have cause to be aggrieved at the situation but luckily it matters not a jot. Mind you, it’s been a fortnight so everything should have come back by now so it‘s not entirely the fault of the school.
I was unpacking a little more an hour ago. I have two smaller boxes full of photos that have fallen out of their envelopes and odds and sods, hence I haven’t had mush of a taste for actually sorting it out.
Anyway, I decided that by the end of the holiday I would stow everything away and see if anything else is missing in the process. There was a coconut girl (made from coconut shells) that was given to me by a student. I couldn’t recall who but the top of her head was off, it’s a separate piece. When I went to put it on her and then stick her in the display cabinet I noticed thin coloured strips of paper hidden inside her “skull”. Curious, I fished them out. Each one had a handwritten message of thanks to me and it wasn’t until I came to the last one that I discovered who they were from. They were from Ellen and Fallrain and it must have been from last summer. They were working in Chizhou and had nowhere to stay so I let them use my spare bedroom and that was their way of thanking me. A great sadness descended on me for a while.
I’m giving my legs a rest today and not going shopping except for just around the corner shortly. I have a piece of pork defrosting so all I need is an apple to make sauce. I will have another bash at roast spuds only this time I will parboil for just two minutes! Sheila told me there is another potato in Lanzhou (dingqi I think it’s called) which she says is much better. Most helpful when the supermarket only has those other excuses on offer.
I have also asked Joan if she can contact the film producers. If their timescale was correct it should have been released two months ago and they did promise to send us copies and have yet to do so. Anthony didn’t seem keen to help (although I think he is back in Regina again unless he is getting up at 0300 these days because that’s when his email was timed) but did at least give me a Wechat number.
I don’t know if I can send an email to a Wechat number as I can with QQ and downloading Android Emulators and things look far too complicated for me so hopefully Joan’s friend request will be accepted.
When she replied she had just ten minutes to collect her ticket from the train station and leg it to get her train to Wuhu. (I have since learnt she in fact caught it). She never told me where she was going and I knew there was no train at that time going to her hometown. She has a friend in Wuhu so I guessed it was to visit her but no, she IS going home. Finally, my reasoning with her that it is surely better to pay extra and travel for a few hours than pay less and be stuck on a hard seat for nine hours just maybe convinced her.
She gets 50% off (I think it’s that much) for being a student but rather oddly in China the student discount can only be applied four times a year and it has to be for a journey between your hometown and your school. I think if they gave unrestricted student discount year round they could probably make more money than they give away because students would travel more often for day trips during quiet periods of the year, but who am I?
1500
Just popped out for an apple and some jing jo. I usually buy four 125ml bottles from the little shop but I seem to have created a localised jing jo drought, for she only had one left. I bought that and then headed further up the road in search but without success. I crossed the road to where the produce stalls are to get my apple. It seems to be mostly veg at the top, eggs and meat in the middle and fruit at the bottom of the very long row of traders. Blow me, didn’t I see one stall selling capsicums that were not only bigger than those in BHG supermarket but they looked a damned sight fresher - that’s where I shall buy them henceforth. I then found another small shop for the rest of the jing jo (creating another mini-drought) and came home. That, folks, is the only time I intend being outside today. I may not even go to BHG tomorrow either, for I have frozen chilli mince and some pork stew, plenty of wine so all I will need is a potato, a few cans of Harbin lager and some cigars that one of the local shops now stocks.
After all, would YOU like to take public transport in China on China’s 67th birthday?
Thursday, 29 September 2016
Thursday 29th September, 2016 1445
No, the (and I use the term entirely against my opinion) “repair men” never came back and I think if they get their own way they never will. Is the concept of a coupler so complicated that they can’t see what’s required?
As for tomorrow’s classes being cancelled, the reason could not have been any more benign. The school has decided that as it is inevitable most of the students will bunk off school early for the national holiday week, there’s no point in trying to hold classes! Whilst many students did indeed scarper early in Chizhou, never in six years did the university say that we may as well cancel classes. Ergo the teachers still had to turn up to entertain three or four pupils. I like Lanzhou’s idea better!
The bread pudding went down a treat, especially as half of today’s class was missing for the abovementioned reason. Janet and the two office girls also had some and seemed delighted. It never got as far as the two top boys on the 3rd floor. However, after the break and I went to put the film on, we couldn’t get any sound out of the computer. One of the lads declared the sound card defunct and so I told the class to decamp and come to the next classroom along, which at 1000 had been vacant.
As I bust through the swing door I was greeted with open mouths and wide eyes from what was now a packed classroom containing every teacher except me and with the president sitting at the head. Ooops……
Before leaving for my extended holiday (pity I don’t have any money to enjoy it with) I sent Brenda from foreign affairs a text. Whilst I reckon I have enough gas for a month, the electricity would have run out tonight or tomorrow. I still have no Bank of China account and I was still waiting for the money I paid (but which the school should have) for my residence permit. She arranged to meet me this afternoon to do the electricity but told me the expenses I would be reimbursed after the holiday. What??? No way Jose! I don’t care if accounts are busy/closed or whatever, firstly I was told I would be repaid this week and secondly I should never have had to pay it in the first place, that’s their job. She has now used her own money to give me it back and even then it will be tight for me and I hope to high Heaven that accounts pay the salary on the Monday after the holiday. Remember I don’t have an “official” bank account - although they have my Chizhou account details. I don’t care where they pay it as long as it comes to me!
Topping up the electricity is simplicity itself, if you know where the hell to go. I would never have found this dingy little office in a ramshackle part of the campus in a million years, it looks derelict from outside and in the stairwells. Now I will never forget and best of all, I don’t need money to do it, just the top up card. The gas is elsewhere off campus but nearby so the first time I go someone will need to take me. Sadly I will need money, pay and claim it back. I did have to ask Brenda if the water ran out at all. She looked bemused until I explained that seeing as the gas and power both could run out (and the electricity place is only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays so God help you if you run out on a Friday) I wondered if there was a water meter I needed to keep an eye on as well. No, that’s endless unless the whole place is cut off. Phew.
A lot of my problems would never have manifested had I not been slugged with an extended hotel stay due to my flat being locked and the trip to Hong Kong. I left Chizhou with more money than I had ever had in China since arriving and now here I am on the breadline again, temporarily. At least the heavy expense of shipping and buying a new oven is out of the way (that reminds me I must gee Janet up to try and claim some money) and just incidentals are needed now. Coat hangers and various foods and spices from Taobao mainly. Feeding yourself (even western food) becomes cheaper once you only need to buy the meat and veg and the occasional bottle of salad cream or Italian herbs. Lanzhou is expensive enough to live as it is and I don’t care what Mr Zhang said, it IS more expensive than Chizhou.
No, the (and I use the term entirely against my opinion) “repair men” never came back and I think if they get their own way they never will. Is the concept of a coupler so complicated that they can’t see what’s required?
As for tomorrow’s classes being cancelled, the reason could not have been any more benign. The school has decided that as it is inevitable most of the students will bunk off school early for the national holiday week, there’s no point in trying to hold classes! Whilst many students did indeed scarper early in Chizhou, never in six years did the university say that we may as well cancel classes. Ergo the teachers still had to turn up to entertain three or four pupils. I like Lanzhou’s idea better!
The bread pudding went down a treat, especially as half of today’s class was missing for the abovementioned reason. Janet and the two office girls also had some and seemed delighted. It never got as far as the two top boys on the 3rd floor. However, after the break and I went to put the film on, we couldn’t get any sound out of the computer. One of the lads declared the sound card defunct and so I told the class to decamp and come to the next classroom along, which at 1000 had been vacant.
As I bust through the swing door I was greeted with open mouths and wide eyes from what was now a packed classroom containing every teacher except me and with the president sitting at the head. Ooops……
Before leaving for my extended holiday (pity I don’t have any money to enjoy it with) I sent Brenda from foreign affairs a text. Whilst I reckon I have enough gas for a month, the electricity would have run out tonight or tomorrow. I still have no Bank of China account and I was still waiting for the money I paid (but which the school should have) for my residence permit. She arranged to meet me this afternoon to do the electricity but told me the expenses I would be reimbursed after the holiday. What??? No way Jose! I don’t care if accounts are busy/closed or whatever, firstly I was told I would be repaid this week and secondly I should never have had to pay it in the first place, that’s their job. She has now used her own money to give me it back and even then it will be tight for me and I hope to high Heaven that accounts pay the salary on the Monday after the holiday. Remember I don’t have an “official” bank account - although they have my Chizhou account details. I don’t care where they pay it as long as it comes to me!
Topping up the electricity is simplicity itself, if you know where the hell to go. I would never have found this dingy little office in a ramshackle part of the campus in a million years, it looks derelict from outside and in the stairwells. Now I will never forget and best of all, I don’t need money to do it, just the top up card. The gas is elsewhere off campus but nearby so the first time I go someone will need to take me. Sadly I will need money, pay and claim it back. I did have to ask Brenda if the water ran out at all. She looked bemused until I explained that seeing as the gas and power both could run out (and the electricity place is only open on Tuesdays and Thursdays so God help you if you run out on a Friday) I wondered if there was a water meter I needed to keep an eye on as well. No, that’s endless unless the whole place is cut off. Phew.
A lot of my problems would never have manifested had I not been slugged with an extended hotel stay due to my flat being locked and the trip to Hong Kong. I left Chizhou with more money than I had ever had in China since arriving and now here I am on the breadline again, temporarily. At least the heavy expense of shipping and buying a new oven is out of the way (that reminds me I must gee Janet up to try and claim some money) and just incidentals are needed now. Coat hangers and various foods and spices from Taobao mainly. Feeding yourself (even western food) becomes cheaper once you only need to buy the meat and veg and the occasional bottle of salad cream or Italian herbs. Lanzhou is expensive enough to live as it is and I don’t care what Mr Zhang said, it IS more expensive than Chizhou.
Wednesday, 28 September 2016
Wednesday 28th September, 2016 1610
I hadn’t seen Janet for quite a while but yesterday she came into my class for the second period, just after I had started the Tuesday activity. Now, as she is fond of playing the teacher when she comes and sits in, I do when required demonstrate that teacher she may be but in my classroom she becomes just another student. She seems to take it in good spirit but she was completely knocked aback when I demanded her telephone.
On Tuesdays I have all the phones put on a desk at the front, that way nobody can cheat in the activity and I don’t have to keep watching for hands under desks. After class she came and sat in my office for a chat. On Tuesdays I have fifty minutes to wait before the bus leaves and personally I would be quite happy simply with some solitude and time to reflect. During the conversation she mentioned that the other teachers who take the bus with me (all female) are astonished that I have never been married and they were wondering why. I told her to tell them I was gay.
I knew at some point the next question would crop up and sure enough it did. “Are you interested in marrying a Chinese woman?” I offered some waffle about it being too late to bother with all that now. I do hope when that gets spread around it doesn’t scupper any chances I may have had (doubtful!) because even though what I said has more than a grain of truth (not the gay bit) if the right lady happened along, who knows?
I had to say it though, for I have had a suspicion for a while now that Janet herself has designs and she is certainly not my ideal. I must try and ask tactfully about her husband as I am pretty sure she is either divorced or widowed. She has a son in his late teens.
After shopping today three musketeers arrived to allegedly fix my washing machine up so I can fill and empty it via pipes in the bathroom. They were clueless and couldn’t grasp what I was suggesting for a long time. Eventually I think they twigged but then disappeared. I was rather hoping they had gone to buy some piping but two hours later they haven’t returned. I have a feeling that unless I push again I will never see them again. With next week being a holiday I foresee buckets being used for at least another two washloads and that plays havoc with my back muscles.
In the meantime I have been spanking the oven, stuffed peppers last night and spit-roast chicken tonight. Earlier I made a bread pudding to take to class tomorrow morning - there’s enough there to be able to treat the office girls and the president and vice president as well if they are in residence. I had bought a loaf in BHG hoping it might be something I could eat myself occasionally but all the loaves felt stale. That suited my purpose for the pudding as it calls for at least day old stuff but this was as dry as dust! It has made a passable offering but I reckon it would have sucked up double the amount of eggs I used - and here I can actually buy nice big brown ones. I’m sure the kids will love it anyway.
I have also been told this afternoon that my Friday class is cancelled. I have no idea why and whenever something like that happens and the messenger texts to say “speak tomorrow” I automatically fear the worst. I wasn’t leaving it that long and demanded to know if it was bad news. Apparently it is the opposite. Perhaps it has just been permanently cancelled, in which case I will suggest I have more lessons with the Cyprus mob, God knows they need as many as they can get.
I hadn’t seen Janet for quite a while but yesterday she came into my class for the second period, just after I had started the Tuesday activity. Now, as she is fond of playing the teacher when she comes and sits in, I do when required demonstrate that teacher she may be but in my classroom she becomes just another student. She seems to take it in good spirit but she was completely knocked aback when I demanded her telephone.
On Tuesdays I have all the phones put on a desk at the front, that way nobody can cheat in the activity and I don’t have to keep watching for hands under desks. After class she came and sat in my office for a chat. On Tuesdays I have fifty minutes to wait before the bus leaves and personally I would be quite happy simply with some solitude and time to reflect. During the conversation she mentioned that the other teachers who take the bus with me (all female) are astonished that I have never been married and they were wondering why. I told her to tell them I was gay.
I knew at some point the next question would crop up and sure enough it did. “Are you interested in marrying a Chinese woman?” I offered some waffle about it being too late to bother with all that now. I do hope when that gets spread around it doesn’t scupper any chances I may have had (doubtful!) because even though what I said has more than a grain of truth (not the gay bit) if the right lady happened along, who knows?
I had to say it though, for I have had a suspicion for a while now that Janet herself has designs and she is certainly not my ideal. I must try and ask tactfully about her husband as I am pretty sure she is either divorced or widowed. She has a son in his late teens.
After shopping today three musketeers arrived to allegedly fix my washing machine up so I can fill and empty it via pipes in the bathroom. They were clueless and couldn’t grasp what I was suggesting for a long time. Eventually I think they twigged but then disappeared. I was rather hoping they had gone to buy some piping but two hours later they haven’t returned. I have a feeling that unless I push again I will never see them again. With next week being a holiday I foresee buckets being used for at least another two washloads and that plays havoc with my back muscles.
In the meantime I have been spanking the oven, stuffed peppers last night and spit-roast chicken tonight. Earlier I made a bread pudding to take to class tomorrow morning - there’s enough there to be able to treat the office girls and the president and vice president as well if they are in residence. I had bought a loaf in BHG hoping it might be something I could eat myself occasionally but all the loaves felt stale. That suited my purpose for the pudding as it calls for at least day old stuff but this was as dry as dust! It has made a passable offering but I reckon it would have sucked up double the amount of eggs I used - and here I can actually buy nice big brown ones. I’m sure the kids will love it anyway.
I have also been told this afternoon that my Friday class is cancelled. I have no idea why and whenever something like that happens and the messenger texts to say “speak tomorrow” I automatically fear the worst. I wasn’t leaving it that long and demanded to know if it was bad news. Apparently it is the opposite. Perhaps it has just been permanently cancelled, in which case I will suggest I have more lessons with the Cyprus mob, God knows they need as many as they can get.
Monday, 26 September 2016
Monday 26th September, 2016 1500
The girls actually found me near enough on time last night. This was after “on the hoof” phone pictures were beamed to my laptop asking “is this near?” etc.
The drink? One can of beer apiece (Sheila took half of her can to drink on the bus back) and Suzy had a beer and a decent glass of plonk. Sheila in fairness drank a mug of Twinings breakfast tea. I was glad I didn’t spend money laying in booze but then I knew it would be restrained on their part.
They did though arrive with four tumblers and a bag each of bananas and pears for me to keep. Thanks girls, you just earnt yourselves invitations to a chilli enchilada evening!
Suzy definitely enjoyed the cottage pie because she finished her helping and grabbed some more, Sheila took her time but at least finished what was given to her despite my exhortation not to if she wasn’t keen on it.
I on the other hand nearly ate my portion but I did come across the odd forkful which was not pleasant, a result of the appallingly bad potatoes which seem to be the norm here. The problem is, whether I buy them on the street or in the supermarket, they are still covered in earth and I can’t tell how good they are unless there are obvious signs to steer clear. When I do eventually make it to RT Mart I will buy a good supply, more expensive to buy washed and packaged but at least you can see they are ok.
I think the girls enjoyed the evening (film afterwards of course) and it was nice to have my first dinner guests in Lanzhou. I couldn’t help but reminisce and wish Joan or maybe Dumpling were there instead and although that is certainly an uncharitable thought, it is the truth. Will I ever get over Chizhou? In time of course but even though they have a shabby ageist policy which I hate them for, it still feels like needless right now. Of course I will move on, I always do but nobody can deny me the right to nostalgia.
James Hunt this morning drove even faster than normal (I didn’t think that was possible) and left me on many an occasion with my feet on something solid, pushing back to keep myself in my place. Said place wasn’t there when I boarded, the bus was full. One of the students made a space and crammed in at the back so there were six abreast. The only upside to the manic ride was that we actually arrived early, giving me the chance to have a puff before starting.
I seem to be attracting more interest in my lessons from people I’m not teaching than I get from my own students. I had a new teacher come and sit in today (I don’t think she was sent to spy on me as she’s been here as long as I have) and later another teacher came and asked if her students could sit in on my classes, sometimes with her, sometimes not. Who knows. It might just galvanise the aspiring Cypriot contingent?
I changed my mind on tonight’s dinner, deferring peppers until tomorrow as I finish late. I decided to have roast chicken breast, roast spuds and veg today. Remember what I said about the potatoes here? I parboiled them for five minutes and ended up with a goo I poured into the roasting tray, with three slightly more solid lumps somewhere in there! I have spooned most of the diarrhoea out and am hoping something edible will happen with the remainder because I only bought one large potato. I’m beginning to understand perhaps why the Chinese don’t do the same things with them as we like to.
The girls actually found me near enough on time last night. This was after “on the hoof” phone pictures were beamed to my laptop asking “is this near?” etc.
The drink? One can of beer apiece (Sheila took half of her can to drink on the bus back) and Suzy had a beer and a decent glass of plonk. Sheila in fairness drank a mug of Twinings breakfast tea. I was glad I didn’t spend money laying in booze but then I knew it would be restrained on their part.
They did though arrive with four tumblers and a bag each of bananas and pears for me to keep. Thanks girls, you just earnt yourselves invitations to a chilli enchilada evening!
Suzy definitely enjoyed the cottage pie because she finished her helping and grabbed some more, Sheila took her time but at least finished what was given to her despite my exhortation not to if she wasn’t keen on it.
I on the other hand nearly ate my portion but I did come across the odd forkful which was not pleasant, a result of the appallingly bad potatoes which seem to be the norm here. The problem is, whether I buy them on the street or in the supermarket, they are still covered in earth and I can’t tell how good they are unless there are obvious signs to steer clear. When I do eventually make it to RT Mart I will buy a good supply, more expensive to buy washed and packaged but at least you can see they are ok.
I think the girls enjoyed the evening (film afterwards of course) and it was nice to have my first dinner guests in Lanzhou. I couldn’t help but reminisce and wish Joan or maybe Dumpling were there instead and although that is certainly an uncharitable thought, it is the truth. Will I ever get over Chizhou? In time of course but even though they have a shabby ageist policy which I hate them for, it still feels like needless right now. Of course I will move on, I always do but nobody can deny me the right to nostalgia.
James Hunt this morning drove even faster than normal (I didn’t think that was possible) and left me on many an occasion with my feet on something solid, pushing back to keep myself in my place. Said place wasn’t there when I boarded, the bus was full. One of the students made a space and crammed in at the back so there were six abreast. The only upside to the manic ride was that we actually arrived early, giving me the chance to have a puff before starting.
I seem to be attracting more interest in my lessons from people I’m not teaching than I get from my own students. I had a new teacher come and sit in today (I don’t think she was sent to spy on me as she’s been here as long as I have) and later another teacher came and asked if her students could sit in on my classes, sometimes with her, sometimes not. Who knows. It might just galvanise the aspiring Cypriot contingent?
I changed my mind on tonight’s dinner, deferring peppers until tomorrow as I finish late. I decided to have roast chicken breast, roast spuds and veg today. Remember what I said about the potatoes here? I parboiled them for five minutes and ended up with a goo I poured into the roasting tray, with three slightly more solid lumps somewhere in there! I have spooned most of the diarrhoea out and am hoping something edible will happen with the remainder because I only bought one large potato. I’m beginning to understand perhaps why the Chinese don’t do the same things with them as we like to.
Sunday, 25 September 2016
Sunday 25th September, 2016 1230
The oven did turn up at 1730 last evening. After checking out it was intact and actually working, I burnt all the “newstink” off and started pondering on what to have for dinner today. Eventually I decided to invite Suzy and Sheila from my little class. They are the two most interested and they are always sending me Skype messages. Given the distance they are from me I half expected them to decline the offer but they jumped at it.
I offered a choice of cottage pie or stuffed peppers. I couldn’t really offer roast chicken because they are so puny here I would need to cook one each and as you know I am on a tight budget - particularly as the Golden Week will render payday late. In response to which they would like I received the reply “both”. the oven is big enough but hell, the pie will be more than enough for three so I made an excuse. I’m having the peppers tomorrow!
So I have just been shopping, right hip giving me gyp and as a consequence a not too sunny demeanour. My mood was not improved in any way in the supermarket when I went to get my vegetables weighed and priced. There is a sour faced cow that often does the weighing and sure enough it was her today. It’s not the fault of the customers if she doesn’t like her job and every time I have encountered her I have been left feeling just a little lower than when I started.
Not so today. She started weighing my things and then near the end, without so much as a word, she tossed my bag containing seven small hot chillis to the back of the scales. Now I don’t know about everyone else, but when I physically pick produce up and shove it into a bag, then go to get it priced, it means I WANT it. So she finished (bar my chillis) and without even glancing at me commenced weighing the next customer’s stuff.
I am sure many would have simply accepted their lot in these circumstances but that was the last straw for me as far as this hag was concerned. I brushed the other customer’s things off the scales and put my chillis on them, only for sourface to once again toss them with a sneer to the back. Now I was getting peeved. She never even tried to explain (it’s entirely possible that they were too light to weigh but I didn’t want or need a kilogramme) so I picked them up, gave her a sarcastic grin and pointedly dropped the bag, unpriced, into my trolley. One way or another I was taking those chillis home.
At the checkout I had every intention of asking for a manager so that I could explain and also lodge a complaint. However nobody in there speaks English and there were long queues, I would have held people up. So I did something I haven’t done since my early teens with fishing hooks and weights in Woolworths. I shoplifted. I justified it in my mind because clearly if the woman refused to weigh them, then they must be free! And if caught, THEN I would make a complaint. I must confess my heart raced a little as I exited the shop! You know, in future when I go there, if she is on those scales I will simply not buy anything from fruit & veg. I can get everything I need from the street stalls near my home so she has lost them my custom for those and I won’t have to carry them far any more.
One day I may just get a load of stuff though, let her weigh it and then, with a sneer, give it all back to her!
So the girls are hopefully arriving at 1730 if they can find me. They are bringing their own glasses (I can’t justify buying more yet) and bless them, when I offered to buy orange juice they said no need, we will drink beer and wine. If they drink more than one can and one glass apiece I will be very surprised. Expect a couple of photos in the next entry.
For now though, I am going to make a start on dinner. That’s a great thing about shepherds/cottage pie - you can get it oven-ready hours before and then relax!
The oven did turn up at 1730 last evening. After checking out it was intact and actually working, I burnt all the “newstink” off and started pondering on what to have for dinner today. Eventually I decided to invite Suzy and Sheila from my little class. They are the two most interested and they are always sending me Skype messages. Given the distance they are from me I half expected them to decline the offer but they jumped at it.
I offered a choice of cottage pie or stuffed peppers. I couldn’t really offer roast chicken because they are so puny here I would need to cook one each and as you know I am on a tight budget - particularly as the Golden Week will render payday late. In response to which they would like I received the reply “both”. the oven is big enough but hell, the pie will be more than enough for three so I made an excuse. I’m having the peppers tomorrow!
So I have just been shopping, right hip giving me gyp and as a consequence a not too sunny demeanour. My mood was not improved in any way in the supermarket when I went to get my vegetables weighed and priced. There is a sour faced cow that often does the weighing and sure enough it was her today. It’s not the fault of the customers if she doesn’t like her job and every time I have encountered her I have been left feeling just a little lower than when I started.
Not so today. She started weighing my things and then near the end, without so much as a word, she tossed my bag containing seven small hot chillis to the back of the scales. Now I don’t know about everyone else, but when I physically pick produce up and shove it into a bag, then go to get it priced, it means I WANT it. So she finished (bar my chillis) and without even glancing at me commenced weighing the next customer’s stuff.
I am sure many would have simply accepted their lot in these circumstances but that was the last straw for me as far as this hag was concerned. I brushed the other customer’s things off the scales and put my chillis on them, only for sourface to once again toss them with a sneer to the back. Now I was getting peeved. She never even tried to explain (it’s entirely possible that they were too light to weigh but I didn’t want or need a kilogramme) so I picked them up, gave her a sarcastic grin and pointedly dropped the bag, unpriced, into my trolley. One way or another I was taking those chillis home.
At the checkout I had every intention of asking for a manager so that I could explain and also lodge a complaint. However nobody in there speaks English and there were long queues, I would have held people up. So I did something I haven’t done since my early teens with fishing hooks and weights in Woolworths. I shoplifted. I justified it in my mind because clearly if the woman refused to weigh them, then they must be free! And if caught, THEN I would make a complaint. I must confess my heart raced a little as I exited the shop! You know, in future when I go there, if she is on those scales I will simply not buy anything from fruit & veg. I can get everything I need from the street stalls near my home so she has lost them my custom for those and I won’t have to carry them far any more.
One day I may just get a load of stuff though, let her weigh it and then, with a sneer, give it all back to her!
So the girls are hopefully arriving at 1730 if they can find me. They are bringing their own glasses (I can’t justify buying more yet) and bless them, when I offered to buy orange juice they said no need, we will drink beer and wine. If they drink more than one can and one glass apiece I will be very surprised. Expect a couple of photos in the next entry.
For now though, I am going to make a start on dinner. That’s a great thing about shepherds/cottage pie - you can get it oven-ready hours before and then relax!
Saturday, 24 September 2016
Saturday 24th September, 2016 1430
This place is really odd. By Chizhou standards there are a great many westerners (there would be, given the number of universities and colleges here) yet none of them seem to speak to other foreigners they don’t already know. I thought maybe it was just me, as a result of being in Chizhou with so few others, but it isn’t.
A couple of days ago I passed a girl in the supermarket. I never said anything to her as I couldn’t decided whether she was western or Chinese but after shopping for a minute or two I decided she wasn’t Chinese and so introduced myself. I forget her name but she was from Turkmenistan and taught I know not what. I am guessing she is here with a husband or boyfriend, for when I let her carry on shopping she returned quite quickly to ask me how long I had been in China. This is her first month or so. When I told her she asked me for help.
Oh no! Here is where my appalling Chinese is exposed! But no, she wanted to buy dumplings. Shouldn’t be too hard, should it? Not when there are frozen packets of them everywhere. Not that simple, she had noticed the meat ones all had pork in them and “we” are Muslim so I want beef meat. for the life of me I can only ever recall the meat being pork so I had to disappoint her and suggest perhaps she gets some minced beef and makes her own - not that I’ve seen any beef in that supermarket either.
On my way out shopping today I encountered two western girls walking in the direction of the campus. One was black and I guessed (wrongly) that she was Moriah, whose blog I stumbled across not an hour before. No, she is Denver from Florida. I did ask what her parents were thinking and why didn’t they move to Colorado when she was on the way? Probably not the first time anyone has said that. I forget the other girl’s name and she certainly didn’t sound American. They were by coincidence on their way to see Moriah and Jacob, they too being Peace Corps volunteers. It is apparent that these volunteers are a tight-knit bunch who keep in touch, although Denver is teaching on the far side of town the other girl is seven hours away by train and she only came for a weekend visit. Rather her than me. I did mention my observation on the fact westerners here didn’t seem very gregarious and they agreed, saying yes, they ARE really strange here.
At least I’m not imagining it!
So much for Janet’s exhortation for me to stay at home this morning to await my oven. It’s now 1500 and still no sign of it. I had entertained the notion of making a Sunday roast chicken dinner but have had to settle for hotdogs instead. At least they are quick and easy and I like them. Which reminds me, has anyone seen that thing an Australian has invented - the hamdog? It sounds (and looks) utterly revolting. Even the bun is shaped like an oversized watch and it begs the question as to how the hell do you hold it? Having said that, here I am in a country that markets pizzas with such toppings as durian fruit, strawberry and myriad others which have no business going anywhere near a pizza base.
A little earlier I delved into a website to try and find out what marks my students has achieved in the placement tests. Talk about making it almost impossible! There were 120 students from various countries (mysteriously all of them somehow being classified as being from Bogota!) and even when I narrowed the search to the European University of Cyprus I still had a load. Without their names (and rather unhelpfully some had entered their names in Chinese instead of Pinyin) it was futile. On Monday I will have to see if they can tell me their online enrolment numbers (haha! - I live in hope) but not one of the Chinese looking ones passed (surprise) and some of them were registered as low as 25%. I won’t allow it to drag me down though!
This place is really odd. By Chizhou standards there are a great many westerners (there would be, given the number of universities and colleges here) yet none of them seem to speak to other foreigners they don’t already know. I thought maybe it was just me, as a result of being in Chizhou with so few others, but it isn’t.
A couple of days ago I passed a girl in the supermarket. I never said anything to her as I couldn’t decided whether she was western or Chinese but after shopping for a minute or two I decided she wasn’t Chinese and so introduced myself. I forget her name but she was from Turkmenistan and taught I know not what. I am guessing she is here with a husband or boyfriend, for when I let her carry on shopping she returned quite quickly to ask me how long I had been in China. This is her first month or so. When I told her she asked me for help.
Oh no! Here is where my appalling Chinese is exposed! But no, she wanted to buy dumplings. Shouldn’t be too hard, should it? Not when there are frozen packets of them everywhere. Not that simple, she had noticed the meat ones all had pork in them and “we” are Muslim so I want beef meat. for the life of me I can only ever recall the meat being pork so I had to disappoint her and suggest perhaps she gets some minced beef and makes her own - not that I’ve seen any beef in that supermarket either.
On my way out shopping today I encountered two western girls walking in the direction of the campus. One was black and I guessed (wrongly) that she was Moriah, whose blog I stumbled across not an hour before. No, she is Denver from Florida. I did ask what her parents were thinking and why didn’t they move to Colorado when she was on the way? Probably not the first time anyone has said that. I forget the other girl’s name and she certainly didn’t sound American. They were by coincidence on their way to see Moriah and Jacob, they too being Peace Corps volunteers. It is apparent that these volunteers are a tight-knit bunch who keep in touch, although Denver is teaching on the far side of town the other girl is seven hours away by train and she only came for a weekend visit. Rather her than me. I did mention my observation on the fact westerners here didn’t seem very gregarious and they agreed, saying yes, they ARE really strange here.
At least I’m not imagining it!
So much for Janet’s exhortation for me to stay at home this morning to await my oven. It’s now 1500 and still no sign of it. I had entertained the notion of making a Sunday roast chicken dinner but have had to settle for hotdogs instead. At least they are quick and easy and I like them. Which reminds me, has anyone seen that thing an Australian has invented - the hamdog? It sounds (and looks) utterly revolting. Even the bun is shaped like an oversized watch and it begs the question as to how the hell do you hold it? Having said that, here I am in a country that markets pizzas with such toppings as durian fruit, strawberry and myriad others which have no business going anywhere near a pizza base.
A little earlier I delved into a website to try and find out what marks my students has achieved in the placement tests. Talk about making it almost impossible! There were 120 students from various countries (mysteriously all of them somehow being classified as being from Bogota!) and even when I narrowed the search to the European University of Cyprus I still had a load. Without their names (and rather unhelpfully some had entered their names in Chinese instead of Pinyin) it was futile. On Monday I will have to see if they can tell me their online enrolment numbers (haha! - I live in hope) but not one of the Chinese looking ones passed (surprise) and some of them were registered as low as 25%. I won’t allow it to drag me down though!
Friday 23rd September, 2016 0000
After all that.
Janet called on Wednesday night saying her phone had been off when I sent her messages about the oven delivery debacle. It transpires that the half an hour campus “ice cream van” type delivery is quite normal to save students having to traipse elsewhere if they are free at that time. Of course that helps a new foreigner not a jot, given that the level of English I encounter is smattering at best and non-existent at worst. All it serves to do is make me turn green and burst my shirt buttons.
I was advised that at five o’clock (fat lot of good telling me after 2100) it went elsewhere and would be there the next day for collection. “Elsewhere” was “near” where my luggage had arrived previously, within a hundred yards. Yes, but WHERE? Oh, you can show the message to people, they will help. Where have I heard that before?
Well people didn’t help - all bar one who pointed back up the road I had already traipsed up and seen no sign of a parcel point. Eventually another delivery shop assisted and summoned the right people who turned up in an electric cart and indicated I should follow them.
No wonder I hadn’t spotted their depot. It was shuttered and had no outward signs to alert the ignorant. My oven turned out to be a small box which in fairness could have contained a stove large enough to cook two fairy cakes at a time and so I was curious as to what it contained. Free gifts to go with the oven! Ok, useful free gifts I must say, electronic scales and mixer, oven glove plus other kitchen paraphernalia. If only I had an oven to go with them!
I am told the star of the show is arriving in the morning so I must stay HOME. Janet was particular in using capitals for that last. So I will delay my shopping trip and this time, if I have something to cook with, it will alter what I buy considerably. All day I have been fantasising about stuffed peppers, roast chicken etc. Mind you, I’m not sure about roast spuds. I have only found one type of Murphys here so far and although they make a passable mash, boiled they turn to powder and the chips are most odd so God knows how roasties will turn out.
Last night when I was washing up I remembered the two containers of that execrable Bolognese I had in the freezer and so decided to empty them in order to use them to freeze the pork stew I was making (and very nice it was too). Despite the fact there is a horrible bitch among the local feral dogs (I am not innately unkind) I didn’t want to waste the food and so knocked out the frozen meals next to the wheelie bins in case the dogs wanted it.
A couple of hours later (it was still frozen) I heard ferocious goings-on and went to my kitchen to investigate. The dogs were fighting over what were basically two solid ice cream type bologneses! It’s dark now but I would lay odds it has all gone. Maybe the horrible dog will like me now. Maybe not.
Despite having no company to speak of, yesterday I started to feel a little more comfortable. Fridays I have a class in a different room and building but the monitor had lost the key so we were locked out. I suggested we go to “my” classroom next to “my” office. Small beer I know but it does make a difference to have your own space for breaks and somewhere else to teach you are familiar with. I suppose everyone (even me) needs to feel they belong………
I still haven’t plucked up courage to open my students Cyprus results (must do that before Monday) but then I have spent considerable time trying to locate the recommended books from Cambridge University Press. I was always under the impression that with an ISBN you could find any book but I now discover this may not actually be true because despite searching Taobao, Amazon and even CUP themselves with both number and title, neither I nor the students can locate them! If it isn’t one obstacle it’s another lately. I wonder if I can delay these students for another term to give us all a fighting chance?
After all that.
Janet called on Wednesday night saying her phone had been off when I sent her messages about the oven delivery debacle. It transpires that the half an hour campus “ice cream van” type delivery is quite normal to save students having to traipse elsewhere if they are free at that time. Of course that helps a new foreigner not a jot, given that the level of English I encounter is smattering at best and non-existent at worst. All it serves to do is make me turn green and burst my shirt buttons.
I was advised that at five o’clock (fat lot of good telling me after 2100) it went elsewhere and would be there the next day for collection. “Elsewhere” was “near” where my luggage had arrived previously, within a hundred yards. Yes, but WHERE? Oh, you can show the message to people, they will help. Where have I heard that before?
Well people didn’t help - all bar one who pointed back up the road I had already traipsed up and seen no sign of a parcel point. Eventually another delivery shop assisted and summoned the right people who turned up in an electric cart and indicated I should follow them.
No wonder I hadn’t spotted their depot. It was shuttered and had no outward signs to alert the ignorant. My oven turned out to be a small box which in fairness could have contained a stove large enough to cook two fairy cakes at a time and so I was curious as to what it contained. Free gifts to go with the oven! Ok, useful free gifts I must say, electronic scales and mixer, oven glove plus other kitchen paraphernalia. If only I had an oven to go with them!
I am told the star of the show is arriving in the morning so I must stay HOME. Janet was particular in using capitals for that last. So I will delay my shopping trip and this time, if I have something to cook with, it will alter what I buy considerably. All day I have been fantasising about stuffed peppers, roast chicken etc. Mind you, I’m not sure about roast spuds. I have only found one type of Murphys here so far and although they make a passable mash, boiled they turn to powder and the chips are most odd so God knows how roasties will turn out.
Last night when I was washing up I remembered the two containers of that execrable Bolognese I had in the freezer and so decided to empty them in order to use them to freeze the pork stew I was making (and very nice it was too). Despite the fact there is a horrible bitch among the local feral dogs (I am not innately unkind) I didn’t want to waste the food and so knocked out the frozen meals next to the wheelie bins in case the dogs wanted it.
A couple of hours later (it was still frozen) I heard ferocious goings-on and went to my kitchen to investigate. The dogs were fighting over what were basically two solid ice cream type bologneses! It’s dark now but I would lay odds it has all gone. Maybe the horrible dog will like me now. Maybe not.
Despite having no company to speak of, yesterday I started to feel a little more comfortable. Fridays I have a class in a different room and building but the monitor had lost the key so we were locked out. I suggested we go to “my” classroom next to “my” office. Small beer I know but it does make a difference to have your own space for breaks and somewhere else to teach you are familiar with. I suppose everyone (even me) needs to feel they belong………
I still haven’t plucked up courage to open my students Cyprus results (must do that before Monday) but then I have spent considerable time trying to locate the recommended books from Cambridge University Press. I was always under the impression that with an ISBN you could find any book but I now discover this may not actually be true because despite searching Taobao, Amazon and even CUP themselves with both number and title, neither I nor the students can locate them! If it isn’t one obstacle it’s another lately. I wonder if I can delay these students for another term to give us all a fighting chance?
Thursday, 22 September 2016
Thursday 22nd September, 2016 1900
Having now gained access to the student results from their tests (which as yet I have been too frightened to look at as I am certain they will be gruesome) and links to example exams, I decided to take one myself late last night. It was in the reading section.
Fifty questions with a time limit of half an hour. Ok so I am English and consider myself pretty damned good at it so in order to attempt to simulate the test as taken by a non-native speaker, I crammed it into ten minutes. Now believe me that was fast but despite having had no training, I am halfway competent with speed reading.
My score? 93%.
I know, I know, given more time I am confident I would have achieved 100% but it’s not me I am talking about here - it’s the very raw materials I have been given to work with and who allegedly want to go to Cyprus. I am beginning to seriously doubt the commitment of the vast majority of the Ocean’s Eleven I am confronted with and if asked, I can honestly say I believe I only have a slim chance of getting two of those up to par.
What on earth have I let myself in for?
This afternoon Janet sent me a text. A parcel had arrived for me which I am guessing is the new oven. Then she called me to say it wasn’t at the place I know from when my Chizhou boxes arrived but somewhere on the campus. Great. I have never been on the campus. Oh but it’s under the girls’ dormitory block. How the hell do I know where that is, considering I have never set foot in the place? And anyway, they need to bring it to my door, I can’t physically carry 15kg+ any distance.
Oh, just go out of your road and show the message to students, they will help. Psscchhht.
I did. To lots of students. None of them seemed to know precisely where my package was supposed to be and they live there! A lad was trying ever so hard to be helpful and kept trying to telephone the delivery people but had no response. Some girls arrived to help and eventually one of them went online on their phone and found that, less than half an hour after I had been advised it was here, my parcel had been taken away again!
Don’t worry, it will come back. Really? When? For how long? Ten minutes?
Plus wherever it is they are taking it (secret Aladdin’s cave) is about a kilometre away, although I walked two, following students who were no more in the know than I was. Once again the dice roll against me and I have sent Janet a message that if they can’t deliver it to me then they can take the bloody thing back to where it came from. There is another firm that does cash on delivery and with someone competent placing the order they will bring it to the barrier gate nearby so I can direct them to here. And they will wait because until I pay, they don’t get paid. So much for an oven cooked meal tomorrow.
AND my attempt at pitta bread didn’t go well (I was only mildly hopeful), although I think if I ever get an oven the dough I made will produce reasonable bread rolls.
Do you know, if I had more money I would have found an appliance shop, paid a bit more, bought one in-store and taken a taxi home. That way I would have had it instantly. If this is indicative of the majority of online ordering and deliveries here then it is going to make my life difficult indeed. God, imagine ordering cheese and sausages in the summer, you can’t immediately go and collect and they take the box away again to swelter for another night? Of course, if I had my own students here they could help but that would be too easy.
Having now gained access to the student results from their tests (which as yet I have been too frightened to look at as I am certain they will be gruesome) and links to example exams, I decided to take one myself late last night. It was in the reading section.
Fifty questions with a time limit of half an hour. Ok so I am English and consider myself pretty damned good at it so in order to attempt to simulate the test as taken by a non-native speaker, I crammed it into ten minutes. Now believe me that was fast but despite having had no training, I am halfway competent with speed reading.
My score? 93%.
I know, I know, given more time I am confident I would have achieved 100% but it’s not me I am talking about here - it’s the very raw materials I have been given to work with and who allegedly want to go to Cyprus. I am beginning to seriously doubt the commitment of the vast majority of the Ocean’s Eleven I am confronted with and if asked, I can honestly say I believe I only have a slim chance of getting two of those up to par.
What on earth have I let myself in for?
This afternoon Janet sent me a text. A parcel had arrived for me which I am guessing is the new oven. Then she called me to say it wasn’t at the place I know from when my Chizhou boxes arrived but somewhere on the campus. Great. I have never been on the campus. Oh but it’s under the girls’ dormitory block. How the hell do I know where that is, considering I have never set foot in the place? And anyway, they need to bring it to my door, I can’t physically carry 15kg+ any distance.
Oh, just go out of your road and show the message to students, they will help. Psscchhht.
I did. To lots of students. None of them seemed to know precisely where my package was supposed to be and they live there! A lad was trying ever so hard to be helpful and kept trying to telephone the delivery people but had no response. Some girls arrived to help and eventually one of them went online on their phone and found that, less than half an hour after I had been advised it was here, my parcel had been taken away again!
Don’t worry, it will come back. Really? When? For how long? Ten minutes?
Plus wherever it is they are taking it (secret Aladdin’s cave) is about a kilometre away, although I walked two, following students who were no more in the know than I was. Once again the dice roll against me and I have sent Janet a message that if they can’t deliver it to me then they can take the bloody thing back to where it came from. There is another firm that does cash on delivery and with someone competent placing the order they will bring it to the barrier gate nearby so I can direct them to here. And they will wait because until I pay, they don’t get paid. So much for an oven cooked meal tomorrow.
AND my attempt at pitta bread didn’t go well (I was only mildly hopeful), although I think if I ever get an oven the dough I made will produce reasonable bread rolls.
Do you know, if I had more money I would have found an appliance shop, paid a bit more, bought one in-store and taken a taxi home. That way I would have had it instantly. If this is indicative of the majority of online ordering and deliveries here then it is going to make my life difficult indeed. God, imagine ordering cheese and sausages in the summer, you can’t immediately go and collect and they take the box away again to swelter for another night? Of course, if I had my own students here they could help but that would be too easy.
Wednesday, 21 September 2016
Wednesday 21st September, 2016 1640
Yesterday morning I awoke with real soreness just below the outside of my right knee, accompanied by an angry red, hot area. Now this simply had to have been caused by all the walking the previous day and so out came the diclofenac so that hopefully I wouldn’t be seen lame when I got to school. It worked a treat, quite possibly because I only ever take it when I need it and tolerance hasn’t been allowed to build up.
I hadn’t (and still haven’t) received the marks for the students or course book recommendations. If it’s not one thing with Cyprus it’s another. I am fumbling in the dark here without a clue as to what direction I should be taking these students and that got me thinking last night.
In fact I became quite annoyed sat all by myself because, ridiculous as it may sound, I reckon I have been set up to fail. It’s almost akin to throwing a bricklayer into a room with a person in agony and gaily telling them to perform an emergency appendectomy. At least if I could see example exams I could work out what to do but I have absolutely nothing. But don’t for one moment think I am not making my views known, the last thing I will let happen is for anyone (with a grain of truth) be able to say I am useless. Well, not unless they have given me what I have asked for!
Still no oven but perhaps I was spoilt in Chizhou, which is accessible for online deliveries in comparison to here. In fact I am watching Michael Palin’s series about being in the Sahara and was put in mind of here. With being on a budget I can’t justify buying easy to cook expensive things to eat (and with all this exercise I am eating more than ever since I came to China) so I am trying to be inventive.
Now so far my bread making attempts have not been good and won’t be until I buy high gluten flour so I delved into a recipe book on bread that Kevin gave me a few years ago. It had been a free gift with his Panasonic machine. I came across a recipe for pitta bread and thought perhaps in the future I could make that. Until I learnt that they can also be cooked on the stovetop. Guess what’s (hopefully) for dinner tomorrow! I already have the makings, so all I need is some salad and perhaps some plastic ham and mayonnaise and if it works then the sky will be the limit once I have more money behind me. I quite like chilli con carne stuffed pittas.
It was a nice day today at 24C and rather satisfyingly according to the web, a couple of degrees warmer than Chizhou - albeit only for the one day before they get back up to thirty. The roads around my home are a veritable building works. I had hoped that after suffering all that for years in Chizhou that I had left that behind but no, I am back in it again. The difference here is that the climate is so dry, instead of mud every time I venture out I am walking through clouds of dust.
I was sitting here earlier pondering on safety regulations (or lack of) after my eyes alighted on the two fire extinguishers in my living room. In Chizhou in the new flats there was nothing. No fire hose, extinguishers, emergency exits or automatic night lights and nobody batted an eyelid. Here I have my front door to escape and that’s it. Being on the ground floor every window of mine is surrounded by a metal cage intended to keep thieves out but which also would prevent my escape because there is no means of unlocking them - they are single construction and bolted to the outside walls.
Nearly forgot. Yesterday afternoon I nearly passed out when the school bus arrived three minutes early! Not only that but I was the only passenger and we got to school in thirty five minutes so I ended up with half an hour to kill before class. I think the driver may have understood my comment on arrival as to how he couldn’t do that every day……
Yesterday morning I awoke with real soreness just below the outside of my right knee, accompanied by an angry red, hot area. Now this simply had to have been caused by all the walking the previous day and so out came the diclofenac so that hopefully I wouldn’t be seen lame when I got to school. It worked a treat, quite possibly because I only ever take it when I need it and tolerance hasn’t been allowed to build up.
I hadn’t (and still haven’t) received the marks for the students or course book recommendations. If it’s not one thing with Cyprus it’s another. I am fumbling in the dark here without a clue as to what direction I should be taking these students and that got me thinking last night.
In fact I became quite annoyed sat all by myself because, ridiculous as it may sound, I reckon I have been set up to fail. It’s almost akin to throwing a bricklayer into a room with a person in agony and gaily telling them to perform an emergency appendectomy. At least if I could see example exams I could work out what to do but I have absolutely nothing. But don’t for one moment think I am not making my views known, the last thing I will let happen is for anyone (with a grain of truth) be able to say I am useless. Well, not unless they have given me what I have asked for!
Still no oven but perhaps I was spoilt in Chizhou, which is accessible for online deliveries in comparison to here. In fact I am watching Michael Palin’s series about being in the Sahara and was put in mind of here. With being on a budget I can’t justify buying easy to cook expensive things to eat (and with all this exercise I am eating more than ever since I came to China) so I am trying to be inventive.
Now so far my bread making attempts have not been good and won’t be until I buy high gluten flour so I delved into a recipe book on bread that Kevin gave me a few years ago. It had been a free gift with his Panasonic machine. I came across a recipe for pitta bread and thought perhaps in the future I could make that. Until I learnt that they can also be cooked on the stovetop. Guess what’s (hopefully) for dinner tomorrow! I already have the makings, so all I need is some salad and perhaps some plastic ham and mayonnaise and if it works then the sky will be the limit once I have more money behind me. I quite like chilli con carne stuffed pittas.
It was a nice day today at 24C and rather satisfyingly according to the web, a couple of degrees warmer than Chizhou - albeit only for the one day before they get back up to thirty. The roads around my home are a veritable building works. I had hoped that after suffering all that for years in Chizhou that I had left that behind but no, I am back in it again. The difference here is that the climate is so dry, instead of mud every time I venture out I am walking through clouds of dust.
I was sitting here earlier pondering on safety regulations (or lack of) after my eyes alighted on the two fire extinguishers in my living room. In Chizhou in the new flats there was nothing. No fire hose, extinguishers, emergency exits or automatic night lights and nobody batted an eyelid. Here I have my front door to escape and that’s it. Being on the ground floor every window of mine is surrounded by a metal cage intended to keep thieves out but which also would prevent my escape because there is no means of unlocking them - they are single construction and bolted to the outside walls.
Nearly forgot. Yesterday afternoon I nearly passed out when the school bus arrived three minutes early! Not only that but I was the only passenger and we got to school in thirty five minutes so I ended up with half an hour to kill before class. I think the driver may have understood my comment on arrival as to how he couldn’t do that every day……
Monday, 19 September 2016
Monday 19th September, 2016 1600
For a sort of day off this has turned out to be one that has left me plumb tuckered out.
Naturally, with not having to get up quite so early, the little boy in me stayed up just a bit later than he should, so when the alarm went I most certainly didn’t want to stir.
But stir I did. Bear in mind that I had guessed Jacob (the Peace Corps volunteer from Ohio) and I were off to apply for the foreign expert certificates and as my deadline was Friday to apply for residence and I had no conception of how long the FEC would take, no way was I holding up the process.
I was at the rendezvous spot on time (despite my watch suddenly running slow - more expense) and Jacob turned up fashionably late but armed with only a photocopy of his passport. I pointed out that perhaps the real thing would be advisable and so he left, returning some minutes later suitably equipped. We still had to wait for Brenda and her driver.
I don’t think we ended up too far from where I teach, it was certainly in the locality, and en route I discovered Brenda already had the FECs, this trip was to apply for residence. Panic over, there is no reason for it to be denied and for me at least we were in good time. Brenda did spot that my visa actually expires 25th November and queried why I had pushed her by saying 23rd of this month was the deadline? It is at this point that I have to question who is more professional - the one who does this sort of thing for a job and speaks the local language or the foreigner who makes it his business to know that the regulations state that for residency to be granted the application must be made within 30 days of entry into China?
When we were dropped off at about 1140 Jacob was going for his lunch prior to teaching his afternoon classes. I thought I would be adventurous and go and check out Wu supermarket in my constant quest to find cheese. Well the supermarket was hard enough to find, seeing as once inside the building it wasn’t signed and so I ended up taking a lift and stopping it at every floor up the to the 5th. Nothing, but I noticed there were floors marked -1 and -2. Thinking they were underground car parks I nevertheless investigated. The shop is on -1.
Utterly useless and with less products than the BHG I already use but closer (only one stop on the BRT) and more importantly, quieter so for that “normal” shop, ideal for a quick getaway from the tills.
I then did something which hitherto would have been anathema: I decided to walk back home. Not because I was feeling fit or to save myself 1y but to see if I could find a computer shop to get this blessed usb lead for backing up. Completely fruitless of course but more importantly, I made it back.
After a rest at home I pondered on whether to go to BHG today or tomorrow but as I won’t be back until sixish tomorrow, I decided to sally forth again. I had the idea of making stuffed peppers for my Tuesday dinner. Not easy without an oven but I thought I might steam them. At least I would have if the steamer parts for my very large pot were here. They appear to have been another casualty of STO deliveries. That idea quashed, I settled for hotdogs but made with the only things remotely like the buns - hamburger rolls. Needs must!
On the way back I have no idea what occurred but I alighted at the third stop, only to find it was the FOURTH! How I overshot I have no idea (I was counting stops) so maybe I had one of those mini epileptic seizures where outwardly you appear normal. Anyway, annoyed with myself, I paid another 1y to get a bus back. Except the only buses that stopped were going the wrong way. Confused, I looked at the maps on the wall and sure enough, both sides of the waiting room were for town-bound buses.
Oy! How do I go that way??
I was directed to leave but when I did I could see no other room from which to get the bus. Security kindly indicated I needed to go up and then down again and sure enough that stop (invisible from where I had been) has two sections. Naturally I had to pay yet another 1y so it’s a good job the buses are cheap. At least I only need to come home after work tomorrow.
As for the washing machine, I reckon I will end up with an extension lead to move it nearer the bathroom and extra long pipes I can connect when I want to launder. That I can live with and was already in my mind, so I need to find my tape measure and tell them what length.
Oh! I have found there is an RT Mart in Lanzhou and it doesn’t seem to be too far from where I teach so that’s item one on the agenda, finding out where Meilun dept store on Tanyan or Tantan street is. I’ll bet they have tortillas, cheese, sauces and allsorts there. It might be a 100y round taxi trip but once a month will do and anyway, deduct delivery charges for online ordering and it probably won’t cost any more - plus I can buy cheaper wine. Jacob also wants cheese so if I can con him into coming and splitting the cab fare…..
For a sort of day off this has turned out to be one that has left me plumb tuckered out.
Naturally, with not having to get up quite so early, the little boy in me stayed up just a bit later than he should, so when the alarm went I most certainly didn’t want to stir.
But stir I did. Bear in mind that I had guessed Jacob (the Peace Corps volunteer from Ohio) and I were off to apply for the foreign expert certificates and as my deadline was Friday to apply for residence and I had no conception of how long the FEC would take, no way was I holding up the process.
I was at the rendezvous spot on time (despite my watch suddenly running slow - more expense) and Jacob turned up fashionably late but armed with only a photocopy of his passport. I pointed out that perhaps the real thing would be advisable and so he left, returning some minutes later suitably equipped. We still had to wait for Brenda and her driver.
I don’t think we ended up too far from where I teach, it was certainly in the locality, and en route I discovered Brenda already had the FECs, this trip was to apply for residence. Panic over, there is no reason for it to be denied and for me at least we were in good time. Brenda did spot that my visa actually expires 25th November and queried why I had pushed her by saying 23rd of this month was the deadline? It is at this point that I have to question who is more professional - the one who does this sort of thing for a job and speaks the local language or the foreigner who makes it his business to know that the regulations state that for residency to be granted the application must be made within 30 days of entry into China?
When we were dropped off at about 1140 Jacob was going for his lunch prior to teaching his afternoon classes. I thought I would be adventurous and go and check out Wu supermarket in my constant quest to find cheese. Well the supermarket was hard enough to find, seeing as once inside the building it wasn’t signed and so I ended up taking a lift and stopping it at every floor up the to the 5th. Nothing, but I noticed there were floors marked -1 and -2. Thinking they were underground car parks I nevertheless investigated. The shop is on -1.
Utterly useless and with less products than the BHG I already use but closer (only one stop on the BRT) and more importantly, quieter so for that “normal” shop, ideal for a quick getaway from the tills.
I then did something which hitherto would have been anathema: I decided to walk back home. Not because I was feeling fit or to save myself 1y but to see if I could find a computer shop to get this blessed usb lead for backing up. Completely fruitless of course but more importantly, I made it back.
After a rest at home I pondered on whether to go to BHG today or tomorrow but as I won’t be back until sixish tomorrow, I decided to sally forth again. I had the idea of making stuffed peppers for my Tuesday dinner. Not easy without an oven but I thought I might steam them. At least I would have if the steamer parts for my very large pot were here. They appear to have been another casualty of STO deliveries. That idea quashed, I settled for hotdogs but made with the only things remotely like the buns - hamburger rolls. Needs must!
On the way back I have no idea what occurred but I alighted at the third stop, only to find it was the FOURTH! How I overshot I have no idea (I was counting stops) so maybe I had one of those mini epileptic seizures where outwardly you appear normal. Anyway, annoyed with myself, I paid another 1y to get a bus back. Except the only buses that stopped were going the wrong way. Confused, I looked at the maps on the wall and sure enough, both sides of the waiting room were for town-bound buses.
Oy! How do I go that way??
I was directed to leave but when I did I could see no other room from which to get the bus. Security kindly indicated I needed to go up and then down again and sure enough that stop (invisible from where I had been) has two sections. Naturally I had to pay yet another 1y so it’s a good job the buses are cheap. At least I only need to come home after work tomorrow.
As for the washing machine, I reckon I will end up with an extension lead to move it nearer the bathroom and extra long pipes I can connect when I want to launder. That I can live with and was already in my mind, so I need to find my tape measure and tell them what length.
Oh! I have found there is an RT Mart in Lanzhou and it doesn’t seem to be too far from where I teach so that’s item one on the agenda, finding out where Meilun dept store on Tanyan or Tantan street is. I’ll bet they have tortillas, cheese, sauces and allsorts there. It might be a 100y round taxi trip but once a month will do and anyway, deduct delivery charges for online ordering and it probably won’t cost any more - plus I can buy cheaper wine. Jacob also wants cheese so if I can con him into coming and splitting the cab fare…..
Sunday, 18 September 2016
Sunday 18th September, 2016 1900
I know I have complained about the school bus always turning up late but today the driver excelled himself. He never turned up at all.
When it was about 25 minutes late Janet sent me a text to tell me to take a taxi. All well and good but who was going to pay for it (I’m certainly not if they are going to house me an hour away) and I don’t have the address in Chinese to show the taxi driver?
Apparently the bus driver was going to pay as he had forgotten today was a working day and I had to call Janet from the taxi so she could speak to the driver to let him know where to take me. Incredibly, despite the taxi not being driven as if possessed by demons as the bus always is, he got me there ten minutes early!
Before all this I managed to repay Joan the money for shipping my stuff (a guard in the bank helped me to do it via a machine) and when I got to school I repaid Janet 1200y for the original loan of 500y plus 80y she put on my phone online and 600y for the new oven she ordered for me last night. The 500y price shot up by a ton because the free delivery didn’t apply to us in the middle of nowhere (and not that far from the Gobi desert).
That has left me with just enough (if I am careful) to get me through to next payday. Certain things I still need will have to wait awhile. Oh, and my classes tomorrow are cancelled because I have to go with Brenda, presumably to present myself to apply for the foreign expert certificate, which will need to be issued PDQ as Friday is the deadline for the residence permit. Great, instead of getting up at five I can sleep until seven.
The class of sixty has now depleted to 32 and from what I could ascertain is in fact optional so aside from the fact they are in my classroom I have no disciplinary powers whatsoever apart from banishing them. That won’t be necessary I feel, for aside from the odd private conversation they behave themselves. The ones who came again clearly want to improve their English - in fact one girl today stopped me and asked if I could speak a little slower. Stunned, I was not annoyed, on the contrary I was delighted. It meant at least SHE wanted to understand what I was saying and wasn’t content to sit there letting it wash over the top of her head. Well done that girl. I was simply stunned because despite my exhorting students to do it for the past six years this was only the second occasion it has happened.
The classroom computer, whilst being on, had a problem with projecting onto the screen. While some of the kids were trying to get it to work I plugged in my USB ready for showing half a film. This is the second time it has happened, it happened once in Chizhou with a school computer. It wiped everything off the stick and unformatted it! Now that is damned annoying because it takes well over an hour to reformat it and then afterwards I have to load the films on it again. I reckon it will take two hours before it is all done. It’s never one of the smaller capacity sticks, always the big one. Luckily what I wanted to show them was on another USB anyway so nothing lost bar my time tonight.
Did the bus driver give me the 32y I paid for a taxi as I was promised when he came to take us all home after class? Not on your Nelly! Well, he will. I will make sure the school do something, especially as the practise here seems to be to get the teacher to pay for everything first and then reimburse a week later. I have to stump up 600y tomorrow for this application. Good job I actually have some money. Why they can’t give foreign affairs some petty cash up front I have no idea.
All day I have felt like I was in the closing scenes of an episode of Dads Army. Air raid sirens have been sporadically going off and I can only deduce this was to do with drills for the freshmen doing their military training. It reminded me of my hometown, where there was one such siren at the fire station to summon the volunteer firefighters.
I know I have complained about the school bus always turning up late but today the driver excelled himself. He never turned up at all.
When it was about 25 minutes late Janet sent me a text to tell me to take a taxi. All well and good but who was going to pay for it (I’m certainly not if they are going to house me an hour away) and I don’t have the address in Chinese to show the taxi driver?
Apparently the bus driver was going to pay as he had forgotten today was a working day and I had to call Janet from the taxi so she could speak to the driver to let him know where to take me. Incredibly, despite the taxi not being driven as if possessed by demons as the bus always is, he got me there ten minutes early!
Before all this I managed to repay Joan the money for shipping my stuff (a guard in the bank helped me to do it via a machine) and when I got to school I repaid Janet 1200y for the original loan of 500y plus 80y she put on my phone online and 600y for the new oven she ordered for me last night. The 500y price shot up by a ton because the free delivery didn’t apply to us in the middle of nowhere (and not that far from the Gobi desert).
That has left me with just enough (if I am careful) to get me through to next payday. Certain things I still need will have to wait awhile. Oh, and my classes tomorrow are cancelled because I have to go with Brenda, presumably to present myself to apply for the foreign expert certificate, which will need to be issued PDQ as Friday is the deadline for the residence permit. Great, instead of getting up at five I can sleep until seven.
The class of sixty has now depleted to 32 and from what I could ascertain is in fact optional so aside from the fact they are in my classroom I have no disciplinary powers whatsoever apart from banishing them. That won’t be necessary I feel, for aside from the odd private conversation they behave themselves. The ones who came again clearly want to improve their English - in fact one girl today stopped me and asked if I could speak a little slower. Stunned, I was not annoyed, on the contrary I was delighted. It meant at least SHE wanted to understand what I was saying and wasn’t content to sit there letting it wash over the top of her head. Well done that girl. I was simply stunned because despite my exhorting students to do it for the past six years this was only the second occasion it has happened.
The classroom computer, whilst being on, had a problem with projecting onto the screen. While some of the kids were trying to get it to work I plugged in my USB ready for showing half a film. This is the second time it has happened, it happened once in Chizhou with a school computer. It wiped everything off the stick and unformatted it! Now that is damned annoying because it takes well over an hour to reformat it and then afterwards I have to load the films on it again. I reckon it will take two hours before it is all done. It’s never one of the smaller capacity sticks, always the big one. Luckily what I wanted to show them was on another USB anyway so nothing lost bar my time tonight.
Did the bus driver give me the 32y I paid for a taxi as I was promised when he came to take us all home after class? Not on your Nelly! Well, he will. I will make sure the school do something, especially as the practise here seems to be to get the teacher to pay for everything first and then reimburse a week later. I have to stump up 600y tomorrow for this application. Good job I actually have some money. Why they can’t give foreign affairs some petty cash up front I have no idea.
All day I have felt like I was in the closing scenes of an episode of Dads Army. Air raid sirens have been sporadically going off and I can only deduce this was to do with drills for the freshmen doing their military training. It reminded me of my hometown, where there was one such siren at the fire station to summon the volunteer firefighters.
Saturday, 17 September 2016
Saturday 17th September, 2016 1540
For three days now there have been men with pickaxes right outside my flat. Luckily I have been in the habit of retiring early and thus, waking likewise. It dawned on me that just where they are excavating is ideal for them to plumb the waste pipe from my washing machine. I doubt however this is being done for my benefit, particularly as they are doing the same outside another flat just up from me. It would however make sense for them to combine this (they are after all uncovering the underground waste pipes) with my little job but then that would be like asking Npower, British Gas and BT to all do their business in a road at the same time instead of digging it up after someone else has already been there.
A slightly cooler day today, and the forecast is for a chilly 16C with rain tomorrow. Hopefully not too much of the wet stuff as you know who hasn’t got an umbrella yet.
I never had bread with my dinner last night. Whilst the result of my efforts wasn’t exactly brick-like, it nevertheless was a bit dense. This was because A) I followed the recipe and B) I can’t find bread flour which worked a treat before, so am having to use all purpose. It didn’t help that I hadn’t used the machine for three years or so beforehand and have forgotten my quantities. Another loaf is currently baking, which looks more promising although knowing my luck it will be just as dense only bigger!
This place is terribly dusty. I am not convinced it is all down to the roadworks and suspect it is always thus, surrounded as the city is by barren mountains. One possible clue I may be right is the predominance of water tankers everywhere that drive along the roads with warning tunes belting out (just like Mr Whippy) so you can leap back and avoid getting a showering. Christ knows what it will be like during the sandstorms.
I took a wander the other day to explore the actual campus here. At the back of my building is one student dormitory block but that’s all, so I ventured a little further. It seems as if to get to the campus proper you have to go through the grounds of a factory that appears to manufacture large steel items, a bit like Bill & Ben the Flowerpot Men when they occasionally escaped out of the back of the shed! I didn’t bother going in because after all, I am a mere two minute walk from all the fruit, veg and meat stalls and the proper shops and restaurants are two minutes the other way. I am damned glad they didn’t billet me there though, it may be that someone was actually thoughtful and considered my age when allocating location and also the bonus of being on the first floor?
Well the bread is done. I think it may be slightly less “heavy” than yesterday’s but something’s amiss. Probably the flour but next time I will include sugar and see if that makes a difference. It makes me laugh - they stock all sorts of flours except the one I want, noodle flour, dumpling flour, you name it. Another omission is tinned tuna. Now that’s something I often have with pasta, peas, mayonnaise and chilli sauce for a quick and easy meal (and one you can eat cold at work if you like). They do though sell proper sized tins of baked beans, albeit not the king of beans, Heinz. Thank heaven for small mercies.
I am rather hoping my legs will become accustomed to all the activity they have been subjected to recently in the not too distant future. With no old hands (I haven’t met ANY) who might be able to show me around the city it looks as if I shall simply have to go it alone. The booklet the school gave me has a very helpful map of the city’s transportation system, the only problem being you need a Sherlock Holmes magnifying glass to attempt to read it. I am sure there must be decent supermarkets and wonderful restaurants in the city centre. The BRT sadly only runs for about five miles so it would be a case of by guess and by God both getting there and coming back. Oh for the simplicity of Chizhou - who incidentally have still failed to replace me. I shall be watching the website like a hawk after the 20th to see if they give Andrei the job on his return
For three days now there have been men with pickaxes right outside my flat. Luckily I have been in the habit of retiring early and thus, waking likewise. It dawned on me that just where they are excavating is ideal for them to plumb the waste pipe from my washing machine. I doubt however this is being done for my benefit, particularly as they are doing the same outside another flat just up from me. It would however make sense for them to combine this (they are after all uncovering the underground waste pipes) with my little job but then that would be like asking Npower, British Gas and BT to all do their business in a road at the same time instead of digging it up after someone else has already been there.
A slightly cooler day today, and the forecast is for a chilly 16C with rain tomorrow. Hopefully not too much of the wet stuff as you know who hasn’t got an umbrella yet.
I never had bread with my dinner last night. Whilst the result of my efforts wasn’t exactly brick-like, it nevertheless was a bit dense. This was because A) I followed the recipe and B) I can’t find bread flour which worked a treat before, so am having to use all purpose. It didn’t help that I hadn’t used the machine for three years or so beforehand and have forgotten my quantities. Another loaf is currently baking, which looks more promising although knowing my luck it will be just as dense only bigger!
This place is terribly dusty. I am not convinced it is all down to the roadworks and suspect it is always thus, surrounded as the city is by barren mountains. One possible clue I may be right is the predominance of water tankers everywhere that drive along the roads with warning tunes belting out (just like Mr Whippy) so you can leap back and avoid getting a showering. Christ knows what it will be like during the sandstorms.
I took a wander the other day to explore the actual campus here. At the back of my building is one student dormitory block but that’s all, so I ventured a little further. It seems as if to get to the campus proper you have to go through the grounds of a factory that appears to manufacture large steel items, a bit like Bill & Ben the Flowerpot Men when they occasionally escaped out of the back of the shed! I didn’t bother going in because after all, I am a mere two minute walk from all the fruit, veg and meat stalls and the proper shops and restaurants are two minutes the other way. I am damned glad they didn’t billet me there though, it may be that someone was actually thoughtful and considered my age when allocating location and also the bonus of being on the first floor?
Well the bread is done. I think it may be slightly less “heavy” than yesterday’s but something’s amiss. Probably the flour but next time I will include sugar and see if that makes a difference. It makes me laugh - they stock all sorts of flours except the one I want, noodle flour, dumpling flour, you name it. Another omission is tinned tuna. Now that’s something I often have with pasta, peas, mayonnaise and chilli sauce for a quick and easy meal (and one you can eat cold at work if you like). They do though sell proper sized tins of baked beans, albeit not the king of beans, Heinz. Thank heaven for small mercies.
I am rather hoping my legs will become accustomed to all the activity they have been subjected to recently in the not too distant future. With no old hands (I haven’t met ANY) who might be able to show me around the city it looks as if I shall simply have to go it alone. The booklet the school gave me has a very helpful map of the city’s transportation system, the only problem being you need a Sherlock Holmes magnifying glass to attempt to read it. I am sure there must be decent supermarkets and wonderful restaurants in the city centre. The BRT sadly only runs for about five miles so it would be a case of by guess and by God both getting there and coming back. Oh for the simplicity of Chizhou - who incidentally have still failed to replace me. I shall be watching the website like a hawk after the 20th to see if they give Andrei the job on his return
Friday, 16 September 2016
Friday 16th September, 2016 1530
I had the Skype call with Marina from the university in Cyprus last night. Just as well I am not too proud to accept advice because as it currently stood I thought I had been set up to fail in a huge way. Not deliberately of course, simply through ignorance on the school’s part.
Firstly, I was given the impression there are actually twenty students who want to take their MA in Cyprus and yet sixty turned up last Friday to the class indicated as being the Cypriot bunch. Why? I didn’t want the others in the class, they had no business being there and probably it was curiosity but it is important that I get as many of them accepted abroad. It’s a fairly hefty responsibility for someone who has no formal teacher training. Certainly if there are extra students I will lay on extra classes at no cost to the school but for the most important pupils I will have this term and for whom failure will be disaster, they have to be my priority.
We need course books and I needed to cut the hours down with the other class - I mean come on, 10 hours with one lot and 3 with the Cyprus brigade? Somehow methinks in their excitement in snaring a foreigner they have omitted the important things. That needs to change and between Cyprus and me, it will damned well happen.
Later one of my students from the small class started messaging me on Skype. It then transpired that it is in fact the small class of twelve that want to go abroad! Talk about feeling stupid. Well the big class can stay that way, all I need is for the school to source the recommended course books. The boy who keeps ducking classes is going to get a severe talking to come Monday. If he wants to fail then there’s no point in him bothering to turn up at all.
Friday 16th September, 2016 1530
Lovely warm day in the low to mid twenties, I wish it were still the case in a month’s time. Toting heavy shopping bags every day is knocking my legs for six so I hope in the not too distant future I will be able to laugh at all the stairs.
Buses were slightly better, passengers being mainly students as workers were back to the grind. Having woken early I decided to look for a few things I couldn’t get in the supermarket. One was a double-headed USB cable which I apparently need because my laptop ports on their own don’t put out enough voltage. No joy anywhere. Another was to top up my phone. Two China Mobile shops refused to take my money. Now I know that out of province calls and texts cost more but I can’t believe I can’t top it up - it’s the biggest provider in China! Further enquiries will be made.
I got a few more bits in the supermarket (such as a bin for the bread I am currently making) and a flyswatter. Scratching around for ideas as to what to eat tonight I decided on fish and chips with (hopefully) fresh bread and butter. It should be ok as I have now got some Goldfish brand oil, the other engine room bilge slops I will try and see if any other residents want. I also bought sugar but was careful to choose a bag which actually said “sugar” on it in English. Last night when I was making my Bolognese, the last thing I did was sprinkle some “sugar” I had bought that day on top. Something wasn’t right, for the grains looked like miniature long grain rice so I tasted some on the tip of my finger. It was disgusting! However I couldn’t get it out of the pot so carried on, praying it would be edible as I had nothing else to have for dinner.
Well it did taste a bit funny and I could but hope I wasn’t poisoning myself. If truth be told I think most of the problem was the half bottle of that appalling wine I bought a week ago - I swear they made it out of durian fruit. Anyway, when I got back I decided to try and find out what was in the bag. Monosodium glutamate.
I had the Skype call with Marina from the university in Cyprus last night. Just as well I am not too proud to accept advice because as it currently stood I thought I had been set up to fail in a huge way. Not deliberately of course, simply through ignorance on the school’s part.
Firstly, I was given the impression there are actually twenty students who want to take their MA in Cyprus and yet sixty turned up last Friday to the class indicated as being the Cypriot bunch. Why? I didn’t want the others in the class, they had no business being there and probably it was curiosity but it is important that I get as many of them accepted abroad. It’s a fairly hefty responsibility for someone who has no formal teacher training. Certainly if there are extra students I will lay on extra classes at no cost to the school but for the most important pupils I will have this term and for whom failure will be disaster, they have to be my priority.
We need course books and I needed to cut the hours down with the other class - I mean come on, 10 hours with one lot and 3 with the Cyprus brigade? Somehow methinks in their excitement in snaring a foreigner they have omitted the important things. That needs to change and between Cyprus and me, it will damned well happen.
Later one of my students from the small class started messaging me on Skype. It then transpired that it is in fact the small class of twelve that want to go abroad! Talk about feeling stupid. Well the big class can stay that way, all I need is for the school to source the recommended course books. The boy who keeps ducking classes is going to get a severe talking to come Monday. If he wants to fail then there’s no point in him bothering to turn up at all.
Friday 16th September, 2016 1530
Lovely warm day in the low to mid twenties, I wish it were still the case in a month’s time. Toting heavy shopping bags every day is knocking my legs for six so I hope in the not too distant future I will be able to laugh at all the stairs.
Buses were slightly better, passengers being mainly students as workers were back to the grind. Having woken early I decided to look for a few things I couldn’t get in the supermarket. One was a double-headed USB cable which I apparently need because my laptop ports on their own don’t put out enough voltage. No joy anywhere. Another was to top up my phone. Two China Mobile shops refused to take my money. Now I know that out of province calls and texts cost more but I can’t believe I can’t top it up - it’s the biggest provider in China! Further enquiries will be made.
I got a few more bits in the supermarket (such as a bin for the bread I am currently making) and a flyswatter. Scratching around for ideas as to what to eat tonight I decided on fish and chips with (hopefully) fresh bread and butter. It should be ok as I have now got some Goldfish brand oil, the other engine room bilge slops I will try and see if any other residents want. I also bought sugar but was careful to choose a bag which actually said “sugar” on it in English. Last night when I was making my Bolognese, the last thing I did was sprinkle some “sugar” I had bought that day on top. Something wasn’t right, for the grains looked like miniature long grain rice so I tasted some on the tip of my finger. It was disgusting! However I couldn’t get it out of the pot so carried on, praying it would be edible as I had nothing else to have for dinner.
Well it did taste a bit funny and I could but hope I wasn’t poisoning myself. If truth be told I think most of the problem was the half bottle of that appalling wine I bought a week ago - I swear they made it out of durian fruit. Anyway, when I got back I decided to try and find out what was in the bag. Monosodium glutamate.
Thursday, 15 September 2016
Tuesday 14th September, 2016 2025
Well that went down to the wire, purely I suspect because accounts were overly concerned with paying me twice and so waited until the bank had batted their payment back to them before trying what I suggested.
At 1615 (already a long day) I finally had cash in my account. What accounts failed to realise in their blinkered approach was that even had they paid me double it would have been nowhere near enough for me to take the money and run even were I of such a mind.
Anyway, the month’s pay is already spent or spoken for - this place is definitely more expensive than Chizhou, new oven notwithstanding. The sooner I get that the better, for although it costs a lot to make a meal, I can freeze leftovers and eke four dinners from one preparation. Like tomorrow, the plan is to do a Bolognese (I have now found pasta) and freeze some, the problem is I need to buy more containers - set up costs in a new place can cripple.
Having spent the entire day climbing and descending stairs my legs were on fire but nonetheless I went shopping (wine, cigars and the makings for bread) and struggled up and down the BRT access ways. I mulled over having dinner at the Chinese near the hotel, Homwo or Buddy’s and eventually my legs decided it would be Homwo.
Big mistake.
When I arrived they only had two dishes on offer so I had to wait, with of course a mini bottle of the expensive wine. Forty minutes later more was on offer (and another bottle) but this time the curry was awful. To rub salt in, you can’t exit the same way you came in and the signs direct you all around the store. Well that’s fine if I want to go shopping but not when I am lugging 20lbs I already bought. I vowed that was the last time I ate there. Yes I will buy my homewares as needed but they can forget substandard food and a route march to escape.
However, on the way out I noticed a stall right inside the exit which inter alia does hot dogs for 5y. Nothing fancy, just a sausage, bun and mustard (maybe onions) but perfect for me, a couple of those would fill me. Trouble is, I reckon it only opens at lunchtime.
Anyway, the BRT may have won awards and I was impressed when taking it midweek in the day but tonight it was a joke. On the eve of the mid autumn festival there must have been half a million people taking it. I waited for forty minutes as bus after bus arrived and ever more people scrummed down to try to get on. The buses were shutting the doors on people trying to get on! In the end I gave up, forfeited my 1y and went to get a taxi. That took half an hour and by the time I got home I really felt as if the day from hell was almost over. I need to shop again tomorrow but I am damned if I will attempt it after 1600.
Mid Autumn Festival 1515
A full moon this evening, although with the remnants of the strongest typhoon so far this year washing over eastern China, many people will not be able to enjoy it.
For once I went to bed before midnight when I never had to get up the following morning. I suppose I caught up on sleep, for it was after nine when I made myself a cuppa. I did go shopping but decided to stop on the way at Homwo to see if the ice cream/hot dog shop was open. All this up and down stairs is certainly increasing my appetite and I fancied a snack for lunch. Yes it was open but they only sell ice cream and drinks! What the hell have they got huge signs up with prices for the dogs then? Come to think of it, the restaurant upstairs has big pictures of dishes accompanied by foaming glasses of beer but they don’t sell that either. Bloody Spaniards.
I had a timely reminder as to why I really should always make a list. I had everything in my trolley for Bolognese and was on the way to check out when I realised I had no mince. That rectified, I queued. When there’s a holiday the entire population seems to go supermarket shopping and as I stood there I also noticed I had forgotten tomato puree. No way was I going to start queuing again, sod it, I have tomatoes and ketchup, improvise!
And I was over the moon to see that here, unlike Chizhou, they have sweet peppers. Once I get an oven I will be stuffing them at least once a fortnight, especially as I found my Linghams sauce. Yes, I am down to one and a half boxes to empty and stow but I am getting there.
Well that went down to the wire, purely I suspect because accounts were overly concerned with paying me twice and so waited until the bank had batted their payment back to them before trying what I suggested.
At 1615 (already a long day) I finally had cash in my account. What accounts failed to realise in their blinkered approach was that even had they paid me double it would have been nowhere near enough for me to take the money and run even were I of such a mind.
Anyway, the month’s pay is already spent or spoken for - this place is definitely more expensive than Chizhou, new oven notwithstanding. The sooner I get that the better, for although it costs a lot to make a meal, I can freeze leftovers and eke four dinners from one preparation. Like tomorrow, the plan is to do a Bolognese (I have now found pasta) and freeze some, the problem is I need to buy more containers - set up costs in a new place can cripple.
Having spent the entire day climbing and descending stairs my legs were on fire but nonetheless I went shopping (wine, cigars and the makings for bread) and struggled up and down the BRT access ways. I mulled over having dinner at the Chinese near the hotel, Homwo or Buddy’s and eventually my legs decided it would be Homwo.
Big mistake.
When I arrived they only had two dishes on offer so I had to wait, with of course a mini bottle of the expensive wine. Forty minutes later more was on offer (and another bottle) but this time the curry was awful. To rub salt in, you can’t exit the same way you came in and the signs direct you all around the store. Well that’s fine if I want to go shopping but not when I am lugging 20lbs I already bought. I vowed that was the last time I ate there. Yes I will buy my homewares as needed but they can forget substandard food and a route march to escape.
However, on the way out I noticed a stall right inside the exit which inter alia does hot dogs for 5y. Nothing fancy, just a sausage, bun and mustard (maybe onions) but perfect for me, a couple of those would fill me. Trouble is, I reckon it only opens at lunchtime.
Anyway, the BRT may have won awards and I was impressed when taking it midweek in the day but tonight it was a joke. On the eve of the mid autumn festival there must have been half a million people taking it. I waited for forty minutes as bus after bus arrived and ever more people scrummed down to try to get on. The buses were shutting the doors on people trying to get on! In the end I gave up, forfeited my 1y and went to get a taxi. That took half an hour and by the time I got home I really felt as if the day from hell was almost over. I need to shop again tomorrow but I am damned if I will attempt it after 1600.
Mid Autumn Festival 1515
A full moon this evening, although with the remnants of the strongest typhoon so far this year washing over eastern China, many people will not be able to enjoy it.
For once I went to bed before midnight when I never had to get up the following morning. I suppose I caught up on sleep, for it was after nine when I made myself a cuppa. I did go shopping but decided to stop on the way at Homwo to see if the ice cream/hot dog shop was open. All this up and down stairs is certainly increasing my appetite and I fancied a snack for lunch. Yes it was open but they only sell ice cream and drinks! What the hell have they got huge signs up with prices for the dogs then? Come to think of it, the restaurant upstairs has big pictures of dishes accompanied by foaming glasses of beer but they don’t sell that either. Bloody Spaniards.
I had a timely reminder as to why I really should always make a list. I had everything in my trolley for Bolognese and was on the way to check out when I realised I had no mince. That rectified, I queued. When there’s a holiday the entire population seems to go supermarket shopping and as I stood there I also noticed I had forgotten tomato puree. No way was I going to start queuing again, sod it, I have tomatoes and ketchup, improvise!
And I was over the moon to see that here, unlike Chizhou, they have sweet peppers. Once I get an oven I will be stuffing them at least once a fortnight, especially as I found my Linghams sauce. Yes, I am down to one and a half boxes to empty and stow but I am getting there.
Wednesday, 14 September 2016
Tuesday 13th September, 2016 2300
Welcome to the Mire of Misery once again!
So the luggage saga is more or less over and the only major casualty as far as I can tell (it will take forever to unpack and stow everything) is the oven. Not too drastic, especially if I can get some compensation. I can (and did tonight) make chips, bread (when I have scrubbed the machine, I think they threw it in a mechanic’s pit) and anything in a frying pan or pot. We are firing on three cylinders and ere long I hope to be on all four.
Back to the dismal stuff! Still no pay although I have been assured it was remitted today so should be in my account first thing tomorrow. I won’t hold my breath, although it may be the bank’s fault, it wouldn’t be the first time my own bank has returned a payment because a full stop was omitted. We shall see but either way I am indebted both to Joan and Janet, the latter who on the instructions of the school lent me 500y. That state of affairs is unacceptable because I can do nothing with dribs and drabs except hope that the next day all my money turns up. So far it hasn’t and tomorrow will see Mr Angry if it isn’t fixed because it’s holiday time until Monday for mid-autumn festival.
I was under the impression that the school had obtained my foreign expert certificate and that all I now needed was the residence permit. Yesterday I found out otherwise and only after I pointed out that I HAD to at least apply for the permit by a week Friday. Don’t ask me why but that came as a shock to the “professionals” dealing with my documentation. That was when I discovered I still need the FEC, without which a permit is impossible.
So tomorrow, instead of being a day off, is an 0500 rise to get the bloody bus to school, have a student take me to the quarantine hospital and hopefully (don’t be silly, this is ME!) simply get provincial stamps on the medical I took in Anhui in May. If not (any odds?) then I have to take yet another medical. Oh, and could I take enough money to pay for it and they will reimburse me?
With 25y in my wallet (dinner tonight was egg and chips) I pointed out that might be a problem, however I will go to the ATM when I get to the other campus. If my wages are in then fine, if not they had better have a Plan B.
Perhaps reading this, one may think the organisation here is awful but I have to defend them and say that within Chinese strictures they are considerably better than Chizhou were - the difference there being that I was familiar with everything and could usually sort most problems myself by the time I left. Here is uncharted territory as yet.
So tomorrow could be a momentous day for either the right or wrong reasons. I shall update later.
Wednesday 14th 1440
Could the clouds of doom that have bedevilled my life in Lanzhou so far finally be about to disperse? Will I start to get a few rubs of the green?
I nearly fainted at the hospital when it was agreed that for 60y they would simply exchange my Anhui medical book for a Gansu one and no need for a new physical! Could the tide possibly be on the turn?
Well not as far as my pay was concerned because when we got back to campus (I was thus confined there until noon when the bus was leaving for my campus) there was still no sign of the money. There ensued calls between Janet and Brenda, Brenda and accounts and several trots to the ATM outside campus by yours truly, punctuated by spells of sitting with dark thoughts in my office. Brenda promised that if accounts didn’t sort it she would bring me some money, I refused and told her that was no good because I couldn’t DO anything for fear of running out again before my entire salary was paid - it’s no way to live.
Eventually I was persuaded to go home and wait and see what this afternoon brought and Janet, bless her, tried to lend me another 100y of her own money. Again I refused, telling her that one way or another the matter would be resolved today even if it meant them taking me to accounts and we all telephone my bank to ascertain what was wrong so that they felt obliged to return the money each time. I couldn’t phone them myself because you get a Chinese speaking machine and it wanted a password - not sure I have one.
So when the bus dropped me off I decided to go into a branch to take the bull by the horns. More good luck, someone spoke English. Still no wages so I explained the situation and asked them to look on the computer for the information the university needed to actually pay me.
This is where it got surreal and I am not the only one who thinks it is barmy, the Chinese contingent had enormous problems grasping it. After four years of sitting in my wallet the old bank card split and became unusable so you may recall I went to get a new one. Well here you also get a new number and it is this number I gave to them here, after all, Chizhou still managed to pay me.
But oh no, that new account number on the new card ISN’T my new account number! No, I still have the old account number but the new card number will take money from the account! Confused? Join everybody here. What makes it absolutely egregious is the fact that the Chizhou branch never even mentioned this. Naturally I dumped the old card and had no way of finding out the number except from the bank itself.
Hopefully in a little while I will be rich and in a damned sight better mood, although there seems to be reluctance on the school’s part in case they end up paying me twice. Well if they do then of course I will give it back!
Welcome to the Mire of Misery once again!
So the luggage saga is more or less over and the only major casualty as far as I can tell (it will take forever to unpack and stow everything) is the oven. Not too drastic, especially if I can get some compensation. I can (and did tonight) make chips, bread (when I have scrubbed the machine, I think they threw it in a mechanic’s pit) and anything in a frying pan or pot. We are firing on three cylinders and ere long I hope to be on all four.
Back to the dismal stuff! Still no pay although I have been assured it was remitted today so should be in my account first thing tomorrow. I won’t hold my breath, although it may be the bank’s fault, it wouldn’t be the first time my own bank has returned a payment because a full stop was omitted. We shall see but either way I am indebted both to Joan and Janet, the latter who on the instructions of the school lent me 500y. That state of affairs is unacceptable because I can do nothing with dribs and drabs except hope that the next day all my money turns up. So far it hasn’t and tomorrow will see Mr Angry if it isn’t fixed because it’s holiday time until Monday for mid-autumn festival.
I was under the impression that the school had obtained my foreign expert certificate and that all I now needed was the residence permit. Yesterday I found out otherwise and only after I pointed out that I HAD to at least apply for the permit by a week Friday. Don’t ask me why but that came as a shock to the “professionals” dealing with my documentation. That was when I discovered I still need the FEC, without which a permit is impossible.
So tomorrow, instead of being a day off, is an 0500 rise to get the bloody bus to school, have a student take me to the quarantine hospital and hopefully (don’t be silly, this is ME!) simply get provincial stamps on the medical I took in Anhui in May. If not (any odds?) then I have to take yet another medical. Oh, and could I take enough money to pay for it and they will reimburse me?
With 25y in my wallet (dinner tonight was egg and chips) I pointed out that might be a problem, however I will go to the ATM when I get to the other campus. If my wages are in then fine, if not they had better have a Plan B.
Perhaps reading this, one may think the organisation here is awful but I have to defend them and say that within Chinese strictures they are considerably better than Chizhou were - the difference there being that I was familiar with everything and could usually sort most problems myself by the time I left. Here is uncharted territory as yet.
So tomorrow could be a momentous day for either the right or wrong reasons. I shall update later.
Wednesday 14th 1440
Could the clouds of doom that have bedevilled my life in Lanzhou so far finally be about to disperse? Will I start to get a few rubs of the green?
I nearly fainted at the hospital when it was agreed that for 60y they would simply exchange my Anhui medical book for a Gansu one and no need for a new physical! Could the tide possibly be on the turn?
Well not as far as my pay was concerned because when we got back to campus (I was thus confined there until noon when the bus was leaving for my campus) there was still no sign of the money. There ensued calls between Janet and Brenda, Brenda and accounts and several trots to the ATM outside campus by yours truly, punctuated by spells of sitting with dark thoughts in my office. Brenda promised that if accounts didn’t sort it she would bring me some money, I refused and told her that was no good because I couldn’t DO anything for fear of running out again before my entire salary was paid - it’s no way to live.
Eventually I was persuaded to go home and wait and see what this afternoon brought and Janet, bless her, tried to lend me another 100y of her own money. Again I refused, telling her that one way or another the matter would be resolved today even if it meant them taking me to accounts and we all telephone my bank to ascertain what was wrong so that they felt obliged to return the money each time. I couldn’t phone them myself because you get a Chinese speaking machine and it wanted a password - not sure I have one.
So when the bus dropped me off I decided to go into a branch to take the bull by the horns. More good luck, someone spoke English. Still no wages so I explained the situation and asked them to look on the computer for the information the university needed to actually pay me.
This is where it got surreal and I am not the only one who thinks it is barmy, the Chinese contingent had enormous problems grasping it. After four years of sitting in my wallet the old bank card split and became unusable so you may recall I went to get a new one. Well here you also get a new number and it is this number I gave to them here, after all, Chizhou still managed to pay me.
But oh no, that new account number on the new card ISN’T my new account number! No, I still have the old account number but the new card number will take money from the account! Confused? Join everybody here. What makes it absolutely egregious is the fact that the Chizhou branch never even mentioned this. Naturally I dumped the old card and had no way of finding out the number except from the bank itself.
Hopefully in a little while I will be rich and in a damned sight better mood, although there seems to be reluctance on the school’s part in case they end up paying me twice. Well if they do then of course I will give it back!
Tuesday, 13 September 2016
Monday 12th September, 2016 1300
One day soon I really hope to be able to make a joyous entry, if only to stop hordes of my readers from throwing themselves off bridges or slitting their throats! The trouble with me is that, unlike these Instagram “stars” who airbrush their photos and portray an idyllic and wealthy lifestyle full of inner happiness (when the whole show is false), I am telling it like it is! And it isn’t that good of late so don’t dismantle the scaffold just yet.
Before I went out shopping I went to view the last of the boxes, in the vain hope of having them delivered there and then. No chance. Our road was at a standstill and despite not long afterwards my walking the length of it to get to the BRT, I still have no idea what caused it. Sure, there are major roadworks and aside from the odd imbecile who actually parks in the road, there is enough room to get two cars through.
It was plain that it would be a while before the boxes could be delivered to me, so I moved one of them and was greeted by the tinkling of glass. I cut it open and wondered if there may just be a God after all, for it was one of the saucepan lids as I had hoped. Having been told only one box was thus, I eagerly opened the second, in which my oven and bread maker had to be. I had noticed the company had opened my boxes and repacked them because things such as coats I used as padding for fragile items were instead “protecting” books and sturdy things.
To be fair, they had put polystyrene around the oven where I had used coats but nonetheless there it was, dented and forlorn and with no door. That had emulated a car windscreen in an M1 pile-up.
Just to complete my day, I noticed the bread maker is missing, as is the large container in which I packed all my kitchen utensils, some of which were bought in the UK. I would say I am looking at in excess of 2,000y to get back to where I started and what are the chances of that happening?
Anyway I did go shopping and afterwards went for a hotdog at Buddy’s. Stone me if since last night he hadn’t got beer in, so I had a bottle of some German stuff at 6.5%. I guessed that as it was a smallish bottle it might set me back 15y but hell, when I got the bill it was 31y!!! It makes the wine in Homwo look positively cheap! Could it get any worse?
Well, funny I should say that, when I got home I spotted a missed call from my man in the Hilton. He called again from Heidi’s in Shenyang where the usual suspects were winding down (or up, depending on your perspective) following their customary thousand mile Sunday bike ride. I am not sure whether the largesse that followed was a result of alcohol intake or indeed as he professed, so that he doesn’t top himself after reading all the delightful things happening in my life at present.
He is very, very kindly going to despatch an Oxfam relief parcel of cheese, pasta and instacure for making my own ham! Thank you very much Steve, the good news is that I actually have big enough saucepans in which to make my ham - although I know not yet if I have lids to cover them! The bad news is that I can’t make bread for cheese sandwiches….
1430
At school this morning Janet gave me a moon cake and I had a choice of four teachers day gifts from the school. An egg boiler, yoghurt maker, saucepan or something else which was of no use to me. I opted for the pan, you can never have enough of those.
On my return home my internet was down. I have no idea why but I think I need to log in and I have no clue as to what to do or what my passcodes are. Great. I also haven’t been paid yet. There is one plus though, an additional box has turned up, this was at the back of my mind seeing as they had repacked everything and some of my boxes were huge. Hopefully it will contain my bread maker and utensils, then really the only thing of note to cry about is the oven. Once I actually get paid I can squeeze the money for a new one, a cheapo is about 300y but I have seen a nice big German one for 500y with an extras pack for another 90y. It will mean tightening my belt for this month unless the delivery firm cough up but I really do need an oven.
1940
Not one but TWO extra boxes arrived, an intact bread maker and all my utensils. Still no internet and probably won’t be until tomorrow but at least it’s not just me, it is the entire campus. Doesn’t make me feel happier, however it does stop me getting annoyed if I am the only one and they haven’t been to fix it!
So I actually cooked tonight, chilli/thyme pork mince and veg with mashed potatoes. I thought I had overdone the thyme but nope, it was lovely and there’s enough for four more meals in the freezer.
Now, which of the films on my laptop that I have seen a dozen times shall I watch to pass the rest of the night away…………
One day soon I really hope to be able to make a joyous entry, if only to stop hordes of my readers from throwing themselves off bridges or slitting their throats! The trouble with me is that, unlike these Instagram “stars” who airbrush their photos and portray an idyllic and wealthy lifestyle full of inner happiness (when the whole show is false), I am telling it like it is! And it isn’t that good of late so don’t dismantle the scaffold just yet.
Before I went out shopping I went to view the last of the boxes, in the vain hope of having them delivered there and then. No chance. Our road was at a standstill and despite not long afterwards my walking the length of it to get to the BRT, I still have no idea what caused it. Sure, there are major roadworks and aside from the odd imbecile who actually parks in the road, there is enough room to get two cars through.
It was plain that it would be a while before the boxes could be delivered to me, so I moved one of them and was greeted by the tinkling of glass. I cut it open and wondered if there may just be a God after all, for it was one of the saucepan lids as I had hoped. Having been told only one box was thus, I eagerly opened the second, in which my oven and bread maker had to be. I had noticed the company had opened my boxes and repacked them because things such as coats I used as padding for fragile items were instead “protecting” books and sturdy things.
To be fair, they had put polystyrene around the oven where I had used coats but nonetheless there it was, dented and forlorn and with no door. That had emulated a car windscreen in an M1 pile-up.
Just to complete my day, I noticed the bread maker is missing, as is the large container in which I packed all my kitchen utensils, some of which were bought in the UK. I would say I am looking at in excess of 2,000y to get back to where I started and what are the chances of that happening?
Anyway I did go shopping and afterwards went for a hotdog at Buddy’s. Stone me if since last night he hadn’t got beer in, so I had a bottle of some German stuff at 6.5%. I guessed that as it was a smallish bottle it might set me back 15y but hell, when I got the bill it was 31y!!! It makes the wine in Homwo look positively cheap! Could it get any worse?
Well, funny I should say that, when I got home I spotted a missed call from my man in the Hilton. He called again from Heidi’s in Shenyang where the usual suspects were winding down (or up, depending on your perspective) following their customary thousand mile Sunday bike ride. I am not sure whether the largesse that followed was a result of alcohol intake or indeed as he professed, so that he doesn’t top himself after reading all the delightful things happening in my life at present.
He is very, very kindly going to despatch an Oxfam relief parcel of cheese, pasta and instacure for making my own ham! Thank you very much Steve, the good news is that I actually have big enough saucepans in which to make my ham - although I know not yet if I have lids to cover them! The bad news is that I can’t make bread for cheese sandwiches….
1430
At school this morning Janet gave me a moon cake and I had a choice of four teachers day gifts from the school. An egg boiler, yoghurt maker, saucepan or something else which was of no use to me. I opted for the pan, you can never have enough of those.
On my return home my internet was down. I have no idea why but I think I need to log in and I have no clue as to what to do or what my passcodes are. Great. I also haven’t been paid yet. There is one plus though, an additional box has turned up, this was at the back of my mind seeing as they had repacked everything and some of my boxes were huge. Hopefully it will contain my bread maker and utensils, then really the only thing of note to cry about is the oven. Once I actually get paid I can squeeze the money for a new one, a cheapo is about 300y but I have seen a nice big German one for 500y with an extras pack for another 90y. It will mean tightening my belt for this month unless the delivery firm cough up but I really do need an oven.
1940
Not one but TWO extra boxes arrived, an intact bread maker and all my utensils. Still no internet and probably won’t be until tomorrow but at least it’s not just me, it is the entire campus. Doesn’t make me feel happier, however it does stop me getting annoyed if I am the only one and they haven’t been to fix it!
So I actually cooked tonight, chilli/thyme pork mince and veg with mashed potatoes. I thought I had overdone the thyme but nope, it was lovely and there’s enough for four more meals in the freezer.
Now, which of the films on my laptop that I have seen a dozen times shall I watch to pass the rest of the night away…………
Sunday, 11 September 2016
Sunday 11th September, 2016 1300
When I went back the shop yesterday another two large boxes had turned up. Now they realised why I needed them to bring it in a vehicle, which they kindly did, thereby gaining all my future jing jo custom in the process.
I opened the box containing all my crockery, which I had carefully wrapped in old China Dailies. Half of my plates and bowls were in smithereens. Ok, I expected to lose a few (not quite that many though) and in fairness most of them had been inherited from Kevin and Ollivier when they left so I wasn’t going to grumble too much.
Next I opened one of the big boxes. A nightmare with everything jumbled up where obviously the handlers had simply lobbed things around with no care whatsoever. That one could wait, so I turned my attention to the other big box. One end of it seemed wet. By its weight I was certain this one held the majority of my books (the dictionary alone cost twice as much to buy as the entire shipping bill and being a numbered limited edition, is irreplaceable) so my heart sank.
I opened it. To my huge relief the books were at the good end and the only one affected was Triangle Trade (sorry Geoff!) and that only with a sticky flyleaf. A wipe with a damp cloth sorted that. The rest consisted of tinned and bottled food, containers and clothes. Somehow they had managed to burst a tub of Bisto gravy granules which would have been merely inconvenient on its own but they also managed to pop a tin of Lyles golden syrup! I have never not needed a screwdriver to prise the lids off!
The result was a sticky, sweet beef gravy over everything, including two suits. I have only just finished washing off the cans and bottles. They even managed to destroy one of my plastic eggcups - how do you manage that??
So my living room looks like a bomb site and a little while ago Janet phoned to say the final two boxes were arriving this afternoon. Great, my pots and pans, oven, chip maker and bread maker - I can cook at last. Except she went on to say that the woman who called her said one of the boxes was “broken” and they could hear glass inside!
The oven has a glass door and the bread maker a glass top window. I am going to go ballistic if they have broken my appliances. Joan did suggest that I put “fragile” stickers on my cartons but I pooh-poohed the idea, having been in the delivery business myself I knew it was a red rag to depot workers. Regardless, they would have been hidden anyway as the delivery firm had encased all the boxes in green sacks. So now I await the fate of the final boxes, praying the broken glass is because they have merely bust one of the saucepan lids. But this is me we’re talking about.
Oh yes, Janet very helpfully informed me that if the box was broken I could refuse it and it would be sent back to Chizhou. I did point out that the contents were not items I had ordered, they were already my property! I despair of that woman. Oh, PLEASE be a saucepan lid!
On a slightly happier note, last night I went to investigate the shopping street underneath Pizza Hut and to have some dinner. The idea was that maybe I could find a suitable eatery and if not there was always Homwo (without the extortionate wine). Blow me if just inside I didn’t spot Buddy’s American Diner!
Intrigued, I wandered over, had a glance at the menu in the window and walked on, exploring. All the shops were aimed at women and I saw no more restaurants, so back to Buddy’s it was. They offer proper steaks, burgers, hot dogs, pasta etc and I went for a burger which was delightfully messy, particularly as I had refused the plastic eating gloves! A few bits of gristle in it but otherwise fine, tonight I may well return for a hot dog. The waitresses are all sophomores from the Normal University next door, doing part time jobs and the English major in their number was designated to look after me.
After I had eaten a girl came and sat with me, asking me what I thought of the place and if I had any suggestions. They only opened three months ago and the boss (no his English name isn’t Buddy - although I did try to kid them that I was the real owner, showing them my name on my bank card!) wanted to know as this was his first business. I offered my critique, including a suggestion that as they have signs on the wall saying “Burgers and Beer” it might be an idea to actually HAVE some beer! It’s not the cheapest place to eat, the burger was 35y, but I will definitely become a regular, especially as they hinted at a discount if I introduced others to it, seeing as nobody knows it exists yet.
Just before I left, Clement came in, it was his first time as well. He is a brand new French teacher from Lille in northern France, very personable young chap whom I feel I shall see more of seeing as I don’t see any of my own colleagues.
So I shall post this, dress and go and see if the shrapnel that used to be my kitchen equipment has turned up at the shop yet. If I still have an oven, afterwards I will buy the gubbins for a cottage pie tomorrow, no point today either way as I need a really early night again.
One day things will go smoothly for me and I will probably keel over.
When I went back the shop yesterday another two large boxes had turned up. Now they realised why I needed them to bring it in a vehicle, which they kindly did, thereby gaining all my future jing jo custom in the process.
I opened the box containing all my crockery, which I had carefully wrapped in old China Dailies. Half of my plates and bowls were in smithereens. Ok, I expected to lose a few (not quite that many though) and in fairness most of them had been inherited from Kevin and Ollivier when they left so I wasn’t going to grumble too much.
Next I opened one of the big boxes. A nightmare with everything jumbled up where obviously the handlers had simply lobbed things around with no care whatsoever. That one could wait, so I turned my attention to the other big box. One end of it seemed wet. By its weight I was certain this one held the majority of my books (the dictionary alone cost twice as much to buy as the entire shipping bill and being a numbered limited edition, is irreplaceable) so my heart sank.
I opened it. To my huge relief the books were at the good end and the only one affected was Triangle Trade (sorry Geoff!) and that only with a sticky flyleaf. A wipe with a damp cloth sorted that. The rest consisted of tinned and bottled food, containers and clothes. Somehow they had managed to burst a tub of Bisto gravy granules which would have been merely inconvenient on its own but they also managed to pop a tin of Lyles golden syrup! I have never not needed a screwdriver to prise the lids off!
The result was a sticky, sweet beef gravy over everything, including two suits. I have only just finished washing off the cans and bottles. They even managed to destroy one of my plastic eggcups - how do you manage that??
So my living room looks like a bomb site and a little while ago Janet phoned to say the final two boxes were arriving this afternoon. Great, my pots and pans, oven, chip maker and bread maker - I can cook at last. Except she went on to say that the woman who called her said one of the boxes was “broken” and they could hear glass inside!
The oven has a glass door and the bread maker a glass top window. I am going to go ballistic if they have broken my appliances. Joan did suggest that I put “fragile” stickers on my cartons but I pooh-poohed the idea, having been in the delivery business myself I knew it was a red rag to depot workers. Regardless, they would have been hidden anyway as the delivery firm had encased all the boxes in green sacks. So now I await the fate of the final boxes, praying the broken glass is because they have merely bust one of the saucepan lids. But this is me we’re talking about.
Oh yes, Janet very helpfully informed me that if the box was broken I could refuse it and it would be sent back to Chizhou. I did point out that the contents were not items I had ordered, they were already my property! I despair of that woman. Oh, PLEASE be a saucepan lid!
On a slightly happier note, last night I went to investigate the shopping street underneath Pizza Hut and to have some dinner. The idea was that maybe I could find a suitable eatery and if not there was always Homwo (without the extortionate wine). Blow me if just inside I didn’t spot Buddy’s American Diner!
Intrigued, I wandered over, had a glance at the menu in the window and walked on, exploring. All the shops were aimed at women and I saw no more restaurants, so back to Buddy’s it was. They offer proper steaks, burgers, hot dogs, pasta etc and I went for a burger which was delightfully messy, particularly as I had refused the plastic eating gloves! A few bits of gristle in it but otherwise fine, tonight I may well return for a hot dog. The waitresses are all sophomores from the Normal University next door, doing part time jobs and the English major in their number was designated to look after me.
After I had eaten a girl came and sat with me, asking me what I thought of the place and if I had any suggestions. They only opened three months ago and the boss (no his English name isn’t Buddy - although I did try to kid them that I was the real owner, showing them my name on my bank card!) wanted to know as this was his first business. I offered my critique, including a suggestion that as they have signs on the wall saying “Burgers and Beer” it might be an idea to actually HAVE some beer! It’s not the cheapest place to eat, the burger was 35y, but I will definitely become a regular, especially as they hinted at a discount if I introduced others to it, seeing as nobody knows it exists yet.
Just before I left, Clement came in, it was his first time as well. He is a brand new French teacher from Lille in northern France, very personable young chap whom I feel I shall see more of seeing as I don’t see any of my own colleagues.
So I shall post this, dress and go and see if the shrapnel that used to be my kitchen equipment has turned up at the shop yet. If I still have an oven, afterwards I will buy the gubbins for a cottage pie tomorrow, no point today either way as I need a really early night again.
One day things will go smoothly for me and I will probably keel over.
Saturday, 10 September 2016
Saturday 10th September, 2016 Teachers Day 1230
Well I had a great start to Thursday. Dragging my aching old bones off my concrete slab, I blundered my way in the gloom to the bathroom, thinking it was a cold morning and I was going to suffer waiting for the bus. I knew it would warm up later in the day but with only short sleeved shirts to wear I was really willing my things to arrive soon from Chizhou.
My routine sees the shower as my last act in the bathroom of a morning but when I was brushing my teeth I couldn’t help but notice the water wasn’t getting warm. Neither did the shower when tried it. That was all I needed. I went to the kitchen to investigate. Nothing I did could make the boiler do its job, nor could I get the gas hobs to work. I assumed the gas had been turned off due to the roadworks.
In grumpy mode I left home in the cold to await the bus, which of course was late but the first time I am, you can bet your shirt it will have been on time and I missed it. En route I texted my gripe to Brenda for her to see when she went to work.
When I returned at lunchtime there was still no gas so I waited until 1500 before pestering again. Maybe you need to buy some more gas? You mean it runs out? Apparently so, nobody had advised this and I thought as it was mains rather than bottled it would simply be limitless, given that ultimately I don’t pay for it anyway. So too I believe the electricity also has to be topped up, presumably I reclaim from the school.
Anyway, my meter showed there was plenty of gas available, I just couldn’t get at it!
In came Harriett. I met her armed with my charge cards for utilities and she suggested perhaps the AA batteries in the meter were exhausted so I bought some and we went to my place to see. She was mystified (as I was) as to how I had gas but it didn’t work. After a while she got the hob to fire up but not the shower. Eventually she turned the shower gas supply valve on! There are two valves by the hob and in the early morning in my efforts to get a shower I must have turned one of them off, which despite my thinking it was for one of the burners, was in fact for the boiler on the other side of the kitchen. The problem for me was that there is no indication as to which position is on or which is off. Finally I had my shower and a lesson was learnt. Why couldn’t I have a shower in the morning? Because the gas was indeed turned off until 0700 but nobody had told me.
On Friday the bus was yet again late but on this occasion Stirling Moss actually managed to get us there ten minutes before class started. Much to Janet’s disappointment I said I had to go to my office first to get my things because for this class I had a ground floor room, seeing as there were sixty students and they wouldn’t fit in my normal room.
This class is the one full of aspiring students who want to go to Cyprus for their Masters. Some left in the break, never to return again that afternoon. These kids need intensive English classes to get them up to scratch for acceptance in Cyprus yet already some are displaying a cavalier attitude to their future prospects. Their choice.
Earlier in the day my suitcase and the two smallest boxes of my gear had arrived but the driver refused to bring them to my home so I had gone to the shop/depot, taken the case (it has wheels) and arranged to show the boss where I live on my return at six to bring the two boxes. Well that didn’t happen as he had to go somewhere but would be back between seven and nine, wait for Janet’s call. She called at 2130 to say he hadn’t contacted her, maybe tomorrow. I at least have my fleece.
Running out of ideas as to what to cook in the wok, I had taken the bus to Homwo earlier, a Spanish equivalent of Ikea. They have a café upstairs where I had an edible chicken curry washed down by a miniature bottle of red which to my horror cost twice as much as the food. Whilst I shall eat there again, I will take my own drink in future.
Last night I received an email from a woman whose position is EFL Co-ordinator at the European Cyprus university. She wants to help me by offering ideas as to what to do with Friday’s students. There may be some who would resent the implication that perhaps they weren’t up to the job but I am not one such. Frankly, I have no idea what to do with such a large class in such a short time, particularly as it is already manifest that some of them couldn’t give a stuff and of the remainder, but a handful have passable English. I also assume the school here put her up to it so it would be unwise to refuse offers of help on that basis alone. I have suggested a Skype call on Wednesday afternoon. I have time as I will see that class next Sunday as a make-up class after mid-autumn festival where we have Thursday and Friday off.
So having showered I will shortly go shopping. I await a call for my luggage and hopefully perhaps the remaining four big boxes will show up, that will prove to the shopkeeper that I really DO need someone with an e-pickup unless he is Hercules personified. I had rather hoped that by now I would have my oven and pots so I could buy the makings for a cottage pie (oh how simple things please when you are denied them!) but I won’t just yet. Also, the supermarket doesn’t seem to sell mince, just chopped pork which is odd. Good job I also forwarded the hand mincer which as yet remains virgin but not I fear for much longer.
Well I had a great start to Thursday. Dragging my aching old bones off my concrete slab, I blundered my way in the gloom to the bathroom, thinking it was a cold morning and I was going to suffer waiting for the bus. I knew it would warm up later in the day but with only short sleeved shirts to wear I was really willing my things to arrive soon from Chizhou.
My routine sees the shower as my last act in the bathroom of a morning but when I was brushing my teeth I couldn’t help but notice the water wasn’t getting warm. Neither did the shower when tried it. That was all I needed. I went to the kitchen to investigate. Nothing I did could make the boiler do its job, nor could I get the gas hobs to work. I assumed the gas had been turned off due to the roadworks.
In grumpy mode I left home in the cold to await the bus, which of course was late but the first time I am, you can bet your shirt it will have been on time and I missed it. En route I texted my gripe to Brenda for her to see when she went to work.
When I returned at lunchtime there was still no gas so I waited until 1500 before pestering again. Maybe you need to buy some more gas? You mean it runs out? Apparently so, nobody had advised this and I thought as it was mains rather than bottled it would simply be limitless, given that ultimately I don’t pay for it anyway. So too I believe the electricity also has to be topped up, presumably I reclaim from the school.
Anyway, my meter showed there was plenty of gas available, I just couldn’t get at it!
In came Harriett. I met her armed with my charge cards for utilities and she suggested perhaps the AA batteries in the meter were exhausted so I bought some and we went to my place to see. She was mystified (as I was) as to how I had gas but it didn’t work. After a while she got the hob to fire up but not the shower. Eventually she turned the shower gas supply valve on! There are two valves by the hob and in the early morning in my efforts to get a shower I must have turned one of them off, which despite my thinking it was for one of the burners, was in fact for the boiler on the other side of the kitchen. The problem for me was that there is no indication as to which position is on or which is off. Finally I had my shower and a lesson was learnt. Why couldn’t I have a shower in the morning? Because the gas was indeed turned off until 0700 but nobody had told me.
On Friday the bus was yet again late but on this occasion Stirling Moss actually managed to get us there ten minutes before class started. Much to Janet’s disappointment I said I had to go to my office first to get my things because for this class I had a ground floor room, seeing as there were sixty students and they wouldn’t fit in my normal room.
This class is the one full of aspiring students who want to go to Cyprus for their Masters. Some left in the break, never to return again that afternoon. These kids need intensive English classes to get them up to scratch for acceptance in Cyprus yet already some are displaying a cavalier attitude to their future prospects. Their choice.
Earlier in the day my suitcase and the two smallest boxes of my gear had arrived but the driver refused to bring them to my home so I had gone to the shop/depot, taken the case (it has wheels) and arranged to show the boss where I live on my return at six to bring the two boxes. Well that didn’t happen as he had to go somewhere but would be back between seven and nine, wait for Janet’s call. She called at 2130 to say he hadn’t contacted her, maybe tomorrow. I at least have my fleece.
Running out of ideas as to what to cook in the wok, I had taken the bus to Homwo earlier, a Spanish equivalent of Ikea. They have a café upstairs where I had an edible chicken curry washed down by a miniature bottle of red which to my horror cost twice as much as the food. Whilst I shall eat there again, I will take my own drink in future.
Last night I received an email from a woman whose position is EFL Co-ordinator at the European Cyprus university. She wants to help me by offering ideas as to what to do with Friday’s students. There may be some who would resent the implication that perhaps they weren’t up to the job but I am not one such. Frankly, I have no idea what to do with such a large class in such a short time, particularly as it is already manifest that some of them couldn’t give a stuff and of the remainder, but a handful have passable English. I also assume the school here put her up to it so it would be unwise to refuse offers of help on that basis alone. I have suggested a Skype call on Wednesday afternoon. I have time as I will see that class next Sunday as a make-up class after mid-autumn festival where we have Thursday and Friday off.
So having showered I will shortly go shopping. I await a call for my luggage and hopefully perhaps the remaining four big boxes will show up, that will prove to the shopkeeper that I really DO need someone with an e-pickup unless he is Hercules personified. I had rather hoped that by now I would have my oven and pots so I could buy the makings for a cottage pie (oh how simple things please when you are denied them!) but I won’t just yet. Also, the supermarket doesn’t seem to sell mince, just chopped pork which is odd. Good job I also forwarded the hand mincer which as yet remains virgin but not I fear for much longer.
Wednesday, 7 September 2016
Wednesday 7th September, 2016 1350
I may as well have stayed in bed. The good thing I suppose is that I will definitely sleep early tonight in preparation for my five o’clock “early heave out” following today’s “day’s slack” (said expressions intended purely for my OC readers!).
I woke up this morning with a really painful left bum/leg, presumably a combination of the legacy from the busted pelvis, the fact that since that time I have walked little and lately I have been walking aplenty. My word was it painful and, anxious not to give the school any grounds for concern (remember I am on probation for a month), I popped a pill and prayed it not only worked but took effect before I had to go and meet Harriett.
At least it had taken the edge off by the time I left home to link up with her, although I still had a trace of a limp and my speed was reduced from my normal dead slow ahead to “do we have to walk so fast?” mode. I did feel obliged to explain to her what was happening but assured her it was simply my inactivity over the past eighteen months which was at fault - and if truth be known that’s probably right because pain aside, getting around is starting to become noticeably slightly easier by the day.
Anyway we got a taxi to yet another bank. I could have saved us all the trouble of being refused an account yet again but speaking up would have been pointless because what on earth would a foreigner know? The way I see it, different branches of banks are still going to have to abide by certain rules set by the government so shopping around in the hope of finding a lax one is futile, as proved to be the case this morning.
The two other new teachers could open an account because their old residence permit was still in date at the time. Mine expired six weeks ago, I remained on a permit to stay and am now on a working visa issued in Hong Kong. I cannot have an account until the school converts my visa into a residence permit. Simple. For me at least. I’m glad I’m not footing the taxi bills.
Apparently payday may well be tomorrow (great if it is because the weekend was a worry otherwise) and so I suggested some options as to how to pay me: 1. Give me cash. We don’t pay in cash. 2. Pay Harriett in her account and she can then give me the cash. No we can’t do that- no explanation as to why. 3. Pay the salary into my Construction Bank account in Chizhou.
The latter has been agreed for this month only. Fine by me because with me not being in Chizhou, each withdrawal from an ATM costs me 6y a pop, although I will minimise the cost to me by taking the whole lot in two large transactions. By next month I have to have the permit or I am illegal here anyway so either Bank of China will be my new bank or prison my new home. I can only pray they manage to sort it out in a timely manner so I can at least access it in time for the weekend and so that I can repay Joan as soon as I know the bill for my pocket watch. It’s the least I can do considering she is otherwise cramming hard for upcoming vital exams and took time out to help me.
Anyway we came back after a fruitless ninety minutes, after which I went shopping. This time I managed to find tins of tomato paste (puree) which are twice the price of that in Chizhou but still no sign of pasta. I did though find American hot dogs so decided to have hot dogs for my dinner tonight.
I even found some hot dog rolls labelled “milk bread” in the bakery although I had misgivings about buying them. Ketchup and a small onion completed my shopping. On my return I thought I had better taste the buns to check. My doubts were well-founded - they taste like cake. Haha! Dinner tonight will now be hot dog sausages, onion and ketchup! That bread making machine I haven’t used for three years? Well it’s coming out of mothballs here!
As for the washing machine, come next week I will be pushing hard because I now have the vestige of a dhobi rash in my groin area. The only other time in my life I had that was as a teenage deck cadet and it has to be purely down to the washer not draining fully and leaving soap in the rinse. I have enough health conditions to manage without getting entirely preventable ones.
This morning they commenced re-concreting the access road to where I live. I do hope they have the sense when they get to my entrance to terminate one section right there and letting the new bit dry so that when they do the other I still have an escape other than using the pavement. That’s fine for skinny people but with the metal anti-thief cages on the windows for me to do it I have to proceed crabwise clinging to the metal bars. I wouldn’t put it past me to end up calf-deep in wet cement and I only have one set of footwear here at present.
I may as well have stayed in bed. The good thing I suppose is that I will definitely sleep early tonight in preparation for my five o’clock “early heave out” following today’s “day’s slack” (said expressions intended purely for my OC readers!).
I woke up this morning with a really painful left bum/leg, presumably a combination of the legacy from the busted pelvis, the fact that since that time I have walked little and lately I have been walking aplenty. My word was it painful and, anxious not to give the school any grounds for concern (remember I am on probation for a month), I popped a pill and prayed it not only worked but took effect before I had to go and meet Harriett.
At least it had taken the edge off by the time I left home to link up with her, although I still had a trace of a limp and my speed was reduced from my normal dead slow ahead to “do we have to walk so fast?” mode. I did feel obliged to explain to her what was happening but assured her it was simply my inactivity over the past eighteen months which was at fault - and if truth be known that’s probably right because pain aside, getting around is starting to become noticeably slightly easier by the day.
Anyway we got a taxi to yet another bank. I could have saved us all the trouble of being refused an account yet again but speaking up would have been pointless because what on earth would a foreigner know? The way I see it, different branches of banks are still going to have to abide by certain rules set by the government so shopping around in the hope of finding a lax one is futile, as proved to be the case this morning.
The two other new teachers could open an account because their old residence permit was still in date at the time. Mine expired six weeks ago, I remained on a permit to stay and am now on a working visa issued in Hong Kong. I cannot have an account until the school converts my visa into a residence permit. Simple. For me at least. I’m glad I’m not footing the taxi bills.
Apparently payday may well be tomorrow (great if it is because the weekend was a worry otherwise) and so I suggested some options as to how to pay me: 1. Give me cash. We don’t pay in cash. 2. Pay Harriett in her account and she can then give me the cash. No we can’t do that- no explanation as to why. 3. Pay the salary into my Construction Bank account in Chizhou.
The latter has been agreed for this month only. Fine by me because with me not being in Chizhou, each withdrawal from an ATM costs me 6y a pop, although I will minimise the cost to me by taking the whole lot in two large transactions. By next month I have to have the permit or I am illegal here anyway so either Bank of China will be my new bank or prison my new home. I can only pray they manage to sort it out in a timely manner so I can at least access it in time for the weekend and so that I can repay Joan as soon as I know the bill for my pocket watch. It’s the least I can do considering she is otherwise cramming hard for upcoming vital exams and took time out to help me.
Anyway we came back after a fruitless ninety minutes, after which I went shopping. This time I managed to find tins of tomato paste (puree) which are twice the price of that in Chizhou but still no sign of pasta. I did though find American hot dogs so decided to have hot dogs for my dinner tonight.
I even found some hot dog rolls labelled “milk bread” in the bakery although I had misgivings about buying them. Ketchup and a small onion completed my shopping. On my return I thought I had better taste the buns to check. My doubts were well-founded - they taste like cake. Haha! Dinner tonight will now be hot dog sausages, onion and ketchup! That bread making machine I haven’t used for three years? Well it’s coming out of mothballs here!
As for the washing machine, come next week I will be pushing hard because I now have the vestige of a dhobi rash in my groin area. The only other time in my life I had that was as a teenage deck cadet and it has to be purely down to the washer not draining fully and leaving soap in the rinse. I have enough health conditions to manage without getting entirely preventable ones.
This morning they commenced re-concreting the access road to where I live. I do hope they have the sense when they get to my entrance to terminate one section right there and letting the new bit dry so that when they do the other I still have an escape other than using the pavement. That’s fine for skinny people but with the metal anti-thief cages on the windows for me to do it I have to proceed crabwise clinging to the metal bars. I wouldn’t put it past me to end up calf-deep in wet cement and I only have one set of footwear here at present.
Tuesday, 6 September 2016
Tuesday 6th September, 2016 1900
I met with Harriett at 1220 as arranged to go and open a bank account. The bank was actually a spit from the supermarket I have been using and we duly went in and enquired. We were unable to open an account because they had no debit/ATM cards left. Someone hadn’t ordered enough to cope with the sudden influx of all the freshman joining universities and needing accounts with whichever bank their school does business with.
We took a taxi to another branch which did have cards and as the clock struck one I said to Harriett this needed to be quick, the bus for my class was at 1325 and after yesterday I was not going to miss it. Well it WAS quick, they wouldn’t let me open an account because I don’t have a residence permit yet. Harriett is convinced that two other new teachers who also haven’t got their permits yet had accounts opened for them at the first branch we visited. My lie in tomorrow morning has disappeared because we will try again.
After my angst regarding the school bus it was 25 minutes late this time. Naturally Fittipaldi did his best to (and did) make up some time but nonetheless I was still late. I told the class I wasn’t going to say sorry for being late because I had a feeling I would be saying that a lot in future. I will tell you one thing, I am not going to be best pleased standing there in -15C at 0645 in the winter if it’s late.
Just two periods this afternoon but then a fifty minute wait for the bus to leave for the return trip. I used the office (not exclusively mine, I think an accountant occasionally (and had) uses it but at least I could sit and have a smoke in peace. I opened the desk drawers to see if any were empty that I could use and in one drawer found a 100y note. I have no idea if someone has genuinely forgotten it or whether it has been set as a test for me but it remains there and when I next see Janet I will mention it, not for any other reason than if it DOES go missing I wish to place myself above suspicion.
Having had fried fish with bread and butter last night which was awful because the cooking oil I bought is disgusting, tonight I settled for yet more noodles. My things should now be in transit and once I am paid oh boy, will I start cooking and freezing with a vengeance!
I met with Harriett at 1220 as arranged to go and open a bank account. The bank was actually a spit from the supermarket I have been using and we duly went in and enquired. We were unable to open an account because they had no debit/ATM cards left. Someone hadn’t ordered enough to cope with the sudden influx of all the freshman joining universities and needing accounts with whichever bank their school does business with.
We took a taxi to another branch which did have cards and as the clock struck one I said to Harriett this needed to be quick, the bus for my class was at 1325 and after yesterday I was not going to miss it. Well it WAS quick, they wouldn’t let me open an account because I don’t have a residence permit yet. Harriett is convinced that two other new teachers who also haven’t got their permits yet had accounts opened for them at the first branch we visited. My lie in tomorrow morning has disappeared because we will try again.
After my angst regarding the school bus it was 25 minutes late this time. Naturally Fittipaldi did his best to (and did) make up some time but nonetheless I was still late. I told the class I wasn’t going to say sorry for being late because I had a feeling I would be saying that a lot in future. I will tell you one thing, I am not going to be best pleased standing there in -15C at 0645 in the winter if it’s late.
Just two periods this afternoon but then a fifty minute wait for the bus to leave for the return trip. I used the office (not exclusively mine, I think an accountant occasionally (and had) uses it but at least I could sit and have a smoke in peace. I opened the desk drawers to see if any were empty that I could use and in one drawer found a 100y note. I have no idea if someone has genuinely forgotten it or whether it has been set as a test for me but it remains there and when I next see Janet I will mention it, not for any other reason than if it DOES go missing I wish to place myself above suspicion.
Having had fried fish with bread and butter last night which was awful because the cooking oil I bought is disgusting, tonight I settled for yet more noodles. My things should now be in transit and once I am paid oh boy, will I start cooking and freezing with a vengeance!
Monday, 5 September 2016
Monday 5th September, 2016 1545
An eventful first day at the office.
It was eleven before I was tired enough to retire last night, two hours later than I had intended but there’s no point laying in bed tossing and turning. Six hours later and before dawn I was dragged out of my coma.
Being my first day I really didn’t want to be late, especially as I only had 3y in my wallet and therefore couldn’t take a taxi to make amends if I missed the bus. Shower, mug of tea, read the news etc and I left just after six-thirty to go to the rendezvous for an 0655 pick up.
It took me 8 minutes to get there, meaning I was a quarter of an hour early. Later, other people started arriving and, suspecting they were also teachers, I asked them. None spoke English but they were indeed teachers. Great. Except when the bus turned up on time and they all started to board, I noticed it was bigger than I remembered and the number plate was different. Hmmm.
Trusting my instinct, I stayed put. A good job too, my bus was 10 minutes late. Had I got on the other one, Lord only knows which university I would have fetched up at! Our driver thinks he is Lewis Hamilton and I have to say my heart is in my mouth the entire journey - especially when I am in the front seat. I find myself constantly braking using the imaginary pedals on my side. I can only assume he doesn’t regularly kill teachers otherwise he wouldn’t hold the job. But this is China………..
So I was late anyway for my first day but at least nobody could blame me. No time for a quick puff before starting, I left Janet behind and said I would find my classroom, 402. Striding into the room I let out a stentorian “Good morning!” only to see the students start in surprise and also the school president, who was in there chatting with them! Oh what the hell, at least it showed them I was keen to get started!
A mere 13 in the first class, we did introductions and I showed my video of Chizhou college. When the second period ended and I said I would see them next Monday they looked at me in bemusement. Little phases me here any more and I took it on the chin when they informed me I had them for the next two lessons as well!
Ok, I had nothing prepared beyond two periods but I DID have my usb stick so at least had films to back me up. Or did I? Despite being assured they had VLC installed on the computer they didn’t and not only could I not get the subtitles to appear, whatever software they had didn’t allow you to pause or take up where you left off. In short, utterly useless.
One of the boys is a bit of a whiz, failed also but then went away to download what I wanted, came back and installed it and we were in business. I am told that the software on that computer will delete VLC once it is turned off so hopefully I now have it on my stick so that I can download every time if necessary.
In the break I had been given the keys to my office and Janet located an ashtray. She was also going to the bank to change my $HK for me. After all was done I went to get my yuan from her and only then did I discover I also have the same class tomorrow afternoon for two lessons! At least this time I know.
During the roller coaster ride back on the bus Anthony sent a message asking about sending my boxes and wanting an answer as to whether I wanted to pay the price. Well he hadn’t told me the cost yet so yet another text had to be sent. My luggage/belongings weigh over 150kg and the charge is 7y per kilo. I have to pay 1050y. Having left him (perhaps naively) 400y, I said I need the stuff, send it, pay day is in a week (perhaps Friday if they pay a day early) and I would send him 650y to repay him.
No, he wanted the money before sending. Someone who was keen at every turn to avow his friendship didn’t trust me? I sent to that effect. No, he just didn’t have that much to spare. Really? Me I understand, an unexpected trip to HK cost about 5,000 otherwise it would have been no problem. Him? Recently had enough money to buy a house and car? No, he doesn’t trust me. Faced with being unable to cook, no warm clothes and the temperature gradually dipping and perhaps another two weeks to wait, I asked someone I knew who would help if they were able.
The lovely Joan to the rescue, who went and withdrew the cash and took it to him. Whilst it is good of Anthony to organise the shipment of my things, I hope he is suitably embarrassed that a student trusted me whereas a colleague didn’t. I have thanked Joan by text but I would also like to do so publicly here.
My passport was returned just now by Brenda, who also took a look at the washing machine and kitchen tap problem. When she suggested they put the washing machine into the bathroom (which is what the Chinese do) I just laughed and asked how I was supposed to fit in there as well - it is only small - and did she not think an electric appliance being showered with water was a little dangerous? I have made my suggestion as to what they should do, which is drill through the stud wall and one aperture will suffice for inlet and outlet. It may have to wait until next week, I am guessing they will have to source the fittings but as long as it gets done.
I am now sweating re payday. I doubt they pay at weekends but they may pay a day early - fine. If it’s Monday I will not quite make it but I am sure I will get through. Tomorrow Harriett is helping me open a bank account and we are meeting at 1220. I hope it doesn’t take ages because my bus to school leaves an hour later!
An eventful first day at the office.
It was eleven before I was tired enough to retire last night, two hours later than I had intended but there’s no point laying in bed tossing and turning. Six hours later and before dawn I was dragged out of my coma.
Being my first day I really didn’t want to be late, especially as I only had 3y in my wallet and therefore couldn’t take a taxi to make amends if I missed the bus. Shower, mug of tea, read the news etc and I left just after six-thirty to go to the rendezvous for an 0655 pick up.
It took me 8 minutes to get there, meaning I was a quarter of an hour early. Later, other people started arriving and, suspecting they were also teachers, I asked them. None spoke English but they were indeed teachers. Great. Except when the bus turned up on time and they all started to board, I noticed it was bigger than I remembered and the number plate was different. Hmmm.
Trusting my instinct, I stayed put. A good job too, my bus was 10 minutes late. Had I got on the other one, Lord only knows which university I would have fetched up at! Our driver thinks he is Lewis Hamilton and I have to say my heart is in my mouth the entire journey - especially when I am in the front seat. I find myself constantly braking using the imaginary pedals on my side. I can only assume he doesn’t regularly kill teachers otherwise he wouldn’t hold the job. But this is China………..
So I was late anyway for my first day but at least nobody could blame me. No time for a quick puff before starting, I left Janet behind and said I would find my classroom, 402. Striding into the room I let out a stentorian “Good morning!” only to see the students start in surprise and also the school president, who was in there chatting with them! Oh what the hell, at least it showed them I was keen to get started!
A mere 13 in the first class, we did introductions and I showed my video of Chizhou college. When the second period ended and I said I would see them next Monday they looked at me in bemusement. Little phases me here any more and I took it on the chin when they informed me I had them for the next two lessons as well!
Ok, I had nothing prepared beyond two periods but I DID have my usb stick so at least had films to back me up. Or did I? Despite being assured they had VLC installed on the computer they didn’t and not only could I not get the subtitles to appear, whatever software they had didn’t allow you to pause or take up where you left off. In short, utterly useless.
One of the boys is a bit of a whiz, failed also but then went away to download what I wanted, came back and installed it and we were in business. I am told that the software on that computer will delete VLC once it is turned off so hopefully I now have it on my stick so that I can download every time if necessary.
In the break I had been given the keys to my office and Janet located an ashtray. She was also going to the bank to change my $HK for me. After all was done I went to get my yuan from her and only then did I discover I also have the same class tomorrow afternoon for two lessons! At least this time I know.
During the roller coaster ride back on the bus Anthony sent a message asking about sending my boxes and wanting an answer as to whether I wanted to pay the price. Well he hadn’t told me the cost yet so yet another text had to be sent. My luggage/belongings weigh over 150kg and the charge is 7y per kilo. I have to pay 1050y. Having left him (perhaps naively) 400y, I said I need the stuff, send it, pay day is in a week (perhaps Friday if they pay a day early) and I would send him 650y to repay him.
No, he wanted the money before sending. Someone who was keen at every turn to avow his friendship didn’t trust me? I sent to that effect. No, he just didn’t have that much to spare. Really? Me I understand, an unexpected trip to HK cost about 5,000 otherwise it would have been no problem. Him? Recently had enough money to buy a house and car? No, he doesn’t trust me. Faced with being unable to cook, no warm clothes and the temperature gradually dipping and perhaps another two weeks to wait, I asked someone I knew who would help if they were able.
The lovely Joan to the rescue, who went and withdrew the cash and took it to him. Whilst it is good of Anthony to organise the shipment of my things, I hope he is suitably embarrassed that a student trusted me whereas a colleague didn’t. I have thanked Joan by text but I would also like to do so publicly here.
My passport was returned just now by Brenda, who also took a look at the washing machine and kitchen tap problem. When she suggested they put the washing machine into the bathroom (which is what the Chinese do) I just laughed and asked how I was supposed to fit in there as well - it is only small - and did she not think an electric appliance being showered with water was a little dangerous? I have made my suggestion as to what they should do, which is drill through the stud wall and one aperture will suffice for inlet and outlet. It may have to wait until next week, I am guessing they will have to source the fittings but as long as it gets done.
I am now sweating re payday. I doubt they pay at weekends but they may pay a day early - fine. If it’s Monday I will not quite make it but I am sure I will get through. Tomorrow Harriett is helping me open a bank account and we are meeting at 1220. I hope it doesn’t take ages because my bus to school leaves an hour later!
Sunday, 4 September 2016
Sunday 4th September, 2016 1600
Roll on payday and the arrival of my gear. It will be nice to have a fridge with more than a couple of cans in and an empty freezer. Since arriving here I have laboured with a sore neck each day which I think is partly down to the rock hard mattress and the lack of a decent pillow, it can‘t still be the accident I had in the Chizhou hotel unless I broke my neck and never realised. I can’t even hang my clothes up because no hangers were left here. I mean, who takes wire coat hangers with them? I must have left fifty behind, I am beginning to wish I had put those in the boxes as well.
By what appears to be the standard here today has been warm at 24C (whilst Chizhou is ten degrees above that!) and this afternoon I took the last of my yuan to go and get essentials. A day’s supply of cigars (it pains me to be paying these prices), jing jo, bananas and the rudiments for bacon, eggs and fried bread for dinner. At the till I was sweating on coming in under 160y and it did by 3y - phew. The buses at the weekend are crammed and here nobody offers me a seat. Bastards. I have taken to waiting for a bendy double bus to come along and if it is full, letting everyone else go and then waiting for the next, which is often either sat up the backside of the bendy one or just a few seconds behind. That way I get a seat!
When I got back (complete with paper plates) I took a rest atop the walkover. The shopping was heavy and it was warm so I gathered my breath. I then suddenly realised I had forgotten to buy an essential part of my dinner - eggs! Oh God, whipped out the wallet to count the 1y notes which were all I had left. Seven yuan. At least I knew I could buy a mere two if I wanted, even if it would be embarrassing but at one of the stalls selling reasonably large, beautifully brown eggs I got half a dozen for 4y. Tomorrow I am in the poorhouse if the dollars don’t get changed so I have primed Janet, after all if she wants dinner invites my back needs scratching!
I am just finishing doing some laundry. I will not tolerate for long this trekking back and forth with buckets of water and constant bending down and I am certainly not hand washing clothes. I don’t mind doing a pair of socks if I really have to but that’s as far as it goes. Brenda has an email waiting for her first thing on Monday and while they are about it they can sort the kitchen sink tap. It’s so slow it doesn’t even activate the wall mounted heater. As for the kitchen sink, it dawned on me this morning that it will be a royal pain in the derriere. It’s a double bowl but both bowls are no larger than a foot square! Great for cutlery and glasses but my plates won’t fit, let alone my saucepans and frying pans. I’m sure I will cope but obviously it was installed with Chinese people in mind - they use small bowls mostly at home and if what I was told is true they never clean their woks, simply wipe them out and re-oil them to stop them going rusty.
So tomorrow I meet two of my classes, doubtless through rheumy eyes due to getting up before dawn. Then I shall find out what I am up against. I’m not expecting great fluency from them but am hoping that what I was told regarding them all being industrious and keen is in fact true.
Watch this space.
Roll on payday and the arrival of my gear. It will be nice to have a fridge with more than a couple of cans in and an empty freezer. Since arriving here I have laboured with a sore neck each day which I think is partly down to the rock hard mattress and the lack of a decent pillow, it can‘t still be the accident I had in the Chizhou hotel unless I broke my neck and never realised. I can’t even hang my clothes up because no hangers were left here. I mean, who takes wire coat hangers with them? I must have left fifty behind, I am beginning to wish I had put those in the boxes as well.
By what appears to be the standard here today has been warm at 24C (whilst Chizhou is ten degrees above that!) and this afternoon I took the last of my yuan to go and get essentials. A day’s supply of cigars (it pains me to be paying these prices), jing jo, bananas and the rudiments for bacon, eggs and fried bread for dinner. At the till I was sweating on coming in under 160y and it did by 3y - phew. The buses at the weekend are crammed and here nobody offers me a seat. Bastards. I have taken to waiting for a bendy double bus to come along and if it is full, letting everyone else go and then waiting for the next, which is often either sat up the backside of the bendy one or just a few seconds behind. That way I get a seat!
When I got back (complete with paper plates) I took a rest atop the walkover. The shopping was heavy and it was warm so I gathered my breath. I then suddenly realised I had forgotten to buy an essential part of my dinner - eggs! Oh God, whipped out the wallet to count the 1y notes which were all I had left. Seven yuan. At least I knew I could buy a mere two if I wanted, even if it would be embarrassing but at one of the stalls selling reasonably large, beautifully brown eggs I got half a dozen for 4y. Tomorrow I am in the poorhouse if the dollars don’t get changed so I have primed Janet, after all if she wants dinner invites my back needs scratching!
I am just finishing doing some laundry. I will not tolerate for long this trekking back and forth with buckets of water and constant bending down and I am certainly not hand washing clothes. I don’t mind doing a pair of socks if I really have to but that’s as far as it goes. Brenda has an email waiting for her first thing on Monday and while they are about it they can sort the kitchen sink tap. It’s so slow it doesn’t even activate the wall mounted heater. As for the kitchen sink, it dawned on me this morning that it will be a royal pain in the derriere. It’s a double bowl but both bowls are no larger than a foot square! Great for cutlery and glasses but my plates won’t fit, let alone my saucepans and frying pans. I’m sure I will cope but obviously it was installed with Chinese people in mind - they use small bowls mostly at home and if what I was told is true they never clean their woks, simply wipe them out and re-oil them to stop them going rusty.
So tomorrow I meet two of my classes, doubtless through rheumy eyes due to getting up before dawn. Then I shall find out what I am up against. I’m not expecting great fluency from them but am hoping that what I was told regarding them all being industrious and keen is in fact true.
Watch this space.
Saturday, 3 September 2016
Saturday 3rd September, 2016 1800
I never went to bed early as planned but I did wake up a bit earlier. I may adjust the old body clock yet before Monday morning. The problem is I can’t plan on being able to take a siesta if I am tired because firstly I need to be taken to open an account and secondly I am now starting to push hard for technicians to come and drill through walls and get my washing machine plumbed. That could happen when I least expect it and when I am at my most tired.
I went out a couple of hours ago to buy some bits and forage for food. I found a fly-infested café up a back street which sold beer but not cold ones and the menu was in Chinese with no pictures. The owners’ two daughters (6 and 3) were very interested in the foreign barbarian and I caught the family having their own late lunch or early dinner. I decided against eating there but had a couple of bottles and ruminated.
I worked out that if I went steady I didn’t need to buy cigars until tomorrow and then I could buy the small tins of ten which last longer than the fat fives, which are all I can get in the vicinity. I also decided not to buy jing jo as I have some and anyway I had two bottles of red wine, or I thought I did - more on that shortly.
After an hour or so of watching earthmoving plant go to and fro from whatever they are building down there I left. By now it was past five and the street stalls were out and setting up shop. Whilst drinking I had formulated a plan for a western style meal using only a wok. If I saved most of my money, tomorrow I could buy some oil, bacon, eggs and bread then fry them all (separately of course as they will all flock to the middle of the wok) and provided I remember salt’n’pepper and can buy some paper plates (I was only left a few small bowls) then I can have a crack it. No HP sauce, grilled tomato etc but I am beginning to feel like I AM a noodle.
Anyway I had to eat so I perused the stalls. The usual barbecued skewers that you see all over China but there was one stall which was frying things that looked like baps. I thought I may just buy two of those (yes I know, just bread for dinner) but then the chap suggested I have an egg or two inside. Ok, just one bap and two eggs, that would be enough for my daily nutrition seeing as I still have two bananas in my fridge. I refused the spicy sauce that was offered for obvious reasons. It cost 5y.
So for the first time in more than six years here, I bought street food. Back home I opened a bottle of “Romantic Lovers” wine - I swear I never read the label - poured a glass and tried it. God. It tasted like Ribena gone bad! It was last seen disappearing down the S bend. I will save the unopened bottle as a gift for someone I dislike.
My belongings are not yet en route to me, Anthony only having got back to campus today. They can’t arrive quick enough.
This flat has a TV which I assume works and also a box beneath. I haven’t even plugged either of them in so far yet today I looked on the box and it said “Coship” so I went online. It seems it may be a cable or satellite affair so at some point I will see if I can figure out how to work them both - who knows, I might get western telly?
There were no roadworks outside my home today, the first time I wouldn’t have minded them waking me up. They are digging up and replacing the pavements and road surface, which being in China, consist of concrete. They rarely use tarmac in China because it can’t handle the extreme high and low temperatures but then again the concrete cracks regularly too.
The buildings here are old in comparison to Chizhou where the new campus (where I was) only opened in about 2008. This university was founded a mere two years after I was born and despite the discolouration I must say is in better shape than Chizhou.
Lanzhou is the only city in China that the Yellow River (the 2nd river in China after the Yangtse) passes through. With the forbidding, arid mountains surrounding this city it seems obvious that without the river there would never have been a city established - just Bedouin tents!
My final remark for this entry has to be a thought that occurred to me a few days ago. Whoever named it the Yellow River had to have been colourblind. It is completely and utterly brown. As the river flows you can see the silt and sediment hurtling down it, turning it a constant shade of mud.
I never went to bed early as planned but I did wake up a bit earlier. I may adjust the old body clock yet before Monday morning. The problem is I can’t plan on being able to take a siesta if I am tired because firstly I need to be taken to open an account and secondly I am now starting to push hard for technicians to come and drill through walls and get my washing machine plumbed. That could happen when I least expect it and when I am at my most tired.
I went out a couple of hours ago to buy some bits and forage for food. I found a fly-infested café up a back street which sold beer but not cold ones and the menu was in Chinese with no pictures. The owners’ two daughters (6 and 3) were very interested in the foreign barbarian and I caught the family having their own late lunch or early dinner. I decided against eating there but had a couple of bottles and ruminated.
I worked out that if I went steady I didn’t need to buy cigars until tomorrow and then I could buy the small tins of ten which last longer than the fat fives, which are all I can get in the vicinity. I also decided not to buy jing jo as I have some and anyway I had two bottles of red wine, or I thought I did - more on that shortly.
After an hour or so of watching earthmoving plant go to and fro from whatever they are building down there I left. By now it was past five and the street stalls were out and setting up shop. Whilst drinking I had formulated a plan for a western style meal using only a wok. If I saved most of my money, tomorrow I could buy some oil, bacon, eggs and bread then fry them all (separately of course as they will all flock to the middle of the wok) and provided I remember salt’n’pepper and can buy some paper plates (I was only left a few small bowls) then I can have a crack it. No HP sauce, grilled tomato etc but I am beginning to feel like I AM a noodle.
Anyway I had to eat so I perused the stalls. The usual barbecued skewers that you see all over China but there was one stall which was frying things that looked like baps. I thought I may just buy two of those (yes I know, just bread for dinner) but then the chap suggested I have an egg or two inside. Ok, just one bap and two eggs, that would be enough for my daily nutrition seeing as I still have two bananas in my fridge. I refused the spicy sauce that was offered for obvious reasons. It cost 5y.
So for the first time in more than six years here, I bought street food. Back home I opened a bottle of “Romantic Lovers” wine - I swear I never read the label - poured a glass and tried it. God. It tasted like Ribena gone bad! It was last seen disappearing down the S bend. I will save the unopened bottle as a gift for someone I dislike.
My belongings are not yet en route to me, Anthony only having got back to campus today. They can’t arrive quick enough.
This flat has a TV which I assume works and also a box beneath. I haven’t even plugged either of them in so far yet today I looked on the box and it said “Coship” so I went online. It seems it may be a cable or satellite affair so at some point I will see if I can figure out how to work them both - who knows, I might get western telly?
There were no roadworks outside my home today, the first time I wouldn’t have minded them waking me up. They are digging up and replacing the pavements and road surface, which being in China, consist of concrete. They rarely use tarmac in China because it can’t handle the extreme high and low temperatures but then again the concrete cracks regularly too.
The buildings here are old in comparison to Chizhou where the new campus (where I was) only opened in about 2008. This university was founded a mere two years after I was born and despite the discolouration I must say is in better shape than Chizhou.
Lanzhou is the only city in China that the Yellow River (the 2nd river in China after the Yangtse) passes through. With the forbidding, arid mountains surrounding this city it seems obvious that without the river there would never have been a city established - just Bedouin tents!
My final remark for this entry has to be a thought that occurred to me a few days ago. Whoever named it the Yellow River had to have been colourblind. It is completely and utterly brown. As the river flows you can see the silt and sediment hurtling down it, turning it a constant shade of mud.