Monday 24th April, 2017                      1640

For some reason I awoke before eight this morning, got up because I thought it was much later and then realised that I will either fall asleep at my desk later or go to the bedroom early. Better that and be in a routine than feel exhausted on the days I need to work.

Last night I had a feeling about the light in my study. It’s never been particularly bright and has always caused me problems when typing as I couldn’t see the keyboard properly. So I had an idea that perhaps it is supposed to have two tubes and one of them has never worked. It also has a frosted glass cover with Mickey Mouse depicted.

So I decided to investigate today. The ceilings are quite high in the flat (with the exception of the bathroom) and I can’t reach by standing on a chair, hence it isn’t something I have tried before. It wasn’t comfortable anyway because my sense of balance is not the best and hasn’t been for a long time.

This morning I moved one of the desks and climbed up. It just allowed me to reach and so I took the cover off. The “frosting” consisted mostly of a thick layer of dust! And yes, one of the tubes was burnt out. The cover received a good wash in the shower and later I went to the Cave to buy a new tube, also another small saucepan (at that price it would be silly not to) and some more pick and mix now I know which ones I like and which ones are very typically Chinese (for that, read “revolting”).

Anyway, as I was walking out of the security checkpoint I noticed a flag/banner had been put up that I hadn’t noticed before. It was commemorating the 120th anniversary of the birth of Rewi Alley. I wouldn’t blame you for not having a clue who he was, I didn’t either. However I recognised his picture because it hangs on a wall close to my office. Plainly not Chinese, I have asked students a few times who it was but all they could tell me was that he was famous. I guessed he was something to do with the school though.

So when I got back I remembered to Google him.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rewi_Alley

Absolutely fascinating. Where I am teaching was one of the schools he founded and it explains why the Peili Square BRT stop is in fact called the Bailie Square stop. I also found out that he was completely erased by Hollywood (what’s new?) in The Children of Huang Shi, a film that if you haven’t seen I heartily recommend you do. Lanzhou features in it, although little did I know when I first watched it that I would end up here! No mention is made at all of Alley taking over from George Hogg. What a fascinating life he had, certainly made his native country of Kiwi proud of him.

You know I said I wouldn’t go anywhere during this time off I have at present? Amazing how Skype can change everything. Alice just told me she is visiting a friend in Xi’an during the Labour holiday and would I like to go there? Ah well, the flights appear to be cheap at around 250y (trains cost about the same but take 10-12 hours instead of an hour in the air!). Watch this space.

Enough for today. I almost can’t wait for it to get dark so I can see how much brighter it is in here.