Wednesday 17th May, 2017                 1900

That was a long day.

I did however get half an hour longer in bed this morning because with no classes the school bus wasn’t running first thing. Instead I was told to take the short walk to Peili campus and take the big school coach. Walking up the road in good time (I expected to have time for a smoke before we left) I was surprised to see the bus was already on its way out.

Cursing being misinformed, I flagged the coach down. I was thankful that it stopped but was then left highly embarrassed when I realised it was not in fact the school coach but one with “Police” emblazoned on the side! I apologised rather shamefacedly and waved it on.

What I didn’t know was that I could have hopped aboard anyway. Obviously the school only owns one large coach and for the day had borrowed or hired vehicles from all over to transport thousands of students to the west campus. I did however get the school chariot, which was reserved for teachers.

What nobody had thought to tell me was that, far from merely going along to spectate at the opening ceremony (remember I wasn’t required to attend and as expected I never saw another foreign teacher from the other two campuses either), I was to join the rest of the faculty from our campus and parade with our students, who each held the hand of a child who attends our kindergarten. I did get photos but as you will see, from behind the show rather than in front!

The Chinese do love an opening ceremony and a lot of effort had been put into it. Having to stand listening to lengthy speeches in a strange tongue was not so enjoyable.

I suppose we were there about ninety minutes and then it was time to take a convoy of coaches all the way across town to our campus, where our students were to perform another opening ceremony and afterwards compete in the games at our little place.

Stunned I suspect at the fact a foreigner had actually attended, the party secretary pushed his luck. He told Janet that if I took part in an event the school would give me a prize. Well what the hell can I do at my weight and age??? The only one I had a remote chance of not looking a complete idiot in was putting the shot. Except being China, its not! it’s a 1kg ball filled with sand and you throw it overhead forwards or backwards with both hands, depending on the event.

Not wishing to disappoint, I have agreed to compete in the teacher’s backward event tomorrow morning! I tried a practise at forwards but that hurt my bionic arm like hell and the ball never even made it to the start of the measurements!

I AM going to look a fool - one metallic arm and the other with no bicep! However, my prize will be won fairly and squarely - I shall call it an award for the best laowei.

I have a good chance of winning………….