Sunday 14^th January, 2018 0255

Yep, a late one.

I arranged to meet Stephanie and Dean the IT guy in the gin joint at eight.

Now when I make arrangements it's not often I deviate but I suspect values are slipping. Oh to be sure, I am well used to the Chinese way where things change by the second but I am not sure whether it was the American way or just callow youth that brought about a slight readjustment last night.

Stephanie had indicated she was going out for dinner with the landlady but would be at the bar by about eight. Fine. I decided to be adventurous, never ate all day and set my heart on a particular dinner and so left in time to eat that dinner and still be at the bar on time.

I was so adventurous I took the bus despite my abhorrence of stairs and I walked for ages until I arrived at Subway. Only once in my life had I been in a Subway and that was in Luton, probably twenty years ago now. But here I was, actually getting excited for the second occasion!

Well when the best they can offer is Pizza Hut and you can make better pizzas, it could be a big deal.

So for the second time in my life I went in. Not cheap, 25\ for a 6” and “only” 16\ extra to upgrade to a foot long torpedo or whatever they call it. Instantly I decided I would try the tuna but had to wait while three young men decided what they would have. Spotting they were not Chinese, I started up a conversation.

They were students and only one spoke English. I assume they were here to learn Chinese but sometimes you chance upon situations that epitomise (I'm getting pissed off with this poxy Yankee spellchecker that kept telling me I spelt the last word wrong – as well as spelt!) really how delightfully divergent life can be from one moment to the next if only you grasp the opportunity. So many do not.

I found myself talking to two Russians from a very cold mountainous region and could not speak English and their classmate who was Iranian yet now called Kazakhstan home and did speak English. Bizarre given my location certainly but a wonderful thing nonetheless.

Anyway, I ended up envying their choice of Italian sausage, which didn't look too appetising until it had been cooked. I will not complain about my tuna though, it fed me before the gin joint and an hour ago gave me supper too.

While I was eating I texted Steph to tell her where I was and I would be there at the agreed time of eight. Oh we just got here and we are leaving at 2030! What? Come now. No I am eating, I will be there at eight as agreed.

1958 another text asking, it's nearly eight, where are you?

I instantly replied it was not eight yet and walked through the door on the dot. Stephanie was stunned. I keep time. Very few I encounter do likewise. And yes they had been for a hotpot but she was with Denver and they were moving on to the Jam Bar. Come with us. No, Dean is coming and anyway I don't like that bar, it's for young people, too busy, too noisy and they have no tonic water. In the end they left at 2110.

Meanwhile Dean had pushed his arrival back from eight to nine-thirty which of course ended up being five to ten. Does anyone stick to agreed times in this world any more?

Anyway as you can tell, I lingered awhile, we played Dou Dizhou and this time I lost but what the hell. I have now threatened to invite Dean and whichever woman who is not his wife he chooses to invite, here for a western dinner once the American scourge have all disappeared and my larder is safe once again.

On that note, Stephanie is coming this evening for macaroni before she gets the train to Chengdu.....