The
Elephant in the Corner
I’ll pick
up this story where we finished the last, with us boarding the Island ferry in
the removal truck headed for our new family life in Toisan (
The journey
was not particularly notable but proceeded with alacrity. At one point I had a
twinge of cramp in my feet – which is quite unusual, but drank a litre of water
as the weather today is very hot and humid. I’m actually feeling quite
shattered already, and then I realise that I may actually be dehydrated again?
This happened when we moved to the island, and my symptoms were alarmingly
similar. I make a point to take it easy and drink lots of healthy fluids.
Arriving at
midday, Siu Ying meets our new Landlady at the entrance to our complex – a
nondescript metal door leading into a private alley large enough to take
several motorcycles side by side, and running the length (Or is that width?) of
the building. I take with me a couple of seriously small and light boxes, just
to show willing, and make it all the way up to floor 4.5. This is a landing
where an outer security door is fitted. Our apartment is therefore the fifth
floor proper and entire roof. I am already out of breath, and wonder how the
removal man will cope with all our gear?
I quickly
reconnoitre the gaff, and find everything is clean and ready for our arrival. The
new Landlady has quite a few forms to fill out, so I beg our pardon and take
Siu Ying with me to the bank – as I need funds to pay for today! She stops to
buy some lunch for the workers, whilst I raid the ATM with success first time!
This is all very convenient and so a couple of minutes later we return to our
new home. The lads take a break and I start putting boxes into appropriate
rooms. Siu Ying is now preoccupied with the Landlady, so I ask Yee Lo to try
and find another labourer or two to assist with the mountain of stuff that has
to come up 5-flights of stairs. He almost gets it, but not quite, so Siu Ying
has to interpret – and off he goes. Work resumes ten minutes later, and this
time there are 3 workers of which: Our original guy proves to be a real
workhorse; the second guy is ok, but makes two trips to the other guys three;
and the other is a waste of space – and he soon disappears for good. Meanwhile
Yee Lo does not return, and I later discover he is working inside the truck
with the driver.
I continue
to sort out boxes and with great success. The new Landlady is finally ready for
us about 1-hour after our arrival, so we sit down and fill in forms and sign
things. I check what I understand, and it seems about right. Then its time to pay
… and we are now the new tenants.
Another
hour passes before virtually all our stuff is transferred to the fifth floor. Our
washer is put next to the one that came with the gaff, and Siu Ying has to
explain to them that one is ours, and the other came with the place. Durrr! The
removal men still think we need only one and could do without the one they just
carried up five floors. I call that logic without ownership, and you can infer
what you wish from that statement.
I then get
a call from below, as something needs my immediate attention. Lumbering down
the endless staircase I reach the bottom just before I get dizzy. It comes as
no surprise that the last item is waiting to be moved, and this is our lovely
and comfortable settee. There is a mild consensus of opinion that it will not
fit up the stairwell. I am having none of this, as carrying it properly they
are correct. However, by tilting it and using a corner technique, I demonstrate
how easily it will fit. Mister Muscles immediately gets it and then takes
charge, instructing the others on what to do. They just don’t want to take it
up there that’s all – and neither would I actually, as it is a tad heavy and
awkward. Anyway, they haven’t been paid yet, so do as I say please! After
huffing and puffing around the first landing, they all get the hang of it, and
I reckon I have time for a cigarette before they manhandle the beast all the
way up. I chat with Yee Lo a while, and then survey the entrance to my new
realm – and it’s pretty damned unimpressive! It is highly functional and secure
though, and I have lived long enough in
It would be
this moment when my presence is again requested, this time at floor 4.5. You
cannot be serious! This is where there is a seriously functional security door
that must be 7’ (Seven feet for those that only speak French) high. I am sure
the width will not be a problem, but it appears there is one. Bumming my butt
(As they say in the US of A), I clamber the stairs again and find a melee of
removal men all trapped around the metal security door, with the settee firmly
stuck in the middle of its opening. One glance tells me this is not good! Now
my gestimate was wrong, and the doorway is actually 6’ 9” high (6 feet 9
inches) whilst the couch is actually 6’ 9”. The problem is that there is a
2-inch high metal ‘L’ set 1” above floor level, this being the bottom brace of
the welded solid steel doorframe. We all have our thoughts on this, but
eventually have to concede that whilst we could manage 2-inches, three inches
is not possible without removing things from the sofa – like its bottom wooden
frame.
Mister
Muscles starts looking into this possibility, and I join him. However it
appears to be an integral part of the construction; so whilst we could remove
it with difficulty in a workshop situation with care and proper tools, it isn’t
an option for us now. I examine the rest of the steel structure looking for
flaws, but for once
Si Ying
comes to assist, but with wisdom and not brawn or stupidity; and suggests the
settee be taken to her parents home … where we will be spending the night.
Hello? I thought we were staying here tonight! Apparently not, and as she knows
I am becoming ravenous already, she adds, “We leave after going to KFC”. She then has a chat with the driver about
taking it to her Mother’s place, and all is agreed except for the price. The
settee disappears back down the stairs again, and we adjourn upstairs to our
new gaff.
A few
minutes later we hear the removal truck pull away, and Siu Ying asks me for her
phone (Which I have for some unknown reason). She then calls the driver and
asks him if he wants paying? 30 seconds later the truck reappears downstairs,
and the driver appears at our door within moments! He is actually a very nice
guy, and we hammer out a deal re the extra work involved with our move. The
quotation was Y550 (Including: 2 x ferry and toll charges – which I expected to
be extra), but he wants another Y100 for the work involved in Toisan. I already
told Yee Lo and Siu Ying that I would pay up to an extra Y100 for additional
labour, but this is not the case. It seems the extra labour is free, but he
wants more money because we had a lot of small packages (Normal cardboard boxes
which weighed a ton), and they prefer larger, heavier ones. Siu Ying then goes
into Rottweiller mode, as this sort of thing ‘Is Her bag, Baby’! My mind is
already set to pay Y650 anyways, and give a tip to Mister Muscles – except he
has already gone. Just before she senses blood, her Mother calls and so I dive
in and pay the money – it was well worth it and excellent service. She glowers
approvingly, and I suspect tonight could turn out to be quite special! Quickly
finishing the call, she agrees time for collection with the removal driver, who
heads-off with Yee Lo.
To try and
relate the certain ‘odd’ things that Chinese society throws up occasionally,
Neal and I always say “Here is
You will
all know exactly what we all mean when I relate that after a short survey and
final sort-out, Siu Ying and I leave for our meal. She makes a quick call as we
leave our new apartment, and I am told “They wouldn’t serve the driver and Yee
Lo didn’t like the coffee”. I enquire if there is a problem, not understanding
any of this so far. She says “No Plo-brem”, and I remain none the wiser? I am
also delighted to note that her pronunciation of the letter ‘r’ is perfect : -)
Don’t get
me wrong, I also am guilty of spoonerisms and Coleman Balls; I just though it
might amuse you. Knowing that - then also note she usually gets it all the
right way around. I guess she was awake around 5am today, and must be very tired
by now. We walk arm in arm down the road and my mind wanders back to Be Loi;
and I know she is all right tonight. Siu Ying asks if Be Loi will be ok. WTF! I
reassure her, and wonder at our thought alignment. I was under the impression
we left that particular Elephant back in the corner of our old sitting room,
but it appears to still be with us both as we trump and tramp upon unfamiliar
streets. Ho-Hum!
The short
walk brings us to directly opposite Toisan Number 1 Bus Station, where Yee Lo
is loitering on a corner waiting for our arrival. They decide to hail a cab,
and one appears immediately and passes by as they continue to talk about
something? They miss the second one as well, so I hail the third and we are
soon headed for KFC or MacDonald’s, as they are adjacent to each other. I know
that of the two, they both prefer KFC, whilst I would probably prefer anything
else in the West. Given a free choice I would probably go for a Wimpy
double-decker 8oz cheeseburger with extra mayo and onions + chips well-done.
Instead I actually eat a zinger burger, weird curry wrap thingymagig with large
fries that are the size of small ones. Yee Lo has a child-sized veggie burger
(?) whilst my beloved tucks into chicken bones surrounded by bits of skin + a
little meat occasionally – or just the way she likes it; and another zinger
burger.
Let us step
back in time a few moments, as my order was taken and I go and join the queue
for collection – it works like this in Toisan. Yee Lo and Siu Ying go to ‘washy
hands’ and sit down securing a table, and proceed to discuss the world and his
wife.
Time
passes, and people that were long after me joining the queue get their food. I
am spotted quite quickly by a Supervisor, and point to where I ordered. The
girls have changed over, and the new one charged with delivering my food now only
speaks Mandarin. They don’t do that here at all, so this must be a new migrant
staff. She talks to the supervisor, and then deals with new clientele. They get
their food as I wait patiently for our large order. Nothing is happening, so my
original girl gets called back off break to detail what it was I ordered. She
is spot-on, except I only get half of it delivered. Oh – the fries are coming,
as is the wrap thingymagig. I enquire as to the second zinger burger, and this
then has to be confirmed by my sales assistant, who states there should be two
of them. I then run through our order again with the supervisor, which the
first assistant agrees. The new girl is quite confused by now, as all this is
taking place in either Toisanwah or Cantonese – neither language she appears to
have the slightest clue about. She appears flustered – whilst I am just too
tired to be bothered. I beckon her over, and indicate for her to calm down with
hand gestures she understands. She then starts speaking to me in quite
acceptable English. Woah!!! Where did that come from??? We haven’t used English
yet. I start running through our order in English, which is complicated because
I need to translate our order from what Cantonese is lodged in my brain … and
then my wife rocks-up just as everything is sorted, and fixes it. This time she
stays nearby until our order is complete.
Understanding
KFC:
What
actually occurred was that the restaurant was just changing over from busy
period to slack period. This means in effect, that during a busy period you
order and pay for your food, and then collect it from the end of the counter.
There is a very pretty sign only in Chinese that says this. It was present when
I went there after ordering. However, this was the last order my assistant took
before going on break, which also coincided with the beginning of a slack time.
Well I’m
sure you’ve all had your fill of this part in our story; as I also had my fill
of KFC!
We are almost
finished eating when Yee Lo gets the jitters. I think to mention to SY about
taking the chicken bones home for Be Loi, before she says “If we were in
Gaogong we could take the bones home for Be Loi”. Weird. Then the Elephant
appears beside us again, and we sort of acknowledge this is not done with.
We’ll pick it up next time, as Yee Lo is outside and ready to go. They chat in
Toisanwah, and I know they just decided to get a taxi. Then they continue
talking as two drive past. Strange? I say to them I will get a taxi, and hail
one as they are still chatting about it. Delighted with my initiative we all
pile aboard headed for … somewhere else! We are dropped at a nearby roundabout
and wait within the arc of traffic. Time passes and calls are made. We loiter
with intent, and watch a foreigner pass by with his party girlfriend. They look
like a very odd couple, and we all comment upon it – which in hindsight may
appear to be a tad bizarre?
I am
looking out for our driver and his medium sized blue truck with khaki tarpaulin
over the rear. That’s about when a small, white open truck pulls up and we
climb aboard to meet our new driver – and the settee is in the rear. OK! This
will cost Y100, but taking taxi fares to a bus station or stop + bus fares x 3,
this really doesn’t cost a lot more. Another bumpy and uneventful journey
brings us to Mohr Doh Soi village, and my ‘outlaws’ home.
Baba
appears and tries to take charge, with the settee being lifted off the back of
the truck comfortably. All goes well until they set it down on the ground. WTF?
Mama then gets involved and there is a lot of talking in Toisanwah. I take a
seat on the sofa, and light up as this carries on for a good five minutes
longer. Suddenly a decision is reached, and I am evicted. Grasping hands huff
and puff to bring the beast back to carrying height, and I wonder why they
didn’t just put it back on the truck. I try to assist, but am repeatedly shooed
away. It comes to rest in their old house, which was a tight fit! After paying
the driver he departs and leaves us too it.
I’ve
recounted many times spent in this village before, and nothing unusual happens
so I’ll leave this be. Dawn bequeaths a small sense of urgency, as new times
are upon us all. By 9am all is packed and ready for the off. One Motorcycle
taxi is waiting, and Siu Ying and I share, whilst Mama and Nonni await his
return. We are all laden down with baggage and food from Mothers’ table. It is
then I divine that Mama will probably be staying with us today? Yes, that is
the plan, and by 10am we are all … dropped off in the nearby small town (???).
Siu Ying leads me into an electric appliance store, and we are here because it
is the only place in the whole of
I know
exactly what I want: A large fridge-freezer with dual controls (Separate
temperature controls for both compartments). My ideal would be something taller
and wider than I am, featuring a large fridge on top and a small freezer below.
To be perfect it would need a third compartment in the middle (Again with
individual temperature control) for things like wine and beer bottles. I take a
cursory glance at offerings, and walk out to light up a cigarette = nothing
appeals to me. It appears to me that all the refrigerator combo’s in this store
either have: 1, 2, 3 or 5 freezer compartments (That is doors that open to
freezer compartments); and that the freezer is always set above the
refrigerator – meaning the thing I use most is always a bend down. Crazy! None
have dual temperature control, but all have economy ‘1’ rating = get real!
Mama
arrives and joins the fray whilst I watch the world go by and know I will have
to appear again soon. One of the staff joins me for a cigarette break and we
chat in Cantonese. I ask him about the old ‘video machine’ they have on
display, but he says it is broken. Shame as I have hundreds of the things in
Blighty, including some favourite movies that media moguls never bothered to
transfer for sale in DVD format. I mean things like ‘Still Crazy’, a British
movie about the reforming of a 70’s rock band; and a total classic.
I get the
call from my wife, and I have to choose one of these for us. Paying attention
properly, I trudge down the seemingly endless rows of unsuitable products,
before coming up with my worst top three (Meaning: ‘Best of what there is for
sale’ in British English). Basically this place is selling the latest fad,
which is a freezer with small associated refrigerator. I am looking for the
other option. The mammoth beasts sporting many doors all open to freezer
compartments, not individually regulated refrigerators. I am drawn back to a
Sharp, and upon closer inspection find it is the only device in the store that
has separate temperature controls for the refrigerator and freezer. It is the
wrong way around with small freezer on top, and slightly smaller than I
envisaged – but ok. We dally between this and a Rongshen, before finally
deciding this is the one. Siu Ying loves its curvey and sexy exterior, and
informs me the outside is Chinese, but the inside technical bits are Japanese!
Cool! Well, I hope so…
Having
placed the order we head for the local charabanc, and our new home
Inside our
new gaff and doing our things, Mama completely takes over looking after Nonni –
which is pretty much a full-time occupation. This releases Siu Ying to make
this apartment her home, whilst I try out the new small office for computer
work, and it is ok until I try to sit down at the desk. I would probably need a
kindergarten stool to actually get my knees under the desk, and this seriously
is not happening (Even though we have several of the microscopic things). I
thence bin all thoughts about this being the office, and in agreement with SY,
transfer everything to the third bedroom, which is large, airy, and has two
windows.
The rest of
the day vanishes in a blur of activity; as all cupboards need cleaning and
washing thoroughly, I set the washer machine to working order without being
told = smarty points due from my wife : -) but worry the outsides of the plug
sockets are charred and covered in soot – must be a Chinese thingymagig? I
check this out by plugging in their washer first which immediately hums into
life, so then cross the plugs over and our own does the same. I make a mental
note to replace both sockets in this bathroom within the near future, probably
with waterproof outdoor types. My main task for today is to register with the
Chinese Police, as I was told yesterday they were shut. This is for the
Certificate of Temporary Residency; as stipulated by Chinese Law. For a change
the Police Station I need is actually only 200 yards from my home – and that’s
a result in itself!
We
introduce ourselves to the staff of The Public Security Bureau, now called The
Ministry of Public Security … and having all documents for doing this presented
in Foshan style, Siu Ying’s phone rings and she departs immediately - as then
our new fridge arrives. Fortunately these Police do not speak only Mandarin; in
fact they appear not to speak it at all. Normally this would be a result; but
this time they speak Toisanwah. Nobody speaks English of course, and I really
needed my wife here right now, you know? We get by in Cantonese just about,
with a couple of phonecalls home (Yes I know she is dealing with the new fridge
already, but this is very important for my life in
The outcome
is that whilst my documentation is fine, it is not enough for this city (Which
is not regarded as a central foreigner’s destination for living). Therefore in
addition to everything before, I also need to supply The Family Book, Siu Ying
with her National ID card, and our contract of house rental. I am told I have
two months within which to do this, and ‘no-problem’. If I fail to action
before month 3, then I will be fined ‘XXX million RMB’. Well, a few thousand anyway.
Baba’s
brother keeps the Family Book, so we need time to get this from him; and via
mobile phone, Siu Ying sets this in motion. This relates to my personal invitation
to come to
Back home
and I inspect the new fridge after passing the delivery guys outside our front
door on the fifth floor. This fridge is a cracker! I soon set it to work with
many beers for chilling and some bread and some green stuff that does not come
in bottled format. Meanwhile we realise that many things don’t quite work right,
but basically the home is very functional and minor adjustments can be made at
a later date; once we have found the local ‘Good-Guys’.
This eve we
dine at KFC (Their choice not mine), and Nonni has her very first ever experience
of tomatoe ketchup and fries. After a short quizzical look, this soon
disappears and she is wanting more! Shit! Mama appears quite circumspect,
whilst contrarily Siu Ying and I tuck into a lot of food. After eating we go to
check the local shops (Boy Duty), and they are closing – well the time is now
fast approaching 11pm. We hail a cab
back to our gaff and immediately go to sleep in our Chinese Designer Japanese
bed = a hard mattress on the floor.
The next
day reveals much of the same, with Mama taking care of Nonni whilst Siu Ying
and I get the place about sorted. We work extremely well together actually, and
in tandem as needs arise. This is emphasised by the fact that we don’t actually
speak to each other very much, we simply have the same thinking and are doing
for each other as well as ourselves. During the afternoon Mama decides that the
sideboard we have in the bedroom should be at the far end of the living room.
I’m not convinced, but am willing to try the idea – and it works ever so well.
I then end up cleaning it for some reason? I mean, wiping down every side of
every drawer and cupboard. I also do the same in the kitchen with all the major
cabinets, and it’s ok. I can’t find where I put the water adapter for the
washing machine = tap connection, so I head outside and across the road to the
plumbing shop. The girls are in hysterics, and so am I. I buy a new
tap-connector for Y2, and then find it doesn’t fit my tap. Durrr! I go back and
get the bigger size + a new tap = Y11 – 2 RMB for the returned connector = Y9. Returning
to the apartment I try to put the new tap in place, only to discover that I
have placed the existing adapter within the feed connection to the washing
machine – so that’s where it ended up then! I knew I put it somewhere safe : -)
I connect
the washer and it works a treat + I now have a spare tap. By 5pm we have
unpacked everything and put all away – and excepting a little fine-tuning over
the coming weeks we are done already! Time for a very well deserved pint then!
Mama
decides to go home so we drop her at the Toisan Number 2 bus station and see
her safely aboard the local charabanc. We then head off for a bite to eat to
somewhere the taxi driver from the night before recommended. It’s ok, but there
is only one of them, and whilst we enjoy, it does not rank too highly. We are
back home by 9.30pm, and straight to sleep.
The next
day is more settling–in, and new routines are being employed. I get back to
some internet work (Offline) + make adjustments and find a home for our boxes
of DVD’s. Siu Ying is now looking after Nonni a lot; as she loves being held
all the time. We go to Toisan CATV (Cable) and order ‘Television and
Broadband’. A guy will come round to sort our order tomorrow. I am not
impressed. Later we check-out some supermarkets and malls, darkness falls, and
our thoughts turn to eating. We hail a cab and ask the driver to take us to the
‘siu yeahr’ centre. This should be a street full of cheap restaurants, and we
are not disappointed. We settle on the last one, of which there are pictures of
Nonni drinking tea, etc. Our Daughter loved the experience, and later we
settled back home and slept 3-abed, which is just great!
A new day,
and a new beginning.
This day is
reserved for catching-up, as most things that came from the island smell musty
and need washing and airing. I set about our two rooftop rooms, putting all the
Landladies junk into one, releasing the other for an occasional bedroom, or
‘Boys room’. I store all our empty boxes in the one room also, whilst placing
things of occasional use (Like our electric fire) in the space at the top of
the stairs. I get a very good vibe from this area, something I will revisit
later no doubt.
Come 4pm
and there is shopping to do apparently, so orf (British English meaning ‘off’) we
go to the first centre of town. It’s ok, as Siu Ying shops and I put on a brave
face. We walk to the other and more major central city centre less than a mile
away, and ask passers-by for directions to somewhere to have a beer and some
snappin’ (Food for
These
nights Rhiannon is a lot more settled, and we soon pick up on our personal
things – like she holding my finger in her small hand as we sleep. It is so
good to be living with my daughter again, I am almost not aware of the other
woman in my life who is still living at our old home – but not quite! Nonni
wakes us both for feeding, and I mention about Be Loi. Perhaps she would be ok
with the roof as her home, and going outside on the local streets would be ok?
I still worry she will find the main road just outside and get run-over; or
espy me from the roof and jump out to meet me = bye-bye. However, she is part
of this family, and she is not here with us. Siu Ying thinks the same, and
whilst her Mother is convinced that all dogs always eat children, I know
otherwise. We leave it there as a night-time conversation, but we both know Be
Loi should be with us as a central part of our family unit.
Next day
and Siu Ying is sleepy whilst I am awake early = 3am! By 10am she and Nonni are
still sleepy, as conversely I am up for action and sorting out issues with my
life! Leaving them abed I head out for the streets, and to resolve what is
missing in my personal view of the world. The guy from CATV didn’t arrive ever,
and they couldn’t even be bothered to call us, so this is a no-no. As much of
my life is centred upon internet (How sad), I decide to ‘Do It Myself’!
China
Telecom is just 100 yards up the street, and remembering to take my
‘passey-port and contract of rental’ I hit these great girls with myself
wanting action! They don’t speak much English, although they are valid in their
attempts, so we basically do it in Foshan Cantonese. Wow! It takes me about an
hour, but this is very quick for China Telecom, as everything has to be totally
official, and in triplicate. I have our new contract of accommodation with me
also, and it gets processed really well. I pay Y800 (For 13 months), and the
guy will either arrive to sort it this afternoon, or probably tomorrow.
I’m on a
roll, so the next thing on my agenda is to sort out my beers and ciggies. I am
looking for somebody to deliver both to my apartment upon my phonecall, and the
retailers nearest offer the correct beer, but refuse to sell the cigarettes I
prefer. Siu Ying has already found the cigarettes across the road for Y39 for
200 (£3.90). I go on walkabout, and end up with a street-bar and some great
staff. I stop for a beer, and then chat to the owner. He is game, and offers me
a good price for delivered beers by the crate (I am on the fifth floor and no
lift) + Y3.8 for 200 cigarettes – both delivered together as a standing order.
I get his phone number, and we agree that if he gets my phonecall + a few
pertinent words in Cantonese, then they understand what I want. This happens
immediately I depart, and my wife is amazed. I am not, as this is life. In
particular, she is a bit pissed-off I managed to get a better price for the
cigarettes than she did – so I give her a kiss … and ‘Love’ reappears to play
its part in our lives.
I will not
labour the next few days, as they happen and pass into history. I go to Lah’t
Lao on one of these, and my schedule is compromised immediately because I wait
50 minutes for the green bus that runs every 20 minutes. Ho-Hum! This day is
really weird actually, and whilst I was again in company with Candy and Eason;
it isn’t what I was expecting, from their points of view at least. Blistered I
catch the bus back to Toisan, whilst thinking I should be going elsewhere to
see Be Loi. However, Uncle Sam had just assured me that she was ‘very fine’ and
enjoying life + being very well looked after. My presence could therefore
create many problems; as Siu Ying and I have not quite decided that living with
us is her best option. My feeling was to go to her and bring her home to
Toisan; but all my information stated otherwise – and this is something I
deeply regret … but let’s move on.
By week three
in Toisan we are sorted, and Mama drops by to spend a few nights each week.
This is a welcome release for my wife; especially as her Mother is extremely
good with babies – she even understands their talking? By the end of this week
we have decided Be Loi should be with us in Toisan, regardless of what her
Mother says about it. I fix a date with Uncle Sam to meet him for lunch at the
island on Sunday next = we are 3-weeks away from there. I will bring Be Loi
home with me that day. Arrangements get cancelled because Uncle has pressing
family matters in
During the
next week Jim arrives for a short stay, accompanied by his Chinese girlfriend
Duma. We get on well of course, but Jim remains stressed by his forthcoming
trip back to the States, and sub-prime fall-out. I feel for him, but there is
not a lot I can do apart from have a good time today. On his last evening we
end-up on my roof doing ‘Boys talking’ into the early hours, and head for bed around
4am. Cool!
As spoken
in the film
Sunday
finally arrives, and I head off for my luncheon appointment, and the deep
desire to have Be Loi with us all again. It has been too long I accept, but
perhaps I can make it right again. However I do have a problem with Uncle, as
if he had told me straight-up he would not be living on the island for a couple
of months, then I would have taken other measures referring to Be Loi’s future.
But here is
Sunday I
arrive on the island and because of Sunday drivers, I am taxied to the
restaurant (I am very late because two busses did not arrive, again!) and we go
the main way. I am expecting Be Loi to see me at any moment … but time and
distance pass, and I find myself looking out for her in unusual places. She
does take herself off occasionally, so I can deal with this.
I think
they ate about 11am, as my favourite dish is served both: under and
over-cooked! I need to be out of here, and whilst Uncle talks vaguely about
business, my thoughts are with Be Loi. I tell him I am taking her home with me
– something he reacts to, too quickly. I also tell him I need to speak to Mok
Tai and finalise our
Eventually
his influential friends finish swimming, whilst I cannot eat any more of my
favourite Island Dish, not cooked properly. My mind wanders back to a very
unusual incident on my way here. I had asked the Angels for guidance about Be
Loi’s future; yet for the very first time on the road I witnessed a dog that
had been run over on the highway. No one paid any heed. It’s head was weeping a
pool of very red blood, and it was trying to stand by twitching it’s back legs
involuntarily. I took this to mean that this would maybe happen to Be Loi if
she came with us to Toisan. It was ‘Not nice to see’; and I never before in all
my 7-years in
We
eventually depart Au San’s restaurant and head for my former home. I am
made-up, as I will reclaim our dog from her current situation. Arriving my only
thoughts are for Be Loi, and noting another dog outside my old gaff + Mok Tai
inside, I call for her – expecting a bouncy bundle of fun to arrive … and
nothing happens!
Seeing me,
Mok Tai rushes out and informs me “*7@*&sai jaw£$%^&soi*&^%$” = her
Cantonese is very local. I already have the picture, as there has not been a
home-dog here for quite some time! Uncle arrives and immediately translates –
without hearing what Mok Tai said to me – “Sorry, Be Loi died last night, she
ate a poison”. Sure; and tomorrow is the Cantonese day for eating dogs; I know!
Lying Bastards - The pair of them! And yet they still think they have a right
to ‘Chinese Face’ that foreigners should respect? I’d rather spit on them in
the dung-heap!
I don’t
believe a word of their combined and contrived story, as Mok Tai said ‘soi’ and
that means water. I have difficulty finding a quiet place alone to shed a few
tears, and berate myself for believing my so-called Chinese friends.
Fortunately for them, they soon decide to leave me alone in my sorrow, as It
takes a great deal to make me angry – but today for the first time since 2nd
October 2002, I am extremely angry.
Meanwhile,
The Elephant drops by to deliver a dagger to my heart that will never be
removed, and later Siu Ying calls to confirm I am on the bus and have Be Loi
with me…
… Later we
meet on Toisan streets and cry together. We got it wrong, and our supposed Chinese
friends let us down greatly. SY believes Be Loi went to a new home, whilst
Uncle called a day later to say his dog had been poisoned also – how
convenient. I don’t believe a word of it, and these people are now further
removed from my life. My fault for trusting them in the first place! My mind
keeps replaying that email about the man that goes to heaven/hell; but insists
he has water for himself, and also water for his dog. You do not leave your
best friend behind, and whilst I went back for mine – it was too little and too
late in modern Chinese society.
This also
implies that after all this time spent in
As for this
fabled Chinese ‘Face’ – I think it stinks of corruption, deliberate and
outright lying to your face, and gold-digging. There is no personal honour to
be found here, nor even a person’s word – as this changes even quicker than the
seconds of each minute pass by!
Later I
picked up my ever-faithful Echo 12 string guitar (for no reason); and wrote a
lament dedicated to Be Loi. It’s a Blues/Trad Jazz mix akin to Summertime with
12bar + slow acoustic Sting. I’ve entitled it “Still Got You On My Mind”, and I
may release it on here once I am done with it. First song I have written in
decades … and dedicated to my truest of all Chinese friends
Be Loi