My
Day in
Saturday,
22nd April 2006
I awake
before the lark, at around 4am; the sky
is almost dark and the air laden with pollution. I sojourn to my balcony, and
look out for the local bats - I do hope they eat mosquitoes? Living on the 26th
floor, I am not usually troubled by the blighters, but I suspect there is a
bucket of water left outside in a neighbours apartment, like - forever! Damn
things!
What to do?
- I decide to have crackers with butter, and Anchor cheese slices for breakfast
+ the mandatory coffees and cigarettes. The crackers are somewhere in the
middle of a mix between Crawford's best Creams, and Tuc - works for me at
4.15am - I even add some Chinese 'sweet' pickled onions for a hint of; 'J'uene
est sais quoi?'
For some
inexplicable reason, I am reminded of Bob Newheart's excellent comedy sketch -
Sir Walter Raleigh, and his hypothetical - 'Phonecall from
I go to the
computer, which is my home and occupies most of my life. I submit a couple of
quotations for furniture products, sort my personal mail, and then get back to
revamping the furniture part of my website. Perhaps some of you will already
know, the version on the web currently, is basically a very quick 'Omelette. The
new version is 'Cordon Blu', but is taking forever to achieve the right mix of
professionalism and humanity. I have also had to alter or add, many thousands
of graphics files, and add 1,800 or so pages - not that you would actually know
this; unless you know hehe
I get
working for real by 4.45, the second coffee and cigarettes are really kicking
in now, and I do very good works. I actually have the whole of 'Office' re-done
by midday, and am happy as a pig in 's ... omething'
I have a
couple of quotations requests come in - more oem chairs. I do replies and
wonder what to do later. I need some shopping, withdraw and pay into the Bank;
so I head out to the streets ..
The version
of the Bank of China I use, is next door to my girl who gets me the Godzilla
movies, Japanese version of course. She has no new ones, so I withdraw. I bump
into a Chinese friend at the local corner shop, and we stay for a quick beer,
Dim Sum and chat ..
Returning a
'little' later. My left arm is starting to itch quite badly, and I am becoming
conscious of 'Toying' with my 'bandages' a lot.
- Ah - Last Sunday (ie 8 days ago-ish), and to
cut a small story short; I ended-up landing with my full body-weight, on the
pointed ends, of a prime selection of broken bottles and jars, using my left
forearm to break my fall. There was a lot of blood, so I improvised, and kept
applying toilet tissue until the bleeding stopped dripping on the floor. Sorted
:-)
Finally my
'Toying' pays dividends, and I am presented with several 'bandages', that are
no longer attached to me. One has a piece of glass in it, which I was pretty
sure was in there somewhere. Unfortunately, there is also a lot 'Green-stuff',
which does not look good and smells worse. I decide to be proactive, and head
for the local hospital 400 yards away. The main Area hospital is nearer, but
they do not speak English, and they also ask you for payment 'before' the
consultation - Durrr!
At least
there are only 2 people in the queue at the local hospital, and they give a
consultation first, before the payment = £10. Then the treatment. I am very
impressed, this being my first time. I get exactly what I wanted, sometimes you
do not need to speak a language to get results ... we are just people after all
My wounds
are examined by 2 Doctors, and several very pretty nurses. I have several
'washes', and then I get some Iodine - brilliant! This is exactly what I
wanted, and it is even the red one, which I think is approved nowadays. I do
actually prefer the original 'Iodine' Blue one, but this one is cool also. They
also fill the gaps with some sort of false skin, before I am sprayed, dabbed
and have a proper bandage is applied, and I am sent for 'next process'
I had been
a little concerned about this, as part of my medicines 'pack', included 3 large
bottles of fluid 'Treatment'. I was expecting a very BIG needle. But no, they
do it as a very slow drip instead; and doesn't this make some real sense?
Slowly, slowly; and mix with the blood via a vein in a natural way, a drip at a
time; rather than a big hit all in one go? I do think so
Aside: You
may also be interested to know, that whilst most of us were being 'dripped', a
few were having 'Steam inhalation's treatment; a modern version of the bowl of
hot medicinal compound, and a towel over your head
Why am I
always a Star? I do not know? There was a 'small person' there, having her
first drip, I guess at 4. I made stupid actions, and got her laughing ... she
was so busy laughing at me, she failed to notice the capillary type needle the
nurse was putting into her back-hand. The Nurse gave me a wink, and that was
good payment for our ruse. Understanding = simple
Later I
held 'English Class' for other smaller and bigger things, and it was a shame to
leave; but my time was due, and I was late returning to pay the Landlord his
rent, but only by 10 mins, so I guess that is ok? Broke my heart - £300 fully
inclusive of all bills, (Only excepting my internet ADSL) - for 2 months!
It is now
5.42pm, and I have had enough for one day. Although my treatment was almost
perfect - they attached my hospital bandage with that really cheap and useless
paper stuff that can only stick to itself or salesmen. I am physically holding
it in place. Answer - find some version of the cotton elastoplast - Man-Sticky!
I get this immediately from the first pharmacy I try, and it is good stuff; but
first I need provisions. I decide to eat out and local. In the lift I get
chatting to Sara, who is married with kids, and wants to practice her English.
In the foyer we arrange to have dinner the following week-end
I grab a
quick 'Donkey Kebab' (3 for a quid), from the local
This market
also has 8 meat counters, ie extra to the Fish and Chicken seller. I am chatted
by the 'very pretty girl', who is gorgeous, but her meat is not. I see my love
at the Top meat sellers stall, and buy a choice Pork 3Lb loin steak with rind
for ... 20p. My total shopping, I had change from 30p, plus some good laughs,
and pls remember ...
I do
actually pay a very little more than the natives, but as long as it is only a
little more - then this is my pleasure. At least I get very good quality &
daily fresh farm produce - other options available
As I leave
the market, I see the girl in the 'Rice stall'. I notice she is walking
differently, and I have not seen her for some months. She has just had her
first baby, so we do 'goo-goo, gaa-gaa' etc; and I share good wishes with her
At puberty,
Cantonese women's hips do not alter. This happens later when they give birth,
and often results in a strange way of walking - you will have to see it for
yourselves, as my words cannot describe this. She is one of my friends - but
the night is very young, and I have heavy bags, so I move-on
As I leave,
another friend, 'Hong', espies me, and offers me a seat at one of the dozen or
so, the local street-bars. Ok
All the
staff come out to greet me, and to see what I have bought - looking though my
bags of veggies and meat. I end up with all my purchases spread out on the
table, whilst they all inspect 'Quality'. Hahaha, I am in stitches! In the
West, this would be horrific - but here, the Chinese are genuinely curious.
They ask me the price and offer cheaper solutions - it is good to be with
friends I think
I enjoy
some teas and watch the smog go down for the night. I really enjoy relaxing,
probably for the first time since Jon joined me here - chill time, and a
perfect moments. I am have immersed myself in a cocoon of atmosphere; smells of
barbeque chicken, sulphur and that exquisite perfume that is a woman. I am very
happy, alone and secure. Please drop by here, and learn a second opinion from
my good friend Jon, from
http://www.ukrocketry.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=1963
but then
Life is always full of changes ..
I see a
pretty girl walk past, almost - we say hi, (nei hou' in general Cantonese), and
she asks if she can join me. I will settle for thinking, 'Help Yourself'; as
she is very beautiful and early 20's; she tells me her name is Angel, and I
really cannot dis-agree
She is a
lovely girl, a student in GZ, and basically we chat for hours, oblivious to the
world etc. Please do not misunderstand me, nor my intentions; she is a 'nice'
girl, and this is only ever for talking and friendship - it is a Chinese way.
Sometimes a Chinese girl may be different; but with Angel, I put on by foreign
ambassador, and Father-figure thinking, which is appropriate. At 9.30, I
hear Cantonese woman shouting from 100
yards down the street - it is Angel's Auntie, out looking for her. I embarrass
Aunt, by leaving my seat and shaking her hand - she is in 50-fits! hehe, and I
am a 'noughty boy'. Angel says she has to leave in a minute, as her Aunt is
serving dinner ...
So we
continue to chat, and I occasionally remind her about her dinner - but this is
Chinese ruse, and we both know it. By 10.30, I am thinking this girl can talk
for
Ah! Plus I
am also meeting Sara and her hubby for dinner as well - I better watch the
plans here
Gezzz! That
was intense! 4/5 hours have flown by in a matter of minutes, + I have great
'Cred' with the restaurant staff, including the waitress I really like a lot.
Time for a beer and maybe some food - I order local beer, 3 for a £0.70p, Beef
in black bean sauce on a sizzler plate; chillied stir-fry cucumbers with
capsicums; and rice. Total = £1
I can now
see the moon, as it rises above my high-rise, and I am replete. I look to the
nearby fig trees, touching the nearest bark from my seat; and look forward to
sampling their produce a little later in this life, for life is what I have
here in buckets
I bid
farewell, and wend my way home after a truly great day - I do wish life were so
simple sometimes. I get back to my building, a very short walk, and have a
laugh with the security guard -> head for home and a good sleep
In the lift
I see Amanda, she is 30's Chinese woman, with young boy, and she lives just
above me. I have not seen her for months as she has been in
Ring ring,
ring ring etc. Bleep bleep. 11.50 pm, and Amanda wants to join me for 'drinks'!
I really don't think so, all I want to do is sleep; it has been a long day lol.
I agree to have dinner with her next week-end instead ...
So, in one
evening, I end-up with 3 different dinner invites, from 3 different girls; all
for 'next weekend'. I better pay e'special attention to the logistics on this
one; especially as the only person I actually want to have dinner with is Yupa.
Asi es la Vida!
Here is
I hope I
put a smile on your faces; and until we are talking next time; eat well my
friends, and I hope all your dogs are very fat