Dog is not just for Christmas...

So, over 1,600km there and back, a 25hr train journey, a bus, a taxi, a plane and another taxi and I am back from Pingxiang! Yippee!!!

As I explained, I had been invited back by a friend of Rick's (and now also mine), to spend National Holiday with him and his family. National Holiday is very much a family occasion and very important in the Chinese year. Steven and Rose and their respective families included me very warmly in all their celebrations and it was a crazy and fascinating (if a little tiring) week.

I took the train there to save money and also to see the countryside. The journey went very smoothly and I read for most of it, but it was a little frustrating not to be able to communicate with the others in my compartment (6 beds, known as a 'hard sleeper'), as they all seemed very friendly. As usual they shared their food with me.

We passed through some amazing countryside (and some slightly less amazing countryside!) Rounded, tree-covered hills, tumbling rivers, rice stalks stacked up in the fields, corn on the cob threaded together to dry out, water buffalo working in the fields...

So, what did I do? I went for many, many meals at the houses of various relatives, including Steven's parents in Shanli and Steven's grandparents somewhere deep in the countryside. We took a car most of the way and walked the last bit up a dirt path. It was there that I had my first taste or what is normally thought of as a pet. [If you're not following, look at the title of this post]. Climbed Wugong Mountain for the second time with Joseph (works in the library at Pingxiang College) and two Chinese boys, Tony & David, both of whom speak very good English. We climbed the mountain in 2 hours, which is quite quick, and I spend the rest of the week nursing very stiff legs as a result. [Not the best in any circumstances, but when the only toilets available as those of the 'squat' variety, it makes going for a pee a painful experience!] One of the pictures is of the 'hotel' we stayed in. For 'hotel' read 'wooden hut with beds in it'.

Went to a random person's wedding party (friend of Rose's). Got stared at. A LOT. Pingxiang is much worse than Kunming for that. Although I did amuse myself by saying 'Ni hao' [hello] to anyone who stared for too long. The first night there I did this to someone and he was deeply shocked, much to Rose's amusement. Haha. Drank lots of beer and some baijuo (strong rice wine) - thanks Rick! Met up with some of Rick's former students at Pingxiang College. The college has grown quite a lot since I was there last year and looks quite different. I even bumped into Bob [recruits foreign teachers], who asked me as usual if I knew anyone who wanted to come and teach at the college!

So much happened, I don't really know where to start or to finish. I am really glad I went. Kunming is great in lots of ways, and I'm glad to be living here. It's somewhat 'easier' to live here than in Pingxiang. However, I know that if I go to Pingxiang and see Steven etc., I get to experience the 'real' China.

Maybe one day Rose & Steven will visit Britain and I can repay the favour. They're very keen to and I hope they do!

Coming back, I took the aeroplane. Partly because it was difficult to get a train ticket coming back and partly to save time. I took a bus from Pingxiang to Changsha and ended up sitting next to a Chinese girl who teaches English in Pingixiang - someone else to put in my e-mail address book. She helped me sort out a taxi from the bus station to the airport (easier than another bus as I was short of time!) Flying back took just 1 hour 40 mins. Much easier, but you miss out on the whole train experience and seeing the change in scenery etc.

Well, I am currently sitting in my pyjamas writing this, even though it is only 5.15pm. I am nursing a cold, a sore throat and and aching wisdom tooth - sympathy please! However, it has stopped raining, Wikipedia works again here and my last class of the week is tomorrow morning.

Mustn't grumble...