Winter Preparations

Yes, it's getting cold. I've donned my thermals and yesterday I started my shopping in preparation for the next couple of months or so.

Last time I was in China, my best winter purchase was an electric blanket for my bed. Switch it on for half and hour before you get in and by the time you do, it's toasty and warm. It's only on my side of the bed, cos Rick felt it was a step to far for him, but I've no doubt he'll be gravitating towards my side...

I also checked out the following with a view to making purchases later in the week:
- long boots;
- quilted pyjamas (pictures to follow);
- more thermals;
- cosy slippers.

Everyone here is trying desperately to keep warm (though not as desperately as me!) and so there is no shortage of keeping warm devices and clothing in the shops.

This morning we were woken not to the sounds of the campus student security guards on their morning march-around, but operatic-style singing. Further investigation reveal students moving en masses towards the sports field. We ventured outside without our morning coffee (which in itself was quite brave!) and I spotted a couple of my students to ask. Turns out that it was a celebration for 30 years of Pingxiang College. We found a vantage point on top of a building (often quite easy to get to the tops of buildings here!!!) and watched for a while as the students gathered in their class groups and then filed onto the field. They were then talked [shouted] at for a while, before the national anthem was played and everyone was left to get on with their day...

On a different note, I finally managed to get a decent [?] helmet for motorbiking. Rick had got one a few weeks ago. When I say 'decent' I mean a full face solid-feeling helmet as opposed to some kind of plasticky building site style hard-hat with a chin strap. I had had trouble finding one that was small enough for my head (no, I don't understand it either - I have a big head!) and had tried to order one twice without success. We went again today to the same shop and I had the same problem. I even tried a couple of open-face helmets on, despairing of ever finding one to fit me. The suddenly one of the men from the shop [I think he was from the shop, but there were quite a few people milling around outside, so it was difficult to tell] produced the right style of helmet, in the right size and brand. I tried it on and, like Cinderella and the glass slipper, it fit!!! Yippee. Not the best colour - silver, red and black pattern, but fine anyway. Where did it come from? Why did he choose that moment to suddenly produce it? Who knows? Ah China...

One last thing. I also got my hair cut yesterday. As it's very thick, I decided to get it thinned a bit at the same time. Anything that makes it quicker to dry with a hair dryer while the weather's cold. So he thinned it. And thinned it. Then thinned it a bit more. And then did some final thinning. I HAVE NO HAIR!!! Fortunately I started with quite a lot and I'm sure it'll grow back. And it was cheap. Never mind...

Power and water

Just a quick post and I'll write later about the other trip we went on.

Tuesday evening I had a text message from my 'co-teacher' (the Chinese English teacher who was assigned to help me out with all sorts of things) telling me that the electricity and water were due to be off the following day from 8am to 6pm. Yippee!!! Anyway, duly forewarned we filled as many plastic vessels as we had, including a huge plastic bin-like container.

Next day the power and electricity were off and we had the cleaner coming round, so it was lucky that we'd stocked up.

And they stayed off... Yesterday evening there was some electricity in the classrooms but none for us. I retired to bed with my headtorch and book and was asleep by 9.30pm!! The electricity did come on again for a little while, but not long. Besides which, I was settled in bed by then and not getting out!

Don't know what was going on, but it looked like a lot of the city was without power as well.

No water again this morning, but the electricity had returned. By lunchtime we also had water back and I was able to finally wash my hair (it was a bit nasty!) The internet (which had also been off) has now returned as well. Obviously.

Still, it could be worse. The weather hasn't really got properly cold yet. We're used to unheated houses and classrooms here anyway and you don't really need light that much during the day, do you? It did make me think, though. Back in Britain schools are closed down if there are power cuts in winter. Here, people spend the whole winter without heating, trying to stay warm.

Anyway, if you're sitting reading this in a well-heated room, spare a though for me - I'm currently wearing four layers (including my jacket), thermal leggins and contemplating adding a hat. Joy...

How to draw a crowd in China...

... stop.

As anyone who has spent any time in China will tell you, it's not difficult to draw a crowd.

We've been out and about quite a bit recently and the first trip we took was round Wugong Mountain with Rick's friend, Joseph.  We were taking advantage of the fact that the students were involved in a sports meeting and so there were no classes, or so we thought...

The first day of the sports meeting dawned wet.  Very wet.  So classes were back on.  Except that half the students had gone home.  Thursday was fine, so the sports meeting was back on!!  We somehow got dragged into the opening ceremony and then we dashed of on the bikes.  Thursday stayed fine and we had a good day's riding and taking photos.  We stayed way up the mountain in what is loosely termed a 'hotel' but is very basic.  Still, we had some good food and some evil baijiu (more of that later...)

Next day was wet again, so the sports meeting was off and classes were back on.  Sadly, we were up a mountain and a few hours' ride away from PX, so there was not really much to be done.  We drove back in the cold and wet.  Not pleasant.

Here are some photos from that trip anyway and I'll write more about the rest of the gallivanting soon...