Christmas Eve was spent with old Chinese friends. Well, they're younger than me, but still old friends.
Christmas Day was spent with old lao wai friends. Norm cooked, and again it was incredible food. It turns out that you can get about 2 liters of champagne for about $4 US. Not great, but drinkable. Sat and talked until late.
I may be giving myself a better phone for Christmas. So I'd have a working camera and can post pictures.
I need to get in more trouble. There are only so many ways to say "my day was filled with joy, and I am at peace."
Friday, December 25, 2009
Eastern Union
My permanently broke colleague Robert had someone send money to him from the US via Western Union. here are the reasons he has been unable to get the money so far:
1. The bank is open, but the Western Union part is closed from 11:30-2:00.
2. The bank is open, but the Western Union part closes at 4:00.
3. No one can read English, so they don't know if the form is correct.
4. The money was sent to someone with the same first and last name, but there is no middle initial on the money, and there's one on the passport.
5. The girl translating for Robert has no ID, so they aren't sure she should be there.
6. They need his address in China.
7. They have our address, but want one of us to write it in Chinese.
8. there pens are out of ink, and they aren't sure his blue pen is acceptable.
9. They aren't sure how much it converts to in renminbi. (conversion rates were posted on the wall)
10. They don't have US dollars (he doesn't actually want dollars).
11. he cursed at them, so they don't want to help him.
1. The bank is open, but the Western Union part is closed from 11:30-2:00.
2. The bank is open, but the Western Union part closes at 4:00.
3. No one can read English, so they don't know if the form is correct.
4. The money was sent to someone with the same first and last name, but there is no middle initial on the money, and there's one on the passport.
5. The girl translating for Robert has no ID, so they aren't sure she should be there.
6. They need his address in China.
7. They have our address, but want one of us to write it in Chinese.
8. there pens are out of ink, and they aren't sure his blue pen is acceptable.
9. They aren't sure how much it converts to in renminbi. (conversion rates were posted on the wall)
10. They don't have US dollars (he doesn't actually want dollars).
11. he cursed at them, so they don't want to help him.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Huang Pu
Wound up meeting some friends in Huang Pu this weekend. It's on the outskirts of Guangzhou (Canton), a city I have always hated.
it was kind of like a trip back in time. less developed than Zhongshan, and I never saw another foreigner. people stopped and stared most places I went. Apart from the people I went to see, I never spoke English. The girls in the group were annoyed that Chinese men in a club were far more interested in meeting me than them.
Just drove home how Zhongshan has changed. We aren't as exotic here now. We are still weird, and sometiems draw stares, but many people have gotten used to us.
One day, people will stop staring at me slackjawed. Not today, but someday
it was kind of like a trip back in time. less developed than Zhongshan, and I never saw another foreigner. people stopped and stared most places I went. Apart from the people I went to see, I never spoke English. The girls in the group were annoyed that Chinese men in a club were far more interested in meeting me than them.
Just drove home how Zhongshan has changed. We aren't as exotic here now. We are still weird, and sometiems draw stares, but many people have gotten used to us.
One day, people will stop staring at me slackjawed. Not today, but someday
Friday, December 11, 2009
Resolution
In the end, my employer blinked. i got paid for my time off. The school says they will not be trying to replace me. I'm kind of skeptical on that, and will be trying to leave before they have a chance to fire me, but may finish out the year. I think I have a part time job that could become full time if necessary.
I know a few people in town were offered my job, nd it seems the responses ranged from polite refusal, to very impolite refusal. Thanks guys.
I know a few people in town were offered my job, nd it seems the responses ranged from polite refusal, to very impolite refusal. Thanks guys.
Things I learned
Going to All You Can Drink San Miguel Thursdays at the Friends bar makes Friday difficult
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