CHINA NEWS

Hi Everyone,

As I write this on the 19th October, it is autumn, which, in my opinion, is the best season in China.. Since writing my last report it has been lovely weather but now it is starting to turn must colder overnight and during the morning. Overnight it ranges from just below 0C to a few degrees above but the day can be 20C or over. A temperature swing of 20C from night to day is quite common. For example tonight will be -3C, the morning 7C and the afternoon 17C. Then on the 24th October in the afternoon it will be 28C! This means that you have to dress for the temperature. Lots of Chinese people get fevers when the season changes from autumn to winter. Late October and early November can be very cold and the heating doesn’t come on until November 1st. You may remember that all the flats are linked to a big, city-wide central heating system which operates from 1st November to the 31st March. It’s not compulsory as there are valves outside each flat and if you don’t pay then you don’t get the hot water. It is customary for the owner to pay for the heating and not the renter so I don’t have to pay. The good thing is it’s on 24 hours a day, so once the flat gets warm it keeps warm for the 5 months.

Those who read last month’s report will know that it was China’s National Day on 1st October which is the second most important holiday after the Chinese New Year in January/ February. I mentioned last time that I may go to Shan Hai Guan which is near the sea. Well I did go. My friend Jenny, her daughter, who was on holiday from England, and I went on the 3rd October. They came back on the 5th and I came back on the 6th on my own which was the first time I had travelled alone on a train. But it worked out well as I first sat next to a family with a 6 year old girl who I started to talk too. The family couldn’t speak English but were very friendly towards me and offered me various things to eat. When they got off after about two and a half hours a young woman approached me and asked me in English if I would change seats as a group of them wanted to play cards together.

As it was also a window seat I agreed. As soon as I sat down a man spoke to me in English! We chatted for the rest of the 6 hour journey so it didn’t seem so long. So I help someone and in fact they were really helping me! We went out for one whole day to a National Forest Park set in the mountains. It was very beautiful and included two long cable car trips but also a lot of walking and climbing.

One morning we went to the beach. Too cold for swimming as a little windy and cool but a lovely sunny day. As we walked along I saw what looked like a women in a wedding dress! It was, in fact there were 3 weddings on the beach! Apparently this is a very common practice in China. We came along just as they were taking the photos before leaving. They even had a white grand piano and a violin (fake of course) and took pictures of the bride and groom pretending to play them! They were right by the edge of the sea and were even videoed throwing small flat stones to skim across the water. A game many of us have played when young, or not so young!

We stayed with my friend Jeff’s father’s mother and father. They have a massive allotment and grow all their own vegetables including sweet corn. The flat overlooks the countryside and the mountains in the background. Very picturesque.

No changes at the school since last time but still on the hunt for more 1-1 students. No one comes at present. However it does mean I can enjoy a more relaxed lifestyle!

Well, that’s all from me for this month.

Take care and best wishes to you all.

Alan Hill
19th October 2009