The 'Undertaker' part 2

Well today on the way home about 11am I decided to take a short video to show you what the block of shops opposite really looks like.  So I started to shoot the last block working back towards my house.  You can see the results in yesterday's post.  I got about half way along, and there was the 'undertakers'.  They shouted " Hello" and beckoned me in.  The old guy got up and offered me his seat.  I felt a bit awkward taking it as he was even older than me!  But I took it.  Straight away I was offered something to drink, which turned out to be green tea, everyone drinks it here, no one drinks black tea (or red tea as they call it here!), and a cigarette.    This was quite a nice brew.  Anyway we got talking in a mix of English, Chinglish, Chinese and Google translate.  It was really fun.  Smething I had wanted to happen...and now it did!  I love exploring the places I am at and don't really feel the need to go to the 'tourist places'.
there were just a few to start with, but it seems the WeChat spread the news of the foreigner and gradually more arrived.

later a few more turned up and joined the laughter as we treid to make conversation!  Then came the big question "Have you eaten?"  Eeerm "No, not yet" and the guy on the right says something to his wife, the lady in pink and she goes to the back of the "shop".  The guy on teh left then grabs my phone and uses the translation app.  "She's gone to make you noodles, do you like spicy?"  I told him I prefer not spicy and he shouts something to the back of the shop.  Out pops 'the wife' with a bowl of rice noodles with two fried eggs on top!  Amazing.
They all watched closely 'Can the foreigner use chopsticks?'  I could and this caused a few laughs as the guy on the right had bet the guy on the left, who I think is the undertaker, that I couldn't!  Anyhow I chomped away at my food, some of the nicest Chinese food I have had since I have been here.  Excellent!  Eventually I took my leave and headed home.  For me that was better than a trip to Fanjing mountain!  Loved it!  I have to go that way later today and I'll drop them in a few of my posh Beijing cakes.  As with most conversations in China, they were keen to know my wages.  I am not sure what wages are here in China and just managed to avoid answering as I think I get a really good wage for this area and dont want to disclose as Id guess all of the people in this house combined earn less than me, and that would embarrass me and perhaps them.  That's one I need to check out!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Corona Virus Diary - Evolving page - Each consecutive day will be placed ABOVE the previous day's entry...but I might add to the bottom of each day's entry during the day!

Image
 This diary page is now complete as I have returned safely to England Due to some weird anomally, I often can't seem to reply to comments people make, but all comments are much appreciated!  (Especially the Birkenhead one!) 5th February 2020 Today I woke at 1.30 am.  A combination of jet lag and worry and a napping sleep pattern over the last few days.  Running round in my mind was the need to get back home before I get stuck here!  The need to get home quickly and 'under my employers radar' has made me a little paranoid, and that has transferred to the last leg of my journey:   London to Dorchester.  In my mind I have not made it home yet...Dorchester, my house, that's home.  Not there yet.  I'll wear my mask on the home journey for the sake of others.  I have been isolated in Jiangkou and display no symptoms.  But I care about others too and want to be safe, not sorry.  What has surprised me so far, is that no one has asked me why I am wearing it!  I felt
Read more

The longest strangest day ever!

Image
After the trip to Yanxi,I stayed in bed late and caught up with work in my apartment.  I ordered in some food and the driver brought it to my door.  Just before he arrived I got a phone call.  I think it was the courier.  He was slightly late and it seems couldn't find out exactly where I was.  There was a knock at my door and there he was with three little girls who knew where the foreigner lived!  They smiled at me.  I recognised one of them.  She was a little girl who had bought me some Chinese sweet dish in the park when I first came her.  She is a relation of the head of English who lives on the floor above.  The courier went, I said goodbye and closed the door.   I heard a little discussion outside and then a knock on the.  The three little girls wanted a chat.  I told them that I would love to chat but I was having my food.  I finished eating and there was another knock on my door.  They were back.  A safeguarding nightmare in England but not so over here in Jaingkou.  All
Read more

Two trips to the hospital

Image
Well it was to be expected.  I was not built for 80% plus humidity and thirty plus degrees.  Something had to give.  It was my skin.  First it just looked like it got a bit dry, then it got irritated and then it turned nasty and paper-like.  I'd been to the pharmacies and bought various preparations that had had no effect.  Time to see a doctor.  There is no such thing as a GP in China so it means that to see a doctor you have to go to the hospital.  It is well known that the bigger the city the better the hospital andthe better the doctor.  Guizhou is a small province, Jiangkou is a small town.  I didn't expect much.  The hospital itself is quite a nice looking building set opposite the park.  I had not been i before but as I entered there were two things that struck me.  The first was the payment desk and the ATMs.  The second was the hot water machines.  Hotwater has the folklore ability to cure anything. The hospital reception.  On the right and below are the hotwater m
Read more