Working with Wendy in Tongren

Well it started off really well.  Wendy had booked a taxi, and I was told to be ready to be picked up between 7.30am and 8.00 am.  By 8.30 the taxi had not arrived, and I had already been bitten by 5 mosquitoes.  I sent a text to the driver.  Eventually the original driver said she couldn't take me and after fifteen minutes or so another taxi came.  This was an eight-seater an SUV.  I was the first passenger in the vehicle, and meant we were going to travel around Jiangkou for half an hour or so looking for seven other passengers: in fact we got eight passengers as a little boy sat on one person's knee.  Passengers all aboard ready to go and then it got complicated.  The driver wanted to know where I was going.  Everyone in Tongren calls the area ’number one’.  He didn’t know or understand!  This wasn't the case and I couldn't get Wendy on the phone.  However, after a lot of tooing and froing we actually set off for Tongren.  We entered from the University side and eventually I was dropped off near the school. Apparently.  I had no idea where I was, but the taxi driver said I was 'there'.  I phoned Wendy and went to buy some water.  Eventually I spotted Wendy and we went to the school.  It was busy

When I arrived, I went to a back to room where the kids were making dumplings.  

The dumpling making bowl and left to right clockwise, don't know,  don't know, Snowy, An and Taylor

The little kids left and for a while I spoke with the older ones until I started to fall asleep!  I then went into another room and slept for a while. 

When I came out I went into a room and greeted all the young kids and had some photos taken. Wendy asked if it was ok if she published them.  I told her it was fine,  and went to sit down with her and Taylor.  It became serious, Wendy wanted to talk business. She really wanted me to come to Tongren on a regular basis and to teach Oral English.  When she worked in Spring School, I visited her, as Spring is a friend of mine.  I helped her out with a lesson.  It was fun.  This was different.  A regular job.  When she had first hinted at this, I told her I didn't think it was possible because Tongren to Jiangkou and back is at least a two hour journey.  I postponed nay decision until I had my school timetable, but suggested that I probably could not work there.  

 

Wendy, with her business face, left and Taylor right

 She then moved onto the next topic with Taylor and started a re-deisgn of the advertising material.  The conversation was in Chinese, so when my phone binged, I looked at the message.  It was from someone I know and to some extent trust.  The message was clear.  Get Wendy to delete the photos.  The raeson was explained to me quite clearly.  Tongren Police are very good at finding 'illegal workers'.  My visit to the school could easily be seen as working there becasue no money has to change hands for my presence there to be deemed work.  No money did change hands but this could be seen as work.  Awkward.  For me it was just like a restaurant owner taking a picture and saying "Hey look! the foreigners eat here it must be good food" or someone in the park taking a picture and posting it with the caprion "My friend the foreigner!".  This was apparently different.  If this constituted illegal work it would mean a lot of trouble for both of us.  I waited for an opportune moment and told Wendy about my message and asked her to delete the photos.  She was upset, and to be honest so was I!  It put me in a difficult position.  Firstly, I wasnt working there, secondly I did not really intend to work there, thirdly, at least one person knows I was there ans more might believe thatg I was actually working there.  As there is often a reward for 'dobbing in' illegal workers then it is not safe to be there.  I am not worried aout the person who told me.  I dont think they are a problem, I honestly think that they are watching my back, but I dont know who else is watching.  Wendy used to work in spring school, but now has her own school in the same neighbourhood, so anyone from the former school could easily cause trouble if they felt aggrieved.  Awkward.  My first unpleasant expereince in China.  EventuallyTaylor organised a a taxi home, but before that she gave me the number of a good 'private driver'.  When I got home, I managed to pay the worng driver via WeChat!  But I sorted it out eventually.