Knobcottage in China

The friendliness of Chinese people never ceases to amaze me.   This story starts at the end of the conference.   I was out very late the night before the end of the conference, and I had decided to stay and extra night in the hotel.   I got up in the morning and booked an extra night.   Then I got a message from Angela.   “Did I fancy a day out in Tongren!”.   She had learned that I was there alone and wanted to take me out!   Excellent!   Soon afterwards I got another message telling me the plan of the day and telling me what time she would arrive.   She arrived in a taxi and we went off with all my luggage to the centre of Tongren.   She needed to take a few photos for an official document and then we would go to shopping for some ingredients for a meal that she would cook for us at her friend’s house.   We went to the photographers, but he was not there.   However, we parked my luggage in the back of the shop and we...

Well, when I got the message of "to all: tonight 10pm BBQ and beers donstairs confirm hotel please"  I woud neve have imagined that I'd be getting a communal massage at 1.00am in the morning whilst watching a Jackie Chan horror tyoe film and eating watermelon, but I was.  Let me explain. It all started with a message from Wendy at about 8 pm. " have you eaten Mike?"  "No." "Where are you?" " In the hotel" " Ok Ill be over soon with some food" "To my hotel?" "Yes!" "I’m room 8248 or do you want to meet me in the lobby?" "Stay there I'll be there soon, I'’ll bring my student!" Half an hour later there was a knock on the door.  It was Wendy and Taylor, her student An and a bag of assorted food!  An is a thirteen-year-old boy.  So, taking everything in my stride, I invited them in.  They set out the table for me and waited until I had eaten. Then An w...

This week has been the conference in Tongren.   I must admit I am not enjoying it much.   Maybe my own fault.   I was asked to prepare stuff that would help Chinese English teachers change the way they teach.   I did. I was not prepared for the fact that many of them could not speak any English and they really didnt want ot or know how to change the way they were teaching.  They were also being worked increadibly hard.  So, I am not writing about the conference. On one of the days, I had a bit of free time.  I got a message from Wendy. " Hey Mike! would you like to come over and see my school?  My freind will pick you up in shortly!" Shortly afterwards, Wendy messaged and the gril who we have now named Jolene was there.  I had been told to look out of a large orange car.  This was a monster truck.  I climbed in and off we went to Wendy's new school.  We double parked in the middle of a small street and climed out....