Knobcottage in China

When I came back to see everyone leave, some of the kids I teach were there. They were wearing their red eerm "People's Helper" Jackets (kind of like a countrywide youth helping scheme). They spotted me and we chatted.  They asked for photos and they took some.  The can't do that in school because they are not allowed their phones, and strangely most of them (99%) don't actually bring them to school! Just after the last kids had left, someone called my name.  It was a Chinese girl whose English name is Seven.  I know her from school and I chat with her in the morning as I do with many others.  She is a very clever girl and very good at English.  She was with her younger brother, I called him six!  She asked me why I was there.  I explained to her that I was watching the Gaokao.  she asked if I was waiting for someone, I told her I wasn't.  She asked if I had eaten.  I hadnt't.  She invited me out to lunch with her an...

After some ritual shouting, teh kids started to move towards the metal detectors which seemed to beep continuously. about 25 minutes later the last few kids ran though I watched until all were through the metal detector and left to wander around Jiangkou.  I came back later to watch the kids come out.  I thought they would come out in dribs and drabs, but they were all lined up behind the 'Limits' tape.  Then the command was given!  The kids came out!

Gaokao is the 'really big really important end of sixth form' exam.  It is fiercely competitive and very important.   I wasn't sure how important it was so I thought Id go and see for myself. I got up early, went to the school, bought my breakfast and went to the office to eat it.  As I was eating I got a text from my boss telling me that I was not allowed in school.  Ooops!  I finished eating and went to leave.  Everywhere was taped off with Police tape.  Police and swat SWAT were everywhere and they had set up two metal detectors in the yard.  Oh Oh!  maybe I wasn't getting out!  I walked slowly to the gate, and one of the officers lifted the tape for me and I got out!  Phew!  After my dealings with the banks, I now have a great fear of 'getting into any trouble' here.  I imagine just getting stuck in the system somewhere, nobody knowing where I am!  Anyway all was ok this time!  When i got off premises ...