So one week today I leave Wuhu. I'm not sure it's hit me yet that I'm actually leaving; it feels as though I should still have another 3 months to go in a way. Tell you what though, I sure am looking forward to the central heating - I can see my breath when I breath out indoors today. Not impressed.


JuaHua Shan


We went on the company trip last weekend to JuaHua Shan - a mountain with lots of temples & what not. It was pleasant; there was fresh air & quite pictoresque (reminded me of an Alpine resort but with a Chinese edge) & really, I wasn't complaining as it was free because the company paid. But it was bloody freezing & it poured down on the Sunday to the point where I looked like I had just got out of the shower! We then had a 4 hour bus ride home with wet feet & of course, no heating on the bus... Fuuuun.

We also couldn't have a shower in the hotel as "we were in the mountains, so the conditions are not so good & so there is only hot water between 7 & 8pm" - as the guide told us in her bright & by this point annoying tones -which of course was when we were eating dinner. There was no way I was having a shower in the morning either as the tap was practically spitting icicles. Hmm.


Lady Luck ain't on my side


Last week, I wrote how Habby had been planning a superstitions & luck lesson. After discussing this my luck began to go down hill.

On Friday morning, my new bank card arrived from mom which I was very excited about as after my wallet was knicked in Hefei a few weeks back, I had been taking subs off friends here & stuff & was very happy to have my own money supply again. The day was off to a good start.

On my way back from English Corner at Medical College - at which, a girl had started practicing her French with me which threw me a bit to say the least! - that evening, I got out of the cab & left one of my nice gloves in the front seat. So now my hands are freezing with this cold weather. My bank card then didn't work in 3 banks which I tried which have always worked before saying the bank couldn't issue my money. For some reason, at this point, I knew it was going to be a bad evening.

That night, in the club - one of the 2 in Wuhu - which we frequently go to, where we know all the staff & many of the other regulars, my bag was swiped from table I was sat at. When I realised, I was not happy as you can imagine & couldn't believe this was happening all over again. Just topped off the evening really. My new bank card had been in there though there was nothing else of value as it was such a small bag... I suppose I should be greatful for that much but somehow didn't see it that way!

So now I'm back to square one, transfering money into my friends' accounts so they can withdraw it for me. *sigh*


As my time here draws to a close, I seem to have less & less to report &I don't want to bore you with too many ramblings about daily boring life here so I think I'll draw this entry to a close. See you all in a week - which I still can't quite believe!
xx