Went to 西园寺 today with Lydia, it’s been over four years since we last saw each other but it seemed like only yesterday that we spoke. So familiar and within a few minutes the four years drifted into dust.
The temple was busy, being a Sunday many locals had come to pray to Buddha to ask for all kind of things I’m sure, I didn’t trouble him with anything, I just decided to say hello.
I like some of the temples here, however they are very traditional compared to say Thailand.
Lydia wanted to come here for the noodles and to ask the Buddha a favour, however the restaurant was so busy we headed back outside and found a small place that charged only 8 RMB for a bowl of noodles with veg, incredible!
Caught up with Partick today, I met him on my second day in Suzhou many moons ago. He introduced me to many people and places in Suzhou and also gave me an opportunity to teach as well as be a guest at many cultural events. I have to thank him a lot for making life in Suzhou so much better. One of the many friends that I made in my time here.
Still looking for a unit and we ended up walking around the old city near the north tower. It’s all traditional Suzhou architecture using only black and white for effect. It’s interesting getting off the main roads and wandering around here, the atmosphere takes you back to another time until some clown comes tearing up behind you on an Ebike sounding the horn.
Sissi and I spent most of the day looking at new apartments for her to rent. It was a cold wet day and so it was miserable wandering about in the rain. After the 10th tour and having to put on remove covers from shoes it was becoming tedious, we saw the last place at about 9:30pm.
Some of the styles and conditions of these houses are quite unbelievable and miserable at the same time. One of the places was only four years old and it looked like it had been built in the dark ages and then there was the one that had delusions of granduer where the decor and furniture had a Ming Dynasty feel for Emperor who flung dung. It was the gold phone that really wanted to make me vomit.
This is what is being promoted on Chinese Social Media at the moment, not sure that it is the truth somehow. I can’t use my vpn to check the BBC or other news sources but I’m thinking fake news 😁
On the 28th, the State Council held an urgent videoconference of various departments and conveyed the spirit of the provinces and cities throughout the country: Nanjing Lukou is equivalent to Wuhan seafood market, the situation is very serious, the State Council sent more than 50 experts stationed in Nanjing guidance, Lukou today more than 4000 people emergency transferred to Yangzhou, Zhenjiang medical isolation. This time the virus is stronger than Wuhan, very contagious, Nanjing work has a lot of deficiencies, these two days will increase the code layer by layer, we must protect themselves, do not run more, do not take public transport. ！！！ * the new Covid variant of Delta * can even affect vaccinated people, so be careful! :: the third wave hits the world *
Please protect yourself immediately. ***
* do not go out unless absolutely necessary. ***
2. * wear a double mask when you go out *
3. * Don’t eat out. Don’t let people enter your home-whether they are relatives or close friends. ***
5. * Don’t go to the house of relatives or friends. *** These precautions are very important. This has been underestimated in India and Pakistan, where millions of people are now dead. If we do not take precautions now, a large number of people in the world will be destroyed.
novel coronavirus does not discriminate against the victims and will be infected if he is not careful *
:: world status is accepted. 👇 🏽 * :: Canada * prohibited inbound and outbound flights, with more than 1000 deaths per day :: Saudi Arabia * visas are blocked and there are no inbound and outbound flights. :: Colombia * the border is completely closed. :: Brazil * is entering its worst phase, with more than 4100 deaths today. :: Spain * declared that the state of emergency must be extended.
the United Kingdom * declared the border closed for a month.
French * locked for 2 weeks.
Germany * packed for 4 weeks.
Italy * followed closely.
all * these * countries confirm that * the third wave of COVID19* killed more victims than the first wave and the second wave. Therefore, we must be very careful and * take all precautions *. Become a vigilant communicator between friends and family. :: save everyone from the third wave.
Don’t judge that the second wave didn’t happen. History tells us that, like the Spanish flu of 1917-1919, the third wave is more dangerous than the first wave and the second wave. ***
protect yourself and your family *.
maintain biosafety measures, wear masks, maintain social distance, wash hands frequently, etc.
History does not lie. Let’s look back.
:: please do not leave this information to yourself and forward it to family and friends. ***
Had a lazy morning and then caught up with Sissi and her Mum and Dad for lunch. The food was OK but not what I would have, however it was more for Sissi’s parents than for me. Her Mum is still being treated for cancer and currently goes to the hospital once a week for treatment, not sure what though. She was looking well, although her hair has not grown back yet and Sissi told me that she is now able to ride a bike…. So that’s good.
I went off on my own for a bit and wandered back through some old haunts and there is a lot of construction taking place. I think three new metro lines are underway and the roads are dug up or blocked off. The town was very quiet today, my old cafe that I went to only had three people whereas before foreigners congregated in packs. Mind you there were still many shops and restaurants open but just not as busy.
I headed to Decathlon to meet Sissi and I did a bit of retail therapy picking up some new lightweight walking trousers and shirts. Great shop Decathlon.
We had a “Jianbing” for dinner, a kind of crepe filled with veg, chilly and cheese which was just enough and then we headed home. It was getting very cold but the time we got back and even worse but the time I went to bed. The houses here are only built for shelter, there doesn’t seem to be any thought given to the heating and cooling. This small apartment I’m in feels claustrophobic and I’m looking forward to leaving.
The VPN is still giving me problems but at around 10 pm it connected to Switzerland, go Switzerland. It seems that the mornings and the evenings are the best times to connect, the network might not be so busy, but as long as I can connect every day that will be to get a few things done.
Finally managed to meet Sissi in the station, we must have walked passed each other and then I read more into the message she sent and I went the wrong way. I have to remind myself that English is not her first language and don’t read the message as Gospel.
It was great to see her after four years although I think she has been left with a few scars, and I’m talking about the Covid. It seems that the 23rd of December last year is etched into the psyche, the day China opened up once more after three very long years.
Mind you Suzhou was busy today which I didn’t expect as there seems to be a lot of doom and gloom on the media concerning China’s economy.
We talked about everything and anything and we had lunch and then I got my new sim card and thankfully the VPN kicked in when I connected through Thailand, got to love Thailand!
I’m staying in a newly renovated apartment in the old town, you would never guess what was lying behind the door of this old block. Passing through a rabbit warren just to get here, then a small vege garden and then through a kitchen to turn left up the narrow steep stairs to finally arrive at a shiny new door that you open with an app on your phone 😄
The apartment is pretty but not practical. The bed is on a mezzanine and going to the loo in the wee hours of the morning is an adventure indeed. However I should only be here for about a week before going to a more conventional place.
I’m not a fan of flying these days, I guess I’ve done too much lately and they have all been long haul. This one is just over eight hours, however we had a delay of about an hour which was a bugger. I’m hoping that I still make my connection to Shanghai.
It’s not long before all the wonderful things I disliked about China came flooding back. The sputum, the coughing without covering the mouth and feeling the spray because you are in range. The slurping of food and drink, how do you manage to slurp bread for christ sake.
I’ve worn a mask since I left the house. The Uber driver seemed to be sweating a lot so I’m glad I had it on. Apart from having dinner on the plane I’ve kept the mask on, however we are about 90 minutes from landing and I’ve taken it off. My nose is being irritated constantly and so I just can’t put it back on because my nose is raw. As soon as I can get my bag I’ll get moisturiser. So hopefully I’ll not inhale any bugs.
So a big drama at the airport trying to get me to Shanghai, they wanted to send me to the main Pudong but my hotel is no where near there and to get to it would have been another hour and a half or more just to transfer. But after a lot of moaning and options they got me onto another flight with another airline and I finally arrived at 1 am feeling very weary. I brushed my teeth and took the fur of them and then went to bed. The hotel room had a wee surprise waiting for me which I found when I went to make a cuppa, the carpet was sodden and my lovely warm thick socks lapped it up.
Too late to complain or change rooms so I just went to bed and got up about 9 am feeling almost human. Breakfast was vast, however I settled for an omelette, Danish, and yoghurt with fruit and several cups of coffee.
I’m now on the train to Suzhou but can’t upload my post as I have no Internet and so when I meet Sissi at the station the first thing to do is go to China mobile and get connected.
At the airport with about an hour to boarding, just had coffee and banana bread which was too sweet. I’ll be away till the end of April and I still feel that might be a bit too long, however no doubt the weeks will fly by and I’ll be on the way back before I know it.
It’s the end of winter there and so I’m expecting it to be very cold, one good thing is that when I arrive I’ll be staying at the the airport hotel so it should be a short walk with our having to go outside.
Tomorrow I’ll get the train to Suzhou and then hopefully Sissi will pick me up at the train station all going well. I’ll keep you posted 😁
Well it is a sad day today indeed, I defrosted the last slice of Black Pudding. I managed to cut it up into three slices and had one slice split onto two rolls accompanied with cheese. However the taste was not so strong because the slice was thin and so I will have to finally finish it off tomorrow using the two slices together.
I can’t keep it in the fridge any longer because I will be turning the fridge off when I go away, I’m leaving this Saturday.
This morning I cut the grass and nearly filled the bin to capacity. The humidity is still very high and as I write here at my computer the sweat is beginning to trickle down many parts of the old body. This morning I tried on my winter gear to see if it still fitted me and then stuck into the wash. I’m trying to get everything finished by Thursday giving me Friday free. I’ve bought supplies and a few items to share in China. tomorrow I’ll go out and get a few things and then it will be time to pack the case.
I’m still not sure how I’ll get to the airport, my flight is at 10am so if I take the train I’ll be leaving at dark o’clock whereas an Uber will allow me to leave just after 6am. I’ll see how much baggage I have.
Still a bit apprehensive about the trip and I’m not sure why. it’s been almost four years to the day since I returned to the hoose. Sissi has secured a flat just north of the main Suzhou train station which is handy. I haven’t lived in that part of the city before and so it will be good to explore the new neighbourhood. So lucky to have Sissi organising the accommodation.
Oh I haven’t heard back from the NAB, I guess I’ve blown my chances there. I thought at least I would have had a response by now…………
