Chinese Tax Returns and wet Sundays

Ohh, I thought - somebody has sent me a present!!! What brought that thought on? The receptionist in my building had shown me a piece of paper - all in Chinese. I thought it was a bill of some kind, so I showed no interest in it - but it appeared in my mail box the next day. Huh! I brought it into work, and asked one of my colleagues - what's this? Lucky you, they said, you have a parcel to collect from the Post Office (this is where the parcel came in!!) Then they said - no, no - it's from inside China. Very strange! Who's sending me parcels in China? Only one way to find out - go and pick it up. First off all I had to find out which Post Office and then away I went... handed over my bit of paper, showed my passport and got my parcel! It wasn't really a parcel - it was my tax return form, all signed and stamped by the tax office. Yes - I'd had to fill out a Chinese tax return!! Next time you have to do a tax return, think of me struggling with mine - in Chinese. (Well, not really, it was in English too!)

A few weeks ago, we had a really wet and stormy Sunday - the type of day when you don't want to go outside for anything. (You get quite a few of those in Scotland!). So what to do on a wet Sunday in Shanghai?? I watched the lightning for a bit - it was really impressive, and then decided I wanted to do something more constructive. While mum was visiting, I had bought myself a model of a dragon, so that's what I did. I made myself a dragon. He now sits on my bedroom window sill and guards me as I sleep.

Last Saturday Alan and Angie came round to visit - and to teach me how to play Mah Jong. We got so engrossed by playing that I nearly starved my guests. I had to tear myself away to go and make dinner. It's a great game, and I really enjoyed playing, even if Alan did end up with all my money!! I was shopping at the market on Saturday and I got myself a set, so there's no stopping me now!!! My bargaining skills have improved. Mum had asked me to get her some new cushion covers - no problem, I thought. I spotted a couple, and then asked the price - 380 RMB (25 pounds). No way - I offered 20 RMB (1-33). She just laughed...so I walked away. She shouted after me, though, and I got them for 20RMB. Watch out when you're shopping in Yu Yuan in Shanghai! Silk cushion covers don't cost much! You can probably get them for less than 10 RMB each.

Talking of shopping, I was reading the Shanghai Daily the other day, and I discovered that the shopping centre across the road from me – the one with the supermarket in the basement, where I nip in for a pint of milk – is the second largest shopping centre in Shanghai – the Grand Gateway. If ever I’m tempted to go shopping mad, at least it’s handy…….!

Tickets!!

Yes - they have arrived. My tickets are here (2 1/2 hours late, but they're here!!) I'm going on my holidays.

Spring has sprung

The weather here has definitely improved, so I’m beginning to emerge from my winter sloth. I was feeling a bit brave last Saturday, and went over to the pool. I arrived and there were about 5 other people there. Not bad, but when you’re used to having the whole pool to yourself (as I was in Russia), it’s still a bit crowded. The worst bit was to come though. I was minding my own business, and swimming up and down quite calmly, when 20 10-year-old kids arrived!! Agghhh!! They were running about, jumping in, screaming their heads off, and generally behaving like 10 year-olds in a swimming pool. I am so not used to that!! I gamely carried on, but at one point, one of the kids swam into me, and bruised my ribs with their head. Grrrr!! Enough is enough, and I left. It turned out that it was a birthday party, so shouldn’t happen ever Saturday. I was tempted to go yesterday, but I wasn’t convinced……but I was good and went back a couple of times last week. I hope to go later on, but that depends if I’m still waiting…..

Still waiting for what?? Well, you see, the factory closes for 3 days at the beginning of May, so I have a few days holiday. As usual, my holiday grew arms and legs, and I’m now meeting Sheila in Las Vegas for a week!! It was another of those holidays that started of as a few days as the beach…… Ah well, maybe one day. Anyway. I need to get myself to Las Vegas. Easy, you would think, just book yourself a flight and you’re there. Hmmm that’s the hard part – I’m in China. I found a website to book flights, but the website wasn’t working. So I phoned the number, but had to phone during the day – so come Saturday, I’m all set. Well, it was so complicated. I had to speak to 4 different people, there were 3 different emails, 6 phone calls, 4 text messages (in Chinese, so I’ve no idea what they mean) and 2 delivery slots. The tickets, when we eventually managed to get them booked were due to arrive yesterday, but then I got yet another phone call to say that they couldn’t be delivered until today. They should have got here an hour ago ……..! Sheila booked hers in less than 5 minutes. I’ve used up all weekend, and I haven’t got them yet!! And it’s been sunny all weekend!! Hmm.

I was out for a meal on Wednesday, with the folks from work. The place we went to was amazing. It was near People’s Square and Nanjing Road, in the old British Concession – and it looked like it. It was done up in the Art Deco style with mahogany, chandeliers and Tiffany lamps everywhere. Very nice place. I thought the food was fine, but my Chinese pals says that it was so-so. It was a good atmosphere anyway!