I think I’m becoming American...

With the majority of the foreigners I know in China coming from the States, their language is starting to rub off on me. Mostly, it’s just for ease because it means that they have more chance of understanding me and also, my students have learnt American English. This means that a cash point is now an ATM; a rubbish bin is a trashcan; a holiday is a vacation and my timetable is a schedule.

My amazing chicken chasseur, roast potatoes and garlic broccoli!

On Saturday, I got to practise my new American lingo at a brunch at Mr Mai’s. I was definitely hungover from the night before (although I did manage to buy teabags online during my night out, which is a new talent) and so I put my sunglasses on and manned up. As well as a full American breakfast, I also got loads of freebies for my apartment. When people leave Wuhan, they give their things to the coffee house and so the volunteers each year can take whatever they like. I got some really nice things, including a vase, kitchen utensils, mugs and a few decoration items.

Chocolate chip and normal pancakes, scrambles eggs, bacon and maple syrup.

My beautiful new vase and some twigs courtesy of the neighbour's tree.

Monday and Tuesday were hectic days but on Tuesday night, I went to Dean’s and we had pasta and watched a film. However, on Wednesday, my day was a lot more surprising! After teaching in the morning, I went to Huashi cultural street – a small courtyard type place with really cute, vintage shops. It was like paradise! I treated myself and got some very girly things, including gloves and hair accessories. I spent the afternoon finishing off decorating my apartment and now it actually looks like home!

Autmn has arrived in Wuhan

Dean's amazing pasta dish!

Coffee is bitter but love is sweet <3

Vegetable preparation on the pavement....

My buys from cultural street! Gloves, hair bows, tree decorations, postcards, a mango candle and mini pegs.

My 'xmas tree'

Decorating my apartment...

Delia cooks again - soy chicken with broccoli and beansprouts....

The evening started as normal, dinner with Dean, Brendan and Daddy (I don’t know his real name!). We had mala xiang gou which is a huge bowl filled with ingredients that you have chosen, and they cook them together and you share the dish. When the dish came upstairs it was COVERED in peanuts. Most people know that I have an allergy to peanuts and haven’t touched them in about 8 years and so I was presented with a huge dilemma – do I just pick them out or not risk it? Luckily, the boys ate all the nuts and I took food from the bottom and I was absolutely fine...phewwww! After my close call we decided that drinks were needed and decided to try and find a nearby bar. We found this underground bar and after talking to the owner, realised that it was a gay bar! The TV’s ALL AROUND the bar were showing what can only be described as male soft porn. I just sat there laughing, and I don’t think I have ever seen three guys look so uncomfortable. When a guy started to serenade us with karaoke, we realised that it was time to make a quick exit!

An example of the artwork

Brendan assessing the gay bar

Dean, Brendan and Daddy enjoying their new surroundings...

On Thursday, I met up with a couple of friends and took them to cultural street (I really like it!) and they were as impressed. This time I went to the Arabic supermarket to get some food items but refrained from buying more accessories. Thursday night was my crazy children tutoring lesson. Last week, I had a really naughty child and I mentioned to the mother that he either needed to behave or couldn’t come anymore. When I walked in this week, I was greeted by a different boy sat there and nobody mentioned a thing! It was like a secret swap and so I have no idea who this child is but apparently, I am now teaching him.

Friday night was party time (of course) and we went for a meal beforehand to one of my favourite places – ximen. You sit outside at tables with plastic stools, practically on the street and can watch the world go by as you eat. The food here is also incredible – sweet and sour pork ftw! However, this meal was rudely interrupted by another case of Chinese people having absolutely no shame. Two men proceeded to kneel very close to our table and vomit for a good ten minutes. What made it worse was that they didn’t take advantage of the bins right next to them, instead preferring the floor and seemed to take it in turns to be as loud as humanly possible. To say I was put off my dinner was an understatement. Afterwards, they pulled up a few chairs next to the crime scene and sat having a cigarette! I still feel confused by the whole situation.

Ximen resturant

The night out itself was really good. I realised that the bar (Wuhan Prison) sold Malibu and so introduced my friends to the classic Malibu and lemonade. I also managed to have about 7 sambuca shots, after Olivi and I renamed ourselves the ‘buca bunnies. Oh dear. I also met some people from England! A Geordie and a Brummie, and an Irish guy who insisted I drink a beer with him. I learnt from the evening that I really, really hate beer. I also got very angry with the taxi driver on the way home who tried to con me and go the long route. Long story short, I won the argument and we went the quick way home.

Me and B-dog

Olivi and I = 'buca bunnies

Why did I drink this beer?

Enjoying a 'dance'

Neighbours!

Daddy and I 

Yesterday (Saturday), I woke up feeling remarkably fresh and ready to go sightseeing with my friend, Greg. We went to Optics Valley plaza, which is a huge shopping area with big malls and branded shops. It also has a cultural area with different streets, like Spanish Street and German Street. We braved the drizzle to take some pictures and then ventured into a mall for food. His Chinese level is about as good as mine so this was going to be interesting. Yet between us and with the help of our Chinese apps, we managed to get a table, order food, and pay the bill. The food itself was and still is a mystery – some sort of beef noodles, a beef hotpot (it translated as a spicy bowl of cow, although we’re not sure which part of the cow) and deep fried balls containing a sweet bean paste.

Spanish Street

Spanish Street

Handbag bull!

Spanish phonebox?

Italian duomo (cathedral)

Definitely arrived on German Street

A random dinosaur

I love how enthusiastic the Chinese are in their picture taking!

After our newfound success in Chinese dining, we decided to find dessert in the food court. This is like a packed corner of the mall selling lots of ‘street food’ and we had these cake batter things cooked on griddles. As I cannot read Chinese, I had to go by tasting the flavours and I deduced that I had a green tea cake with a milk tea cream and red soy bean filling – delicious! After traipsing back to our subway stop, I went to do my volunteering at Mr Mai’s. I actually love this place now because I know so many people – it’s like my Wuhan family. I was persuaded by a 13 year old Chinese girl to get pumpkin pie with her (such a hard decision) and ended up speaking to a few of my students that had come along to see me.

'dessert'

Anime avenue!

Pumpkin pie...yum!

Today is Sunday – definitely a day of rest after a super busy week! I have already been food shopping and done my washing and so this afternoon I am going to watch some Geordie Shore (slightly ashamed to admit that I watch this) and make a curry for the boys later. Not just any curry but a potato, spinach and chickpea curry with sticky rice! But first, I think a cheeky nap is in order after my hard morning of being a domesticated goddess........

xxxxxxx