I can’t resist people watching. Wherever I am I have to work hard not to stare at people. It’s all that wondering what they are doing, where they are going, what, why, when etc. Before I left I wondered what my first impressions would be, finding myself in the middle of such a far away country, a country of peoples of many ethnic origins but none from the ethnic groups I live in. Would l at first, for example, think everyone looked alike?
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• At 1.87 metres 108 kg (well before I left, let’s hope all this delicious Chinese food hasn’t added to my paunch!) I stand out in China. So suddenly I find myself a minor celebrity,

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Yesterday was another day of firsts. It was my first experience of Fuzhou rain, thunder and lightning. I was assured that all 3 were fairly modest affairs for the area but they quite amazed me. I also made the acquaintance of Báijiǔ. Another first was me playing Yanghong’s guitar and performing John Barleycorn (do you reckon I’m safe laying claim to it being the first ever performance of the song in Fujian?). And then marvel upon marvel I realised a boyhood dream! (more…)

I’m not sure I understand the reason for the rift between the Chinese state and the government. And I have no interest or intention of examining this now. However I really wonder if the hundreds of thousand of developers outside China really know that unwittingly they are joining in with Google and short-changing the Chinese people. (more…)

I can’t praise my hotel enough it is just perfect. It’s the Hengshegn Business Hotel and it is on Xeufu S Road and less than 10 minutes walk from the University Campus. It’s well-appointed; the en-suite is a wet room. I have however discovered one disadvantage of a wet room. Yesterday when showering I dropped my toothbrush in the toilet! (more…)

After depositing my belongings in the hotel we make the few minutes walk down to Student Street. This is what they call the section of Xeufu S Road that runs between the 2 entrances of Fuzhou Technical University, Western Campus. (more…)

Where do I start? The experience was different from anything else I’ve done before. It’s a challenge to put it into words. Most of all I am anxious that you understand that when I talk about things I find bizarre, incredible shocking etc. I’m commenting on my own naivety, I’m not trying to pass judgement. (more…)

So here I am in Fuzhou. Imagine my surprise to find that on the flight to Beijing I wasn’t quite so different after all. Would you believe there was someone else wearing red braces! (more…)

This is all so new to me, I’m fascinated that here in the departure lounge I’m the only one wearing red braces! (more…)

Phew thought I might get a cool welcome from Mark. Should be ok now 🙂 (more…)