Blue Sky
I just got home from Blue Sky. It is 2:45am. I was on my way to hopping the fence when the guard shined his "torch" - practicing my British speak for proper English lessons - in my face. "Oopsies! Can you let me in please sir?" A very tired and pissed-off guard let me in and shone the light on me while I tried to get my key to fit into gate lock number two. Maybe he's been waiting on me all night long since they refuse to give us keys to the gates. No matter. I'm here now.
Oh, Blue Sky is a foreign bar here in Wuhan, specifically in the Hankou neighborhood. Some of you might remember that Wuhan is made up of three smaller cities: Wuchang (where my school is), Hankou (where the industry and foreigners are) and Hanyan (where people live...). I think I have some flea bites.
I met a man from Cameroon tonight. When he introduced himself, he said, "I want to meet you" and when Robyn and I were getting into the taxi, he said, "I want to love you." Nice fellow. While we were talking, he spoke perfect Chinese and told me that he's been here for three years. He has a degree in Agri-Economics but makes better money teaching ENGLISH in China. What?!?! He told me all about the rampant racism here in China and went off about how I need to utilize my nationality..or take advantage of the fact that the Chinese have a deep obsession with America - his words. He used the following argument with me: "What do the Chinese call America?" I replied, "Meiguo." And he said, "How does 'Meiguo' translate?" "Beautiful Country." "Exactly. No other country is called something like that. Only America. For the other countries they make an approximation of the sound." So, great. I know I should exploit the fact that I'm from America, but I don't have the first clue what he means by that. He told me I was naive, and he is right. The idea that America is a loved country anywhere in the world right now completely eludes me. Oh well, maybe I'll learn something while I'm here.
I went to Robyn's for dinner tonight after getting a xerox of my passport for the SIM card for my Wuhan cellphone. Today has been ridiculously long. Both my lovely mother and father called this morning, so the phone works. Good news! Anyone else wishing to spend tons of money on a call to China, feel free to do so knowing that the reception is superb! I'm all over the place right now, and it is because I'm tired and want to go to bed instead of finishing this post.
Guess what?!? I think I've developed allergies. I thought I had a cold, but when my right eye shut completely around 7pm and started watering and the left eye started rolling into the back of my head every seven minutes as if I was going to sneeze, I realized this might be something else entirely. Also, I have to admit, I've taken up smoking again. It is just that some lovely Chinese person happens to offer me a cigarette right when the beer is poured and you just cannot refuse. I keep telling myself no more, but then, the beer keeps coming and the cigarettes keep getting offered. At least this way, if my health goes to hell in a hand basket, I can blame it on my own actions as opposed to the simple fact that I've moved to China, right? Right? Okay, I'll stop...(when I move back home...in really small letters...)
