As an avid reader of this blog, you might have noticed a
distinct and abrupt absence of new posts since I returned from summer in
Savoie.
What with getting the kids settled into school, some
immediate travel by Katherine and the need to get the house set up for the
serious part of the year, time was at a premium. Add to this some serious IT issues which took
a while to resolve, an off week and some general inertia and there you have it.
So, where to start?
Well, I’m learning Chinese.
While mind is old, I understand the concepts quickly, and although I struggle
to absorb the vocabulary, the grammar is simple and repetition appears to be
slowly working. I can say hello, how are
you, lovely weather, no worries etc, etc.
I can count to 999 and I am starting to recognise some of the prices
that are asked of me at the markets, though I will have to admit to sometimes
being left reaching for 100 Yuan note with no idea what I am committing
to. The problem is a combination of a
poor ear, the use of slang and the Beijing accents. Rarely does a stallholder say in a nice,
clear voice the Chinese equivalent of “two dollars fifty” but rather, “that’ll
be couple bucks and a half mate, a bargain!” – which leaves me scrabbling
through the sounds for a recognisable number.
Anyway, it’s an adventure - and I am even learning my characters too - which is actually fun.
Enough of this ramble, my next post will be of some photos –
most of which have graced social media already but will be provided again in
order to paint a picture of the end of summer in Beijing.
Cheers for now
