9/7/25
Breakfast was an appalling experience for us. We immediately felt the people to be unwelcoming. Really unusual for China we thought. We ordered noodles. Clearly stating that we didn’t want meat, or meat broth. Foolishly, we didn’t watch the young man carefully enough. After we sat down and eaten half of them we noticed the little meat globules. They were in the bottom of the bowl but we’d inevitably mixed some into our food. We confronted him, pointlessly. He was the most indifferent little shit we’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting. We’d have to watch like a hawk in future.
Our plans to have a leisurely day in the town felt scuppered. Only by our now saddened mood and subsequent desire to runaway. After a ‘brew bag’ coffee in our room, we decided to pull the trigger on a rucksack. As we left the hotel a woman stuffed our hands with chocolates, and tried to give Jonathan cigarettes. There was a wedding. Sadly the chocolate was tarnished with milk. On our walk we discovered an outdoors shop called Camel. It had some nice bags, almost ideal, but they were very expensive. We couldn’t justify spending £70 or more.
Back to the department store we went. A 50 litre bag with a waist strap was purchased. Contrary to our original feelings we opted to stay in the town another night. It was just easier. The hotel staff insisted we fill out another ‘alien’ form. We went to the supermarket up the road to buy some supplies. We were planning on a little hiking adventure. There was an area slightly further north that had enticed us. Whether it work out we didn’t know yet.
We bought a selection of dry foods and snacks. Oatmeal, dried mushrooms, dried fruit and nuts. When we got back to our room we realised Jonathan had lost the room key. Irritating. We traced our steps. It felt in vain. But sure enough, on the floor the supermarket we found it.
We popped to the Agricultural Products Market. Frankie was feeling increasingly irritable about her impending period. We bought some tofu, salad and fruits. Frankie went back to the hotel. Jonathan went to hunt for her craving: roast potato.
We’d seen some earlier in the day. The lady with a grill was still there. Her last two potatoes. Grilled sweetcorn too. She asked for ¥2, gesturing with her fingers. She must have been keen to get rid of the last of it. As Jonathan tried to pay on WeChat the computer said no. It wouldn’t work. A group of around 20 people huddled around. A university student offered to hotspot some data. That wasn’t the problem though. Nationwide hates WeChat. It verified the payment. It was only 20p for gods sake!
Finally it went through. Jonathan walked back, part of the way with the university students. They were on vacation from Chengdu. Minutes after Jonathan had returned, a WeChat notification said that the payment had been disputed. We sought the help of the hotel receptionist. The woman couldn’t see. She’d confirmed ¥2 but actually been after ¥20. It made a lot more sense. It was an absolute nightmare trying to send her more money. In the end we paid the receptionist and she told us she would take care of it. Now we could eat our dinner in peace. We watched more Ragnarok and We Were Liars.
Surly They Won't Make It 