Blog 21
(pictures now up for Blog 20...)
So off we go again to a new school and a new round of training. As mentioned in the previous blog, we're in the countryside area of Honghe and the town of Jianshui. As it happens, the place is a bit of a tourist centre, mainly for Chinese sorts but also the odd 'westerner'. Saw three sets last night, wandering along the alleyways of the old town. One such alley can be seen - the picture taken from the balcony of the 'old down cafe', as it says on the sign. If you're ever in the area, do stop in for the tremendous milkshakes they do for just 8 RMB (55p).
The rural quality of the area can be seen in both the his and hers headgear worn by many of the locals, as modelled here, and also in the form of vans, tractors and 'work' vehicles,
which have a curious open-air belt engine system. The hat the man is wearing can sometimes be seen being used as a motorcycle helmet, although how effective the dried grass would be to protect ones head if it connected with a concrete kerb, I couldn't say. The vehicle pictured is one operated with a steering wheel but I've seen others with ropes either side of the engine, which are pulled by the driver to turn the vehicle. As for the open-air bit, this seems to be to allow fast repair of the belt-system should anything go wrong. Many are the repairs being made at the side of the road to these, and other vehicles. Lots of wheels being changed, to. And that is something quite useful about this place: if something's broken, you can get it mended. 
Loads of people all over the place fixing things in the most ingenious ways possible.
which have a curious open-air belt engine system. The hat the man is wearing can sometimes be seen being used as a motorcycle helmet, although how effective the dried grass would be to protect ones head if it connected with a concrete kerb, I couldn't say. The vehicle pictured is one operated with a steering wheel but I've seen others with ropes either side of the engine, which are pulled by the driver to turn the vehicle. As for the open-air bit, this seems to be to allow fast repair of the belt-system should anything go wrong. Many are the repairs being made at the side of the road to these, and other vehicles. Lots of wheels being changed, to. And that is something quite useful about this place: if something's broken, you can get it mended. 
Loads of people all over the place fixing things in the most ingenious ways possible. Let's take a personal example of mending. Unfortunately, the strap buckle on my satchel broke and some of the leather on the strap was wearing thin. Not even beginning to know where to go in London to get the thing repaired, a cobbler on the street corner (and there are almost as many cobblers on corners as corners themselves) re-stitched the strap, put a new hole and rivet where necessary and all for the princely sum of 2RMB (12 1/2 p). I was so pleased with the quality of the repair and the extra life given to my satchel, being a big spender, I gave the man a whole 3RMB instead. We were both quite chuffed.
But back to the training. In a junior school today with 175 course participants, we kicked off orientation with some PowerPoint and a few tasks, one of which can be seen under
the imposing redness of the flag of the Youth League. "And what is this 'Youth League' you speak of?", I can almost hear you ask in unison. Well, it's rather like the scouts but for aspiring (bureaucratic or political) young communists. It's the after school club you can apply to join once you're 14 (in junior school). I was told that you need to be 'approved' before you can join, but that most people pass the approval process. As for the activities being similar to the scouts, I couldn't say. Maybe you get to sew a red star onto your sleeve after you've informed on ten friends, I just don't know.
the imposing redness of the flag of the Youth League. "And what is this 'Youth League' you speak of?", I can almost hear you ask in unison. Well, it's rather like the scouts but for aspiring (bureaucratic or political) young communists. It's the after school club you can apply to join once you're 14 (in junior school). I was told that you need to be 'approved' before you can join, but that most people pass the approval process. As for the activities being similar to the scouts, I couldn't say. Maybe you get to sew a red star onto your sleeve after you've informed on ten friends, I just don't know. Just in case any of you readers are thinking that 14 is rather late to start party indoctrination, don't worry, there's a primary school version (like the cubs) called the Young Pioneers, whose members get to wear a white shirt and red tie; for later students (18+) you can actually become a fully-fledged party member and carry a 'little red book'. I suppose the 18+ gang must be like the OTC or something, except that you have to pay a percentage of your salary to b
e a party member. Those I spoke to who were members (and not officials in local government) didn't seem to rate the experience highly.
e a party member. Those I spoke to who were members (and not officials in local government) didn't seem to rate the experience highly.All very interesting, at any rate. Although what I need to find out are the important matters, like does being in the Youth League mean you get nicer toilets; the ones in the current venue leave little to the imagination and all too much to the nose. Mind you, the open air style must be hygienic and it is better than the toilets at Blackpool railway station. If you ever happen to be there, it really is worth holding on until you get somewhere else.
