www.the-orient-express.com

Manchester China Town - a home from home

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:43:26 PST

Last week I decided to visit Chinatown in Manchester. It used to be the biggest 'chinatown' in europe but is now, sadly, 3rd. It is still the biggest in the UK though. Why did I go? Well, I was craving 东北饭. Dongbei fan or 'Dishes from the northeast (of China).

Take Every Opportunity To Speak Chinese

Wed, 26 May 2010 11:22:45 PST

Chinese students will always tell you they have no opportunity to practise their oral English. Of course, that's absolute twaddle. The truth is that they are to shy to approach even their foreign teacher, let alone a stranger. Well, not so with me.

Party, Party, PARTY!

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:00:53 PST

Geez, it's been a long time, hey? I bet you all thought I'd died! Well no such luck. Morgan, the American girl who has kindly, or unbewittingly, stepped into the breach just couldn't log in. I'll fix that ...

Easy, Tiger

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:56:48 PST

To my Chinese friends, I wish you all a Happy & Prosperous New Year. Stoves will be running hot tonight as every houehold in China will be making jiao zi 饺子. Please, do not call them 'dumplings'. They are not!

Forget Chinglish, Here's Raclish

Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:57:48 PST

Forget looking for Chinglish mistakes in China. They are really making efforts into correcting their mistakes. I still believe they should simply consult with a 外国人 to proof-read. Anyway, start looking closer to home..

Occidentally Adjusted

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:39:52 PST

People talk about Melbourne, Australia having four seasons in one day. Well, Manchester in the northwest of England could well become the twin city of Australia's sporting capital. Today's temps. ranged from 0C to +6 with rain, light 'hail', snow and then brilliant...

The Occidental Express

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:02:37 PST

Well.. My first notes from the Occident in more than 5 years! My Chinese friends have been asking me if I miss China? I've been too busy to miss anything to be honest. It's good to be back in the west. I needed a break I guess, and of course ...

Up, Up And Away

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:58:00 PST

Thanks to the wonderful work by Miss Vivian Gou, the BA representitive on the ground at Beijing Capital International Airport, not only was I spared another 3 nights of using the airport as an hotel but she also upgraded me from 'cattle' class.

Beijing Airport Take(-off) II

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:43:52 PST

飞机场 Take II It's 8.40p.m. and in a little over three hours my resident status will be void. There is a grace period but I'm safe in the airport. I've checked my bags into left luggage for the next 24 hours. With the possibility of my being here for 4 days,

Impossible To Leave China

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:37:16 PST

I'm writing this from Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province, China. I should, at this exact minute be somewhere over the English Channel and set for a final approach to London's Heathrow airport. Why aren't I? FOG! Fog, fog and more fog.

The Bags Are Packed - UK Here I Come

Sun, 17 Jan 2010 09:20:33 PST

I'm all packed! I can't get another thing in my bags and so what's not in is staying. That's until Doudou came over later this evening! She took away 3 boxes full of stuff and all my fishing tackle.

A Very Interesting Phone Message

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:23:35 PST

Being called a 'Big W*****' through a text message is not some thing that happens to me every day! During the course of last evening, I was truly unaware of the three messages I received on my 'phone. This morning however, I read them and ...

他妈的！ They Must know I'm Leaving

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 06:02:43 PST

他妈的! I've been watching the Renminbi / Pound rate exchange over the the past 48 hours and I'm convinced the markets must know about my impending departure. The rate has gone from 10.58 to 11.15. Naturally, I'm not happy.

You Simply Can't Plan Nights Like That!

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:27:19 PST

What an absolutely superb night. Yesterday I arranged to meet my pal Peter in the Yu Xiang Man Bu coffee bar to hand over my scooter. We couldn't have chosen

六天后我离开

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:42:41 PST

The move is well and truly underway as I find myself surrounded by piles of clothes and collectibles. Some good news: the cost of taking another piece of checked baggage is an acceptable 440元 which means I'll be able to take more along with me.

成也萧何，败也萧何

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 05:05:20 PST

成也萧何，败也萧何 is the Chinese equivalent of, 'If you live by the sword...' and it has taken some time but because one of my students is an out-and-out cheat I decided to really teach her a lesson.

Lazy Britain At A Standstill

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:21:31 PST

I can't fathom the depths of laziness being shown in the UK. Councils are spending a small fortune and making one company in Winsford very very rich. When, what they should be doing is ...

The Clearout Has Begun

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:18:18 PST

I've started on possibly the hardest task I've faced during my 5+ years in China; packing to leave. I've opening boxes one-by-one and, so far at least, have been ruthless deciding what gets binned, what gets left, what gets donated, what gets kept and what goes with me.

Happy 'Western' New Year From China

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 09:23:53 PST

And a very Happy New Year to you all. To me, it's still just a date change but I appreciate the fact that the world is 'older'. Most of the foreigners here went out. We ate at Mussa's Muslim restaurant (not before a small fuss) and then headed into the city...

I've Finished

Fri, 25 Dec 2009 04:20:31 PST

Merry Christmas... and if you take offence at this greeting, TOUGH SHIT! Get a life. I've finished... It's all over. I've marked all the exam papers and submitted the final results to the college. Since then, I've been inundated with phone calls, messages, ...