Today marks the third time I have been told I owe money to some one for something that I wasn’t consulted on. And once again, the plans have been finalized and I have little choice but to pay and attend. This time it is the Peking Opera. Not that I don’t want to see it… I was simply under the impression that the school was taking us. Suddenly I am being asked for 140 Yuan for a ticket that has been purchased on my behalf. Granted, it is only $20, but is quite nearly my very last $20. I had to give up $60 (USD) earlier today in order to go on a tour of the Ming Tombs. Once again this is something I want to do, but I was not consulted about the schedule or pricing, simply told how much to pay and when to show up where.
I am quite miffed about this. I thoroughly appreciate being consulted about what I’d like to do with my money before it is promised to people without my knowing. I might not have decided to attend the Opera (which I will understand scarcely a word of) if I had known I had to pay to go. I might have liked to participate in deciding which tour and what transportation to take to the Ming Tombs. It isn’t that the wrong decisions were necessarily made on my behalf, it is that they were made at all. Okay, I am done with my complaining.
I am going to write about what I did today and post pictures tomorrow morning to get myself back on my regular blogging schedule. I leave Beijing in four days and I do not expect any internet access until I reach Washington D.C. a week later. My plan is to write and archive pictures every evening using my laptop and then post it all in the correct order once I arrive home. It is sure to be quite an adventure.
I am sad that you won’t be blogging until your return to D.C. I have spent quite a few nights up reading your blog and will probobly go through withdrawls when your access to the internet is removed. Oh well I guess I’ll just have to have patience and deal with it. Greg and I are going to try and push start my car this morning, should be interesting.
Comment by Joe! — July 30, 2007 @ 8:31 am
so i just got to the rents house and there is some strange dog residing here with karma. i have no idea who he belongs to or where he came from, but he’s a sweet dog and he and karma seem to like eachother. there is no name tag so i have no idea what to call him. he just keeps following me around and i keep referring to him as “puppy dog.” they must be puppy sitting for someone, or maybe he was walking around aimlessly and they took him in. i guess i’ll find out later when i meet up with dad.
so you leave beijing in a few days, but i forget where it is you are going before you come home. you should definitely call me before you depart for china adventure number 2.
mike moves tomorrow. you should try and give him a call to wish him well in ft meyers.
joe and i are coordinating a day to paint. i think maybe friday? we’ll see.
lex misses you. i miss you. karma misses you. EVERYONE misses you. stay safe. i love you!!!!
Comment by jen — July 30, 2007 @ 12:32 pm