Ron Mertens’ blog

I can’t believe it’s almost 2 months since we left Israel already. It seems like we’re in China for a longer period, although it’s very difficult to get used to this place. Everything is different.

Today I had 3 tasks to do after lunch – Pay our gas bill, get a hair-cut, and recharge the Chinese SIM (it’s prepaid). So I went to our apartment building lobby, and asked for help – not that anyone can speak English of course, but I had the gas-payment slip, so no worries. After a short debate, one of the nice employees (I think there are about a hundred employees in our 3-building complex) went to the back, and returned with his motorcycle, and took me off to the gas-company office. Almost all the motor-cycles here are electric. It makes them very quiet and efficient which is nice. It also means that you don’t hear them when they zoom past you on the sidewalk (the sidewalk in China is a place where it’s less likely that a car will go by).

Paying the gas-bill was easy – the lady in the counter looked at it, and said “twenty”. I was impressed with her seemingly good English, handed her a 20-yuan note, and got back 8. Happily I told my new motorcycled-friend that I’ll walk back home, no need for a ride back.

On the way back I stopped in a ‘hair-salon’. Michal said I need to cut my hair because I’m starting to look ridiculous. This place was huge – with several dozen employees, and a lot of things happening. After a few laughs (in which I realized that this is probably a women-only place) they agreed to cut my hair. Someone takes you to wash your hair, which is a 15-minute affair complete with a nice head massage. I can get used to that. Then the barber came, he was very nice. He cut every hair with great care, talking to it and measuring it before cutting. It was a long process – but finally we’re over, and after another short wash (no massage this time! damn) I paid and went out. It was expensive – 58 Yuan!

Charging my phone was easy – just go to a place that sells phones (you recognize them by the long list of numbers displayed – these are new pre-paid SIM cards), and give him your phone after you dial some number – he’ll understand that you’re out of money and sell you a calling card.

Now I’m back home. Wondering how it will feel getting back to Israel, and not having those great experiences every day…

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