Step 3 - Keep the Originals, Yo.

It was a pretty busy weekend so I'll gloss over the slow parts

The sun struggling to peek through the clouds/smog just before setting.

Saturday, I was out and about enjoying some of the culinary delights available - you've probably seen the pictures already uploaded to facebook. Perhaps you haven't seen the video of a guy making a pretty delicious pancake-kinda thing? I remembered these pretty fondly from my last time in China, so I had to grab one...

Mapo Dofu!

Following on from this, I walked a bit further checking out various stores and roads around 'Nan men' (South gate). Deciding I'd better grab a proper feed, I went into a little resturant and asked for a meal I'd researched off the internet - 'Mapo Dofu'. Have a read on the Wiki! Strange where these names come from... Anyway I had a squid dish with that and was left very satisfied, and very full!

Squid Dish! I really need to ask them what the name is next time.

Sunday started off much the same as Saturday, quite relaxed. So in the afternoon heat of a fairly muggy day, I went on my usual trip for exploration around the Uni. As it happened, I happened upon 3 chicks - one a 36 year old counselor from Hong Kong and the two others were 20 year old locals. They invited me to join them on a walk to a nearby park/tea house and practice my Chinese\their English.

 More food!

Now, there were certain warning bells going off in my head - I had been warned previously about being taken to places on the pretense of chatting, only to have them bail on you and be left with a hefty bill. But they seemed friendly and sincere, so I went along with it. As it turned out, great people and a great time, as they showed me around and explained things. Afternoon became night as we went from place to place, and then to dinner and off to 'Chunxi lu' (Chunxi road). This, from what I understand, is practically the main shopping drag in Chengdu. At least in terms of major legitimate department stores and chains - basically it's where the good stuff is. Anyway, a nice day and it's great to know at least 2 locals now :)

 My pals!

Which leads me to the next event, from which this post is labeled. You see, within 3 working days of arrival in China, if you're planning on staying awhile you'll need to go get yourself checked out at a hospital. More officially, the Sichuan Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau. Now the thing is, I had a full medical done in Perth before I came, because you need to have that done and send it in when you apply. Now the thing is... when I was getting my Visa, the Chinese consulate in Perth said that they required the originals of the medical. "Okay, it's the Chinese government... I'm sure that'll be fine". Why I thought that, I don't know. I should have known better. When the Student office staff were asking me about my forms, they were surprised that the consulate had taken the originals. I was a little concerned then, but I figured it would be okay.

No. It wasn't. At the hospital they told me I either had to get the originals or have another medical done at cost of... something like 330 kuai. Now this was actually much cheaper than it was in Australia for a more thorough medical (eg. they even did an ultrasound on my chest. Mmmm, gooey), but it's just so annoying that the system is clearly broken.

Anyway, I just felt like ranting about that. I'm actually glad that one way or another, it's another thing ticked off my 'Things to Do' list.

Oh, one more thing. If the taxi driver appears in anyway uncertain about where you want to go - get out. I took a risk with a taxi driver this morning who looked confused but said it wasn't a problem, and watched as he proceeded to contact other taxi drivers via radio for directions, pull alongside and shout out at other taxi drivers for advice, call someone on his mobile phone (another taxi driver?) and ask for directions. And even then, he dropped me off at the wrong end of the street. So yeah, don't waste your time. Get out and try another taxi.