Karl von Clauswitz once said that “[i]n war everything is simple. But in war even simple things are hard to achieve.” This could also be said without hesitation about all but the most basic aspects of living in China.
My parents, being the wonderful people that they are, decided to send me (after just a bit of prompting on my part) a football, my favorite pair of sandals that I accidently left home and a couple other odds and ends. Because, and I quote, they “didn’t want to keep me so long without a football” (they know me, I tell you), they spent about twice what they had to and got it sent as 5-7 day airmail, not the normal 4-6 week ground. I was delighted.
It should have arrived a week ago, but it didn’t. I kept checking and checking and nothing had come. I was just about to give up when last night Greg told me that waiting for me downstairs was a slip of paper that claimed that I had something waiting for me at the campus post office.
Now let me explain how the mail system works here. If the object is small enough — a letter, perhaps, or a very small box — it will be delivered directly to your mailbox on the first floor. If it is larger (but not too large, though the exact limits are still a total mystery), you will be given a little slip of paper that tells you to go to the campus post office to pick up your package. If the package is too large then the campus post office will give you another slip of paper, this time from an actual government post office, telling you where to go to get your box.
Of course if that box happens to have come from overseas, that place is the Hangzhou International Mail Center at 1 Jiefang Lu. Of course that is all the way on the other side of town.
I really wanted my football, though, so I hopped in a taxi and 30 kuai later I was able to pick up my box and hop in another taxi for another 30 kuai trip back to campus. I’m sure there were bus routes that would have saved me a ton of money, but I was in a hurry and didn’t feel like lugging my box onto a crowded Chinese bus.
But oh yes, the football is totally worth the effort.
a wise man (ok it was hank williams jr) once said (ok sang), “are you ready for some football?”. yes…yes i am! can we play this weekend? major thanks to john’s parents…my parents, mail gods that they are, have yet to send me something as useful as a football.
Left by heather on October 30th, 2003
We can indeed, Heather. I’m up for it either Saturday or Sunday, though I guess I’m going to some sort of car show thing on Saturday so perhaps Sunday (it would be a good way to pay homage to the football gods, too).
Left by John on October 30th, 2003
The football gods are not biased towards either day of the weekend. In fact, one might argue that since more games are played on Saturdays, that this day is in fact more pleasing.
Left by Matt on October 30th, 2003
hey john, no can do football today. just got back from shanghai. tuesday or wednesday work for you? i am done with classes by 11am (i love my teaching schedule). i know the gods will be angry (and if the packers lose because of us not playing i will be forever guilty) but maybe we can play twice this week to make up for it.
Left by heather on November 2nd, 2003
If the Pack loses it’s going to be because the Vikings are freaking good :). Tuesday sounds awesome (it’s my day off, and Greg’s too), and I’m sure we can get some games going (even if they are just bullshit throw-arounds, it’s football!)
Left by John on November 2nd, 2003
i am wearing my cheesehead (and packer socks) proudly.
barely beat the vikings, but hey! a win is a win. tuesday works for me. i have some stuff to do downtown, but will be out around 3ish. round up the boys and we’ll get some two hand touch going.
Left by heather on November 2nd, 2003