Daily Life

I haven't written much since our return to China. We published a lot of pictures but I feel like I've let them do the talking. In some ways I haven't felt that I have as much to say since our return and in other ways I've been busy or sick or both. Linda had a bout of the flu last week and yesterday she said she felt good for the first time in several days. We've just finished walking to the grocery store and I have a few minutes.
Yesterday afternoon I went with some of my students to a pool hall - my first such experience in China. I had set up with one of my students to play pool with him but when I met him there were 4 more that wanted to go along. I was not sure what to expect when we set out. So many things in China are small and cramped and I wondered if a pool hall would be the same. We walked from campus there - a short walk. It made me wonder what else is tucked away here. When we arrived, We went up a short flight of stairs and down a long flight to the basement of this building. I have no idea what is above it. But in the basement were / are 9 or 10 vintage pool tables in excellent shape - I mean excellent shape. The felt is tight and clean, the rails are lively, the action is smooth, balls roll true. Some of the pockets are stingy and some are more generous. I still can't make a side pocket shot but my days of playing pool every Friday for several years stood me in good stead and I manage to handle myself pretty well. I certainly did not shoot at all well compared to those bygone years, but I shot pretty well for the first time shooting pool in a couple of years. I managed to beat all my students who wanted to play me and also lost a couple of games to different students, too.
I intend to take my camera the next time I go and get some pictures. This is a really nice place by any standard. Who knows, this could become a regular Friday activity with lots of ways to teach English springing from these trips. And if not maybe it will inspire my students to study more.
Linda went to an English corner for nursing students last evening. It was a good experience for her which I hope she writes about in the future.