Saturday's false start

Well, I didn't drink last night and I had an early night, even though it was Friday night and I would've loved to join in fully with everyone. The only reason for such stayed behaviour was that I was supposed to be teaching a class of teachers from the local medical college at 8.30 am. I was a tad nervous because they have a good level of English apparently and, so far, I have only been up against teenagers. I wanted to be on the ball and able to converse with them on an adult level, if at all possible and not sleep in like I did the first time I had a morning class.
Ironically, the teachers didn't turn up because they thought it started next week. So I now have until 10.30 until my class of 7-year olds to blog away.
Last night, Joe and Ahmir and I went to 'Restaraunt Street' for the first time. I suppose this street is what I think of when I think of China towns in England, but it's on a smaller scale and the real thing. There are the stereotypical colourful lights hanging across the street and Chinese people stand by the doors to greet people in. It's not pedestrianised like the main shopping street, 'Walking Street', so like most places here you have to keep a careful eye out for cars and bikes - they just don't seem to care about pedestrians! Most people can't afford a car in Wuhu so bikes really are the norm. However there are loads of taxis around and, like in Italy or France or greece, they are the most dangerous drivers of the lot.
However, if I had to be run down by a crazed Chinese taxi driver, I would like to be run down on Restaurant Street; it really is pretty cool. I think us foreigners are going to spend a lot of time there nearer Christmas because all the lights evoke the atmosphere of the festive season. We managed to order our food in our chosen restaurant, but it's still not an easy process without a native speaker to help. If you don't pronounce the word perfectly and with the exact tone, they seem not to have a clue what you mean. I don't think they're actually trying, frankly. Still, it means I have to perfect my pronounciation quicksmart.
After dinner, I managed to persuade Joe to come rollarskating with me. We met up with Paul and his chinese girlfriend there (Paul arrived from England to work here in February and insists that having a Chinese girlfriend/boyfriend is the best way to learn the language - sounds quite calculated, but I am sure he's right!). I was so chuffed that Joe came with me. He had not skated since he was about 13 and, if he was any good then, he is perhaps a bit out of practice because he wasn't exactly whizzing around last night. Still, he humoured me which was super sweet, and I got to pretend I was back at Farnham sports centre's rollar disco (I loved it when I was 8).
I have got a lesson now, so best be off (just realised the time!) x