Hey Hey and a Big G'Day toya,
 
Seriously, where would be without our friends and family?
Today I received a Care Package from both.
 
The first was from Canadian Rob from Shaowo in Fujian Province (my last school). Inside there were two nasal sprays that I can't find here in Xian or Shangluo. It really helps clear the nose from all the coal pollution here in the north. For those that don't know, here in the north of China coal is used for EVERYTHING!
 
From heating to cooking.
From small roadside noodle stands to the biggish restaurants
You can only imagine how that effect's a hayfever sufferer like me.
 
The long and short of it all behind Rob's Care Package is that he brought back The Black Crows latest CD for me from Canada. I had to wait until I moved to my new school and then I had to wait for one of the four Chinese English Teachers here to actually understand that I simply wanted my school address written in both English and Chinese (believe me, that is another story). Anyhow, so Rob and Li Ping (Joyce) went to China Post in Shaowu and of course they allowed the medicine (drugs) to be sent through the mail but nothing Joyce tried would persuade them to send the music CD through the mail.
 
Do you want to know the reason why they wouldn't allow the music cd to be sent?
Because it may have explosives in it!
 
For the normal readers of my blog you will already know how much not only I, but all foreigners hate China Post. It really is the most frustrating experience. One letter in the wrong place and you have to redo ALL paperwork. It doesn't matter that they can all read Chinese and that everyone knows where Xian is, if you put Xian in the wrong box, mate you are in TEEEErouble! Then there are the stupid things they won't allow you to send and the stupid reasons behind not being able to send them. Robs package is the best example. The liquid in the nasal spray could have been replaced with 'anything' yet it was fine to send it but the music cd wasn't allowed to be sent due to it maybe housing explosives.
 
What the!
My gawd mate!
Explosive I would probably use to describe bands like DEF FX or Rob Zombie!
I know the Black Crows are great but I would never describe them as being Explosive!
 
Enough about China Post, just writing them makes me frustrated because I want my Black Crows and I want them now. Damn China Post, damn them all. So where was I? Oh yeah I was about to tell you about the second Care Package I received today. I also received the 2008 Great Aussie Vegemite Care Package from Ma and Pa Kettle. Aren't they bloody beauties mate! Inside were four tubes of Vegemite and a few months worth of antihistamine tablets as I am still yet to find any here in China.
 
When I opened it in the English Teachers office no one wanted to taste it after smelling it!
 
Huh, bloodyhell and fairdinkum mate, coming from people who eat anything with legs and that once moved I find that a bit bloody harsh. I tried to explain how good it was for you and how I used it but it just flew over their heads. So when I got home I got to thinking about how to explain to the Chinese the benefits of the great Aussie Tube of Vegemite.
 
Somehow I don't think they'll understand!
 
Beers N Noodles toya....shane
PS:   The second 2008 Great Aussie Care Package is still on the way.
         But I doubt I'll do a blog on that one!
         Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
         Sorry inside joke!

PSS: Yes I was bored and it's been nearly two years since I've had vegemite with my morning poached egg!
         I was waiting for the rain to stop so I could go for a walk on Pagoda Hill. I'm excited! Sheeeezee!
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The soundtrack to this entry was by the one and only SOD
The album was 'Bigger Than The Devil'
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