Unknown to us at the time, Ava's Mum spent two weeks in hospital while we were in the UK with a kidney problem. And she returned to hospital again yesterday after a bit of a relapse. With Ava away on business in Shenzhen it fell to me to get her a bed and bring in supplies. Thankfully, she's not comatose or anything, so she's been able to do all the explaining, ward-finding and bribing herself. I've been in Chinese hospitals dozens of times before, but this was the first time when I wasn't the sick one! I'm so glad I've never had to stay in one, though. They really are tatty places; noisy, dirty, chaotic and falling apart. Her room is half the size of my bedroom, but has five beds sharing the space. There's hardly room to move. However, Ava's Mum seems to quite enjoy the hustle and bustle, the visits from concerned friends and, perhaps, the opportunity not to do all the washing, buying, cooking, etc.
Just when you think you've got a handle on the peculiarities of Chinese ways, something new and bizarre pops up. One of the foods I was asked to bring in today was a small uncooked potato. On receipt, Ava's Mum cut off a thin slice and applied it to her wrist. A kind of medicine, she insisted! So we are paying hundreds of pounds for western pills and a hospital bed ...plus a raw tatty. Work that one out.
Just when you think you've got a handle on the peculiarities of Chinese ways, something new and bizarre pops up. One of the foods I was asked to bring in today was a small uncooked potato. On receipt, Ava's Mum cut off a thin slice and applied it to her wrist. A kind of medicine, she insisted! So we are paying hundreds of pounds for western pills and a hospital bed ...plus a raw tatty. Work that one out.
