Based off of mpo Mike’s suggestion I will try this again.
Peggy and I left Shenzhen to help her move to Shaoguan. It was an early get up on the 10th if I remember correctly. We had a ton of stuff to carry so we took a taxi where we met up with the bus headed for Shaoguan. It is a 5 hour drive. Peggy slept on my shoulder as it should be while I watched the scenery pass by. There is nothing in this world… well almost nothing in this world better than having a beautiful Chinese woman, the one you love sleep on your shoulder
After a couple of hours I was so looking forward to the mid-point stop. Peggy woke up and was telling me about the area and the homes and farms when suddenly I see us drive right by the mid-point stop. I said Peggy, are we going to stop? Her reply was that they usually will yell out if anyone needs to stop. I remember the woman who handles the business on the bus yelling something but it wasn’t in English so…
We arrived in Shaoguan about 1:30pm. It was raining, Peggy was doing the pee dance and the bus station was full of busses so the bus driver parked on the side of the station in the street. Peggy got upset and chewed one of the bus workers out. It was hysterical. She was dancing and yelling when suddenly Peggy just left. I got all of the luggage and waited. In a couple of minutes she came back say sorry, sorry. I said it was OK. She hailed down a taxi and off to the hotel. The first one she didn’t like the price so the taxi driver suggested another one to her. We went there and Peggy decided we would stay.
We freshened up and looked for a little something to eat. We went back to the room and Peggy said, stay here while she looked for a house. I said, What? Why? I was surprised by the plan of attack until she told me that if I went with her that the price would go up. Makes sense. She left around 2:30 and didn’t come back until 6:00. I was getting a little worried but then she is looking for a house.
The next morning she took me to see what she found. The first one was very nice, it was brand new and spacious even by American specs. But they were asking $82,500.00US. 500,000RMB Well you know what my answer was. I love you Peggy but no.
The second house was about 30-40 years old. It was a 3 bedroom, one of them converted into a study. All very nice blond wood. Much smaller than the first. Completely furnished except
refrigerator and washing machine. Peggy kept telling me it was 39000RMB. I m thinking it can’t be. I ask the agent 39000 she said yes. I am thinking yes if I can figure out how. I mean we are talking $5850.00. But at the same time I am thinking 2 things. Price is way wrong and in China every 70 years all property reverts back to Chinese government. I am thinking it has less than 5 years to go. If she were just to live in it OK but I am thinking investment property because the government is revitalizing the community. We could make a bundle in a few years.
When we get back to the agents office and I am pressing the 2 points. I write down on paper 39000RMB and her eyes open wide and she says no. $396,000RMB. That is a more reasonable price, maybe high but more in line with what I am hearing. $59,400.00US but they also want $30,000.00 down. OK Question 2 isn't even a concern now. I am out of the picture. Peggy is upset. She tries everything she
can think of to get me to buy. OK I do this and I do that. I will ask mother for money. Blah Blah Blah but I know there is no way.
I was just sick because I know she wants a house to call her own. I was also heartbroken because I would have like to have given it to her but reality is reality. Besides he sister tells me that once she comes to America she will not want to go back and live in China. I’m still not sure I agree with that assessment.
But we find a place she can afford and she is now living in a 15'X15' bedroom, kitchen and bath. It is in
nice shape but now I feel like a heal. We have been in it 6 days and it is not that bad. There are a lot of inconveniences but not hard to get around. Even has a squat toilet. I ‘ll spare the details.
That evening we have the internet installed. It turns out the contractor is her step son. Quite a remarkable young man. 29, owns his own company, physically handicapped due to some kind of accident when he was a young boy. A good portion of his torso is missing. He wasn’t suppose to walk again ever but he walks quite well. It is an interesting story I won’t share but I will tell you that Peggy took him in as if he were her son.
Two days after we move in we pick up her granddaughter Sisi and take her to an amusement park. Now there was a cute bundle of energy and will power. I was amazed to watch Peggy work and play with her. Guy’s I found one heck of a woman. We had a lot of fun and I wound up with another beautiful Chinese female sleeping on my shoulder. Talking about luck and Peggy isn’t even jealous. We were wore out by the end of the day and crashed.
Then the famous pick pocket day happened.
This evening we met one of Peggy’s childhood friends for supper. They had a great time. She is a school teacher.
Peggy and I haven’t done just a whole lot except spend time together getting to know each other better. I keep asking myself what life would have been like if I had met her 30 years ago. Well, no use crying over lost time but we vowed to make up for it and live together in happiness.
Well there is more to come. We still haven’t made it to Guangzhou but Ted we’re headed your way soon. Looking like June 27 right now. Still waiting to hear about a meeting at the consulate office.
