Skoda - they don't make them like they used to.

Friday 27^th July.

Today I went to Mladá Boleslav, where the Skoda factory and museum are situated, about 25km from Nosalov. It was a beautiful drive along near empty country roads through golden fields of wheat, already harvested. However, my pleasure came to an end when near the town, the road was closed – another road closed! It took me and Kate quite a while to find out way back to where we were going. Then came the task of parking near the museum. There was a car park outside but it was closed because of a display of modern Skoda cars in the car park. I drove around for some while looking for somewhere to park but ended up parking two or three kilometres away and walking to it. The display in the museum was very good, with some beautiful old cars. Such a pity modern cars don’t have the same style.

After, I crossed the road to a shopping mall – strange to enter modern life again. My purpose, to go to the Vodafone shop regarding the German interception of my phone. The man working there couldn’t do much except give a phone number to call. He was as baffled as I was. Afterwards, I was pissed off because I didn't make him sort our my problem.

Walking back to van I spotted a Vietnamese food shop and went in to but some lunch. The pretty young girl there spoke English. Afterwards, I wondered about her life because I expect she spends so much of her time in that tiny shop. Vietnamese, like Chinese are noted for working long hours and making money is their only goal. I wish I had spoken with her more. I think she would have liked to talk. It was good to eat Chinese style food again with rice. I think I really miss China, the friends I have made and the food, and wonder if I will ever really adjust to a life elsewhere. Whilst talking about Chinese friends, I’ve had very little contact with my ex since that time in Potsdam when the world cup was on. I guess I shouldn’t have told her I loved her. Oh well, I really must let her go. However, I realised today that leaving her and leaving China is like a bereavement and just like a bereavement, sometimes it catches me off guard and I feel great sorrow. I suppose one day it will wear off. Everyone thinks I’m having a wonderful time travelling, but in truth it is at times a trip of sorrows.

Lunch over; I went in search of a camping store to buy some more gas bottles and some chemical stuff for my porta potti. By now the sun was blistering and I really didn’t want to walk far. I found two stores in close proximity to one another but one didn’t sell what I wanted and the other was closed down. It was third time lucky when I found a store in the old town square, which was very attractive, although again blighted because it was filled with cars. There is a very nice water feature and fountains at the top end by an exquisite old building. Children were playing in the water shooting up from the ground. I found a café which sold delicious ice cream desserts and indulged myself.

Leaving the town, again I was confronted with the closed road. I had to argue with Kate and go back the way I remembered, not the way she wanted me to go.

It was a good day but a very hot and exhausting one.