A local brother led Hilary and Andrew
to a nearby university's outdoor skating rink. They hopped in a cab,
paid the 6 kuai (about a dollar for a 5-10 minute cab ride), and
walked through the gate. The December weather was frigid – a
perfect day for ice to be ice. Snow covered most of the ground. It
was the stubborn kind of snow that just won't melt until March.
Before even getting to the ice rink, Andrew's beard had started
freezing and all 3 pairs of feet present were going numb. They
entered the rental skate building, and the local brother flashed his
ID to the rental workers. The three were given skates for 10 kuai a pair, and then
trotted outside to the rink.
Putting skates on in the cold is a
daunting task. The mittens were relinquished and fingers were numb.
After the skates were satisfyingly tight (and his fingers were
protected again from the cold), Andrew stood up and tried to skate.
Instantly he realized that his left skate was not exactly in good
working condition. The buckle was the only thing that held it secure
to his ankle, since the laces weren't of much use. This clasp was too
loose, and it slipped any time Andrew decided to tighten it. Instead
of returning it, Andrew decided that he'd rather have his foot stay
inside it, as it was warmer than the prospect of getting a decent
left skate. He realized later that this was a mistake, as it may have
led to an event which will simply be called “Andrew's fall.”
Hilary was the second most experienced
skater in attendance. She managed to fall about 4-7 times, and was
still happy. The only problem was the bruise on her elbow that still
exists to this day.
The brother had only been skating once
before. He mentioned that last time, he had only walked in his skates
on the ice. He hadn't really skated. He managed to get up to a
moderate skating pace that morning, which pleased the others greatly.
After their hour was up, it was decided that they wouldn't pay for
another hour. Our group then removed the skates and returned them to
their rightful place inside the rental shack. They left that place,
and went on to eat a glorious feast in a nearby restaurant. Thus ends
the tale of the ice skating.
Until next time, keep your stick on the
ice!
