Racing cars and Birthdays

Billy and Archie see so many ferraris here in Hong Kong, they now think it is de rigeur to have one. When we went to pick up our new car, the only car in the garage was a red ferrari and they were convinced it was ours. They were so disappointed - and only mollified v slightly because our golf convertible (costing 23000 HKD, (about £1500) is the same brazen red.

So with cars the latest craze, there was no contest for the theme for Billy's 6th birthday party. Of course, that meant a new dressing up outfit. Spent several nights on ebay bidding for dress up kits, and checking sneakily throughout the day at work, and finally 'won' a red racing car driver outfit for about £10. The kind ebayer despatched it forthwith to Hong Kong and it arrived 3 days later. I whipped it out of the packaging and Billy put it on.
It was satin,it was VERY shiny and it was enormous. It must have been made for a 7 year old Harlem Globe Trotter. Sofia and I were hard pressed to contain our giggles - but the party was 4 days away so she took it down to a tailor she knows in Wanchai who 'trimmed' out 80% of the fabric. It fitted. But it was still satin. hmm.

Later that week, I went to Shenzhen with a friend. More about Shenzhen later but basically it is a huge mall just over the Chinese border and where everyone goes to get suits made cheaply, curtains, etc and loads of fake rip off stuff. And whilst I was there by amazing chance I spotted an wonderful replica Ferrari Racing Driver outfit. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. First error - bargaining power reduced to shreds. The vendor had me. I think I got it down to about £15. Jain was disgusted.. she had come away with 2 suits, a handbag, 5 t shirts, some shoes and a pair of pyjames for £25, but she is a seasoned visitor, and tough lawyer to boot.

So Billy got his ferrari racing driver outfit, a racing driver cake, and a hot wheels party. Archie came too, and guess who got the satin suit (he looked rather cute in it though!)

J