Off to China!

[The Burgomaster]

Well, I'm flying to China on Tuesday (for work, unfortunately).  I've never been there before so I'm not sure what to expect.  I'll post some of my adventures (or misadventures) here . . . maybe you'll get a laugh or tow out of them . . .

[Ash]

I've never been there before so I'm not sure what to expect.

Um...lots of Chinese people.  

What do you do for work that would take you to China?

[Scott]

Burgomaster, what city are you going too? Wish I could go. They just opened the new Highest Train in the world last year from Beijing-Lhasa Tibet which goes over 13,000 ft through the Himalayas. They even provide oxygen as some passengers get altitude sickness. It's a two day journey from Beiing to Lhasa and tickest are about $100 each way. They have sleeping cabins for a bit more. You probably won't have time to do the train due to business, but I hope you get to see The Great Wall, Terra Cotta Warriors, and the Forbidden City. Have a great trip and please tells all about it.



[youtube=425,350]http://youtube.com/watch?v=wHK3LLU-vhs

[The Burgomaster]

What do you do for work that would take you to China?

I'm a business consultant . . . whatever that means . . .

Burgomaster, what city are you going too?

I'm flying into Shanghai, but a car is picking me up at the airport and driving me to Suzhou.  That's where I'll be working.  I've been told it's about a 2 hour drive from Shanghai.

[dean]

One tip: if you need clothes, buy them in China.  So many cheap clothes...  Many are knock-offs, but considering what you're paying, if they have your size of course, I would say it's well worth stocking up on a few 'brand names' for many a fraction of the price they are normally.

I've never been there, but I have many friends from various places around China.  I bumped into one mate yesterday out shopping who had some friends down from Nanjing.  He was laughing because they didn't want to buy a certain brand back home, but bought it here for much more money, based on the fact that 'export goods' are better quality than the in-country ones, despite the fact they were both 'made in china' anyways.   

Shanghai is probably one of the more 'western' cities in China, economically speaking at least.  They have some beautiful buildings there.




Description of photo above from the National Geographic website: Shoppers go about their business in Shanghai's Yuyuan Old Town area. The city's streets teem with activity and radiate the excitement of a great nation finding its stride.

And below the city skyline:




Not sure about where you're headed but I hope you get some time to see some sites.  Don't get into too many misadventures though.

Unless, of course, they can be badly dubbed for our amusement.

[Scott]

I'm flying into Shanghai, but a car is picking me up at the airport and driving me to Suzhou.  That's where I'll be working.  I've been told it's about a 2 hour drive from Shanghai.

Wow, I just Looked up Suzhou. Besides being an corprate city it also has a 2,500 year history and it looks like you'll get a lot of Chinese culture, Grand Canal, temples, pagodas, and gardens. Shanghai is now also a very modern city.



[youtube=425,350]http://youtube.com/watch?v=m3gfG3W8iEk

[youtube=425,350]http://youtube.com/watch?v=iwEogP49QeU

[Torgo]

I've always wanted to visit China at some point in my life.

I've been to Canada and Mexico, but haven't actually traveled overseas yet.  Maybe if my money works out in the next couple of years I'll get around to it.

[CheezeFlixz]

I use to work in China a lot, I was there months out of the year and other places Asia and the rest of the world.

Just be careful were you eat and what you eat, they do not have the same health standards there as we do here, as you can tell the the rash of recent recalls.

Got your VISA? You know the travel one, you can't get in without it and you'll be fined and deported if you don't have it. don't think your host will help you with it, China is strict about that. You are also subject to surveillance, I worked in robotics and milling machines, and I was watch pretty much all the time including phone, fax's, email, they went into my room more than once to check my computer which was passport protected. Traveling in China for me was nothing but a PITA! Beautiful country, great sites to see, Government a pain, doubt I'll every go there of my own free will.

But I was working with military type companies so you're harassment may vary.

[The Burgomaster]

Well, I have arrived.  First impression - - the air pollution here is incredible.  When we were driving from Shanghai to Suzhou, the air from about the lowest level clouds to the ground was a yellowish-brown color.  You had to look above the lowest clouds to see blue sky.  That was between about 3:30 and 5:30 in the afternoon.  When I woke up this morning, it was more of the same.  The entire city seems to be blanketed by a mist of dirty air.  The sky is hazy and dull.  Some of the people riding around on bicycles and mopeds were wearing surgical masks.   Reminds me of SOYLENT GREEN.  I should have had "before" and "after" chest x-rays to see how much damage I'll do to my lungs over the next week or so.  But the hotel we are staying is is beautiful and the people here are among the most polite and friendly I've ever met.  Very nice culture.

[CheezeFlixz]

You want yellow/orange air, go to Mexico City ... China was like clean mountain air compared to Mexico City. Yes China has a lot of pollution but believe me there are many areas far worse than China. We forget how good we have it here in the US. China has next to no environmental or health laws, so when you are in country of a billion plus people the government is not real worried if a few 1000 or 10,000 of them died from living in a polluted environment.

Here's Mexico City ... I worked here about 3 month a year for decades bet it took 20 years off my life.

This actually looks like a clear day there.

[Scott]

When I went to Manila in 1989 I was in the hopital within 24 hours with respiratory problems. They didn't do anything for me really and I managed to get a little better the next day. I really enjoyed the countryside where the air is much  cleaner. Cities are bad partly because cars have no catalytic converters in the Philippines.

The people there also wore surgical mask and hankerchief a lot. Especially at night when everyone who has a car gets out and takes a drive. It's a lot cooler at night, so more people are out which equals more pollution. I hear it's even worst today over there. 

You should be ok as long as you have air conditioning in the office and hotel to rest your lungs once in a while. You'll still be able to go out in the city to check out the people, food, and sites. 

[raj]

Just don't bring back any toys.  Not only are they full of lead paint, but the newest thing is these ingestible beads that turn into GBH, (the date rape drug) when young kids swallow them.

What in heck is going on in China?

[Scott]

What's the latest over there? What have you been doing today?

Burgomaster, get back soon. Big Lots is selling good DVD's for $3 each. Here's what I picked up:

The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada
Wild Things 1 & 2 (Double Disk)
The Passenger (Jack Nicholson)

They had many more. They even had Lords Of Flatbush for $3.

Don't have to hurry back. 

[The Burgomaster]

Burgomaster, get back soon. Big Lots is selling good DVD's for $3 each.  They even had Lords Of Flatbush for $3.

Cool . . . I had a VHS copy of LORDS OF FLATBUSH a few years ago.  I'll definitely buy the DVD.

One of my clients was here in China last year and he picked up a bunch of DVDs really cheap.  Boxed sets and everything.  And top-quality stuff . . . not pirated stuff that someone filmed off a theater screen.  I intend to go shopping on Saturday and see what I can find.

[Scott]

Give us a U.S./China price comparison for new DVD releases. Because I think they are just making up prices here in the U.S.