Tibet/Lhasa-?This is part of China?

Tibet/Lhasa

You don't just go to Tibet. You apply to get a guide and permit.  I thought  this was part of the "aren't you special" campaign for this area (notice Obama didn't get to go there). But I was wrong, this is the "let China assign you a sitter to make sure you don't act up or do anything to silly and embarrass"...hey maybe not  to embarrass  Obama, Nah- more likely not to embarrass yourself.

Our guide was a Tibetan and actually one of the nicest people we met in China.  Patient, Calm,Controlled and always ready to talk to us.
Some topics were forbidden, so as not to get our guide in any trouble, we just didn't ask the unmentionable questions...like why can't the Dalia Llama come here? Why can't we even bring a book in about the Dalia Llama? Why do the Chinese military , who are in riot gear and armed to the teeth with scary weapons line the roof and march around like the gestapos in Lhasa? Why does it appear that the Tibetans are treated as second class citizens in there own homeland? Why were we treated differently than in "mainland china", (autonomous area not included)? In main china they treat you very nice and are glad you are seeing there country, In Tibet the Chinese treat you like an intruder who is meant to be yelled at-Yes we got yelled at!

So we just got away from Lhasa and headed to the country side, We ate yak, -yak burgers, yak soup, yak with veggies, Yak curry and many other which we won't yak about. Paul and Sue rode a yak..( We are going to develop that story into a yak race  but this is still in the works)

The glacier area was interesting and we seen enough monasteries to last us a life time. Overall it was one of the most unusual areas I have ever been.

A note about monastry, WATCH OUT FOR VERY RELIGIOUS BUDDHISTS!,while exiting one famous monastriy we were overrun by fanatic religious prayer people who needed to get in so bad the came at us like the hoardes taking the great wall. Pushing me and a little lady aside, Sue saving tiny tibetan women with a child. Our guide yelling (ok talking calmly) to the police to save me. Eventually I was grabbed by security and dragged through the door. Sue saved the small baby and mom! Paul got in panic (save the wife mode)mode and began yelling excuse me as he pushed he religouis folk aside. I think Rc was taking pictures...he was in the back awaiting an opening to catch up with us....adventures with the Arciaga's must include at least one police action (Remember Red Square-the Arciagas get taking by police then have to pay the "mordita"(bribe) to walk free)

The Altitude is an issue, take the pills! Even then we walked slowly to keep our breathing normally.

Oh lastly, they don't have heat in the dining areas, lobbies, corridors and on one occasion our room! It is cold -3C or so take warm clothes if you venture this way.

Summer Palace,Forbidden City or People Palace (part 2 of 3)

Nihoo

The colors in China are bright. They must paint over the red(s) a lot to keep down the oxidization, but it is an eyeful for us visitors. After taking a slow boat in china as opposed to a slow boat to china--We found the local canal run up to the summer palace. It was hot, tiny seats with 4 people in a row for 2 people, change of boats, windows don't open. no air conditioning, and three (locals)pick-up locations we made it to the summer palace. It was actually a good way to go as we ended up at the far end and saw an area that we would never have found going in with the tourist north entrance. Oh yeah (NQR)they just let us off and pointed -no map but we could see the palace on the other side of the lake luckily we guessed the correct direction.

Above is the Temple of Heaven and a bit of Forbidden Palace(they now call it People's palace the don't like the negative image of Forbidden Palace).

The marble pathway was only for the Emperor to be carried over, no else could walk on it. Does this mean the all had to jump over it to go from one side of palace to the other? and if so how did they do that with the gowns they all wore?

We took over 400 photos-No you won't see them all. Beijing, Tianjin are busy busy cities - Oh I forgot- they closed Tianamen square while we were their for a parade practice- the 60th years of communism celebration- the whole area was closed off.It looks like a big concrete area. I guess the history is the best part of seeing it.

China (part 1)

China

(Part 1)

I finally made it to China! It is just to much to tell in one sitting!

The biggest thing about China-the people, there are soooo many people. They are friendly and helpful. You ask they really try to help. Really try being the key phrase because language is an issue!

Tianjin was my first stop. It is a small city of about 10-12 million. Paul worked, I went out on my own. It is very safe. My first venture by myself- I found "Hearty Coffee" great it is in English! Its 2:00pm and I go in for an iced coffee. The place is busy and I sit at the coffee bar. I get the English menu and the staff is clearly confused as to why a blond "mei gou ren" green eye lady has showed up in there restaurant. I order the Icy Icy Coffee and a honey cake. THIS SEEMED LIKE A SAFE EASY ORDER-- I get a mint alcohol iced coffee and a large round waffle with honey on the side. Now I am so embarrassed that I laugh and eat a few bites of waffle and drink my Icy Icy, pay and leave.

Trains, Planes and Taxi's- all are very clean. Taxi's and ALL drivers are crazy! The red light is treated as a "suggestion" rather than a stop now. The Tianjin/Beijing bullet train is better than any train in the USA. The seating is assigned the efficiency is amazing- 200mph and you get to Beijing in 27 minutes. Similar is San Diego to LA in distance. The airports are all new and even have some regular toilets.

What I could live without----the spitting and air pollution. Although we had some clear weather most days started white grey and ended white grey.

Ancient Cultural Street which is actually "newly" built. [Side note: This is an example of NQR(not quite right) many example of this can be found in China. The literal translation of things from Chinese to English will make you laugh.] This is the cleaner safer version of " tourist shopping in Tijuana", lots of dickering. I bought some old coins the price started at 3800 rmb. I purchased them for 100 rmb. OK so it is not quite Tijuana, no one speaks English, spanglish or Spanish but bartering is bartering. The barter battle was on!

People stare and say "Hello" which is the only english word they know but hey they are trying.

You begin to feel like "the bear in the mall" people find you interesting but wonder if you are dangerous and also what the heck is that "bear" doing in the mall.

write your comments on your odd experiences below.

See you next post-China (part II) Shanghai-following China part III -Beijing

Devlin's Potty humor(and other Chinglish)

Shanghai Nancy has come to the rescue. (to help explain the NQR- Not quite right life in China).

As you can see the Chinese are kind enough to give us signs to explain: 

First WHO you  are? Lots of  the Devlin clan- as well as friends of the clan- are Ragamuffins (and proud of it!).

Those not in this category will kindly be placed in the latter 2 areas.(Note: we not longer need to read the entrance regulations having been excluded from the start.)

Kindly refrain from placing your "Junks" in the toilet.

Consequences below:

 

China Apartments- What is this?

Looking at Apartments online in China I found these two view: 

Help What are these items?

So far my sister Carol has the funniest best answer, particularly for the foyer:

Picture 1 is a hair dryer.  (old outdated-ok maybe you have never been in establishments with this upgrade!)

Picture 2 shows the accoutrements for a little known chinese ritual involving tea kettles, giant bird baths, potted trees, plastic tubs and spray bottles.  First, you take the spray bottle and coat the tree with water.  You then collect the drippings using the plastic tub.  Transfer the drippings from the plastic tub to the tea kettle.  Heat the water to boiling.  Fill the bird bath.  Repeat until bird bath is full of hot water.  (TIP:  Act quickly or the water will cool.)  Buy a freshly slaughtered chicken, head still attached.  Holding the chicken by its head, dip it repeatedly into the bird bath full of hot water.  This will loosen the feathers.  Lay the chicken on the table and pluck the feathers, which have been loosened by the hot water.  (Save the feathers for another ritual, one that also involves the tree, a chinese opera singer and the theme song from the original three stooges movies -- more on this in a future email.)  Cook the chicken using flavorings and sauces of your choice.  Be careful of the feathers you were unable to pluck - they tend to stick in your throat.  DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT use the water in the bird bath for chicken soup --  unless of course you have access to the giant strainer that sits inside the giant bird bath.  PS, the giant birdbath also serves as a footbath, which is why it is common in the foyers of chinese apartments.  Skip the chicken and heat the water just short of boiling.  This explains why the chinese are so fond of chicken feet.

 

That should make you laugh and be happy for the new experience I can look forward to in the near future.

SMILES Diane

What's your interpretation?

Lost (&Confused) Horizon-China Update

China always takes a long term view. They have been around over 5,000 years. 

Keep this in mind as you read my attempt at making a stressful situation humorous.

Getting a "Z" Visa in China has become getting an F&Z Visa.  

Here is the process.

a medical exam

a letter from someone in china inviting you to come over

a employment letter from a company in China

apply for z visa

Doesn't this (above) sound so simple!

An update(or as much as "we", aka Paul and I, the confused, can tell you)!

Call all, Chinese Embassy(s)  in USA numbers to get the prerecorded message(s) then leave messages which will go unanswered. There appear to be  no live people in these mystery places just recordings.

Now save yourself some worry(hahahaha)and get a relocation agency to assist you in the process.

They are trying to help but the email messages are so tricky. 

Does a "we" mean me and Paul or does it mean "we" as in Paul, Me and the relocation company or "we" the relocation company only? 

Does "I will start the process" mean while you work on your end? I think not!!!!

Yes I am ranting.

Medical Exam to get into China to work-- it is harder than becoming a Navy Seal-- blood, hiv, hep B\A , Aids test, EKG,Chest xray, physical etc. Get an "approved by China" doctor to do all the tests, bring all films, originals of all tests, with signed Chinese Medical Form, and send it all to China.

Invite Letter- takes 15-20 days, mas o menas, but not until you get all medical exam completed.

Employment Letter- takes 4-5 days, and I think it is a letter from Paul's company(China division) saying they want him to work in China, so it must be issued and stamped-Chinese like their "Stamps".  Again Not until you complete the medical exam.

Apply for Z visa- get all (we think as our inquiry to embassy is awaiting tranlation -including xray and ekg etc)of the originals of everything you had done above  sent to you in USA then get it to the Chinese embassy and they might get you the visa in 3-5 days.

IF you get the "F&Z Visa" go to China and repeat all the steps plus a few more, including registering with the Police so you can get another permit to reside here!

So you ask when are you leaving? 

We can't tell you, it is in God's and the rulers of Middle Kingdoms hands

How long will you be there (if you get through the process)? 

As long as it takes to get through the next set of hoops...

 it could  be 10 -12 months in which case Paul will be done with his project.

with humor, SMILES DI

Lastly, Swine FLU may prevent entry or exit....Ugh!