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Re: Way OT: Anyone here been to China? Posted by JimD [Email]  (#3047) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from JimD) on Fri, 5 Sep 2003 12:02:04
In Reply to: Way OT: Anyone here been to China?, Randy Thatcher   [Profile/Gallery]
, Thu, 4 Sep 2003 17:51:49
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Few comments from my trips:
Bad things:
-Don't convert currency on the street. The bigger cities have quite a few quick change rip-off artists. A colleague I was with changed money on the street and the money was quickly rifled and counted...turns out the bills were cut in half. Change your money at a bank or your hotel, even if you take a hit on the exchange rate it is safer.
-Don't buy a cheeseburger there. I did once in Beijing and it wasn't beef. Then I realized that I hadn't seen ANY dogs or cats or scraggly old birds even.
-Take along extra passport type pictures. You never know when immigration might ask for one. I was stuck one time without any. Other folks were cutting up their driver's license, but I had a Georgia trooper holding mine for safekeeping ;). Anyway, after an hour of "negotiation" I was told I could pay a "large" fine and be on my way. The fine turned out to be $10USD for which I was given a receipt for $5...quite a racket going on there...
Good things:
-The food was wonderful. Never enjoyed lo mein so much as getting the real deal there.
-Great bargains if you can get out of the tourist traps. Find a local driver or guide to take you where the locals shop (not the so-called freedom stores). Chinese medicine balls, figurines, hand-carved chess sets are some of my favorites. Even some decent deals on furniture and accessories if you want to ship back home.
-The people I encountered in the street were generally very friendly and eager to practice English. I felt safe on the streets at any time, crime of a violent nature was almost non-existent, just some of the petty stuff I talked about above...mainly people trying to eek out a living I suppose..
-Definitely take presents for your work colleagues. Small souvenir-type things (decorative plates, spoons, special items from your hometown or state) aresincerely appreciated.
posted by 65.160....
, Thu, 4 Sep 2003 17:51:49, Fri, 5 Sep 2003 12:02:04 <-- Viewing This Message, Fri, 5 Sep 2003 17:10:25
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