Well- I'm in China this week...

[Rocketman]

I'm writing from my clunky-no-heat hotel way down in the middle of nowhere Henan China tonight. Hi guys!

I just spent about 3 hours with my partner from Shanghai, our quality manager, (who is a local) and his friends. We sat around a boiling pot of soup that we kept replenishing with veggies and meats of all types - dipping - eating - talking - whatta night.

It was the kind of night where you just sit around and ask questions and talk about differences, perceptions, stereotypes, problems, politics... It was like being in college again and talking about the worlds goods and bads.

I'm a long way from home - my bike parked in my garage - not even on my mind. My friends here make about $300 a month. But for their money - they're more plugged in to the world than I am. They have a high opinion of Americans over here and are very welcoming.

The food? Oh I'm glad you asked. I have had donkey, dog, jelly fish, sea cucumber, lots of veggies I didn't know existed, tons of beef, pork, lamb, duck - wow! All natural - and they eat way too much! But man - eating and meeting just seems to be the way business gets done here. (But they're all skinny - not fair!)

So thought I'd plug in - and share the experience a bit. If you get the chance to come over with someone who knows the real country - do it. It's worth it. You'll get a different perspective on life.

See you guys when I get back home and thanks for listenin.

 

[Rocketman]

these 3-wheel carts - funny - and common transports throughout china...

 

[Rocketman]

Riding a bike in the country...

 

[Rocketman]

busy streets in the city

 

[Rocketman]

the black and white gives a different effect - eh?

 

[monster]

great pics. It's funny you mentioned the food because before you did I was going to ask. Enjoy it over there.

 

[Rocketman]

sitting around drinking tea and talking globally...

 

[Rocketman]

working on lumber...

 

[Rocketman]

Life seems laid back and low stress here. Hope you enjoy the pics. And the food - oh my gosh - America food - sux... I'm converted to chinese food... all natural - healthier - lower calories. Oh well... it'll be good to get back home next week. Thanks again for watchin!

 

[MC MUSTANG]

I have been to Hong Kong pre and post turnover - and across the bay to Macau - Very interesting place! Also been to Thailand, Singapore, Korea, All over Japan... it is hard to have an appreciation for the people of the world when you look at everything through the lens of the U.S. ... Enjoy your visit!

 

[warwgn]

how was hong kong after turn over?

Was there in July 93, that place was fun but they sure are short. It was cool to ride the subway and see over the tops of everybody heads all the way to the fron of the train

Glad your having a good time there, enjoy it to the fullest

 

[Relsek]

Traveling has surely changed my perspective also. It really shows you that there is much more to the world than what's within our borders. It has also shown me that what you see and hear in our media is what THEY want you to hear, not always the way things really are.

Have a good trip.

Kevin

 

[Relsek]

(warwgn @ Nov. 17 2006,12:00) ... they sure are short. It was cool to ride the subway and see over the tops of everybody heads all the way to the fron of the train

I noticed the same thing while in Japan, I, along with two other guys had rented a car to tour the island (Okinawa) we stopped at a few tourist destinations that had Japanese tour groups visiting, even my "less than tall" friends were taller than the Japanese. I also noticed that their clothes were less colorful. This was back in about 1988.

Kevin

 

[Over_Easy]

What's up Kev...up for riding this weekend?

Actually I have family in China for 10 days as I type. curious to get their feedback as well.

 

[8Daytona8]

How cool is your JOB! Been TDY to Thailand! Folks are the same all over! Just depends on the propaganda they listen too. We all just want to be Happy, own, ride a Busa, on the twisties any time we get the feeling to.  

 

 

 

[KROOZER]

(warwgn @ Nov. 17 2006,09:00) but they sure are short. It was cool to ride the subway and see over the tops of everybody heads all the way to the fron of the train

 

[Rocketman]

what's amazing to me - is the combination of both old world and new worlds in this country. I'm buzzing down the road in a $50k Audi with all the trick schtuff in it. We're passing hand carts, donkeys, BMW's, 3-wheel trucks, and VW Jetta's. Everyone has a cell phone - they might be pulling a creaky old wagon - but they've got a cell phone and know how to use it.

The owner of the factory that's doing our lumber work looks about 30 - and his house is shown above - but has the $50k car. He's very successful... has no debt... pays his people well... and lives a simple life at the end of a cell phone dealing with us and Europe. If you don't mind - I wanna post just a couple more pics... Mod's if this is too much - just cut 'em... I understand.

I had to get this shot going through the toll gate...

 

[Rocketman]

This is part of the village behind our factory. We were pretty far out there - These guys don't see too many visitors from other countries in this part of the land...

 

[Rocketman]

Same shot but in color...

 

[Relsek]

(shawn @ Nov. 17 2006,12:37) ...These guys don't see too many visitors from other countries in this part of the land...

Nice photos.

When I was in Africa several weeks ago, we met people that asked us where we were from. One of the guys told them he is from Indiana, the African asked "Where's that?" Our guy said "In the United States." The African asked "Where's that?" These are people in a village with no electricity, now running water, not even out houses. They still get their water from a water hole or well, and use the woods for an out house.

Many here in the U.S. think that we are the center of the world and everybody wants to be just like us. Little do we really understand.