|
Post by Stil on Aug 20, 2005 6:23:59 GMT 7
I've been to Mao family home. You are right about the souvineers. Actually you can't swing a dead cat around here without hitting something Mao related. My town is made up almost entirely of fireworks factories. It is quite amazing what you see every night from the testing. It's not so amazing how many people you see without fingers or hands. I've not been to Suzhou and would like to check it out, although I hear it's gone downhill since some particular foreigners showed up.
|
|
|
Post by George61 on Aug 20, 2005 6:49:53 GMT 7
Oooooh, watch out blokes. We have a new smartarse.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Nobody on Aug 20, 2005 8:14:23 GMT 7
Heh, good. We need a few wits around here. These guys are only half way there.
|
|
|
Post by Raoul Duke on Aug 20, 2005 10:18:16 GMT 7
The rumors are true although Phyllis isn't foreign and the whole thing isn't entirely her fault.
My Mao snowglobe is one of my most prized possessions. It contains a cheesy gold-tone plastic bust of the man himself. When you shake it gold coins and Chinese gold ingots swirl around his head. Very Socialist.
I can find kalamatas in Shanghai, but this particular can came from Greece. I have a good friend from Greece who recently went back for a little old-fashioned home-style ass maintenance, and he brought these back for me. The can is almost too cool to open. Emphasis on the word 'almost'.
|
|
|
Post by Stil on Aug 20, 2005 23:34:44 GMT 7
Oooooh, watch out blokes. We have a new smartarse. It was only something I heard. I'm sure it had nothing to do with anyone from here.
|
|
|
Post by George61 on Aug 21, 2005 4:59:57 GMT 7
Kalamata IS in Greece. It has olives named after it. Kalamata olives come from Kalamata. I hate olives, but Kalamata was interesting. Kalamata is the place where a night guard bent the aerial on the nose of a warplane, while doing chin-ups. OOps!! So he went along the row and bent all of them hoping no-one would notice. Stil, foreigners in Suzhou are very particular, especially about olives.
|
|
|
Post by con's fly is open on Aug 21, 2005 12:28:49 GMT 7
Golly, Stil, George called you a smart"arse" (m'kaying Hogans) after only 11 posts- an early commendation. For the record, laowai will eat any olive put in front of them: the Chinese don't care for them, so they are rare. Same goes, to a lesser extent, for cheese, coffee and dental floss.
Still don't know whether you're in China or on your way, but heed this: bring a year's supply of dental floss and deodorant. You other Newbies reading this: pay attention.
|
|
|
Post by CarryAnn on Aug 28, 2005 11:50:53 GMT 7
I've not been to Suzhou and would like to check it out, although I hear it's gone downhill since some particular foreigners showed up. Yep - I can vouch for that. I finally made it here as the pics in Raoul's tour de suzhou attest. Con does not have leprosy. There are no internet bars here. I still dont have an internet connection or landline phone but apart from that and some weird guy who calls himself Mr Suzhou hanging around it's all fine and dandy here. I love Suzhou - it's so pretty after being in a characterless modern town but I'm still getting used to seeing waigouren everywhere - weird!
|
|
Ruth
SuperDuperMegaBarfly
God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
|
Post by Ruth on Aug 29, 2005 14:35:26 GMT 7
Here I thought that Suzhou was this amazing metropolis full of western amenities. Now Carryann has spilled the beans and let us know that there are no internet bars. What's wrong? We have many of them here in little ole Xingcheng. Heck, there are 2 or 3 on the little street just outside my apartment complex.
|
|
|
Post by Stil on Aug 29, 2005 17:32:14 GMT 7
Suzhou has plenty of western amenities, but apparently they are all shipped in from Greece.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Nobody on Aug 30, 2005 13:32:04 GMT 7
That's all we need. Greek toilets in China. SHeesh.
|
|
gengrant
SuperBarfly!
Hao, Bu Hao?
Posts: 1,818
|
Post by gengrant on Aug 30, 2005 19:42:59 GMT 7
Nobby, he said 'amenities' which is USAnian for 'wind-up thingys'
|
|
|
Post by Mr Nobody on Aug 30, 2005 23:27:56 GMT 7
Right. Call our national treasure an amenity, will ya?
OK, take this:
Amenities in USAnia don't include toilets then? That would explain why so many USAnians are so full of poo. There is nowhere they can get rid of it.
I understand that USAnians keep asking for the bathroom and not the toilet anyway. Makes me wonder where they go to crap. Maybe that explains why kitchen sinks have garbage disposals built in as standard.
Using Oz windups as amenities would be disastrous. Then, the poo would really hit the fan. I ain't talking metaphor here, either. You would have to clean the ceiling.
Other USAnians, please ignore these remarks. They are my bad sense of humour at work, and directed specifically at GG who will hopefully appreciate it and not be annoyed. Please do not take umbrage, but please do take note of the spelling of the word 'humour'.
Thank you for your co-operation.
|
|
|
Post by George61 on Aug 31, 2005 3:20:56 GMT 7
I think GG could use a good windup.
|
|
|
Post by Mr Nobody on Sept 1, 2005 1:02:54 GMT 7
I am charging the batteries in one as we speak.
|
|
auflos
Up And Coming
Posts: 12
|
Post by auflos on Sept 21, 2005 11:06:49 GMT 7
I am in glorious Beijing!
|
|
|
Post by Stil on Sept 21, 2005 18:11:18 GMT 7
I am in glorious Beijing! There is a Beijing in China too! Where is this glorious one?
|
|
Newbs
SuperDuperBarfly!
If you don't have your parents permission to be on this site, naughty, naughty. But Krusty forgives
Posts: 2,085
|
Post by Newbs on Sept 22, 2005 9:05:05 GMT 7
G'day auflos and welcome. Tell us a bit about yourself. You know, the usual Where from What you teach When you arrived in China Favourite drink (barkeep, a glass of X for my newest, bestest friend, auflos) The good, the bad and the ugly about China so far Your bank account details (George has a friend in Nigeria that is in desparate need of assistance, you see.)
|
|
|
Post by Mr Nobody on Sept 22, 2005 11:42:13 GMT 7
Stil, you cracked me up.
Newbs forgot to ask if you can use chopsticks. Be careful of brand x drinks here, they are made with cheap recycled baijiu.
But I second the welcome, and to Dread Pirate Roberts too. Newbs is shouting, so lets all join in!
Goodonya Newbs. Cheers.
|
|
|
Post by con's fly is open on Sept 22, 2005 20:08:50 GMT 7
Welcome, Auflos! What Newbs asked. And are you married? I might some day.
|
|
auflos
Up And Coming
Posts: 12
|
Post by auflos on Sept 24, 2005 10:31:14 GMT 7
Thanks for the welcome! Drinks on me...(really I just spilled half my Yanjing beer)
I come from Florida in the USA... Been teaching in Asia 3 years or so. Last year in Thailand (Very nice) Live in the Haidian district and teach for one of the "top 10 Unis's in China" according to admin... I sort of teach "English" but was just informed that the students don't like the textbook, so I guess I am really an entertainer of sorts. Married to a very cool Chinese gal. I highly recommend it. But beware! You can choose in China.
I like the pineapple beer but just found out it is very low in alcohol content. (what a rip off)
Just read '1421' about Zheng He exploring the seas in the Ming dynasty two thumbs up! excellent book- real Chinese history mind blower.
|
|
Ruth
SuperDuperMegaBarfly
God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
|
Post by Ruth on Sept 24, 2005 11:20:02 GMT 7
Hi auflos. Welcome to the Saloon. Where in Florida? We (Lei Shan and I) lived in Port St. Lucie for 4 years. Gave up the sunshine and beach and working for state gov't ;D to come here two years ago.
|
|
|
Post by con's fly is open on Sept 24, 2005 19:49:05 GMT 7
Just read '1421' about Zheng He exploring the seas in the Ming dynasty two thumbs up! excellent book- real Chinese history mind blower. Lost my copy.
|
|
Ruth
SuperDuperMegaBarfly
God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
|
Post by Ruth on Sept 24, 2005 21:43:14 GMT 7
WHAT!?! I was going to ask if I could borrow it. Is there a foreign bookstore in Suzhou that might carry it?
|
|
|
Post by Mr Nobody on Sept 24, 2005 23:34:31 GMT 7
Crap, I'm trying to find it too. There is precisely one Foreign Language bookshop in this city and it is at the opposite end as far as I can tell.
|
|