Happy 3rd Birthday RAOUL'S CHINA EXPAT SALOON!!!

[Raoul Duke]

We're 3 years old!
The one birthday I always forget...the big day is November 2.

Three years ago today we were just six starry-eyed young people with a dream, a bottle of Bell's whiskey, and a Commodore 64 computer. There was no internet back then; we had to just mail big stacks of punched cards to everyone.

Today we drink different things (I'm a tequila man, myself. LOTS of tequila.), the dreams are battered a bit but still shiny, we have the finest technology the early 1990s can offer, and most of us are just older than dirt.

And of course, we have the finest people who are in China, have been to China, or might come to China, as our members.

Thanks, all of you, for three extremely weird but rather wonderful years. Thanks to all of you for your support, generosity, patience, forbearance, tolerance, photos, occasional sexual favors, and alcohol and/or drugs.

To our surviving original Brains, Hamish, Dr. Gonzo, and Steiner: Here's to ya, boyos. It's amazing what can come out of drunk e-mails.

Oh, and thanks to Bodacious Bubba for ordering our special Saloon birthday cake!

[George61]

A momentous occasion indeed! I joined the ranks on Dec 10, so the place still smelled of drying paint, and new leather. It has been a fun three years. Corn Grad Ululations to the Founding Grandfathers.

[Escaped Lunatic]

Raoul's

Introducing baiju to unsuspecting
foreign teachers since 2003!

[Mr Nobody]

Well, pull out the tequila! No, not that stuff, the real one, made in Mexico from real plants, not the baijiu one made from recycled plastic and used socks.

Yeah, that's the one. Shots all round.

Cheers.

[Non-Dave]

I just can't imagine China without the Saloon. A big thankyou to the old pisspots in the corner.

Here's to 4 and more...

[hankuh]

admin said:

Oh, and thanks to Bodacious Bubba for ordering our special Saloon birthday cake!

I want the first piece. It's vanilla...fudge, of course

[mich]

Big happy birthday to the saloon!!!

i would be lost without this palce. Thankyou to those 'starry-eyed' people with a dream!

here's to many more!

[phets72]

A huge congratulations on birthday no 3!

Phets72

[Noodles]

WOW!!! 3 big ones. Hats off to everyone who keeps this place going.

[teleplayer]

Happy Birthday to my home away form home when I'm at home--and often at work!


Thought of inventing a drink for the occasion. Given the many stories I've heard, pictures I've seen, a Baiju martini- that's 2 ox Baiju but no vermouth. Instead use touch of galliano to give it that umm... ... color. It can be shaken or stirred 'cause there ain't no way to "bruise" this "thang!" Strain through whatever dirty sock we can find on the street, garnish with a a floating fudge bar, and bits of crumpled plastic swizzle stick. I've thought of calling it the TIFC Martini but that might be a bit pretentious. Cheers!

Happy Birtday to all of you who make this cyber home and help so many to go forward with eyes at least a little more open and not only to the harsh realities but also to the beauty that's makes the Middle Kingdom as well.

[Ruth]

Three years and just over 300 members. The saying is that good things happen in threes.

Thanks to the original Brains with the original vision (even if it was created in a drunken stupor) and to the new Brains who have only added class and wisdom to the place. Can't imagine living and working in China without a regular visit to the Saloon.

[cheekygal]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SALOONITES!!!!

[gengrant]

am i too late for cake? Congratulations to the Bar that keeps raising the bar...Raouls!

This place is great, and if you don't believe me, just ask all the people who posted before me!

Here's to many more years!

[Bugalugs]

Happy Birthday to a great Site. Thanks to all for the ever helpful contributions. Thanks for this site for its support and help.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dragonsaver]

All of the above

I have met some wonderful people, some of whom even like yodeling

Of course, Raoul who has been an inspiration to new and wonderful things. I will try and find a 'new' yodel just for you!!!

Love you all

[Newbs]

Well, for all the baijiu, the banter, the baijiu, the home away from home, the baijiu and everything else, thanks a million guys.

And a big thank you for the baijiu.

[AMonk]

There's Good ships

There's Bad ships

But the Best ships

Are FriendShips




Here's to US, and all others like us The Best of the Best

[Lone Traveller]

Happy Bithday Madhouse.......

[kzel81]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

I've only recently found this site, and it's been an amazing help - I can only hope you continue on for many more birthdays and keep this brilliant network going.

[Jollyjunklass]

Happy Birthday,

Better late than never. I haven't been visiting as much as I used to because it's pretty crazy here in China. But I would like to say, that with out everyone's help here I would never have made it here...I would have chickened out. And what a mistake that would have been.

Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement, PATIENCE, kindness and banters (that is of course a referral to Hamish). Seriously everyone here has been fantastic and I owe a lot of the courage, it took me to get here, to the Saloon.

So have a few Baiju on me just don't come on my doorstep.