Post by Mr Nobody on Aug 9, 2005 19:05:01 GMT 7
The beautiful green city of Nanning. I have been here two months so far, so I think I will write a little.
OK, Cost of living is low, things are cheap.
Beer is warm, I warn you in advance. They don't understand the concept of ice cold drinks even in summer. In winter they think you are insane. They do, however, put ice in both beer and wine, and sliced lemon in the wine. This is because the wine is disgusting either way, but at least with ice and lemon, it tastes like coolish lemony horrible wine.
Western food stuffs are in short supply, but there is a place called the Pantry, right next to the Museum on the left hand side. Small, but it has cheese and butter, and coffee machines and coffee beans. Some decent brands. Some decent spirits at about half what they are at home, but then, I haven't looked hard for them elsewhere.
People are real cool, friendly and helpful, hello's are meant well, and staring, although moderately prevalent, isn't offensive. I haven't had any bad experiences.
Few people speak english at any level. There are few westerners. Kids will try to speak to you everywhere, usually at the obvious direction of their parents, who are smiling and laughing with you as well. Good natured people.
Pay is low almost everywhere, and pay to western teachers is maybe half elsewhere. They say the schools have no money. Someone does.
Guangxi was the only province mentioned by name in a govt report on exam corruption. It is rife. It is considered normal, not bad or disgraceful. SOP.
Rubbish levels low compared to other cities, and the air is quite clean. Climate is warm, but not as nasty or hot and humid like HK, Guangzhou etc.
Spitting isn't as bad as other places, but not sure why. Fruit and other fresh food are in abundance, and nice. Regional cooking isn't up to Guangdong standard in my opinion, but many things are DELICIOUS anyway. French style bakeries all over, so bread etc isn't a problem.
Peasant markets are brilliant, jade cheap and plentiful, and the street restaurants are great. Beware of the normal street vendors of takeaway stuff, the climate leads to higher risk in the normally unhealthy practices found elsewhere, and they use old oil etc. Taste pretty good though. I stuck to steamed or boiled stuff more often. The climate leads them to eat warm food rather than hot in summer so tends to be more risky.
Any questions?
OK, Cost of living is low, things are cheap.
Beer is warm, I warn you in advance. They don't understand the concept of ice cold drinks even in summer. In winter they think you are insane. They do, however, put ice in both beer and wine, and sliced lemon in the wine. This is because the wine is disgusting either way, but at least with ice and lemon, it tastes like coolish lemony horrible wine.
Western food stuffs are in short supply, but there is a place called the Pantry, right next to the Museum on the left hand side. Small, but it has cheese and butter, and coffee machines and coffee beans. Some decent brands. Some decent spirits at about half what they are at home, but then, I haven't looked hard for them elsewhere.
People are real cool, friendly and helpful, hello's are meant well, and staring, although moderately prevalent, isn't offensive. I haven't had any bad experiences.
Few people speak english at any level. There are few westerners. Kids will try to speak to you everywhere, usually at the obvious direction of their parents, who are smiling and laughing with you as well. Good natured people.
Pay is low almost everywhere, and pay to western teachers is maybe half elsewhere. They say the schools have no money. Someone does.
Guangxi was the only province mentioned by name in a govt report on exam corruption. It is rife. It is considered normal, not bad or disgraceful. SOP.
Rubbish levels low compared to other cities, and the air is quite clean. Climate is warm, but not as nasty or hot and humid like HK, Guangzhou etc.
Spitting isn't as bad as other places, but not sure why. Fruit and other fresh food are in abundance, and nice. Regional cooking isn't up to Guangdong standard in my opinion, but many things are DELICIOUS anyway. French style bakeries all over, so bread etc isn't a problem.
Peasant markets are brilliant, jade cheap and plentiful, and the street restaurants are great. Beware of the normal street vendors of takeaway stuff, the climate leads to higher risk in the normally unhealthy practices found elsewhere, and they use old oil etc. Taste pretty good though. I stuck to steamed or boiled stuff more often. The climate leads them to eat warm food rather than hot in summer so tends to be more risky.
Any questions?
the clear bottled ones.... but I'm no expert on beer...