I was actually quite surprised and shocked to initially see all these agreeing comments to this shallow outing from "Gaoxing" popping up.
Thank you Grasshopper and even more Livo1 to bring some sense into this thread.
Livo1, I was contemplating to write a similar comment, but you said it all: thanks again! Saves me some time :-)
This shallowness I mentioned is clearly a result of a dramatic impotence to integrate into Chinese society in any way, and at the same time not showing any effort to get into "the reasons why". Objectivity is so crucial, but o-so scarce
I'm a little confused about the structure of leadership in Kunming. I recently mixed up Zhang Zulin and Qiu He. Although I knew that Qiu He is the mayor, I recently found that Zhang Zulin also helds that position.
And somebody told me mr. Qiu He is Christian, is that true? Sounds strange for a cadre of this caliber... His children supposedly go to an International Christian school...
Thanks for sharing any information about this!
Cheers
Thanks! I checked out the shop yesterday. They are able to fix me decent bike (well, consisting of all the cheapest parts but new and my size and upgradeable) for 3500 kuai. I'm gonna keep shopping around a bit, though. Proper second hand parts are supposedly hard to come by here in Kunming for a tall guy like me (1m93)...
Recently I set my mind on purchasing a mountain bike. My problem is that I hear from different sources that good quality mountain bikes are sold in Kunming, but for astronomically high prices. I'm more looking for reasonable quality, not top-end, and price around 2000/3000 kuai...
Is there anybody who can recommend a certain shop or bike brand?
I agree with bluppfisk the backpackers are an exhibit in their own way, and they have changed the attitude of the locals considerably. Dealing with them is convenient because they can all speak great English and have perfectly adjusted their ways to accommodate this continuous wining and dining of the tourists, but in their hearts you feel a big distance and you feel the need to make money off the tourists is stronger that genuine hospitality. Especially if you compare it to travelling around in Yunnan or even parts of rural Laos just kilometres away from tourist centres like Luang Prabang. I agree there is an interesting cultural heritage and a general pleasant laid-back vibe. But after a week I was really fed up with those foreigner-local relations that ruin the atmosphere.
Thank you so much for your correction. I asked a few locals about it and actually tried to distill a story that was as plausible as possible out of their contradicting answers, happy you could clear that up!
When I get back to Kunming next week, I'll post some more anecdotes of my cycling inside Luchun county, and some more pictures.
In southern Yunnan (I found this in Honghezhou) they also tend to sell a roadside snack that consists of an empty honey comb with living bee larvae inside. A friend of mine bought a piece and tried a few, but it was too much for me. I'm okay with eating insects but not when they are alive.
I think one of the motives for this behavior that is not mentioned in the article of comments is not a financial one. The youths seem to consider it as a very hip kind of lifestyle to sell their fashion on the street. They try to be as image conscious as possible and as it often goes with this kind of young-hipster-fashion-motivated behavior, they completely disregard and undermine the existence of other people around them; neighborhood residents and the people who pay loads of rent in order to open legitimate shops.
The chengguan once again show us that they are not more than lazy, selective and ignorant thugs who are not at all genuinely concerned with the well-being of the city. They use overly excessive force when there is not a single reason to do so, while at the same time giving those disrespectful youths the chance to exploit the lax policies and almost vandalize a neighborhood.
What else is there to do? At least don't buy anything from them..
This place is without doubt my favorite restaurant in Kunming. It is truly Simao-style, but adds its own unique touch. The ingredients vary per week and the ingredients are all carefully sourced in specific markets or brought straight from the mountains. Their wild vegetables are always sweeter than other places in Kunming. There are plaques on the wall that say: "we don't feel the need to enhance the flavor with weijing or jijing, we do our best to source the best natural foods for you". You will not see any grease after finishing the plate, not even with the deep fried dishes. They are very flexible with ordering combinations and the super-friendly owner-chef will be happy to step out of the kitchen and give you some great advice. If he has time, because this place is crowded on most evenings. Service is friendly and attentive (but it is still Kunming). You get free home-made kimchi and apple vinegar with all meals. They have cold Fenghuaxueyue beer. Without doubt a safe Chinese eatery, really delicious food, friendly people who are passionate about their product. A true gem, in my opinion.
I heard Richland Hospital has proper testing material.
I think the medical staff is of the same level as other Kunming healthcare facilities. I needed to translate some specifics of a medical report I got in another specialized hospital. I wanted to do this by letting the Richland doctor have a phone call with the specialized doctor that had done the tests. I came in and there sat a young physician with a translating nurse. When the phone call to the other hospital wasn't successful he wanted to have look at the report himself. I asked if that would make sense if he wasn't a doctor that was specialized in that specific field. He told me he wanted to have a look anyway. To my horror, he promptly misdiagnosed me with a truly appalling disease. When I came home I was puzzled. I didn't have any symptoms, how could I have something that serious. I checked the internet and found out that the condition that he described DIDN'T EVEN EXIST. Well, I have to give him, he had me stressing out there for a minute. I wanted to confront him with his mistake but apparently all the doctors had taken the weekend off. Eventually, in combination with my visit to the other state run facility, I was in constant uncertainty and stress over the period of 4 days for something that turned to be NOTHING. I had NOTHING.
Please use the highest level of common sense in dealing with local healthcare. The situation is grim. Best to let them test (if the facilities are ok) and make conclusions and decisions by yourself, if serious ask a physician in another country. Never blindly trust anything they say.
Getting Away: Luang Prabang
发布者I agree with bluppfisk the backpackers are an exhibit in their own way, and they have changed the attitude of the locals considerably. Dealing with them is convenient because they can all speak great English and have perfectly adjusted their ways to accommodate this continuous wining and dining of the tourists, but in their hearts you feel a big distance and you feel the need to make money off the tourists is stronger that genuine hospitality. Especially if you compare it to travelling around in Yunnan or even parts of rural Laos just kilometres away from tourist centres like Luang Prabang. I agree there is an interesting cultural heritage and a general pleasant laid-back vibe. But after a week I was really fed up with those foreigner-local relations that ruin the atmosphere.
Cycling from Kunming to Lüchun
发布者Hi Voltaire,
Thank you so much for your correction. I asked a few locals about it and actually tried to distill a story that was as plausible as possible out of their contradicting answers, happy you could clear that up!
When I get back to Kunming next week, I'll post some more anecdotes of my cycling inside Luchun county, and some more pictures.
Video: The Dangsters
发布者I do not see or hear anything offensive in this video. The dance is really cool.
Insect cuisine: Bugging out in Kunming
发布者Great article indeed!
In southern Yunnan (I found this in Honghezhou) they also tend to sell a roadside snack that consists of an empty honey comb with living bee larvae inside. A friend of mine bought a piece and tried a few, but it was too much for me. I'm okay with eating insects but not when they are alive.
Wenhua Xiang filling up with financially overextended youth
发布者I think one of the motives for this behavior that is not mentioned in the article of comments is not a financial one. The youths seem to consider it as a very hip kind of lifestyle to sell their fashion on the street. They try to be as image conscious as possible and as it often goes with this kind of young-hipster-fashion-motivated behavior, they completely disregard and undermine the existence of other people around them; neighborhood residents and the people who pay loads of rent in order to open legitimate shops.
The chengguan once again show us that they are not more than lazy, selective and ignorant thugs who are not at all genuinely concerned with the well-being of the city. They use overly excessive force when there is not a single reason to do so, while at the same time giving those disrespectful youths the chance to exploit the lax policies and almost vandalize a neighborhood.
What else is there to do? At least don't buy anything from them..