Just wanted to pass on some info to all... we were visited by our baoan (security) yesterday and told they have been asked by the police to notify everyone that Kunming is experiencing a recent crime wave and we should be extra careful, make sure doors and window are locked, careful of bikes and cars, careful of wearing jewelry when out (a friend just had a gold necklace ripped from her neck). I was just told of another foreigner being robbed downtown in midday a few days ago...

not trying to alarm unnecessarily but wanted to pass on the info to encourage everyone to be extra aware and use your own judgment.

they are selling them right outside the gate of my apartment complex, and all down the street... I am guessing they should not be too hard to find. I live outside 2nd ring road, not sure if that makes a difference or not.

I took the test this past spring and had to order the test study material from Beijing. I found someone in one of the expat forums who was selling the study book published by FESCO. It was very helpful. There is someone here who is running a test preparation class which is usually held once a month I believe. You can call TenWest school for more info 5747722. I did not use them because I did not want to pay the 450 kuai class fee... but they guarantee pass or let you access there materials again to review if you do not.

There is supposedly one on the Westside... a friend of mine was sending their son to one. I don't know anything more about it but can try to find out...

I have just started using a Bank of America ATM card here, since I learned that they now own a percentage of China Construction bank here. I can withdraw funds from the CCB atm and get charged no fees, and pretty close to the market rate.