"a horribly planned monstrosity?" Really? Have you ever flown in and out of the old Kunming Airport? The new airport is a spectacular achievement. It is properly scaled to handle both present and future traffic. Signage is accurate and informative (even in virtually flawless English). Parking, vehicle approaches, check in counters, baggage claim, customs are all top notch. It may not be as nearly perfect as HK, but it's pretty darn close.
I do think that more training of staff is always in order. I also agree that there are many first time air travelers who are bewildered at the process and more needs to be done to accommodate and inform them.
Our personal experience with elong.net was terrible, but the with ctrip it was outstanding. There are many options with ctrip including delivery to your door for cash payment, domestic (Chinese) credit cards and international credit card (there is % fee). Customer service in Mandarin and English is also excellent by ctrip.com. BTW, I don't for work for them nor do have friends or relatives who work for them. We just thought that the did a great job.
AlexKMG, now you're talking. I couldn't agree more about the flavorless agribusiness produced produce. It truly is tasteless. I guess I've been spoiled by all the farmers markets here in San Francisco. I agree, too, that the produce grown by some of my friends who are farmers near Shilin is some of the tastiest I've ever had anywhere. Thanks for expanding on your comment and for being such a good sport. Cheers!
Alex is right about the first part. Cider vinegar is definitely juice form concentrate. Unfortunately, the snide comment about American apples just doesn't hold up. Generalizations about produce from any nation are meaningless. The US produces some of the best, most flavorful apples in the world. Apple orchards in Washington, Michigan, and northern California produce many varieties of the most delicious apples around.
B&Q is an attempt to replicate western style DiY centers. In China, DIY is not that common. There are so many laborers available that one can find someone to do the work more quickly and (often, though not usually) with better results.
We "decorated" (finished, by western standards) a 140 sq.m., 4 bedroom, 2 bath apartment in Shi Ji Cheng, by doing the contracting ourselves. We consulted with material suppliers and got references for crafts people. We checked the previous work of our main carpenter and it turned out that he was an excellent "jack of all trades." Anything he did for us (electrical, plumbing and carpentry were excellent. Paint from Dulux was excellent, but the painters were very inexperienced. We had to teach them how to paint. The tile floor installers awesome (under the direction of our carpenter, but the tile finish people were mamahuhu,
We contracted directly with Toto for all of bath fixtures and only bought what was in stock. The quality was excellent.
We designed a western style kitchen with wall over, cooktop, dishwasher and disposal. The kitchen designer totally botched the measurements and cabinets order and had to redesign and rebuild the cabinet. This happened even though I presented a complete design with measurements and cabinet layout. We also had to supervise the appliance installation because they had never seen these appliances before.
Being one's own general contractor was time consuming, but rewarding both from a sense of accomplishment as well as monetarily. In 2006 currency we saved about 25,000 to 35,000 RMB.
Finally, I take great offense at words like "gorilla" to describe day laborers who do back breaking work that most westerners wouldn't ever consider doing. These are human beings you are talking about who do
thankless, heavy work that is pitifully compensated. Have a little compassion and stop bellyaching so much. Things are different in China, that part of the reason most of us go to China. There is always the road home if it's too intolerable.
The Aholes in the "Don't Touch Me" vehicles, especially with white license plates (most likely fake) are a fact of life that none of us are going to individually alter.
My understanding of the history of car culture is that the U.S. Had similar issues with incompetent drivers in the post-WWII period when many first time buyers bought cars. The problem is exacerbated in China because so many new drivers have not grown up in motor vehicles and don't have a good sense of the time/speed/distance sensibilities of an automobile vs a bike.
Like so many other things it will evolve and (hopefully) improve over time.
As the title of your article indicates, the whole thing is a mind over matter issue. Try to do your best to let the craziness wash over you and remind yourself of how wonderful it is to be in Kunming and Yunnan. I, for one, miss it terribly, growing pains and all.
I just took delivery and flipped through the pages. It's well written and does a good job giving a bit of the cultural and regional flavor of Yunnan in addition to the recipes. The recipes provide alternate suggestions fo ingredients that may not be available outside of Yunnan. I've already bookmarked a half dozen to prepare in the next two weeks. (I wish the printing of the photos had been a bit better. They are a little too dark, but the originals were probably just fine.). Regardless, if you love Yunnan cuisine and miss it, this is a wonderful resource.
The Chinese government is under no obligation whatsoever to have any, "respect for the integrity of religious practice." Mao himself declared that "religion is poison," and that philosophy has served both theccgovernment of the PRC and Chinese people well for decades.
Patrick, well done. I know how much work goes into designing a new site and transitioning all of the content. It looks great. Thanks for continuing to build on this useful and informative site. For those of us who have some roots in Kunming but don't get back there often enough, goKunming is a great way to stay informed. Again, congratulations on a job well done!
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Zen and the Chinese art of motorcycle driving
发布者The Aholes in the "Don't Touch Me" vehicles, especially with white license plates (most likely fake) are a fact of life that none of us are going to individually alter.
My understanding of the history of car culture is that the U.S. Had similar issues with incompetent drivers in the post-WWII period when many first time buyers bought cars. The problem is exacerbated in China because so many new drivers have not grown up in motor vehicles and don't have a good sense of the time/speed/distance sensibilities of an automobile vs a bike.
Like so many other things it will evolve and (hopefully) improve over time.
As the title of your article indicates, the whole thing is a mind over matter issue. Try to do your best to let the craziness wash over you and remind yourself of how wonderful it is to be in Kunming and Yunnan. I, for one, miss it terribly, growing pains and all.
Recipe: Eight Treasures Chicken
发布者I just took delivery and flipped through the pages. It's well written and does a good job giving a bit of the cultural and regional flavor of Yunnan in addition to the recipes. The recipes provide alternate suggestions fo ingredients that may not be available outside of Yunnan. I've already bookmarked a half dozen to prepare in the next two weeks. (I wish the printing of the photos had been a bit better. They are a little too dark, but the originals were probably just fine.). Regardless, if you love Yunnan cuisine and miss it, this is a wonderful resource.
Fearing 'commercialization', monks briefly close Jinning temple
发布者The Chinese government is under no obligation whatsoever to have any, "respect for the integrity of religious practice." Mao himself declared that "religion is poison," and that philosophy has served both theccgovernment of the PRC and Chinese people well for decades.
Burmese hardwoods logged to brink of extinction
发布者Nothing says you've "made it" like putting once-living dead things on display.
Welcome to the new GoKunming!
发布者Patrick, well done. I know how much work goes into designing a new site and transitioning all of the content. It looks great. Thanks for continuing to build on this useful and informative site. For those of us who have some roots in Kunming but don't get back there often enough, goKunming is a great way to stay informed. Again, congratulations on a job well done!