I went there twice for group boxing classes. I left the third time when I was attempting to book into a grappling class. This was part of an attempted process on my part to try the different classes offered there and see if I wanted to purchase one of their various membership cards.
The boxing classes were fun, a great workout, and the coaches and fellow students were all nice. A good atmosphere. Certainly room for improvement, especially in terms of explaining the class structure and fundamental concepts of the sports to beginners...but overall good.
However, on front desk staff member erased the positive aspects of the gym through his unprofessional and rude conduct. I was treated like some sort of con-man for wanting to try out the different classes offered before committing to multi-thousand RMB membership card, despite my willingness to pay per class to try them out. I wasted my time riding over to the gym on a very cold day on my scooter and then being refused service unless I committed on the spot to buying a membership card in direct contradiction to the gym's own policies and written price table. Also wasted was my friend's time and money, as she was in a cab on the way over to the gym in order to join me for the group class at the time I was refused service. My exchange with the staff (in which I was not terribly satisfied, but remained calm and reasonable throughout) was topped off with a remark from the one particular staff member with xenophobic undertones.
As one may see from my other reviews on this site, I typically try not to say anything unless I have something nice to say. In this case, I feel I must make an exception: I don't think it's a business that deserves your effort or money.
Report: China's native bees at risk
Posted byWas surprised not to see the destruction of wild hives by people collecting honey and larvae listed as a threat. Seems to be very widespread and villagers are very adept at getting at even hives high up in cliff faces or trees.
Provincial authorities get serious about poverty
Posted bywww.npr.org/[...]
Tourist arrest in Yunnan underscores larger national problem
Posted by^But all part of the same ridiculous system. Why can't these people just rent hotel rooms in their home cities in which to play cards and eat crappy snacks, and then Photoshop themselves standing in front of a bunch of scenic area entrance gates around China and the world to post on their WeChat. It would save a lot of carbon emissions.
Friction of terrain: Cycling through Zomia (part III)
Posted byIf it's unsolicited advice day at GoKunming, I've got some of my own: don't be a pedant.
Friction of terrain: Cycling through Zomia (part I)
Posted byHaven't read the book. Does he offer compelling evidence of the thesis? I guess a more traditional view is that groups end up in the highlands either because when they arrive lowlands already have established populations using all available land or they get pushed out of lowland areas due to resource competition?