This is one issue that I think the Central Government is totally correct about. Bad tourist behavior gives the Chinese people a really, really bad image around the world. I've seen thing for years. On my last return trip from China, I saw this kid on the plane who learned how to unlock the restrooms from the outside. Several times, he did this while people were in there. He ignored flight attendants and his parents didn't seem to have control of him. This is so typical of the type of disregard for rules that a lot of travelers have.

I think the first thing that the government should address is air safety. They should impose fines for people who unlock their seat belts before they get to the gate. I've often wondered what an emergency evacuation of the plane would be like with a plane load of people who don't regard instructions.

During my time in Yunnan, there were a few things that appeared to be inevitable. Among them was the fact that the province would one day become a tourism Mecca. The weather, the natural beauty, the ethnic diversity, the location, the big international airport, etc...just makes this very likely. Also inevitable are the things that will enable this trend. Among them are the development of more Western-style hotels and other "accommodations". Among the latter are clean bathrooms.

I wonder if there is the potential for a new tourist industry here? In Kunming, you already pay 1-2 kuai to use one of their filthy public bathrooms. I bet that most tourists would gladly fork over 6 kuai to use a deluxe, Western-style bathroom.

For those of you who don't know, there is a reason for Nicholas Cage to be taking the quantity-over-quality approach to his films. He got into some extremely serious tax debt in the U.S.. I forget the exact amount, but it was in the tens, or hundreds of millions of dollars. For that reason, he supposedly made over 30 films in the past 18 months, including a schload of foreign films. The ironic thing is that the foreign film makers tend to pay him proportionately much more than Western film makers.

But, if you were wondering why such a truly talent actor is making such schlock now, there's your reason. I only hope that when this debt is paid off, he will still have a career.

How terribly sad, especially after surviving all of the tumultuous history of the past 50 years. I'm reminded of the words of a wealthy friend I have: "You just never know how long God is going to let you stick around.|

What could be more natural? A Chinese farmers market/flea market/food festival. My biggest concern is how far from my home it will be.