Our first night at the new home went well with all of us sleeping well and late into the morning (730am, versus 5am). Our plan was to visit a local supermarket, lunch out and then subway to the national museum. The supermarket was so crowded we felt it was not a good idea to stay. Had early lunch at a Sichuan restaurant. 1 rice and 2 noodle soup for RMB40. Subway was very crowded too for a Sunday. 12 stops later, we got to the museum. Museum doesnt allow any liquid inside so dont bring any bottled water. Upon reaching the ticketing counter, the young lady told Grace her booking was for the day before...... This is the second time we tried to enter the museum in vain. First time, we didnt know we had to book in advance. Now we booked but went on the wrong day.
Went shopping instead across the road from the Museum. Bought a school bag for Kristine who will start school tomorrow. I bought an oven. 18 litre capacity, 1350Watt; came with rotiserie. All for RMB244. A steal by Melbourne standard.
On way back, the subway was even more crowded than the forward trip. We gave the first train a miss as we felt it was too crowded. The next train was not any better. Managed to squeezed in with the two kids and a big oven box.
Have unpacked most of our staff into the new home, but forgot to buy a mob and the floor does need an urgent cleaning now.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
New Home
Today started way before daybreak for Grace and I. We really had not much of possession to shift from one corner of Beijing to another, but we filled up a small van to the brim. As someone vacated their home for us today, we vacated our home for someone else as well. Our Wangjing apartment is now rented to two University students from Korea doing their final years at Qinghua University. Nice, decent looking young men.
Our new home is adjacent to the 4th Ring Road East, with a direct subway line just 5 mins walk. 6-7 stops and we are in the busiest section of Beijing and TianAnMen Square.
We managed to stacked most things away by 430pm, and on to a weekend play school that Grace register Kristine and Kimberley. Today they held a big birthday party for all kids born in August. It is very obvious that Kimberley is very timid and shy at this party. She was very excited when we arrived, teasing the teachers and ran around nonstop, but once the party started and all kids were cajoled to scream 'yes' to each question, Kimberley went into hiding, refusing to even get on stage to receive her gift.
Grace has booked us for a tour of the new National Museum tomrrow. Entrance is free but one must book in advance on internet to gain entry. Hope we all get a good night sleep.
Kristine starts her china school education from Monday. Her school bus leaves at 645am....... Kimberley should also start her kinder on Monday but we honestly have not got around to that yet.
Our new home is adjacent to the 4th Ring Road East, with a direct subway line just 5 mins walk. 6-7 stops and we are in the busiest section of Beijing and TianAnMen Square.
We managed to stacked most things away by 430pm, and on to a weekend play school that Grace register Kristine and Kimberley. Today they held a big birthday party for all kids born in August. It is very obvious that Kimberley is very timid and shy at this party. She was very excited when we arrived, teasing the teachers and ran around nonstop, but once the party started and all kids were cajoled to scream 'yes' to each question, Kimberley went into hiding, refusing to even get on stage to receive her gift.
Grace has booked us for a tour of the new National Museum tomrrow. Entrance is free but one must book in advance on internet to gain entry. Hope we all get a good night sleep.
Kristine starts her china school education from Monday. Her school bus leaves at 645am....... Kimberley should also start her kinder on Monday but we honestly have not got around to that yet.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Hospital
Two weeks ago, Krisitne was taken to Chaoyang Hospital by Auntie Vivien, my dear friend from Wuhan now living in Beijing, and Kimberley's godmother. Scarlet, Viv's 9 yr old daughter, like Kristine, has a wart on her toe. She took both of them to hospital for treatment (nitrogen freezing). I didnt go along but I knew it cost RMB5 for Kristine that first visit.
Yesterday, I took Kristine to the same hopsital to meet up with Viv and Scarlet, for the second treatment. Again the cost was RMB5, but I was impressed with that hospital. It was clean and spacious. I was taken aback by the lack of crowd at the dermatology department. Vivien said maybe it wa slate in the day. Thats important to remember. Sure a few people wanted to jump the queue at the registration desk, and one has to get used to other patients butting into the consultation room to check if the doctor is available right in the middle of a consultation, but overall the hospital was very friendly.
Unlike in Melbourne where medical consultation is decentralised to neighbourhood surgery/clinics, everyone goes to a hospital for medical consultation.
Yesterday, I took Kristine to the same hopsital to meet up with Viv and Scarlet, for the second treatment. Again the cost was RMB5, but I was impressed with that hospital. It was clean and spacious. I was taken aback by the lack of crowd at the dermatology department. Vivien said maybe it wa slate in the day. Thats important to remember. Sure a few people wanted to jump the queue at the registration desk, and one has to get used to other patients butting into the consultation room to check if the doctor is available right in the middle of a consultation, but overall the hospital was very friendly.
Unlike in Melbourne where medical consultation is decentralised to neighbourhood surgery/clinics, everyone goes to a hospital for medical consultation.
Rental
We should move into our new place this Saturday afternoon. We paid a deposit two weeks ago. Full lease agreement will be signed tomorrow evening, together with 6 months rental in advance (3 is the norm, but owner wanted 6 to meet our asking price) plus 1 month's security deposit. There will be plenty of RMB100 bills to count tomorrow by several hands.
At the same time, we received a deposit for leasing our apartment today. As we move out this Saturday, someone else will move in. Interestingly, when we searched for our apartment, the market was very quiet, with more units than renters. While we had many choices and owners were willing to take prices down when we searched for an apartment to lease, our positions were reversed as landlord trying to rent our apartment out the same time. Many blamed that on stinginess of visas issued during the olympics. There may be some truth to that because we entertained significant pickup in viewings these past few days.
At the same time, we received a deposit for leasing our apartment today. As we move out this Saturday, someone else will move in. Interestingly, when we searched for our apartment, the market was very quiet, with more units than renters. While we had many choices and owners were willing to take prices down when we searched for an apartment to lease, our positions were reversed as landlord trying to rent our apartment out the same time. Many blamed that on stinginess of visas issued during the olympics. There may be some truth to that because we entertained significant pickup in viewings these past few days.
Kristine's School
A busy day yesterday trying to nail down Kristine school. A friend arranged an appointment to register Kristine at Fang Chao Di primary school. The better known main campus is located downtown, but we wanted Kristine to attend a branch within walking distance of the apartment we have leased. We leased that apartment because we thought Kristine would attend that branch campus, just a matter of Year 1 or Year 2. We were sent away by the registration staff at the main campus, which centralises registration for all branch campuses (5 altogether), because we couldnt register Kristine until she is accepted by the branch campus. So off we went to see the registrar of the branch campus. She administered some tests for Krisitne in Chinese, English and Mathematics, all with Chinese instructions. Kristine wasnt ready for grade 2 in the Chinese education system. Cutting the story short, Kristine will now attend the 'International Section(国际部)' at the main campus, where they group all international students together, but teaching the same syllabus in Chinese.
Instead of walking to her school each morning, she now has to take a 20 min school bus from the gate of the branch campus. Our landlady, a teacher herself, describes 'International Section' as 'going to school without studious responsibility'.
Grace and I see both pros and cons of two educational doctrines: basically split between 'PLAY' and 'MEMORISING for tests the next day'. The educational system here demands a lot from children from young age. In Australia, the focus for young students is more on expression and less on spelling or grammar, China demands young students to learn AND remember, precisely, many chinese characters each week. In Australia, Maths are about play and fun, but in China Maths are serious stuff. In Australia curriculum maybe open ended so each student can work at his/her own level, but in China, there is no room for falling behind against a rigid expectation, all determined by test results. As the registrar who tested Kristine explained, Kristine would be expected to remember 10 new Chinese characters the teacher dished out that day, through a test the next day, plus memorising 10 more characters after the test. That pile accumulates everyday.
Grace and I want Kristine to learn, but more importantly, we want Kristine to enjoy her experience in Beijing. We could 'fight' the registrar to take Kristine in the local class at the branch campus, but we didnt have the conviction that is what we ought to do. I know I hated my childhood schooling with rigid classes, and we know Kristine loves her Melbourne school. Our choice is easy. The change in environment is a huge enough challenge, plus the Chinese class instructions will be another challenge.
The registrar suggested Kimberley should start in local classes after completing her kinder year(s). Fees for Kristine and Kimberley are roughly RMB34,000 and RMB25,000 per year. Fees for Year 1 at the two Australian International Schools in Beijing range from RMB85,000 to RMB160,000 a year.
Anyway, I told Kristine how Kylie used to take bus to her schools in Singapore. Her alarm clock will have to be set back at least 30 mins earlier, like 645am.
Instead of walking to her school each morning, she now has to take a 20 min school bus from the gate of the branch campus. Our landlady, a teacher herself, describes 'International Section' as 'going to school without studious responsibility'.
Grace and I see both pros and cons of two educational doctrines: basically split between 'PLAY' and 'MEMORISING for tests the next day'. The educational system here demands a lot from children from young age. In Australia, the focus for young students is more on expression and less on spelling or grammar, China demands young students to learn AND remember, precisely, many chinese characters each week. In Australia, Maths are about play and fun, but in China Maths are serious stuff. In Australia curriculum maybe open ended so each student can work at his/her own level, but in China, there is no room for falling behind against a rigid expectation, all determined by test results. As the registrar who tested Kristine explained, Kristine would be expected to remember 10 new Chinese characters the teacher dished out that day, through a test the next day, plus memorising 10 more characters after the test. That pile accumulates everyday.
Grace and I want Kristine to learn, but more importantly, we want Kristine to enjoy her experience in Beijing. We could 'fight' the registrar to take Kristine in the local class at the branch campus, but we didnt have the conviction that is what we ought to do. I know I hated my childhood schooling with rigid classes, and we know Kristine loves her Melbourne school. Our choice is easy. The change in environment is a huge enough challenge, plus the Chinese class instructions will be another challenge.
The registrar suggested Kimberley should start in local classes after completing her kinder year(s). Fees for Kristine and Kimberley are roughly RMB34,000 and RMB25,000 per year. Fees for Year 1 at the two Australian International Schools in Beijing range from RMB85,000 to RMB160,000 a year.
Anyway, I told Kristine how Kylie used to take bus to her schools in Singapore. Her alarm clock will have to be set back at least 30 mins earlier, like 645am.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Kimberley's Birthday
Today, Kimberley turns 4. Both Kristine and I are using this opprtunity to motivate Kimberley not to cry, nag, grumble, and to start doing many things on her own. Her borthday gift from daddy is a pair of kids size chopsticks with matching fork and sppon in a box, plus a pair of hairpin.
Also purchased from the same shopping spree are three colour sand craft work, at rmb 10 for 3. Kristine and Kimberley have been working on the first one for the past hour. Same thing at a kids indoor playground in a shopping mall cost rmb15. Great value buy and great entertaining for them.
Also purchased from the same shopping spree are three colour sand craft work, at rmb 10 for 3. Kristine and Kimberley have been working on the first one for the past hour. Same thing at a kids indoor playground in a shopping mall cost rmb15. Great value buy and great entertaining for them.
Friday, August 22, 2008
La Porcheta in Beijing
Found a nice and reasonably priced Italian restaurant in a shopping mall across the road from our apartment. Always saw long queue at the entrance but never got a chance to try the place out. Took Krisitne and Kimberley there on Monday at 11am, when they started business. Ordered a spagetti carbonara (mushroom and bacon) for Y12, a lasagna for Y15, 4pcs of grilled chicken wings for Y15, and a corn soup for Y6. Too much for the three of us but nice food. And read this Kylie, Y6 for Creme Brulee!!!
Went back again on Thursday. Kristine and Kimberley wanted the lasagna (Y15) again. I ordered a 9inch Hawaiian pizza (pineapple, ham, AND banana! Y29). Pan pizza with thick cheese. Nice. The only drawback is they dont serve cold water for free anymore, but hot water is still available for free. Apparently cold water cannot be directly from the tap so it costs more.
Went back again on Thursday. Kristine and Kimberley wanted the lasagna (Y15) again. I ordered a 9inch Hawaiian pizza (pineapple, ham, AND banana! Y29). Pan pizza with thick cheese. Nice. The only drawback is they dont serve cold water for free anymore, but hot water is still available for free. Apparently cold water cannot be directly from the tap so it costs more.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Phone interceptor
Kimberley is now in charge of answering our home phone. Yesterday Grace called to report her expected time of reaching home from downtown. Kimberley took charge from start to end. After she hung up, I asked Kimberley what Grace said. Kimberley's reply:"Byebye".
Monday, August 18, 2008
Difference in Standings
On the official Beijing 2008 website, the medal standing is ranked according to number of gold medals, in which China, with 35 gold, ranks #1. Over to the US, both yahoo (www.yahoo.com) and msnbc (www.msnbc.com) rank the overall standing according to total number of medals won, in which the US with 65 medals, ranks #1.
In Australia, the sister sites of Yahoo (au.yahoo.com) and MSN (www.ninemsn.com.au)both toe the Olympics party ranking Australia and everyone else according to gold medals.
Personally, I think the empahsis on winning gold is a bit too far away from the spirit of participation in an Olympic. Many many smaller countries could never muster enough talent to win any medal, what more to break a record.
My proposal is to rank the countries according to the medals they win (5 points for a gold, 3 for a silver, and 1 for a bronze), divided by the total population, and then divided by its GDP to get the real standings in each Olympic!
In Australia, the sister sites of Yahoo (au.yahoo.com) and MSN (www.ninemsn.com.au)both toe the Olympics party ranking Australia and everyone else according to gold medals.
Personally, I think the empahsis on winning gold is a bit too far away from the spirit of participation in an Olympic. Many many smaller countries could never muster enough talent to win any medal, what more to break a record.
My proposal is to rank the countries according to the medals they win (5 points for a gold, 3 for a silver, and 1 for a bronze), divided by the total population, and then divided by its GDP to get the real standings in each Olympic!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A more polite Beijing
We must have taken many bus trips in Beijing during the Olympics. On every bus trip, there is always someone who gave up his/her seats for Kristine and Kimberley. Always! On Friday evening, we took subway back home from Wangfujing. The subway station is a long walking distance away so we queued for a taxi. When the next taxi arrived, the two young ladies in front of us in the queue told Grace to take their taxi, saying 'you have young children, you go first 你们有小孩子，你们先走'.
The subway fare here is a standard RMB2 per adult anywhere within the Beijing subway system. Accompanying child under 1.2m travels free. ALL passengers must surrender bags and backpacks through an Xray scanner upon entering a subway station. A pocket knife attracts a mandatory 5 days detention.
Civility is seeping into Beijing. I hope it floods after the Olympics.
The subway fare here is a standard RMB2 per adult anywhere within the Beijing subway system. Accompanying child under 1.2m travels free. ALL passengers must surrender bags and backpacks through an Xray scanner upon entering a subway station. A pocket knife attracts a mandatory 5 days detention.
Civility is seeping into Beijing. I hope it floods after the Olympics.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Security
Bus conductors have added duties of checking bags carried onto buses, even shop assistants in shopping mall are rostered to roam their malls with a red 'on patrol' arm band.
We encountered our first 'neighbourhood check' two evenings ago. Three women of grandma ages knocked on our door wanting to know
- if we rent or own our apartment
- how many adults live in our apartment
- if we know our neighbours nexr door
- how many live in the apartments next door
Watched my first full match yesterday on home TV, women's hockey, in which Aust handed Spain 6 big ones.
Now watching Australia Mens hockey sending 2 past RSA goalposts. RMB1500 for a hockey final ticket? Very difficult to justify.
We encountered our first 'neighbourhood check' two evenings ago. Three women of grandma ages knocked on our door wanting to know
- if we rent or own our apartment
- how many adults live in our apartment
- if we know our neighbours nexr door
- how many live in the apartments next door
Watched my first full match yesterday on home TV, women's hockey, in which Aust handed Spain 6 big ones.
Now watching Australia Mens hockey sending 2 past RSA goalposts. RMB1500 for a hockey final ticket? Very difficult to justify.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
House Hunting
Spent the last three days viewing no less than 25 apartments near the two schools that Kristine may attend. After much deliberations, Grace and I decided to send Kristine to one school near where Kimberley's godmother lives. The school, AND kimberley's kinder, are in fact within the same estate, so it is a matter of taking a lift downstairs, and walking 100 meters to schools for Kristine and Kimberley. The other choice is in the embassy district, more fun as a neighbourhood, as it is closer to city centre, but same living space costs at least 60% more in rentals.
House hunting is surely unlike Melbourne here. It can get unwiedly and chaotic. For a start, it is possible to view a property with one agent but concluding price negotiation with another agent. The agents are very aggressive in chasing businesses, with the owners as well as the tenants. They will compete with each other as long as there is still a chance to snatch the business away. Just one required Grace to sign an exclusivity form agreeing not to deal with another agent on the properties viewed. We viewed many properties with several agents, and on day 2 settled on a shortlist of 3 properties for one agent to chase. The next morning, another agent offered to take Grace to some new viewings in the same estate. To avoid duplication, Grace revealed the properties we have viewed and our shortlist. The new agent immediately went on the attack and offered not just how well his firm can do a better job, but also 'guaranteeing' much lower rentals for the shortlisted properties. Excused by the axiom of 'When in Beijing, do what the Beijingers do', Grace allowed to the new agent to take over. Expect some closure today, Day 4.
The payment norm here is 1 month deposit plus 3 months advance. Letting fee is equivalent to one month's rent. Gross rental yield is around 4%. Mortgage rate runs at 7.4%. The market seems slow. Our 3rd agent has not closed any deal in a month, and we were their only customers this week. His firm is a BIG well-known global real estate firm. The more aggressive agent, our 4th, claimed he had closed 8 deals in 2 mths. Property market here seems poised for some potential sharp corrections, but many of the owners are not blinking. Two did ask if we wanted to buy them out, but majority declared they would rather keep their properties vacant.
One owner slipped his mobile number on a piece of paper to me, whispering 'Dont let him (agent) see it'. He was hoping I would deal directly with him so he saves on paying letting fee. We didnt like his property anyway. To make his kitchen look uncluttered, he stored his fridge and microwave in a closet.
Another interesting owner story is about owners' pride. On a shortlisted property we liked, the owner would not accept our offer of just RMB200 lower than his price. However, in order to bridge the diff and close the deal, our agent offered to reduce his letting fee by the same amount. He agreed with the agent, but only to another tenant, because he had previously stuck his neck out by declaring to us that he would rather keep his property vacant for RMB200 less. Rather peculiar decision, but surely a difficult character to deal with going forward.
Hopefully we can sign off on a lease soon. School is still a few weeks away but we wish to move early so Kristine can re-start her piano lessons early. At the same time, Grace has arranged with another agent to rent our place out. Viewings start tomorrow.
House hunting is surely unlike Melbourne here. It can get unwiedly and chaotic. For a start, it is possible to view a property with one agent but concluding price negotiation with another agent. The agents are very aggressive in chasing businesses, with the owners as well as the tenants. They will compete with each other as long as there is still a chance to snatch the business away. Just one required Grace to sign an exclusivity form agreeing not to deal with another agent on the properties viewed. We viewed many properties with several agents, and on day 2 settled on a shortlist of 3 properties for one agent to chase. The next morning, another agent offered to take Grace to some new viewings in the same estate. To avoid duplication, Grace revealed the properties we have viewed and our shortlist. The new agent immediately went on the attack and offered not just how well his firm can do a better job, but also 'guaranteeing' much lower rentals for the shortlisted properties. Excused by the axiom of 'When in Beijing, do what the Beijingers do', Grace allowed to the new agent to take over. Expect some closure today, Day 4.
The payment norm here is 1 month deposit plus 3 months advance. Letting fee is equivalent to one month's rent. Gross rental yield is around 4%. Mortgage rate runs at 7.4%. The market seems slow. Our 3rd agent has not closed any deal in a month, and we were their only customers this week. His firm is a BIG well-known global real estate firm. The more aggressive agent, our 4th, claimed he had closed 8 deals in 2 mths. Property market here seems poised for some potential sharp corrections, but many of the owners are not blinking. Two did ask if we wanted to buy them out, but majority declared they would rather keep their properties vacant.
One owner slipped his mobile number on a piece of paper to me, whispering 'Dont let him (agent) see it'. He was hoping I would deal directly with him so he saves on paying letting fee. We didnt like his property anyway. To make his kitchen look uncluttered, he stored his fridge and microwave in a closet.
Another interesting owner story is about owners' pride. On a shortlisted property we liked, the owner would not accept our offer of just RMB200 lower than his price. However, in order to bridge the diff and close the deal, our agent offered to reduce his letting fee by the same amount. He agreed with the agent, but only to another tenant, because he had previously stuck his neck out by declaring to us that he would rather keep his property vacant for RMB200 less. Rather peculiar decision, but surely a difficult character to deal with going forward.
Hopefully we can sign off on a lease soon. School is still a few weeks away but we wish to move early so Kristine can re-start her piano lessons early. At the same time, Grace has arranged with another agent to rent our place out. Viewings start tomorrow.
Opening Ceremony
We arrived back from Mudanjiang on 08.08.2008. Though we slept better on way back than on way there, we were still quite tired from the train ride. Met a friend of Grace from high school on the train, in fact next cabin to us. She has a 9 yr old daughter so Kristine and Kimberley were well entertained on the train.
Managed to watch the first hour of the ceremony at home, but Grace and I crashed out at 930pm local time when the national teams started marching into the stadium. Did catch up with the replays the next morning.
A dear friend of ours knew someone with tickets to the finals. I asked our friend to book 4 tickets for us to Mens Hockey final thining that wouldnt be a popular event for the local Olympics fans. The official price per ticket is RMB80, and I thought I might have to pay maybe, 3-5 times that, which was okay, but the asking price turned out to be RMB1500. Thats RMB6000 for the family. A 47inch LCD TV screen costs RMB10,000, so we thought it maybe a wiser investment to buy a big TV...
Managed to watch the first hour of the ceremony at home, but Grace and I crashed out at 930pm local time when the national teams started marching into the stadium. Did catch up with the replays the next morning.
A dear friend of ours knew someone with tickets to the finals. I asked our friend to book 4 tickets for us to Mens Hockey final thining that wouldnt be a popular event for the local Olympics fans. The official price per ticket is RMB80, and I thought I might have to pay maybe, 3-5 times that, which was okay, but the asking price turned out to be RMB1500. Thats RMB6000 for the family. A 47inch LCD TV screen costs RMB10,000, so we thought it maybe a wiser investment to buy a big TV...
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Kimberley Went to Wet Market
Kimberley was most intrigued by the donkeys at the wet market, but she dared not touched them. Even getting her to stand close to the donkeys took some serious persuasion.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Feline Zoo
Tagged along with WeiDong (Grace's high school classmate) and his two friends from Xinjiang Province to local tourist spots yesterday afternoon. Photos showing lunch at a farmers' commune by the bank of Mudanjiang River around 1 hour's drive upstream of Mudanjiang city, and a feline zoo where I was allowed to hold a tiger cub for my photo session.
The farmers' commune/village housed 820 residents, boasting a telephone in each household, with annual income averaging RMB8000 per capita. Dining in farmers' villages is in vogue for its greenie healthy appeal. Couldnt find another more scenic spot near the city. Lunch cost RMB160 for 4. Farmers can now command a higher price premium for their basic cuisine. (photo 4: crossing Mudanjiang River on a barge; Photo 5: laundry at river bank among frolicking ducks)
The Feline Zoo housed mostly Northeast (China) Tigers (东北虎）, around 400 tigers, whose daily diet consists of 8.5kg of beef and a live chick. Food for the tigers cost RMB45,000 a day. To maintain the hunting instinct of the tigers (and to enhance revenue), visitors can view live hunting by the tigers by paying for live animals: chicken at RMB100 each. Better angles than the National Geography channel but yours truly here didnt subscribe to this special Pay PerView channel. (Photo 1: closest I have ever been to a 3 yr old white tiger; Photo 2: Holding a 1 yr old cub; Photo 3: Tigers watching us in enclosed van)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Train Tickets
We obtained our train tickets this morning, now on August 7, all in one cabin. This round, the goodwill came from a colleague of Grace's mother. The tickets we bought on Monday were returned for refund. Returning the tickets through normal channels would have incurred a 20% penalty, or RMB420 for our four tickets. We should arrive in Beijing around 11am on August 8. We heard that all flights from Mudanjiang to Beijing have been cancelled duriing the Olympics. Hopefully our train ride back to Beijing will carry no surprises.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Kristine and Kimberley say Hi with JingJing（京京） and DuoDuo（多多）
Kristine and Kimberley have found a new friend in Mudanjiang. The puppy is named JingJing, 2 months old of '贵夫人（Fair Lady)' breed.
Roadside Artist
While waiting for Kristine at a local art class, Grace and I roamed the streets nearby in Mudanjiang city centre and spotted this artist on bicyle making shapes of 12 animals of Chinese astrological birth signs with molasses taffy. He first cut a small piece of taffy from a hot pot, dented the centre, wrapped the sides over the centre to trap an airpocket, and pulled to form a thin tube, from which he blew the taffy into animal shapes. 1 for 3RMB or 2 for 5RMB。 Bought a monkey for Kimberley and a snake for Kristine.
Return trip to Beijing
Today we managed to obtain 4 train tickets from Mudanjiang to Beijing on August 5. Tickets are extremely difficult to buy so close to the Olympics Opening. Took Grace's father several phone calls and much goodwill dispensed to obtain these tickets. 3 tickets are in the same cabin but 1 is in a different cabin. There is hope we may be able to swap tickets with our overnight cabinmate, but chances are not high as it involves swapping an upper bunk for a more convenient and sought after lower bunk. If the fellow passenger sharing our cabin is an elderly, or a mother sharing the bunk with young child (below 1.1m), then our chance is close to zero.
Grace's mother just launched Plan B with another call to her colleague for help, trying to get 4 tickets on August 7 in one cabin. If that fails, Plan C is to fly back to Beijing on August 9. We have officially run out of cash in Mudanjiang and are now making purchases on loans from Grace's mother.... Out of town ATM withdrawals costs 1% in bank fee, capped at RMB100 (ie for withdrawals beyond RMB10,000).
Grace's mother just launched Plan B with another call to her colleague for help, trying to get 4 tickets on August 7 in one cabin. If that fails, Plan C is to fly back to Beijing on August 9. We have officially run out of cash in Mudanjiang and are now making purchases on loans from Grace's mother.... Out of town ATM withdrawals costs 1% in bank fee, capped at RMB100 (ie for withdrawals beyond RMB10,000).
Friday, August 1, 2008
Wet Market
The shower that started last night continued into the morning as rain. A relieving change from daily highs of 33degC to 24degC today. I decided to check the local wet market out on this rainy morning, expecting thinned out vendors and customers, but not to be the case. The produce and fruits here are rich in variety, fresh and cheap (dirt cheap). The farmers are most likely locals judging from the modes of transport they bring their produce to the market. The modes of transport are also the reverse indicators of cost pressure on their produce. Most worked in pairs (possibly husband and wife) but I suspect some families would split up and head to different markets individually. I didnt see any teenage children or under-age children minding the businesses with the adults.
My favourite 'youtiao油条, deep fried bread dough‘sells here at RMB2.50 (A$0.40) for 5, compared to RMB6.5 (A$1) each in Melbourne. Krisitne's favourite 'nan' bread costs RMB8 perkg. I bought 2 handful for RMB2, fresh off the pan.
Sorry to disappoint you guys but I didnt find any dog meats. Just the normal pork, poultry, eggs, produce and fruits. The only exotics I found, and bought are a vegetable '黄花 - literally Yellow Flower', which are harvested early in the morning, sold and cooked same day before the petals bloomed, and a honeydew cousin called '香瓜 - literally Fragrant Melon', which the locals prefer to eat with skin and seeds --- wash, then break the melon in halves and chew from from there. FragrantMelons behind donkey in photo; YellowFlower is a flower bud shaped as a baby corn cob, not in photo. Fragrant Melons at RMB1 per kg; Yellow Flower at RMB8 per kg.
Kimberley's New Glasses
Forgot to bring Kimberley's glasses from Melbourne. Prescribed a new pair for her in Mudanjiang. As in Melbourne, she didnt cooperate with the eye tests. Took a long while, threats and bribes before she gave in. Her long-sightedness is slightly worse at 300, instead of 250 in Melbourne. The new pair weighs more and she complains of discomfort, but she will oblige whenever she is reminded. Her pair costs RMB220 (A$35) and Grace's two new pairs with polarised lenses cost RMB330 (A$60).
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