Shanghai Disney

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Disney. The happiest place on earth.  With locations in Anaheim, California, Orlando, Florida,  Marne-la-Vallée (near Paris), France, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, China, and Urayasu, Chiba, Japan there is a place close to almost everyone.

And now Disney has made the world even smaller. By opening a new location with an amazing and large park in Shanghai, China. And it’s sure to become the premier park in Asia.

One of the first things you’ll notice as you go through the gate is the lady holding the sign that says please don’t run.  This is something of the norm in China. I have seen signs similar to this when visiting the terra-cotta warriors and the Great Wall of china.

Disney is new to the Chinese. And all though they don’t know all the characters or movies, that’s soon to change.  Frozen is the favorite at Shanghai Disney but they still love the rides. The TRON roller coaster seems to be one of the favorites of the young in China. And they all want to be first every morning.

All of your favorites are here. Including Dumbo, the Snow White and the seven dwarfs roller coaster, Peter Pan, the carousel just to name a few. There are also many new characters, most Notably the cast of Frozen.  This is in the form of a live stage show where all of your favorite songs are acted out and sung…in Chinese.

And, of course, there is what I believe should be everybody’s favorite ride. And that’s Pirates of the Caribbean.  This one is also in Chinese but in my opinion is one of the greatest rides of all time. Also the language difference is not a deterrent as this ride relies on technology.

One of the most interesting part of this Disney land is the locals that are constantly trying to sell non authorized Disney memorabilia.  From the time you stand in line until you go home that night, locals can be found in and out of the park selling these cheap knock offs.  They also offer to be a guide for those that aren’t familiar with the park.  Although I didn’t see any, I’m sure that they offer guides that can translate as well.

 

You can also exit the Disney gate and go into the Disney village.  This offers many restaurants including the Cheesecake Factory.  It also includes many shopping areas including the Disney store. there are bands that play in the center of the village and it keeps the Disney Spirit as well as cleanliness.  I asked but it seems that penny wasn’t working the day we were there.  Maybe she was out selling pharmaceuticals to some of her new clients.

 

So if you’re looking for something. Or if you would like to hear all of your favorite characters speaking Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese or French do your self a favor and go to all the Disney’s located throughout the world.  Each and every one of them are indeed the happiest places on earth.

 

The China Most Foreigners Don’t See

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China has some of the most beautiful buildings in the world.  The government owns most of these buildings and all of the land. Individuals can purchase a home (condo) in these buildings. However, the ownership is a 70-year lease. Even though prices in Shanghai start at one million dollars, no one really knows whats going to happen after the 70-year lease is over.In local tourist areas such as Jingan Temple shown in these two pictures, you can see the building are very well kept and the facades are really amazing. Jingan Temple is in the city of Shanghai.

If you’re lucky enough to own a house in one of these tourist areas, or on a road where government officials or westerners would be traveling, the government spends the money to keep these facades incredible. It’s a way for China to maintain face throughout the world.

So what happens to some of the buildings that aren’t close to tourist areas or the main roads? What happens to the areas the government doesn’t care about, or worse, has decided to tear down but the tenants aren’t willing to leave.

We lived in an area in Shanghai where just such thing was happening,  As I would walk back and forth to work I would notice people were still living in these partially demolished buildings.  I don’t know why I never took pictures of this but I didn’t and for that I am sorry,

I took these pictures in a city called Harbin. It’s a northern city in China close to the Russian border. As you can see the government isn’t keen on these building. They’re in the middle of the city. But, they look like a  small town in the country that’s close to being unlivable.

It’s not uncommon to see chickens or other livestock living in the middle of the city.  In areas like this, you can see chickens and goats living in the confines of the project.

I understand that all countries have ghetto areas.  In a communist country such as China, I find it funny these areas are so run down. Other areas close to them have been are new and remain pristine. I have walked through here a few times now and have seen Audi’s and BMW’s parked out front of the homes.

 

In America, the American Government separates children from their parents everyday

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Yes you read that right.   In America, the American government separates children from their parents everyday. If you don’t believe this statement, go to any courthouse in any county in America. Sit there for one day and see for yourself.  This is, of course, done by the American Government and Judicial system.  The Department of Family Services was once known as the Department of Social Services. And they take children away from their families everyday and place them in Foster Care.

Why is this done you ask?  Well, the department of family services has said these people are unfit parents.  Or the parents were doing illegal activities, usually to support the family, and will be, or are in prison. So why are Americans up in arms and screaming about the border patrol separating children from their families at the border?

Now I know what you are saying.  Your saying, “Sure that happens in America but those people are criminals, or drug addicts, or too poor to care for their children.  Those children deserve to be taken away from them.  It is in their best interest. Well, the last time I looked, it was against the law to come to a country without a visa. Unless you are seeking refuge from political or religious persecution you need a visa to enter another country. There is no war in Mexico or South America.  There is no religious persecution coming from latin countries.

All of these people are coming to try to flee poverty and get away from The latin Gangs. Instead, they bring poverty with them and the gang members come with them, setting up shop in our country. In any country around the world, if you get caught living without a valid visa, you will go to jail and you will be deported. Usually with the stipulation that you can not re-enter that country for next two to four years.

So why do you care more about the people living illegally in our country that we do our own citizens?  Why are we willing to destroy American families and arrest American citizens and then allow cities to let violent criminals go because they are illegal immigrants? Most of these criminals will go on to commit more crimes, including raping and killing American Citizens.

I’ve thought about this a lot over the past few weeks. I read an article about Peter Fonda. He was apologizing for tweeting something horrible about Trump because of the border children.I don’t think any one read it but he wanted to be sure to make the news.  You remember Peter Fonda.  His father was Henry Fonda.  Henry Fonda was one of the greatest actors Hollywood has ever known.  He also has a sister named Jane Fonda.  Jane Fonda sided with the north Vietnamese during the Viet nam war. She even gave shows and support to one of Americas enemies at the time.

Peter has had one decent movie appearance in his entire career and that was Easy Rider.  Unfortunately for him, his acting was over shadowed by both Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson.  Are all of these people actually making noise about this so they can get their 15 minutes of fame? Do they just hate Donald trump for keeping his campaign promises or do they truly care about these children?

If they truly care about the children, I wish they would do more to try to clean up America.  Lets stop American children from living the horror of not having a father or mother or both because they have been deemed bad parents by the system.  Lets stop homelessness from our American children and let stop American children from going to bed hungry.  Wouldn’t it be nice to get your 15 minutes of fame for the right reasons? Not just because you believe you are special enough to turn a blind eye to America’s problems and humanitarian enough to take care of the rest of the world?

So before we worry about the thorn in the eye of the rest of the world, why don’t we take out the log from our own?

China Survival Guide

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After living in China for almost 10 years, I have found many things we as foreigners should carry with us if we come here for a visit.  Below is a list of things to be aware of and to have with you at all times.

Squat toilets.  A squat toilet is basically a porcelain hole in the ground where you squat over it to do your business.  Most major hotel chains will have regular toilets in their restrooms in the lobby.  Chinese call the restroom the WC.  If your ever in need, repeating WC to many people should find you a restroom. Of course all hotel rooms will have sit down toilets. If you are in Shanghai or Beijing you have a good chance the major malls will have a regular sit down toilet.

If you are in other cities in China, plan on finding only squat toilets in the same malls.  Restaurants and bars mainly have squat toilets and some restaurants will have no bathroom at all.  Major bars and clubs that cater to foreigners should have sit down toilets.  If you go through the airports and into the other cities malls, the sit down toilets have signs on them that say they are for the week or handicapped.

If you have never used a squat toilet, it’s something we as foreigners have a hard time doing.  For this reason I suggest you carry a change of underwear with you. It might not be a bad idea to carry an extra pair of pants as well.

 Of course as with any place you go it is always a good idea to carry tissue or toilet paper with you.  Sometimes you can buy toilet paper for 1 RMB. Sometimes they don’t have a vending machine on the wall that sells tissue. And sometimes it’s sold out.  Besides, if you don’t read Chinese you might not be able to know what it says.

Restaurants:  Having tissue handy is not only good for the rest room, it is also good for the restaurants.  There are no napkins or paper towels in China.  Most restaurants don’t have free tissue but they do have a packet for you to purchase. Likewise the grocery store’s will charge you for each bag. The packet of tissue is not very expensive but not all restaurants offer this so be safe and carry your own with you.

If you can’t use chopsticks, please bring your own fork and spoon.  Restaurants don’t have forks although they will have knives and spoons.  Salt is another commodity that restaurants in China don’t have.  If you must have salt on your food, as most Americans do, bring it with you.

Also be aware that you are not going to find a restaurant, other than western restaurants, that serve ice with their drinks. Chinese don’t drink many cold drinks and I have never seen any put ice in any liquids.  They love to drink hot water, which is very good for your health. They also don’t mind warm soda or warm beer.  Many restaurants will have refrigeration of drinks in the summer so you can get get something cold.  However in the winter, even some of the convenience stores turn off the refrigeration, leaving only warm drinks to be had.

Enjoy your stay in China as it is one of the most amazing places on earth.  Just remember to bring some of your favorite items to make it more enjoyable for you.

 

Prejudice in China

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China as well as many of the countries I have visited hold many prejudices.  It seems that Western countries, Australian included, are the only ones that want to change this ignorant, prejudice way of thinking. Most of these countries believe the darker your skin, the more you’re destined to do a labor job. As an example, if you go to Mexico, you will see the dark skinned Mexicans cleaning the rooms and doing the maintenance.

Now with this is mind I would like to say that I am an American.  I am white and at the time of this incident was in my early 50’s. I never believed I would be the victim of prejudice. The job I do in China requires me to give a 10-15 minute talk at the begging of each presentation.  During this talk, I show a very fast 3 minute movie. I always stand on the side of the room waiting for it to finish.

We had potted plants placed strategically around the room. On this particular day I noticed one of the pots was broke with sharp edges sticking out of it.  I didn’t give it much thought and at the end of the movie I walked to the front of the room. I must have unintentionally brushed the pot with my leg as I walked by. It was obviously cut. The question was how bad.  During the rest of the presentation I kept looking at the floor to see if  any blood was dripping from my leg.

After my talk, I walked to the back of the room and lifted up my pants leg.  The blood had filled my shoe and had completely saturated my talk.  My co workers watched and seemed to think it was much worse than I thought it was.

All of the companies I work for employ a translator for me.  These are usually young girls right out of university. They are basically on call 24 hours a day in case I have a problem or need their help.  Pretty nice set up for me as they would go with me to buy grocery’s, get my haircut, hail taxi’s and basically be my voice where I don’t speak or understand their language.

So my translator freaks out.  She has never seen someone cut and bleeding as bad as I was.   I called the boss and told him of my problem and we were off to the hospital. Now going to a Chinese hospital is a story all on its own.  There are no doctors offices as we know them in the West and there are always thousands of people there.  Se we sit and wait.  Me in my suit and my translator, whom I’m sure everyone thought was my girlfriend wherever we went, getting more anxious as the minutes went by.

It was finally my turn and we went into the office that specializes in stitching people up.  I’ve had many stitches during my life and knew it would take about 3-5 stitches to close this up and stop the bleeding. I pulled up my pant leg to show my wound and thought I was in luck because the doctor spoke English. I looked at him and said, it should only take a few stitches to which he said. “You need to go a different hospital, your a foreigner and I don’t help foreigners.”

My mouth must have dropped open a little as he turned away and went to another patient that was calmly waiting for him.  My translator started crying and yelling at the doctor.  “Does he have a different body than us?”  Etc. Etc.  I looked at him and said. “Why don’t you just sell me the U shaped needle and I can stitch it up my self?”  Cuts like that are usually numb after you cut them and stitching them up is not that painful.  The hardest part is making sure it doesn’t get infected and finding that U shaped needle.

The conversation between him and my translator continued and I sat there watching all of this as if I was in a dream.  “Well this could be worse”. I thought. “This could be the early 1900’s.  I could be black and living in America. And, I could be hung in a tree because of no other reason than my skin color.

I can’t imagine what black people went through during this horrible time in American history and I apologize for every ignorant white person that has ever lived.  I truly wish the racist’s of America could experience something like this. Maybe then they would understand how it feels to be judged and persecuted for nothing more than the color of your skin. Its even harder for me to imagine what black paople go through living in a foreign country.

I have many black friends living in China and feel very fortunate to have been able to meet them. I can’t imagine what they go through living in a Foreign country and have the utmost respect for their bravery and resilience.  They have told me stories and believe me, ignorance around skin color and people that don’t look like them runs rampant.

So anyway, the doctor must have had enough because he stood up and walked out the door. His assistant looked at my translator and said.  “I’ll do it for him but we have to do it fast before he comes back.  He is my boss and I could get into a lot of trouble if he finds out.  He took me into a back room and very carefully cleaned the wound and put in three stitches, smiling and sending me out the door.  I have never been so thankful for the kindness of another.  So yes my friends, prejudice is alive and well in China as well as in most countries around the world.  Fortunately for us, there are always non ignorant people that are there to help us during our time of need and restore our faith in humanity.

The purest ignorance found on our planet today is in the form of prejudice.