[jerin]

[people who've picked up their bags to leave.

And squat toilets ... there are still people who don't close the bathroom door in public toilets. The squat toilets at Pudong airport's arrival hall were absolutely filthy. I can't believe it's a newish airport! There's a cleaner there who only mops the floor. At Singapore's airport, the cleaners actually clean ... I wonder what they pay them for ...[/quote]


Hi Raisondetre,

I must say I was very impressed by the clean toilets adn the whole airport as such in Singapore!

[Nerida]

Singapore, whilst crowded, is clean, pristine, and extremely well ordered. Hong Kong much less so. Caitlin, if you have survived India, you will be absolutely fine in China. Shanghai is sophisticated and vibrant, and as a woman travelling alone, I felt absolutely safe being out and about, catching trains and taxis alone and getting about in China - even at night. I wouldn't care to spend more than an hour out in public as a woman alone in India. China doesn't have the massive issues with people living on the streets and railway stations that you get in India, and whilst you will still see beggars occasionally, it is nothing like the beggar industry that you get in Indian cities and tourist spots. There is nothing like the massive slums in China, and generally, people seem relatively happy. You certainly don't see people urinating on the streets and defacating on the railway tracks like in India. Also the disparity between rich and poor, in my experiences (I've been to both in the past 6 months), is not as enormous or as obvious. You would be fine in China! It is very crowded, and a little intimidating to get about outside the major cities, but it is much more user friendly than India!

[Caitlin]

It is very reassuring to hear that about China. My elder daughter has been trying to talk me into China for a year or so, but my memories of India were just too fresh.

You certainly don't see people urinating on the streets and defacating on the railway tracks like in India.

Yes, I did see that multiple times on just one bus ride to the Jakkur airfield in Bangalore. The bus's constant honking was rather grating too.

Being from Arizona, I grew up in large empty spaces, My personal space takes up about 3 acres! I am tense in Tucson Gem show traffic. Jeremy just laughs it off and says even Tuscon's worst doesn't come close to LA!

I have to show you a fairly typical photo on Navajo Nation land where I lived as a teenager..... We all had horses and could go all day without a fence or gate!

This photo is by George Breit, USGS on govt page with no copyright notices.

[GemGeek]

Thanks for that photo Caitlin. I felt myself relax just looking at it.

[Caitlin]

Welll... just one more photo of 5 acres in St Michaels that my sister and I co-own. This is 3 miles from the capitol of Window Rock where I lived during my youth. I have a photo of that I took in 1955 but I'll spare you since it is so off topic...... I think I would do quite well in Mongolia and Siberia in the summer........

[GemGeek]

Great property! Of course San Diego has some nice weather...

[Nerida]

Beautiful place, Caitlin! No wonder you don't like crowds! If you go to India again, try to get up to the mountains, they are breathtaking! And quiet! Try to go to China though with your daughter - it really is fascinating, and changing amazingly fast. Gemgeek, I spent 3 days in San Diego about 7 years ago - it reminded me a lot of Brisbane, my home town! Lovely weather, easy city.

[Amrita]

As a bit of an overawed novice who loves to lurk around on this amazing pearl forum and learn learn learn, I was intrigued enough by all the fascinating posts in this thread to post an itsy-bitsy note of my own... I am from India and live in China, and love pearls! Whatever has been said about China and India here is so true - and so are all the things that have been said about buying pearls in China.

India is a paradox that is complicated and not so easy to understand even for a native like myself - but it is fascinating and beautiful, nevertheless. I think the same can be said for China, which has been my adopted home for 9 years now. There is never a dull moment here. Indian success that we see today lies in the creativity, ingenuinity and entreprenuership of its individual citizens (without much governmental support), while Chinese success lies in the disciplined governmental planning and implementation without much question from the public.

Anyway, I do love pearls, especially the CFWP. Beijing Hongqiao is a must-do trip for anyone visiting Beijing and wanting pearls. While most pearls are not top quality, there are nevertheless gems to be found. Zhuji is the "mecca" of freshwater pearls, and the Shanxiahu market is where the Beijing dealers get their pearls from. But the visit to the Zhuji market is an eye (and mouth) opener for sure!

Will post more here, once I gather courage for another post!

Compliments to all here,

Amrita
www.harmonypearls.com

[GemGeek]

Welcome Amrita! You come from a very rich history. Indians are resourceful and soooo creative. Indian jewelry is a weakness, as is Indian food, particularly bread. I used to make chapatis and parathas all the time when I lived in Nigeria.

Everyone here is interested in the market in China, so if you have any stories, feel free to post them.

[Amrita]

Thank so much for the warm welcome, GemGeek! Ah, so you have lived in Nigeria - for how long and how long ago, may I ask? I love chappatis and parathas too, and still make them!

China is an interesting country to live in, especially now when so much is happening all the time. My city Tianjin which is close to Beijing (a drive of about an hour and a half) is like a huge construction site these days with everything being spruced up to be ready before August when the Olympics begin. It is rather maddening, but it is also heartwarming to know how much the Chinese are keen to impress their august August guests!

I think the spirit of the Olympics and my philosophy (having worked in an international school here as administrator for 7 years) are actually quite similar. I do truly believe that the world is a family and can be brought closer still through international outfits, be it business, educational institutions, charitable foundations and so on.

Doing business here can be fun or exasperating, depending on your perspective, sense of humor and your language proficiency (very important!). I enjoy the negotiations with Chinese pearl merchants/farmers whether it is in Beijing or in Zhuji, and apart from the fact that they are appreciative of my communication with them in their language, they do enjoy doing it all in a lively and humorous manner. My sources are all in Zhuji and even if I do not speak their local dialect, it hasn't really affected our communication as all of them there (and actually everywhere in China) speak Mandarin or Putonghua!

Cheers,

Amrita

www.harmonypearls.com
www.beyondfrontiers.net

[GemGeek]

Very cool!

[Nerida]

Hi Amrita, and welcome!

Yes, I love both India and China (and lots of other places) but the jewellery and gemstones in India are amazing! Would love to go again soon, but sadly, don't have a real reason too at the moment. I'm kind of hoping my son will go back for a year or so, and then I can visit again!

I am off to HK & China next week - the Chinese govt have changed the visa system during this "Olympic" period, so I've had to change my plans a bit and it seems like I might actually go out to Zhuji afterall - if I do I will post some photos to try to explain a bit more about shopping in China and the market itself.... minus the hand puppet, Blaire (unless you can get Octavia to Sydney before Monday morning - she is, of course, most welcome.)

Hope to hear from you again Amrita!
Nerida.

[jerin]

Hi Amrita

and welcome to the forum. Would you care to elaborate on what you meant with "Zhuji is an eye opener"?

Thanks

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by Caitlin

Welll... just one more photo of 5 acres in St Michaels that my sister and I co-own. This is 3 miles from the capitol of Window Rock where I lived during my youth. I have a photo of that I took in 1955 but I'll spare you since it is so off topic...... I think I would do quite well in Mongolia and Siberia in the summer........

Don't you just love the west? I do. Now if we could just get most of these other folks to leave it would e heaven.. And as far as Shanghai goes. I am not impressed. First you have to have your hand on your wallet at all times. And "The Bund" smells like urine. The smog is worse then L.A. in the early 70's. The growth is impressive but again it reminds me of L.A. And the fake ROLEX's aren't as good as in Shenzhen.LOL

[pattye]

Mikeyy,

Don't you just love the west? I do. Now if we could just get most of these other folks to leave it would be heaven.

Are you sure you are not in Oregon???

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time