A Good Year for Marriage
“This is a very good year for getting married!” Well, it sure must be. They really follow their Chinese calendar here. And I thought we had a lot of wedding activities, but I think they are challenging the amount here in China. I sure never expected to find that here. And of all things, March is the favorite month.
A couple of weeks ago, one of my associates, Eric Yuen, approached me in a shy manner in saying he wanted to ask me something. When he asked me to “Come to my wedding party, March 31”, I was both honored and floored. I had no idea he was getting married, much less in such a short time.
Never one to pass up a party, I’m off to Hong Kong soon. From my understanding, it will probably be a typical Decca bash. And this one is at the Hong Kong Shangri-la Hotel. Sounds pretty nice! I look forward to attending.
So it is off to Hong Kong tonight. I return tomorrow to hopefully play golf on Sunday - assuming my back is better ………….. and I recover from the party!
A Woodworking Show in China
Off in the other direction today, to Guangzhou. I had never been to Guangzhou before, and was looking forward to the visit. Guangzhou is at the upper end of the Pearl River Delta, about an hour from Dongguan. It was formerly known as Canton, and is the home of Cantonese food and over 10 million people. It was enjoyable trip, although long and laborious at times.
Our destination was an Exposition Center for a Woodworking Machinery and Materials Show, coupled with a Textile Machinery showing at the same time. It turned out to be much bigger than I expected. I thought it would be about the size of Greensboro show, but it was much bigger. The hall was large and impressive. It did not compare to Atlanta or Milan shows, but it was still pretty good.
Our group of 13 from the factory got a demonstration of a new sanding machine we are to receive in a few weeks. We also found an impressive low cost laser machine for veneer and metal, and we saw a few opportunities in materials.
It was sure fun seeing the machinery. I usually see a lot of friends at every corner at these shows. Not at this one. I did see a couple of local sales reps I’ve met over here, but that was about all at this event. In Atlanta, I can’t go down an aisle without seeing several former associates. So even though it may have looked like a good ole US woodworking show, the Chinese characters on the machines and not seeing friends and associates at every corner sure kept the perspective that this wasn’t home.
After touring a few hours, we headed into Guangzhou for a
BIG late luncheon. It was great. Food kept coming out of the kitchen. We had at least ten kinds of dim sum. As usual over here, it was quite a meal, even if it was without any
unique foods. Two of my associates did jump at the chance to devour the couple of fish heads and tails. They remarked in something that translated that: “it is right in completing the front and end”. I didn’t join in.
The Pearl River Delta
I’ve always been amazed when I look at any map of Dongguan and see how much water is surrounding this area. Particularly, since I rarely have seen any water. Sure I come up the Pearl Delta from Hong Kong on the ferry to Shenzhen; but then I hop in a car and get whisked to Dongguan and never see water again. Yet, you know it is nearby. It contributes to the heavy humidity that constantly hangs here.
Well, the other night I saw a lot more of the water, although it wasn’t easy to see. We had been across the delta on a plant visit. I had been to this factory months ago, but we sure took a different route on the earlier visit. On that trip we didn’t see too much water. On this one, it was as if we were riding on elevated highways and bridges over water the whole two hour trip.
And then on the return we took a different route back. A twist in the road, and suddenly Ah Tong, our driver, was pulling the van onto a ferry.
COOL. Within minutes we were off. Unfortunately, it was much too dark to see much. But two ferries exited both sides of the river delta at the same time to crisscross paths. There was a lot of traffic being hauled across the river.
It was a cool but fairly comfortable evening. We sat outside most of the trip enjoying the breeze. As usual, a group of locals all came staring at my height and size. They always show up gawking beside me as they make gestures with their hands above their heads trying to reach the height of the top of my head, in comparing to their own diminutive size.
It only took ten minutes to traverse across to Fumen, and then we were off again and back to Dahlingshan. The river delta definitely has a lot of water channels and swamp areas. But the infrastructure of highways, ferries, and bridges keeps traffic moving through it all.
Fish Head Hot Pot
Nothing like a dinner out with friends. ……. Unless, the menu is
FISH HEADS!! Well, no better option for the night, so I opted to join in with some of my compatriots from work to another hot pot restaurant. This one was in Houjie, one of the many towns of this large city of Dongguan.
The restaurant was very nicely appointed, and included many Westerners dining at tables when we entered late on this Thursday night. Well, at least that meant there had to be more than fish heads. Soon a waiter was pouring hot tea for everyone from the longest spout on a tea pot I’ve ever seen. He was pretty good at it, until he tried showing off a little too much with a pour behind his back and slopped more on my pants than in the cup.
Soon we were into the Tsingtao pi jiu (beer), and a large copper pot was being filled with a delicious looking tomato soup. Then here came the fish heads. They at least looked better than most I’ve been served. But then came two plates of cooked and seemingly pickled dishes. Only I found out too soon what they were: fish skins and duck tongue. At least they were better than the next dish of stomach lining from something – I never did get a good translation from what – not that I really wanted it.
But there it was: YES! A plate of rolled beef!! I was in luck. The noodles were great too. They told me they were a special type, and they did taste delicious. We cooked our own delicacies in the broth. The waitress dipped out bowls of the tomato soup for consumption too. It was great. ………….. I passed on the fish heads. I did try the fish skin and duck tongue and even the stomach lining………… that was enough of that stuff.
My camera was acting up a little. I think I’m burning out the battery to the point it doesn’t recharge easily between shots. But I did get a few that I will post.
Another very interesting meal in China. I’m definitely loosing weight with this diet.
Friday Night in the Office
Well, it’s Friday night, almost 8 PM, and I’m in the office waiting for a ride back to Dongguan. At least, I’m listening to Bill Flynn and Lora Songster on WMAG from the streaming broadcast of WMAG in High Point. My driver got stuck in a traffic jam somewhere, so I’m the odd man out waiting for a ride. Sorta my luck lately.
It’s not the first time I’ve been here on a Friday night either. Andy you know, here the work never seems to end. Even at this hour most of the office staff is still here. They have already been to the dining area for dinner, and now they are back at the office until 8 o’clock on a Friday night. Try to find that at any office in America.
And around me I just came across the courtyard of the factory, and it’s still bustling too. Lights are on in most buildings. A truck is delivering plywood out at the street. Hand trucks are rolling across the ceiling above my office, which means the finishing area is still working and units are coming in from the cabinet department.
I keep saying that the biggest difference here in China is not that they work so fast. It’s that they work so many hours. Take into account the limited vacation and holiday time they take off, and you have a lot more hours of production here!
Okay, I did just have a massage. What a great perk! (Go back in the archives to read about my earlier massage experiences.) That is one of the reasons I’m here this late. Now it’s off to dinner soon, at least I hope. I’m gonna go look for my driver. Have a great weekend! ……………. Oh yea, I’ll be right back here on Saturday at 8:30 AM too. We work everyday here too.
A Golf Joke?
An Brit, a Kiwi, a North Carolinian, and a Korean were playing golf in China. The North Carolinian works in furniture. The Brit is part owner of an upholstery plant in China. The North Carolinian meets the Kiwi and finds out he works with La-Z-Boy. He asks the Korean what business he’s in, and the Korean responds: “Furniture”.
WAIT…… This isn’t a joke. This was my foursome on Sunday. That did happen! What a small world huh? Here I joined my British friend Lucas for golf. He brought the Kiwi, Chris, who regularly visits for La-Z-Boy from New Zealand. We get paired with Kim from Korea. As we are playing, I really did ask Kim “What business are you in?”. When he responded “Furniture”, I couldn’t believe it. Here we had four guys from four different countries, all working in furniture and now playing golf together in China. I guess that goes to show the importance of China for furniture.
Entrance to the Royal Garden Hotel in Dalang Town, Dongguan, PRC.
Another New Hotel - Royal Garden
They keep getting bigger and better here.
Ya gotta wonder when it’s gonna slow down.
By the looks of construction around the country:
No time soon.
It was Friday evening, and my friend Vicky told me her brother from Toronto was visiting the plant and would like a tour. I was nominated. But she also invited me to go out with a couple of others for dinner. Now ya gotta realize that Friday nights are unusual over here. Half of the Decca Hong Kong staff heads out for home by mid-afternoon. Tony, our VP of Operations, and myself are usually the only senior managers left in Dongguan. Those few of us that are here, often go out for dinner nearby.
On this Friday evening we took off after work around 8 PM – yep we work that late – even on Friday! Soon Tony informed us we were headed to a new hotel in Dalang, a neighboring town from our factory. An industrial town, known for it’s textile factories, it wasn’t much of a town to write home about ……. But the hotel sure is! What a place! Fountains and huge lobbies. Wonderful indoor gardens. Antiquities from Chinese history. And a Japanese restaurant that was fantastic.
Now why the doormen or doorwomen wear kilts was a little unusual. Don’t really think that went with the theme of the hotel. But once you get on inside it is one incredible hotel. A huge lobby of crystal and ornaments is simply amazing. The furniture was a little too modern for my taste, but they seem to like that style here in hotels.
Wandering on past massive water balls, we came to an oasis garden in the middle of the hotel that was truly incredible. Tall bamboo was spread amongst pools of water. Fountains cascaded all around. A tall marble stairway led up to a glass enclosed observation type tower… at least I thought that at the time.
Tony led us on a tour of the ground floor to show off Chinese antiques the owners had invested wisely in preserving. There were wooden carts with wine casks. Tables, benches, and troughs were hundreds of years old. An ornamental gong inspired thoughts of ancient royal announcements.
Making our way back to the garden, we ascended the stairway to our destination of a new Japanese restaurant. To my surprise, that room I thought was an observation tower was our dining area. What a place! A grill of over 10’ long was angled inside and surrounded by about 7-8 chairs. Overlooking the garden was just incredible. My chair along the glass wall looked down the twenty plus feet below to the garden and other dining areas.
Soon Alice, our cook for the evening, came and turned our attention from the view outside our room to her grill. What a marvelous cook, and wonderful food. Sushi, lobster, fish, tempura, steak, miso soup, salad, and even a flaming ice cream and banana dessert. Just spectacular!! We ate like royalty in the fantastic tower. The sake was pretty good too!!
Taking leave for a visit to a nearby washroom, I spied a bright blue light in another room and took a peak. Another fabulous restaurant; this one, Italian. The manager, Tim, quickly gave us a tour and invited us to return.
I know I write too much about food here. But this place, the Royal Garden Hotel, deserves more attention. The steak was some of the best I’ve had in China. The lobster was delicious. We had more attendants than there were members of our group. And the setting was simply spectacular.
Yes, another new hotel. The Royal Garden Hotel in Dalang. They just keep on building newer and better. ………….. My compliments on this one!
More pictures can be found from the link in the right column.
Our dinner group at the Royal Garden Hotel. Key and Tony seated in front; Vicky and Xiao Pan in second row, and me in the rear.
Me with our three cooks at the Japanese restaurant. Alice, our extraordinary Chief Cook is on the left.
Hong Kong Brands
Hong Kong, What a City! How do ya characterize this city? On a weekend where Chris and I spent much of our time walking around Hong Kong Island, we saw a lot. We also probably spent too much time contemplating life over a couple of great beers at a wonderful outdoor brewery. So we had time to think about it.
One of the main things you really come to realize about this place is how it is so brand oriented. Now most of ya probably know that I’m not much of a city kind of guy, so I’ve not spent too much time in New York or Chicago or London and the like, but I dare say this island has more brand stores than any other! You just wouldn’t believe it.
First, ya got Landmark Mall with Dior, and Ralph Lauren, and Louis Vuitton. And then ya go around the corner and there are three Giordano stores wihin. Then over here is Prada and Calvin Klein. Down here is Gucci. Go to the next section of the city, and it seems to repeat. There’s another Gucci and another Louis Vuitton. Take the Star Ferry across the harbor to Ocean City Mall, and there they all are again. There must be half a dozen Ralph Lauren stores.
Hong Kong really loves brand goods. You do see some department stores, but brand boutiques far out number the big stores. And these brand stores are packed with people, so they must be buying. Why else would they keep opening another new brand store every few meters?
This is definitely Brand city!!
On a Sunday in Hong Kong
Off to the Races! At least that was our plan. Until we found out the races weren’t so close. Turned out there are two horse tracks in Hong Kong, and on this Sunday the races were out in the New Territories. We could have gone, but it would have been a long ride on the MTR (subway system) with at least three transfers. ………….. We decided to forego the thoroughbreds to look at other horses; more prone and simple natured: antique ones.
I talked Chris into giving me a tour of Hollywood Road. Now I’ve seen most of Hong Kong and even been in cabs through this Soho section before, but I had never really stopped along the famous antique shops of the neighborhood. I’m not sure why it has the name “Hollywood”. But the place is impressive. It was more like touring museum after museum. Some of the furniture and pieces looked to be copies, but many were incredible pieces of art.
We were in one shop, and my mouth dropped open at the accompanying historical record of a piece of potter. It said “Five Dynasties” 907 A.D. This wasn’t just some early American table that might be a couple of hundred years old. No! This was a carved intricate piece of porcelain of warriors on horses that was over 2000 years old!!
Nearby were these dark slim statues that turned out to be famous soldiers that once guarded the tombs of some emperors. In fact, the storeowner showed us a 2003
Time magazine article about the discovery of these pieces and how their store was prominently mentioned as owner of many of the statues. She went on to also tell us that the Chinese government was negotiating their return. She also told me to stop taking pictures. Oh well. It was too late, for I had already taken many with her husband beside me, and he had never said “no”.
But isn’t the age of these antiquities amazing. Truly we are narrow minded sometimes in America in regards to our great heritage, and then setting up these historical sites for every early fort or house in the country, when none are over 300 years old. These antiques are thousands of years old here!! I actually could have bought these pieces and walked out with them! Okay, maybe not……………. I couldn’t afford ‘em.
Passport Time
I’m in Hong Kong again! No other choice this time. My Visa to work in China ran out. Yep, it’s been six months on a multi-entry Visa that gave me the right to come in and out of China, as long as I did it every thirty days. Hopefully, I will get the same again this time.
But I also had to get a new US passport. I was surprised to find a few weeks ago, that even though my passport does not expire until June, that that is not good enough in a lot of countries. See, when I was on my way to Thailand several weeks ago, I was turned away from the ferry because I didn’t have six months remaining on my passport. Seems Thailand requires at least six months. Turned out to only be four months, but it sure woke me up to a need to get moving to get a new passport.
So a few weeks ago, I paid the US Consulate in Hong Kong a visit. Talk about security. It was a heck of a search. We think airports are tough. Its really good to see, even though its regrettable, but they do one heck of a security job at these State Department facilities. I couldn’t even keep my cell phone on me. After searches, any electronic device, from my camera to my Ipod were confiscated and held at the entry.
Then in a pretty efficient manner I was called to a window where they took my forms and corrected what was necessary. I was then shuttled to a cashier for payment, and then told to return in at least 10 days.
Yesterday, I did as instructed and showed up at an exterior window to get my new passport. There was a long line of citizens trying to get Visas to enter the US, but me, as an American, took priority and I was shuttled to the front to pickup my new passport. I had it within 10 minutes an was on my way. Pretty efficient.
Back to the Visa. Today I had to reapply for a new Visa. Now I wait. Hopefully the two passports and actions underway don’t cause any problems and Monday afternoon I’ll be ready to return to China for another six months of work. In the meantime, I get to enjoy Hong Kong. Good time to be here too. I’ve got a lot of Decca folks coming in this weekend. Chris Plasman is already here and we’re enjoying some good meals. Monday, it could be another typical Decca party and dinner. Can’t wait.
Hong Kong contact info is in order until Tuesday China time. That’s phone number +852 6535 7553. In the meantime, we’re off to the pub!
The Oscars
Who won the Oscar for Best Director Award? Most of you probably know by now, that it was Ang Lee, the director of
Brokeback Mountain. You also realize, I hope, that he is Chinese. He is from Taiwan. He was educated in the United States and has worked for some time in Hollywood. But his influences are from his Chinese heritage.
The award to Lee has brought great pride to all Chinese. There was a recognized buzz around here yesterday when conversation started about the Oscars. Newscasts prominently highlighted Ang Lee’s victory as a victory for China. They even broadcast the Oscars live here yesterday morning. Live broadcast of Western events is pretty limited. (Nevertheless, I didn’t watch it.)
The unexpected loss of
Brokeback Mountain for Best Picture to the upset winner
Crash left a lot of others here pretty upset. I heard that it wasn’t right that the movie with Best Director did not also get Best Picture. The pride of the people of China was hurt on not getting the top award. That is they way they think. Look out for more influence by these folks!
http://www.forbes.com/technology/feeds/ap/2006/03/07/ap2574937.html
A New DVD Player
Shopping in China can be a real pain for an ex-pat. It is bad enough to try to get by the language barriers, but then ya gotta put up with the odd ways of Chinese merchants.
Yesterday I decided to break down and buy a new DVD player. So after I got here I purchased one for 180 RMB. That’s about $30. I guess that was too cheap. I finally realized a few weeks ago that something must be wrong. Now this took some investigation. I was noticing that most DVDs were stopping after about 1-½ hours. Now when all ya get here is copy DVDs, I at first just figured I got bad copies! (I have tried to buy originals – but they don’t even know what an original is here!)
Well, after several jammed in a row, I did a little trial and error with some other DVDs and concluded my little cheap unit just wasn’t doing too well anymore. It only seemed to have about an hour of good playtime. Is that when the reader is trying to read the small circles???
Anyway, back to my shopping experience. Off I went to a couple of stores. At the first, I immediately started quizzing to find a remote controller in English! That is a must. I’ve already got a lot of appliances that I can’t read! (Try that out folks!) Well, they found me a nice Sony with an all English remote controller. So next question, are the on screen menus in English? And sure enough, the salesman quickly had it switched to English! All right. Next question: “多少錢 “ or “duo shao qian” for “How much?” He told me: “500RMB”. Sounded good to me: “I’ll take it”.
Wow, that was good. And quick too. But……….. he took off to check something. I think he was going to a boss about the sale. As I waited, I realized the manual was not in English. Oh well, I could get by with the English controller and menus. But the wait became longer. Finally he showed up with some excuse that the computer wasn’t working and he couldn’t sell it to me!!?? I think that was one of those: “We need more money from the foreigner” excuses! I’ve seen it far too many times. You get a price agreed from a clerk, and then a manager realizes the clerk is talking to a foreigner and the price goes up. To say the least, I left!
Two more places and nothing. No English menus or remotes! I was really getting frustrated. Okay, one more big shopping center to try. I made my way several blocks and across one of these crazy streets where I practically ran across the street to not get run over.
Sure enough… they had a similar Sony unit. Even had a couple of other choices. Prices were well marked too. I even found PAL and NTSC choices (in case I want it to work in the US in the future). So I finally made my purchase. It cost a few more RMB than that first 500RMB quote. I really think the salesman at that first place misquoted poorly and couldn’t get out of it without just backing out entirely.
Well, next I had to go through the ordeal of paying. Now you
would think that would be simple. In America, we try to simplify that process and get ya out of the store. Not here. Too much distrust everywhere, so they break up all the functions in the store. First the salesperson had to write up the sale. He had to get it approved by a manager. Okay this time! Then I had to take that paper way across the store to a cashier and pay and get a stamped receipt. Then I had to bring that back to the DVD department to another person to get my player. After checking it carefully, another person wraps it for removal. And finally I got the player to walk out.
I’ve had some situations where there is another stop of verification after that process at a stand near the entry. Always double-checking. At least the labor of all these people is cheap enough for them.
I’m now on a marathon catching up on the last hour of about a dozen movies I had not finished! Now, if I could just figure out how to get those English menus! I know there is a way,
but I have to read Chinese to get it to change!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!
Newlyweds and A Bus
Riding the roads around here is always an interesting experience. Everyday there are unique sights. And the drive is more than a little exciting. They say the Chinese will be flocking to Disneyland Hong Kong now for the rides, but I don’t think they will be very impressed after the thrills they get daily riding on the highways here.
Today, we saw something on the way to work that I hadn’t seen before on the roads here. It
was amusing. A heavily decorated car evidently fresh from a marriage of a couple was making its way down the highway. What was more interesting though was how there were two other cars in the caravan with lights flashing. Again you say that may not be too indifferent than the chase that may accompany a couple fleeing a wedding scene in America. And maybe it wasn’t, but theswe newlyweds weren’t trying to flee the scene. They were taking their time. In fact, the lead car had an open sunroof with
a guy perched out the top taking a movie of the couple as it slowly crept through the city! They really love to get video of every act of a new couple. ………….. Okay, maybe not every act.
The other day was something I’ve seen far too often, that I would rather not see on the roads. It was a vehicle running a red light. Now you would not believe how common that can be here. Rarely is the time that a vehicle doesn’t pass through on a red cycle. Motorcycles seem to never stop. I have one driver that goes through at least two on every trip. And that’s with only about four lights on the route to and from home. I hate to admit it, but I’ve gotten used to it.
But this one was a little frightening. It was a large city bus passing right through a red light!! I mean
a very large city bus. Folks were scattering in the crosswalk to not get run over, as the bus driver just blasted his loud horn. We were stopped with traffic at the light waiting for green. Here comes the bus rounding us on our left, right in the incoming lanes, just passing all the stopped cars and blasting its way across the intersection. And then it wheeled all the way across three lanes of traffic to the bus stop ahead.
Wouldn’t you want to jump on that bus with that driver at the wheel!!
