BIG IN JAPAN

Actually being big in Japan has been a pretty good thing, since they revere big men here.    I got to Japan on Monday and have spent the past couple of days visiting relatives, seeing old friends and touring Tokyo.  Sorry it has been a while since my last post, but I have not had internet access for some time, and the team kept me busy too.  But have a look at Japan.  It is beautiful and clean here.

ASAKUSA

This is my mom (right) and my mom’s cousin (left) at Asakusa.  It is a temple and outdoor market.  It was beautiful and the souvenirs here were mega-expensive, so we just bought some snacks (Japan has even yummier snacks than China or Korea!!  But they are also way more expensive).  My mom’s mom’s two youngest brothers and their families live in Japan.  At one time, my mom’s whole side lived in Japan.  In fact, My mom was born in Osaka and lived there until she was 5.

OLD WORLD ELEGANCE AND NEW WORLD BEAUTY

Women (both young and old) still wear kimonos in Japan.  It is not too common, but all over the place (the supermarket, the train station, dept. stores, etc.) I saw women in these intricately woven throwbacks.  Actually, I thought all the women I saw in kimonos were so attractive.  There is just something about asian women in traditional garb, be it a Japanese Kimono, a Korean Hambok or a Chinese silk dress.  So attractive.  Koreans should wear Hamboks. 

JAPANESE RAUMEN

My first (and last) dinner in Japan was at two different raumen places.  Raumen is a popular dish in Japan and I had to eat a bowl when I first came.  My mom and I were referred to two places.  The first was a pork based broth place and the second was a soy sauce based broth place.  Both were awesome.  I could eat this everyday.  The noodles were nothing like the instant kind I have eaten.  Sapporo Ichiban is not ichiban (#1).  The real stuff is so much better.  This pic is of the pork based broth raumen.  Raumen is so popular in Japan, they even have a raumen museum in Yokohama.  We also ate Korean BBQ.  The restaurant we ate at is owned by my relatives.  It’s called Keijoen and is located in Yokohama.  We had Kobe Kalbi, Naeng Myun, Hae Mul Pa Jeon, Jab Chae, Yook Hwe Jang, and Bibimbab.  It was the best Korean meal I have ever had, anywhere.  It was so fresh and tasty.  The Kobe Kalbi melted in my mouth and the Naeng Myun Noodles were thicker and chewier and just better.  We also ate delicious tempura.  The Japanese know how to eat.  Especially the Korean-Japanese.  Especially my relatives. 

OLD FRIENDS

From left to right, it is, Theresa Cho, my mom, Yoon Yu, Young Kee Yu (aka Verbal of m-flo and Teriyaki Boyz), me, and Carl Cho.  Carl and Theresa were visiting en route to Singapore where they are starting m*ssions work with Go Fest Asia.  Carl & Young Kee are my former students from Boston so it was so nice to see them with their wives.  Yoon, Young Kee’s wife is also from my old ch*rch.  She is as sassy and funny as ever.  She gave me this “rare” Japanese candy.  It turned out to be mutton flavored Genghis Khan Brand Caramel.  I almost yaked.  My mom liked it.  Go figure.

I was so happy to see these guys.  Seeing them made me remember the old days in Boston.  I am so proud of both of them.  Young Kee went to GCTS and Carl went to Wheaton Grad School.  They met at BC and have been best buddies since.  Now both are in ministry (Young Kee, music and Carl, overseas m*ssions).  So honored to be in both their lives.    Pr*y for both of them as they minister.  Carl & Theresa are still fund-raising, so if anyone wants to support them, let me know.  They can use your pr*yers as they prepare to spend the next three years in Singapore.  Young Kee and Yoon can use your prayers too.  Being in the music business in Japan is a challenge.  But Young Kee has been so bold about his faith.  Pr*y that Carl & Theresa will bless the tsunami-hit areas of Asia and pr*y that Young Kee and Yoon will be salt and light in Japan.

PR*Y FOR JAPAN

I will leave you with this.  Japan is a hard, hard place for the g*spel ministry.  Buddhism and Shintoism have kept people in the dark and because it is so financially prosperous and nice here, there is little room for G*d in people’s lives.  This country needs pr*yer and so do my relatives.  None of them go to ch*rch, but my mom has been reaching out to them and gave her cousin a Japanese-English B*ble.  Pr*y for G*d’s mercy on their lives.

THEY’RE HERE!!

Our friends from CCPC came in on Sunday night safe and sound, except they stranded Esther at the Beijing airport!    But she got here on the next flight safe and sound too.  Pr*ise God!  We took them out to a great dumpling house for their first authentic Chinese meal and they all loved it.  Here are some pics:

Here is Esther grabbing for one of the yummiest dumplings in Zhengzhou, David looking lovely and jetllagged, John buried in his bowl of rice, and JC the guy (an English teacher friend), JC the girl, and Evan looking hard.

That’s Amy intently observing David comment on the Chinese food, Mincha helping herself to thirds, Mison hiding as she grabs another piece of pork and Diana, trying to see if Esther is speaking English, Chinese or Korean.  As you can see, we ate ALOT!  Dumplings, Meat in crepes, vegetables of all sorts, noodles, and more dumplings.

On Monday, we took them on a walking tour of Zhengzhou.  We went to the Henan Museum and the Zoo.  Here they are.  Aren’t they adorable? 

BEGINNER’S ENGLISH

Amy, Diana, Mincha, and Evan were given one of my students to teach the oral English class one on one (Lisa was not able to make it, so Evan couldn’t have the class.  Thankfully, there will be another one on Friday).  Here are some pics. . .

Here is Amy with Chen.  It was a challenge for Amy, since Chen’s English is most rudimentary, but she stepped up and did a fantastic job.  Using her knowledge of phonics and her leadership skills, she helped Chen in just the way he needed.  She was furiously writing on the Markerboard and making sure he was following.  They couldn’t have much of a conversation, but I am certain she left a great impression.  (Chen is not wearing his glasses to impress Amy.  SO CUTE!!)

Here is Diana with Leo.  I overheard them talking about life in America and about where Diana went to college.  It was neat to see how naturally Diana conversed with Leo.  It was like seeing two friends.  Amazing.  I think Diana has a knack for teaching oral English.  She didn’t even need the lesson plan I prepared for her.  Maybe China is calling her . . . .  Leo has just tasted peanut butter for the first time and that is why he looks like his mouth is pasted shut. 

Here is Mincha with Martin, intently going over the lesson on cuisine.  Mincha was so patient with Martin as she helped him to pronounce all the vocabulary words.  I asked Martin after their one on one time together if it was good or bad.  He put his thumb up and said “Zhen Hao” which means, “The Best!”  Always better for guys when three pretty ladies teach the class.  I had to tell Mincha to stop the class.  I think she would have gone on for a long while.

While they had class, Evan and Mison spoke with and spent time with Eva, Wendy, David and Sarah (some of Esther & JC’s Oral English Class).  It was so nice seeing them in a circle talking and getting to know each other.  David and John went to a local B*ble Study.  It was held at a Zhengzhou resident’s apartment.  What an experience for them.  To take part in a bi-lingual B*ble Study with Chinese friends.  Amazing Grace indeed!

Pr*y for this team:  their health and well-being (Amy stayed up the whole first night without sleep!), for G*d to keep their minds and hearts open to see what He is doing in this great country, and for Esther, JC, and myself, that we would lead well.

Seeing them made me miss home.    Made me remember how much God has blessed me with such a great family and such great friends.  In case I haven’t said this to you in a while, I love you.

More pics and stories to follow!

FOOD IN CHINA II:  KAIFENG

One of the best eating expereinces I’ve had so far was in Kaifeng.  Every night (except in winter), at 6:00 P.M. an announcement in made over a PA system in the central square and within moments the city transforms.  Vendors in their little carts line the streets.  Tables and chairs are set up, lights go up and huge crowds of people start to go from cart to cart ordering all sorts of foods.  Here are some pics. . .

KAIFENG’S NIGHT MARKET

As you can see, the streets get crowded.  The carts to the right are where the fun begins.  I think we must have tried over 10 dishes.  Oink, oink.

STREET VENDOR

It is a frenzy of activity and this particular vendor also cried out to passer-byers to try his food.  So, we did, and it was so yummy.  It was like Korean mook with red pepper sauce and minced pork meat.  I was trying to finish the whole dish and Lisa yelled at me because it was our fourth stop and she didn’t want me to get full.  Little did I know there were 10 other dishes to come.  Dag.  Leftovers are common place in China.  In fact, in certain rich sectors, it is etiquette, when you are out at a restaurant, to order way more food than you can eat.  It is a sign of being a good host.  Love this country.  I wonder what would happen in a showdown between me, who likes to finish his plate, and a great host in China.  Wonder who would cry uncle first.  heh heh.

SMELLY, TASTY TOFU

The first thing we ate that night was roasted chestnuts.  They were hot and soft and moist and really sweet.  Then we ate jelly candy that was made in ceramic pots and originated in Hong King.  The third thing we ate was this smelly, tasty tofu.  You can smell it from a mile away because it is pungent.  It smells nasty, but it tastes awesome.  It has some sesame seeds, red pepper and a funky sauce.  Kevin (Lisa’s friend) told me women usually do not eat this because they are afraid it will make their breath stink.  Lisa ate alot of it.  And Kevin was right.  hahahaha.

KAIFENG’S DUMPLINGS

That is Kevin on the left and Lisa on the right.  They are eating fried dumplings.  We also had steamed dumplings.  Kaifeng’s dumplings are supposedly the best in all of China.  They were the best I’ve had in China.  Before the dumplings, we also had cured meat, mutton on a stick, a vegetable and rice cake dish, a pork crepe sandwich, lychees and more chestnuts.

HOT PEAR APPLE SOUP

China has these pear apples that look like big bartlett pears and taste like korean pears.  This pear apple soup was one of three desserts we had.  It was hot and sweet and if I wasn’t stuffed, I would have eaten more of it.  We also had this sweet rice and dduk ball soup which had sesame and sweet stuff in the middle.  It tasted like mochi and was warm and delicious.  I would have eaten more of it, if Esther didn’t eat all of mine and Lisa’s and Kevin’s.  I think she ate 20 mochi balls.  It was her favorite dish.  We also had this sweet sticky rice dish.  All the desserts were great.  Next time I will pace myself better and guard my mochi from Esther.

Well, hope you enjoyed.  The team is coming this Sunday.  Pr*y for the team, their travel and safety and health.  Pr*y that G*d will open their eyes to see what He is doing in China and fall in love with this country and with the m*nistries they encounter while they are here.

KAIFENG

This past Sunday, Esther and I took a day trip to Kaifeng with one of my students, Lisa.  The city is only 40 minutes away by car, so we went after service.  It was a great, great time in an amazing little city.  It is near the Yellow River, so it has had a terrible history of flooding (Between 1194 and 1938 the city was flooded 368 times), but it also served as the capital to 6 dynasties (Later Liang, Later Jin, Later Han, Later Zhou, Northern Song, Jin) between 907 – 1234 A.D.  Here are some highlights:

Kaifeng’s Forbidden City

We were in Kaifeng during their annual Chrysanthemum Festival, so the city was beautiful, flowers everywhere.  Here, at Longting Park, is where their Forbidden City used to be.  It was destroyed by invaders in the 12th centruy, but this Dragon Pavilion was built up in its place.  There are also 2 man-made lakes that surround the Pavilion where we saw people swimming.  Remnants of their Forbidden City and their city wall can still be seen and it pre-dates Beijing’s Forbidden City by 500 years. 

Bicycle Rickshaws

That’s Lisa & Esther on a rickshaw.  We took a leisurely ride around one of their lake parks.  Kaifeng is much cleaner and greener than Zhengzhou and their population is only 4.6 million compared to Zhengzhou’s 6.3 million.  There are no tall buildings because of flood danger and also because they do not want to damage any of the buried remains.  They have lots of parks and lakes and gardens.  Lisa is one of the sassiest girls I have ever met.  Later, while we were shopping, she actually turned around and, out of no where said, “F*ck You!”  Then she asked me what it meant.  While Esther was rolling on the ground, I tried to explain to my student that she just cursed out her teacher.  After turning a nice rosy red, she apologized.  But I think deep down, she was laughing.  What a sassafras.  Pray for G*d’s mercy and saving grace on her life.

1000 Armed, 1000 Eyed Guanyin

This statue is one of many at the Grand Xiangguo Monastery, also called The Temple of the Chief Minister.  Though China teaches atheism and discourages religion, there are many Buddhists.  The Guanyin is the Chinese Buddhist deity of compassion and mercy.  It needs its 1,000 hands and eyes to care for the many.  You can tell this is old because it still has Indian Buddhist influences present.  The temple was beautiful but freaky.  It was sad to see so many who did not know J*sus.  Pr*y that the truth of Chr*st will prevail in China.

Next, I will post on Kaifeng’s Night Market.  That was one of the best dining experiences I have had thus far in China. 

Got this set for only $7.00 too.

FOOD IN CHINA

Every week I will try and dedicate one post to the food I have been eating here.  Everything has been delicious and cheap and thank the L*rd, I haven’t gotten sick yet.  By the time I return to the States I should be about 400 lbs.  Yummy + Cheap = Fat Hank.  The food in China is very different from the food in Chinese restaurants in the US.  Both are good.  Have a look. . .

STEAMED BUNS

These fist-sized buns are awesome.  There are ones filled with pork, vegetables and vermicelli noodles, tofu, and egg.  I’m sure there are more fillings, and I will try and find out every one of them.  Two of them makes a good meal, three of them will get you stuffed.  I like to eat three.    COST:  6 – 12 CENTS EACH

FRIED NOODLES AND SOUP

The bowl on the left contains fried noodles similar to lo mein but thinner.  It contains sprouts, green onions and cilatro, if you want.  It has a soy based sauce.  The bowl to the right is a beef broth soup with mushrooms and radish and other mystery stuff.  I loved the noodles, but the soup was just OK.  I think the fact that the soup was only lukewarm and not piping hot made a difference for me.  COST:  18 CENTS

PORK & PEPPER IN CURRY SAUCE PITA SANDWICH

This pita sandwich was discovered by Esther.  It is delicious.  I have eaten it three times already.  The peppers are not hot and the pork is really tender.  The curry sauce is subtle and tastes like the curry in Korean Curry Rice.  My thumb looks huge compared to the sandwich in the picture, but the sandwich is a good size.  I usually need to eat a steamed bun or something else with it to be full.  Oink, Oink, I know.  COST:  18 CENTS

Well, that’s it for this edition.  So much more to share, but I will do it over time.  I calculated and realized that you can eat well for about $5.00 a week.  Simply amazing.

Great book.  Asks questions that I never knew I so wanted the answers to, and then, provides answers which astound me.

XIAN:  THE EASTERN TERMINUS OF THE ANCIENT SILK ROAD

Esther, JC and I took a 2 day trip to Xian this past weekend and it was definitely a highlight of my time here thus far.  It was on my short-list of must-see places.  The city was capital to the Zhou, Qin, Han, Wei, Sui, and Tang Dynasties and is now the capital of Shaanxi Province.  The area is called the cradle of ancient Chinese civilization and this picture is such a good illustration of how the past is juxtiposed to the present.  The building on the left is the Bell Tower which is in the center of the perfectly rectangular Xian.  The building to the right of it is a shopping mall.  It was through this city that Buddhism, Islam and Nestorian X-ianity (an heretical sect, basically Gnostic, which came through in 635 A.D.) brought their ideas and their religion.  I felt so small as I looked around this city and this area.  I was once again floored by G*d’s sovereignty this weekend.

THE GREAT WALL OF XIAN

Around the whole city of Xian, a city wall was erected by Hongwu, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty.  It is a perfect rectangle with all four walls facing due North, South, East & West.  There is a main gate at the center of each of the walls and watchtowers at all four corners.  It is the best preserved city wall in all of China and recently repairs were done to close all gaps.  You can now walk or bike the whole wall (13 km in circumference).  The wall stands 40 feet high.  Only the elite were allowed to dwell within the city walls and the bell in their Bell Tower was rung every morning to open the gates and allow the lower classes to come in to conduct business.  Now, the elite live outside the city walls in the western part of the city.  I would not mind spending more time in Xian.  I loved it.

QIN SHI HUANG’S TERRACOTTA ARMY

In 210 B.C. the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty, Qin Shi Huang, was buried in a mausoleum which he ordered built 38 years before his death.  After almost 4 decades, a tomb surrounded by thousands and thousands of life-size terracotta warriors, chariots and horses was created.  In 1974, peasants digging a well uncovered one of the underground vaults that yielded 6,000 of these statues.  Qin Shi Huang believed they would accompany him into the after-life.  Along with this army, rooms filled with treasures, preserved wildlife and even the architects, who designed the tomb and its many booby-traps, were enshrined.  It is one massive, massive place and they are still uncovering more vaults.  It has been ruled the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World, along with The Great Pyramid of Giza, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, The Statue of Zeus at Olympia, The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, The Colossus of Rhodes, and The Lighthouse of Alexandria.  It is the only Wonder in Asia.  It is amazing how off someone can be about the after-life.  The energy and the lives and resources expended for naught.  Truly, the truth sets you free.  Pr*ise G*d.

It was a greaat weekend trip and I am hoping to take our team there next month.  It was an 8 hour train ride from Zhengzhou, but we rode in soft-sleepers and took the overnight ride.  Next trip, Luoyang.

NOTE:  Thanks to jibae I am reminded that since I am updating from China, “safe” words should be used in your comments and such.  No words such as m*ss*ons, ch*rch, or p*st*r should be used.  Thanks!

INTRODUCING, MY CLASS

This wonderful group of students are in my English Conversation 2A Class.  From left to right, they are Martin, Lisa, Chen and Leo.  The 3 guys go to Henan Economic and Financial University while Lisa goes to Henan School of TV Broadcasting.  Martin, a native of Zhengzhou, is an ex-soldier who became a devout Buddhist 4 years ago and even travelled to Tibet this past summer for a 30 day spiritual journey.  Lisa, who is from Shandong Province, is studying to become a TV Broadcaster like her father is in Qingdao (supposedly, they make the best beer in China).  Chen, a native of Zhengzhou, is the greenest when it comes to English, so class is fun because of him.  Leo, who is from Hubei Province, gets his name from Leonardo Di Caprio.  On top of a full load of university classes, they are paying for and taking English.  They pay quite alot from my perspective.  Let me show you:  1 year’s tuition at the universities is $400 and they are paying $75 for an 8-week English Conversation class.  They take education seriously in China.  Pr*y for my class, especially Martin.  They are great and I want so much to teach them more than English. 

FOR ALL YOU POTENTIAL BABES WHO WANT TO BE EXPLOITED

This is my favorite sign.    I don’t know what is funnier, the babe potential or the exploiture. hahahahaha.  Anyways, this is the entrance to an elementary school, probably one of the top in the city, or at least they claim to be.  Education is the single hottest commodity in China.  The salary difference between a college educated person vs. a high school educated person is quite big.  One student told me the average salary of a college educated person in Zhengzhou, who works for a company, is $125 a month while a non-college educated person’s salary is only $60.  So, a good education is gold.  The race starts young because there are not enough universities for all the people.  The competition is fierce.  It all comes down to an examination they take to get into the schools.  There are many of our students here who are the only members of their villages to be in college.  Pr*y for the stress this could be on our students, as lone representatives of sometimes entire villages or regions.

A CHINESE FOOD COURT

Right downstairs from our school is this food court that alot of universities students come to eat their meals.  There are about 2-3 dozen booths with different vendors selling everything from meat on a stick, soup, steamed dumplings, dumplings in broth, sandwiches, noodles, rice dishes.  The selection is quite diverse.  I’ll post food pictures later, but I wanted to show you a picture of where we purchase alot of our meals.  It’s an adventure everyday, because sometimes I don’t really know what I am ordering.  Sometimes I just point and grunt and nod my head.  I’ve probably ordered some stuff with weird meat origins.    Pr*y that JC, Esther and I don’t get sick from the food.  I love eating it, but I wish I knew what was exactly in my food.  Or maybe it’s better that I don’t know. . .

BLESS THE CHILDREN, L*RD

Awwwww, isn’t he so cute!!  I saw him as I was walking down the street.  China’s one-child-per-family rule is rapidly aging the general population.  (Note:  Many in the countryside have more than one child and pay the tax penalties that result.  Most of our students who are from the villages are from families of 2, 3 even 4 children!  Ethnic minorities in China are not bound by that regulation.)  It is also creating an unhealthy ratio of boys to girls.  Since most families want boys, girls are sometimes aborted or abandoned.  Needless to say, if you are a girl growing up in China, there are certain things that will work to your advantage.  There is talk that the government will rescind the law because at this rate, China’s young may not be able to support their old and China’s men may not have wives to marry.  Pr*y that China will continue to prize all children, whether male or female.

SAME CHILD, DIFFERENT ANGLE. . .

No folks, that is not an accidental rip in his bloomies, that crack you see is commonplace here in China.  You see, most families do not use diapers.  So, they teach their children to go on a regular schedule.  Every hour or so.  The thing is, the world is their toilet.  So you will see children doing #1 on the bus, on the street, in the middle of an outdoor market, etc.  I guess they literally freeze their butts off in winter, but I think the West can learn something here.  No money spent on diapers, cute booty everywhere, and babies are potty trained way early.  NOTE OF PRAISE:  In regards to babies and such my roommate, keemo_sabi graciously agreed to pay for Toby and Elizabeth’s hospital bills.  Elizabeth expressed how grateful she was that G*d answered her pr*yers so quickly.  G*d is good!  Continue to pr*y for their family.  Mom & Baby Enoch are still in the hospital but are recovering fine.

I HOPE THAT IS JUST A TYPO.

I love it when countries like Korea and China misspell words or use the wrong words.  They somehow manage to pick the funniest combination.  Everytime I withdraw money, the ATM machine ends by asking me “Would You Like An Advice?”  I actually pressed yes once and a receipt came out.  I was hoping for some dating guidance.  Anyways, China has started a major campaign in all their cities to clean up.  They want to improve their air quality and their litter problem.  A report released in 1998 by the World Health Organization stated that of the ten most polluted cities in the world, seven can be found in China.  But things are going to change.  They are also following Korea’s example and becoming much more conscientious with their recycling.  They are getting ready for the Olympics in 2008 that is scheduled to take place in Beijing.  China has never hosted before.  They are going to make the best impression they can.  Now if only they can keep all the organisms out of the trash . . . .

Got the whole season for $7.00.  I love China.

LEARNING TO DO THE KIMCHI SQUAT. 

If a man’s home is his castle, then I would say the toilet is his throne.  My throne unfortunately requires me to use muscles I seldom use.  Yes, friends, I must squat to do #2.  This wonderful toilet is the norm in China, and this one is very clean compared to the public ones you will see.  In fact, toilets in China are all BYOTP.  So if you forget, all you got is your hand.  On average, back in the States I would take a nice leisurely 5-10 minute doo-doo.  Now, it’s 1 1/2 minutes tops.  Any longer and I think I’d start to cramp up.  Ahhh, such is life here.  I’m sure I’ll be a bit more flexible by the time I leave.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD ENOCH ZHU!!

Enoch Zhu was born on Wednesday, October 19th.  He was born to ANLS staff members Toby & Elizabeth at some Zhengzhou Hospital.  Toby is 24 and Elizabeth is 22.  Even for China that is really young.  But they are both happy and mom and baby are both healthy.  It was an emergency C-Section which ended up costing the parents triple the amount for hospital bills.  If any of you can help with the costs, let me know.  The whole procedure ended up costing $375.  It may not seem like alot to us, but it is here.  Pr*y for the family, that Enoch will be brought up in the fear of the L*rd.  It is amazing to see this bundle of joy, literally wrapped up in swaddling clothes, born in Zhengzhou, under the care of a sovereign G*d who has already shown this boy so much grace by having him born to Chr*stian parents.  Praise G*d!!

WHO NEEDS NIKE WHEN YOU HAVE MEIKE?

We came across this store the other day that sells sneakers.  One of many Nike knock-offs.  We found another store named Meike.  I think I’ll buy a shirt from them.  I think their logo was “Just Do Something”.  China is unabashed about their bootlegging and knock-offs.  They haven’t matched Korea yet, but even some of Korea’s knock-offs are now made in China.  You can buy a North Face jacket for $20 and a DVD for 75 cents.  I don’t know how international copyright lawyers are viewing all this, but when a pair of Nike kicks costs $120 on average and your people make less than that a month, you gotta get creative.  Not justifying breaking the law, just trying to understand when it happens.

EAST MEETS WEST:  Ronald warms up to the ladies . . .

China has really opened up since Deng Xiaoping.  Capitalism has forged an uneasy marriage with communism and the result is McDonald’s, Wal-Mart, and Domino’s Pizza along with many, many other western retailers sprinkled throughout this great country.  The head of Starbucks Asia has projected that in 5 years there will be more Starbucks Coffees in China than in the U.S.  Now, is that a good thing?  Well, the disparity between the rich and the poor is growing, and let me add this, the average price for an extra value meal in Zhengzhou is $3.50 and the average monthly income is $100.  Do the math.  Only the rich can afford to eat at McyD’s, and the rest . . ., well the rest get to chill with Ronald.  Pr*y that China gleans the good from the west within inheriting its bad.

EAST MEETS WEST:  Can you hear me now?

China has become a technological giant, surpassing the U.S., Japan, Taiwan, & Korea in production of computers and cell phones.  I bought the cheapest cell phone in the dept. store.  It ended up being about $60.  (If you ever need to call, it’s 011 86 13673655224)  My cell phone plan was $8.  They say it should last me at least two months.  The plans are mega-cheap compared to the states, but it’s still kind of expensive for the people here, so they mostly text message since it’s cheaper.  AND, the cell phones are about $100 on average.  They have ones that are over $400.  Once again, the average monthly salary is $100.  People have to spend a month’s salary to buy a phone.  It’s crazy, I don’t know how they do it.  Theft is up in Zhengzhou.  Pickpockets aplenty.  In fact, JC GOT HER CELL PHONE STOLEN TWICE!!  Poor girl.  SHE GOT HER WALLET STOLEN TOO!  DAG!!   Pr*y for protection from pickpockets and thieves and pray G*d will show mercy to the thieves as well. 

TOUR DE CHINA:  Lance who?

The bicycle still remains the main mode of transportation in China.  That’s why you will seldom see a fat Chinese person.  They eat noodles and rice, vegetables and meat, their dishes are very greasy, but they burn it all off on their bikes.  No health clubs, no South Beach Diets, no Sugar Free needed.  Have Bike, Will travel.  JC is thinking of getting one.  Me too, maybe.  Pr*y for safety around crazy drivers.  The cars here are a serious hazard to your health!