The incidence on bad Chinese

I am back after being exiled to the labor camp since the beginning of the New Year, 8 days workweek is just a little hard to bare, but then it is China, they made their own rule. It is not worth it when the government mandates three days off to celebrate New Year and then work 8 days afterward to make up your time off, that is no holiday at all, some how that is how that works here.

Needless to say the first change I got I party my heart out until 2AM then finish the labor camp with the last of a 12 hours workday. When the weekend finally arrived, I crashed that is another insight into the life of living in Dreamland.

I have been in Shanghai over a year now, My Chinese is getting better, I can do basic communication with my language skill, or at least that is what I thought. I know a lot of hidden places in this city because I love to browse around the old streets when I have the free time. There is really no other ways but to explore by walking.

I can even give out direction to the locals that some time it is better just to stay on the metro to get to the destination instead of the train, bus and walk route they been doing it. That does not mean I do not get lost here. As a matter of fact that is a standing bet if I will get to some place on time without end up in the different party of town, or on a different floor of the meeting point agree upon. That is entire differ story that the one I am going to tell you about here.

I mention that I think my Chinese is getting better correct? Well over the Christmas holidays. I was traveling with family via the train to Suzhou, a city about half an hour away from Shanghai. The local train came out from a smaller local station instead of the new modern station. I did not know that being a foreigner, I couldn’t purchase ticket in the same building as the local. First that is because we do not have a Chinese ID   to use the machine. Secondly we are require to show a physical Passport before ticket will be issue. Third ticket for foreigners were not even sold in the same building as if we were diseased, had to be quarantined to another building.

So I went to purchased ticket as I as told, all went tell, no words were exchange, just money and gesture, and that is where my problem started. After I finally figure out what all the Chinese on the ticket meant, I realize I have less than 15 minutes to make the world record dash to cross the street, thru the tunnel, cross the plaza, up the escalator plus get thru the security check point in order to make the gate before it closes. If you have ever watch the amazing race that it was it was like, except I am traveling with senior member of my family with luggage’s that made it even harder.

The best had yet to follow, to be on the safe side, I decided to ask for direction before I get lost and miss the train. My family I am traveling with was foreigners, and I am obviously Asian, that was just the start. I was being polite; since most of the guards in Chinese train station do not speak English. I ask the Guard in Chinese to point me to the boarding gate and waiting room. Instead of answer my request, he turn to my family, and response to them in English to let them know that being a tour guide my Chinese is that worst he ever heard. How insulting, and My family was laughing so hard almost lost their footing, not because of my bad Chinese, but the guard had mistaken me as their tour guide, next time I am going to carry one of those tour guide flag with me.

Not that funny to me, but then when I told

It will get better. Until the other day, I was at my familiar French bakery the story to my local friends they laugh out loud and agree. I think I should take out their name from my party invite list.

Never the less I though that was just an incident, I did not pay that much attention to it, until one day at one of the French bakery I patron frequently, while I was paying for my purchase, the manager said I knew you are Americans, but you are Chinese also, how come your Chinese I so bad.

By now, I am fed up with all of them from now on I am only going to speak only English to them, the hell with being polite trying to speak Chinese to the locals they just have to deal with me in English until they don’t know what I am talking about then I can say how come your English is so bad for being a shop keeper for expats.

The sad part is that most of the time they don’t know what we are talking about id we spoke on English to them, they knock their head as if the understood, but in fact they don’t. You wanted to buy bread you may end up buying Bugs, no exaggeration.

So, should I go back to mandarin school? No I am not, I have no time for that, I know I can get by 70% of the time, there are plenty of people understood me especially the Taxi drivers, they know where I wanted to go, I suppose all those hours spend riding the metro, learning all the name a d pronunciation of all the stops from the above head speaker pays off. I can speak (perfect) subway Chinese. That is a credit I can claim. I even know the difference in tone and in writing between a lane, a street, a road, and a district. Of course after many late night Taxi ride end up in dark street I had never saw before I learn to pronounce everything correctly, at 80% correct at 70% of the time.

As you can see it is a lot of fun living aboard speaking the language alone is a challenge. Just try to point at the picture on the menu instead, it is perfectly acceptable. Pretend to be smart-ass doe not pay off there. You may end up with something entire different that you think they were. The other night at the restaurant, one of my friend wanted to be in charge, he thought he ordered meat from the picture that he recognize the word pork instead he got the fat and the skin but not the lean meat. I was in no mood to be merciful that night, I made me ate all the fat pieces in the pot.

I am kind of evil these day don’t you think?

Chance Encounter Shanghai.

A year at a glance

Ho, ho, ho, cough, cough. That is the Chinese greeting of Christmas, from smoking too much choking while trying to be jolly. Never mind, very bad joke. Can’t blame me, I am not thinking straight. My shoulder been hurting for weeks because of work pressure and stress, I throw my back out last night for no apparently reasons. Merry X’mas.

Shanghai, is beautiful this time of the year, it is foggy, you can’t see anything beyond hand stretch, cold and wet, but tress on Nanjing road were all decorated with multi color blinking lights and stores all had a plastic trees (real tree is not allow) and Merry Christmas. It is honestly beautiful.

The other famous shopping area Xintiandi is shinning bright with lights that can blind your eye as soon as you turn the corner from the dark street of the neighborhood. Shoppers is everywhere rushing from one store to the other, what is missing is the charity events to collect donations for the less fortunate. But then China does not want the world to know that have that problem as well. All is well on the surface.

Really, I am in a great mood, and why not. I finished the most high profile pitch for business of my entire career; I am finally feeling like I belong to the club usually had their door closed shut. Although the door is open now, I am still waiting for the red carpet to roll out.

My other important exciting event happening is my American parent after a year of planning is about to arrive in Shanghai to share Christmas with me. We are going to have a great reunion on this part of the world.

There are many adventure and memorable event thru out this busy year. To name a few: like the visit of my sister from US with her entire family, they bough us rain almost everyday. My old friends visiting from Chicago, Philly, Iowa and New York City, all with their own adventure stories to tell. My Colleagues from New York City were so frighten of the Shanghai traffic, she cream every time she crossed the street. While my other colleague had an early Thanksgiving treat by my international friends here in Shanghai, plus an 8 hours non-stop walking tour, paid tourist price for Chinese tea, in the end he was being treated to a rewarding hot pot dinner and a relaxing foot massage he will not soon forget. Does it worthy it? Sure it does.

My friends from Philly enjoyed fitted with custom tailored wardrobe, massive bargain hunting at the low price knock off mall, in contract, we also had expensive outdoor cocktail at one of the most exclusive club in Shanghai with a view of the Huangpu river high up in the sky, then end the day with French Oyster and Champaign, and cabaret at the Wardrof Astoria, historical long bar. That is why they were a little hasted to leave this city.

My long waited trip to cruise the Yangtze River, otherwise know as (Long river) was a little disappointing since we were accompanied by thick foggy almost the entire trip. Missed the green color of the valley and blue sky, but added much more mystic to the stunning scenery, a perfect setting for a mystery novel “Perhaps the title can be “the disappearance on the President river cruise line” The climb on the yellow mountain one of the 5 most famous peaks in China is worth every soar legs and ankles, of course I did not do it, I too the cable care up the mountain instead.

I had two back to back trip to Italy in April, one for business and the other one to attend my good friend’s Italian wedding, which is a daylong celebration into the night, start at 9 in the morning for church service than head to the country house for a real movie setting Italian country wedding. Food everywhere, free flow of Champaign and wine I was in heaven for the day. The head to my most beloved city of Florence for 10 days holiday and in the Tuscany country with the love of my life make this life well worth living, except no proposal, a too old and too late for that game now.

I went into reality check in Oct while taking a trip to the near by city of Hangzhou. During the ten days National holiday thought I would go to the near by city famous for her silk, dragon well tea and the tranquility of the famous West lake for some R&R. Instead I encounter, pollution, dust from constructions, traffic and human jam. I got lost in the forest around the lake, and the moon is already high up in the night sky, but I hear real owl for the first time in my life. Thanks God I did made my way home and had a foot massage in the hotel, while the madam tried to pawn her worker’s service on me.

When there is a holiday in China, forget about traveling in the country. You will not be able to get to anywhere nor able to get out of the country without paying triple on any fare, if you can even get a ticket to go anywhere.

While I am a little close to home, Hong Kong, I been visiting there a lot more than usual. Although Hong Kong is a beautiful city, but I have no friends there, my visit including food and more food. 4 times a day of duck stuffing style, (or turkey), then sleep the night away. It may be heaven for some of you, not my cup of tea. These are just an overview of some of the more major events through out this year. Since I am also in the international party circuit, I had about 4 parties a week and endless trip to restaurants and get together with friends.

However life here is very real, not just parties, if you want an expat life, you need to learn how to live a balance life style. I never expect this assignment will turn into a life of adventure. I thought I came here work hard for a year or two then go. Instead I found myself entering the most exciting chapter of my life both in professionally and personally, made many valuable international friendship along the way as well.

At the end of 2012, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New year. No matter where you are. Enjoy your life. Found peace within yourself and happiness will follow. Hope your adventure is as fun fill as mine.

Love always from fare away corner of the world in a city call Shanghai, stars shin bright above, although bright light of the city drowned out most of her twinkles until 11PM at night, when the light of the city being force to turn off, then once again heaven belongs to the little stars.

 Be strong. Shrine on. 2013 belongs to you.