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Published: August 2nd 2014
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The ancient town of San He.
http://www.china.org.cn/travel/2013-05/01/content_28704165_4.htm It was an interesting day. The driver picked us up about 9 AM and drove to San He. It was about 50 K. After we got there we walked for a little bit over an hour. It was at least 100 degrees F and humidity of 90 – 95%! (MISSING)It was a beautiful old city but the heat and humidity damn near killed me. I sat down next to the creek and Kate and Lizzie went exploring. They came back about a half hour latter to find me par-boiled. Kate suggested an air-conditioned coffee shop which was about 30 yards across the street. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. After about 45 minutes Kate got bored and went exploring while Lizzie and I talked. A wonderful treasure of this trip is that I have gotten to know Lizzie so much better. It is so interesting to listen to Lizzie’s prospective. After Kate returned, we drove back to Hefei and Kate was able to pick up our rail tickets to Shanghai. I found a postal station and was able to mail a couple of cards. It was funny because they
would post mail for you but would not sell you stamps to take with it.
I would also like to share with you some interesting things I thought about on the drive to and from San He. First, the Chinese are brought up negotiating. We are brought up with each thing having one price. Generally, we don’t understand negotiating everything and the Chinese don’t feel comfortable with the one price concept. The Chinese are probably suspicious of the one price. Second, we westerners tip for good service. The Chinese expect great service and the thought of tipping is an alien concept. A waiter is almost insulted if you tip. I suspect the Chinese service employees will come around to our way of thinking long before the Chinese consumer. Third is driving. Thirteen years ago the Chinese drove bikes. There were bike mechanics on every block.
Now, the Chinese are driving expensive cars or electric mopeds. The Chinese driver is assertive, okay, maybe aggressive. There are some rules but not many. The rules and traffic lights are treated as suggestions with some nuance value. The informal rules are what you must observe. Most important is size
gives you the right-of-way. Second, you can do anything you want if you blow your horn and warn people. The electric mopeds are driven on the sidewalk and observe no traffic lights. They don’t make any noise so they can sneak up on you. Kate likes the moped drivers who do not wear helmets because she can see their eyes and avoid the crazy ones. She also maintains they watch for me because I am big and they would get hurt if they hit me. No matter how many official lanes on a road, there are two additional unofficial lanes. If you are crossing the street, try to get in the middle of a group of natives to maximize safety. Cabs will replace any part except shocks. Finally, it does not matter how you travel in China; it is a threatening adventure to be enjoyed.
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