China Romance
All About China => Your trip to China => Topic started by: Brian Mc on August 29, 2009, 01:34:26 am
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Greetings guys,
Well this is exciting I have to say hehe. My lady has asked me to come to china for her vacation, so I am leaving Canada sept 5 and returning sept 20. She has some out of town business to take care of after the 20th and I had to grovel at work to get the time.
Yes its really short notice but also really exciting hehe. So the plan is a few days in Beijing, then off to Handan to meet her friends and family and her son. Both her parents are passed so its her brother and sister and their families to meet.
So its all very sudden, we had originally planned for me to go in October for her birthday but someone else at work has already booked the time off from Oct and Nov and both of us cannot be gone at once. So the plan changed to end sept. However my lady told me she has her vacation from end Aug to sept 20 so off I go .
I leave Edmonton at 8:30 am on Sat the 5th travel to Calgary then San Fransisco, then off to Beijing, arriving at 6pm on Sunday the 6th. My birthday is Monday the 7th so its gonna be the best birthday for me to have her beside me.
I think I am going to buy a netbook before I go so that I can keep everyone here posted as to how things go and also to store all my pictures on. My plan is to leave the netbook there with her so that we can webcam whenever we wish instead of her going to the agency.
Can anyone recommend a decent electronic translator to buy? We will have a translator from the agency for the first two days at 300 rmb per day but after that we will need an electronic one. Also if anyone can recommend a few things to see in Beijing and area for a few days that would be great.
Before I can go I have to drive to Calgary to the chinese consulate their to get the visa. Apparently they can rush it same day if I apply before11 am so that is my plan. Go and stand in front of them until they give it to me hehe.
As for our relationship, well we have sent emf's daily back and forward sometimes two per day both ways!! We also have spoken on the phone and webcam. We know many things about each other and both of us feel very comfortable with the other. It seems we even think the same, like the same things same movies, same music etc. We even like the same breeds of dogs hehe.
So as for the relationship, well I think we are both at the ready to commit stage, the only thing we are waiting for is the sparks from a face to face, if that goes well then I am sure by the time the trip is over there will be another brother and his lady engaged.
Oh and for all you dumpling lovers once we reach Handan its of to sisters to make dumplings heheh, I will be sure to let you know how they taste. I have also spoken to the son on the phone although very briefly but apparently he wants to meet me too, so a positive sign there.
Her English is as bad as my mandarin, but with an interpreter for two days and the electronic translator I think we will be fine.
So my brothers any advice you feel you wish to give please do so, I already have the 24 hr rule implanted in my brain, so no worries there. I do not know how to blog or facebook (banned anyway right?), so I will try to follow the excellent examples by the other recent journals and give long detailed reports of happenings in the east.
Oh also she knows about my divorce status and she has said she will wait as long as it takes for me to be free. The plan is for me to go teach there until her son is finished in school and then we can come to Canada. The govt types here should have less issue of maybe she is a visa hunter if we have lived there for several years first.
Anyway seven days and a wakey and of I go.
Regards,
Brian
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Have a great trip Brian,
1) Why the detour to San Fran, wouldn't it be easier to fly via Vancouver ? How much is your fare ? Flying with AC ?
2) I brought the BESTA 9200 Mini for 2,190 HK dollars or roughy $ 360 Cdn ... in Hong Kong. It's totally in Chinese characters. I brought it for my fiancee to use to learn English. It has a penpad function for her to write Chinese characters that translate into English and vice-versa. I would buy it in Beijing.
3) If you download "Ultrasurf" in Canada, you can bypass the Internet ban.
4) I brought the ACER netbook in Toronto but you'll have to download Chinese software for her if you leave it there. Alternatively, you can buy it there. My Dad, JimB, knows where to buy in Beijing.
All The Best.
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Have a great trip Brian,
1) Why the detour to San Fran, wouldn't it be easier to fly via Vancouver ? How much is your fare ? Flying with AC ?
2) I brought the BESTA 9200 Mini for 2,190 HK dollars or roughy $ 360 Cdn ... in Hong Kong. It's totally in Chinese characters. I brought it for my fiancee to use to learn English. It has a penpad function for her to write Chinese characters that translate into English and vice-versa. I would buy it in Beijing.
3) If you download "Ultrasurf" in Canada, you can bypass the Internet ban.
4) I brought the ACER netbook in Toronto but you'll have to download Chinese software for her if you leave it there. Alternatively, you can buy it there. My Dad, JimB, knows where to buy in Beijing.
All The Best.
Hiya Chong,
Why the detour to San Fran?, well when I booked the flights I was looking for a combination of price and shortness of duration. I could have gone cheaper but with longer layovers and delays, Also I didnt want to get more expensive as I am not rich heheh, so this one was the best compromise. The airline is Westjet to calgary then united all teh way to Beijing and the cost return with travel, health ins was $1430 US. I checked Expedia and cheapo air and went with cheapo air.
As for the translator, thanks for the advice, I think buying it and the netbook there is probably best especially if I leave them there for her to use. That way we can webcam whenever the urge strikes instead of her going to the agency all the time.
Thanks for the advice and kind words and hopefully I can keep you guys posted on how things go
Regards,
Brian
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Brian, when you get settled in Beijing, I will give you my cell number here, so call me. we can get things set up from there. Like my son says, I can show you where to buy the laptop here. But the translator you can buy anywhere even off of E-Bay. Stay with the Besta Brand with the OCR. We have the Super 5000 and it is perfect for here. There are upper scale ones that will allow you to use connected to the PC to translate there. i have not seen it yet, but that would be the one I think I would get depending on how much more it is. we paid about 1900 yuan for ours. You are going to pay around 6000 yuan for a notebook. Which is a little more expensive than in the west but, as sonny boy said, you will have to reinstall all the chinese characters so to me it was not worth the hassles. By the way where I go you will have to pay in cash, they do not accept any foreign credit card.
In Beijing there are 100 things to see and do. just depends on what you like. The major attractions are of course, the Wall, Forbidden City, tiannemon (sp)
Square, Beijing Zoo for the Panda's., hall of good harvests. For presents to give back home, there is the silk factory. Incredible place. If you want a guide i can set you up with one. And I think Arnold has a guy that is a driver also. So you have your pick. Our driver I call Reliable Ron, no matter where we are she calls him and he comes to get us and takes us wherever we want to go for a really reasonable rate, but he speaks no English. he also will carry your luggage or whatever to your place. When we go grocery shopping he will take our groceries right to our door, with the luggage to the airport, he carries it all the way to the check in all for no additional. Of course we tip him. Not because we have to but because we want to. Today he absolutely refused the tip. He is a smart business man, he know s that the next time we will tip him bigger.
Where are you going to stay in Beijing? have you picked out your hotel? Just let me know what you need and I will try to help.
Jim
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Brian, when you get settled in Beijing, I will give you my cell number here, so call me. we can get things set up from there. Like my son says, I can show you where to buy the laptop here. But the translator you can buy anywhere even off of E-Bay. Stay with the Besta Brand with the OCR. We have the Super 5000 and it is perfect for here. There are upper scale ones that will allow you to use connected to the PC to translate there. i have not seen it yet, but that would be the one I think I would get depending on how much more it is. we paid about 1900 yuan for ours. You are going to pay around 6000 yuan for a notebook. Which is a little more expensive than in the west but, as sonny boy said, you will have to reinstall all the chinese characters so to me it was not worth the hassles. By the way where I go you will have to pay in cash, they do not accept any foreign credit card.
In Beijing there are 100 things to see and do. just depends on what you like. The major attractions are of course, the Wall, Forbidden City, tiannemon (sp)
Square, Beijing Zoo for the Panda's., hall of good harvests. For presents to give back home, there is the silk factory. Incredible place. If you want a guide i can set you up with one. And I think Arnold has a guy that is a driver also. So you have your pick. Our driver I call Reliable Ron, no matter where we are she calls him and he comes to get us and takes us wherever we want to go for a really reasonable rate, but he speaks no English. he also will carry your luggage or whatever to your place. When we go grocery shopping he will take our groceries right to our door, with the luggage to the airport, he carries it all the way to the check in all for no additional. Of course we tip him. Not because we have to but because we want to. Today he absolutely refused the tip. He is a smart business man, he know s that the next time we will tip him bigger.
Where are you going to stay in Beijing? have you picked out your hotel? Just let me know what you need and I will try to help.
Jim
Hiya Jim,
Thanks for the great advice. I am not sure exactly how long we will be in Beijing as we need to go to Handan also. As for the hotel I have asked my lady to arrange that. I dont want to make any assumptions about how many rooms, or beds etc. So I figure she can set it up the way she is comfortable and I will pick up the tab hehe.
As for the rest for sure I will pm you here when I get settled and we can go from there. I really appreciate the offer to help thanks much. As soon as I hear from herself as to which hotel I will let you know.
If the flights are on time I will be in country at 6pm local on Sunday the 6th. Which is great since my birthday is the 7th Wow!! what a birthday present.
Thanks again Jim
Brian
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Yes Brian
Way to go...wish you "good hunting"...lucky sod !!! :):)
DavidE
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Sure you alreday know, but no tipping in China, everything is included.
Off course ask the girl to do the "haggeling" for you. You will still have to pay premium since they see that she is with a foreign person, but less than if you do it by yourself.
When i was in Beijing recently, the woman i was with sent away the "rickshaw" driver because he wanted 15 rmb, obivously since i was there, normallay she pay 10 rmb for the same ride.
Good luck and enjoy the trip.
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Good luck Brian...
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Brian, now all you have to do is relax and enjoy, Congrats bro, best wishes and good luck
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Good luck Brian
We both have Besta 3000 - cost off the shelve 1800 yuan but with a bit of haggling got them down to 1380. Good bit of kit. Cut the interpretors hours. When I met the girl I am now with wshe had no English other than counting to ten and I had maybe 40 wordss of Mandarin - and she speaks most cantonese!!!
But 7 week later we are still together and the Besta has seen us through.
Willy
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Greetings Brothers,
Thanks for all the advice and kind words, really appreciated.
MM relax huh? Are you kidding me? I am so excited I cant sleep and neither can she. I couldnt relax if I tried, but I will try.
Daghoi, thanks for the tip on the no tipping! nice to know, seems I read that on the forums too but nice to have it brought back into mind.
Willy great advice as usual, I will now have a guide as to how much to haggle off the price of whichever one we decide on. My lady is not computer literate and types slowly so hopefully we can find one that she likes.
All you other brothers thanks for the words. I think I will do as Scottish said he was gonna do and reread all the pertinent threads here about what to do advice threads etc and also everyone elses trip thread. Get as much info jammed into my head as I can before I go and hopefully we can make this work the first time.
We are both as sure as we can be that we have found the person we are looking for and only need the face to face to confirm and grow the bond stronger.
Jimb can you advise on a hotel in Beijing? Something decent prefer with internet and western toilets and of course coffee. Cant go without coffee. My lady is going to bring the translator with her so I assume we will need two rooms. Something comfortable and such but not really expensive.perhaps in $50 to $75 per night range? She will book the hotel but has asked which one I would like so any advice is good. We will be in Beijing for a few days to take in the sights. I will of course take pictures but I doubt they will be as good as Irish's pics. He sure has skill with a camera.
Thanks for all teh advice and kind words and tehy are appreciated.
Regards
Brian
Arcticstorm,
No worries brother I understood what you were saying an how you meant it. Keep the head on straight and use it heheh.
As for David5o's posts yes I agree he gives a lot of good advice. He and I are opposites of course he is level headed I am a true romantic but at least we understand each other right David?
Regards,
Brian
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... I think I will do as Scottish said he was gonna do and reread all the pertinent threads here about what to do advice threads etc
...and of course coffee. Cant go without coffee.
...She will book the hotel but has asked which one I would like so any advice is good.
Brian, what I also have done is, write the tips down in a small notebook, just to keep myself in the 'know' so to speak...
God another one with an affair with coffee, I wonder IS SHE THAT NICE LOOKING....lol
Just put your trust in your lady to book the room, she probably knows the best places, reputation wise...lol And I'm assuming she knows your financial position, that is what I done with Keren...
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... I think I will do as Scottish said he was gonna do and reread all the pertinent threads here about what to do advice threads etc
...and of course coffee. Cant go without coffee.
...She will book the hotel but has asked which one I would like so any advice is good.
Brian, what I also have done is, write the tips down in a small notebook, just to keep myself in the 'know' so to speak...
God another one with an affair with coffee, I wonder IS SHE THAT NICE LOOKING....lol
Just put your trust in your lady to book the room, she probably knows the best places, reputation wise...lol And I'm assuming she knows your financial position, that is what I done with Keren...
Hiya Rob,
Yes I admit I have a thing for coffee, but as for my lady is she that nice looking? Well let me say this. To my eyes she is the most beautiful woman in the world and I would give up my coffee and tea and anything else that I have to be with her forever.
As for her knowing teh best places I thin she is unsure of where in Beijing to book. In Handan she has no doubt but Beijing may be new to her also. So I think if any of the brothers had a good experience with a specific hotel in Beijing then I will recommend that one at least for the first night. She said she would book the hotel for one night and see if we like it and move next day if we dont.
As for my finances, no we have not discussed this yet. She knows I work and my salary is enough to cover my bills with a little left over but that is as far as we have discussed it so far. I thougth about it several times, going into more detail but I figure lets do face to face and know we are the one for the other before going into such topics.
We have discussed many things like religion or lack thereof, where we would live etc etc but as for talking money no that has not happened yet. She is a most practical lady so I do not think we will have issues with spending. At least I hope not. I am just waiting for the proceeds of my seperation to come through which should be less than 2 weeks so if we overspend a little this trip I do not mind much. Obviously if things start to get out of control then we will have the money talk hehe.
As previously said we have talked about many things and are so comfortable with each other that we sometimes finish each others thoughts before we say them. We both feel strongly that we are the one for the other so I do not envision any issues, I know her voice her true appearance and her manner, well at least what you can from webcam visits. So all in all we both are feeling very confident. Plus we will have the agency translator for the first couple days to help smooth the initial shyness and get us closer.
Anyway as you have probably noticed I can talk about her all day long hehe.
Regards, Brian
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He he mate I was asking if COFFEE was that nice looking...lol
Brian YOU are just like any other brother on here mate, I bet 'we' could all talk about our ladies all day...lol
Good luck mate...
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Brian best wishes. As far as the hotel goes, Nic gave us a name a while back in one of his notes. I contacted this person and he was able to pick out a hotel within three blocks of where I needed to be. I have enclosed his address. He is also very fast with the information. Have fun: zhaoWinser (winserzhao@hotmail.com)
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Winser is also on facebook. If you are there, you can add him as a friend, and be able to communicate with him this way.
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Brian, we stayed at a hotel next door to the "night market" locals mainly stay there, i think about Aus$50/night, rooms good,buffet breakfast, bar etc. and around the corner from main shopping area, your lady should be able to track it down.
what to see.......everyone else has covered it, if you can, go and get photos of Olympic Stadium & Swimming Centre, very impressive.
good luck and have fun
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Brian , good luck with your trip , I am sure all will be well , regards Robert .
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Greetings brothers,
Thanks for all the great advice and good wishes, much appreciated.
Mike thanks for the vote on the translator that sounds like a great idea Chinese to english plus saying the word. Way cool. Question though, does it work the other way also? English to pinyin and say the word? If yes then maybe we need one each. One for her when I come back and one for me to bring back with me. That way we can each learn a bit more language.
Also another thought here, how tough would it be to get her here for a visit at christmas? I dont mean the tickets I mean the visa. I think that would be cool to bring her here for a few weeks. Has anyone tried this? I mean we get tourists from Asia here in Canada all the time there must be a way to get a visa somehow?
Maybe all the tourists were Japanese I dunno but they must be able to go international one would think right? I would pay for teh ticket if I could get her here, man what a christmas present that would be hehe.
I am waiting for her to reply to my last letter to find out what she has found about the hotels, will keep you posted.
Regards all
Brian
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Have a nice Trip Brain . When in Beijing , you must try the Scorpion's on a stick . I promise they wont make you sick .
Oh , and don't trip over the Wall . Haha
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Have a nice Trip Brain . When in Beijing , you must try the Scorpion's on a stick . I promise they wont make you sick .
Oh , and don't trip over the Wall . Haha
Hahaha Arnold you are so funny!! While I love eating meat, I watched the movie The scorpion King,when the Rock was in the desert and ate the scorpion, no I dont think so hehe. However we are going to Zhen's sisters once we reach Handan and making dumplings. Yes those I will eat hehe
Regards,
Brian
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Scorpion on a stick is no big deal. It is mind over matter. On the hotel, there are about 3000 hotels in Beijing, how close do you want to be to her place? Which circle,etc. I am near the north 4th circle. I would be glad to help just need to know the location. Just be ready for a hard bed. I am dead serious on that. It is still hard for me to sleep at night on the one we have. Every hotel in Beijing has the hard bed as far as I have found out anyway. The 8 days inn is within walking distance of the Square and forbidden city. Clean and neat and about $60 per night for a no smoking room. Just need to specify a room that includes breakfast and internet. Also i do not think the translator will need a room. They can come and go as long as they are from Beijing. Like I said, I have one that does it all. He can translate and is a certified tour guide. That way he has no agenda to make things up just to see you get together. I do not get anything from him if you use him so do not worry about that. If you are a friend of mine he will give a discount. I will contact him only if you are interested. He calls me his godfather. Good kid. With any translator you will pay his/her complete way. All meals, travel etc.
About tipping, that is correct. If you leave a tip and the waiter just keeps it he could get fired. What I did was get a bunch of lipstick and nail polish. Just go to wal mart and get the really inexpensive ones. Give it to the maids and such each day. They loved it. Of course your girl will say it is not necessary. And it really isnt. Just up to the individual. Taxi's are plentiful and cheap. The most expensive one I took was from one end of Beijing to the other and it cost me 66 yuan. or about 10 bucks. Average is from 10 to 20 Yuan $.68 cents to $1.40. My wife is constantly trying to get me to take the bus. I tell her no way, when the taxis are that cheap and get us directly to where we are going. However, she has said I need to exercise more so every night after dinner we go for a walk. It is really pleasant now. the nights are nice. Not hot like the last couple of weeks. the days are cooler also and the humidity is lessening so it isnt miserable. For the past 4 days we havent turned on the air so you are coming at just the right time.
Let me know what you want me to do. Where the hotel and or guide/translator is that you want. Warm weather clothes are in order. Depending on where you are going you might want to slide one very light jacket in. Otherwise listen to your lady. She is just trying to do the best she can, and not really knowing your likes and dislikes on some things she is probably nervous about what to book. And if she is like mine she wants the man to make the final decisions. Lets get together for lunch or dinner. I would like to meet your lady and so would my wife, Mrs. Burk. lol Plus it would be nice to hear English spoken after 3 weeks of nothing but Chinese. lol.
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Scorpion on a stick is no big deal. It is mind over matter. On the hotel, there are about 3000 hotels in Beijing, how close do you want to be to her place? Which circle,etc. I am near the north 4th circle. I would be glad to help just need to know the location. Just be ready for a hard bed. I am dead serious on that. It is still hard for me to sleep at night on the one we have. Every hotel in Beijing has the hard bed as far as I have found out anyway. The 8 days inn is within walking distance of the Square and forbidden city. Clean and neat and about $60 per night for a no smoking room. Just need to specify a room that includes breakfast and internet. Also i do not think the translator will need a room. They can come and go as long as they are from Beijing. Like I said, I have one that does it all. He can translate and is a certified tour guide. That way he has no agenda to make things up just to see you get together. I do not get anything from him if you use him so do not worry about that. If you are a friend of mine he will give a discount. I will contact him only if you are interested. He calls me his godfather. Good kid. With any translator you will pay his/her complete way. All meals, travel etc.
About tipping, that is correct. If you leave a tip and the waiter just keeps it he could get fired. What I did was get a bunch of lipstick and nail polish. Just go to wal mart and get the really inexpensive ones. Give it to the maids and such each day. They loved it. Of course your girl will say it is not necessary. And it really isnt. Just up to the individual. Taxi's are plentiful and cheap. The most expensive one I took was from one end of Beijing to the other and it cost me 66 yuan. or about 10 bucks. Average is from 10 to 20 Yuan $.68 cents to $1.40. My wife is constantly trying to get me to take the bus. I tell her no way, when the taxis are that cheap and get us directly to where we are going. However, she has said I need to exercise more so every night after dinner we go for a walk. It is really pleasant now. the nights are nice. Not hot like the last couple of weeks. the days are cooler also and the humidity is lessening so it isnt miserable. For the past 4 days we havent turned on the air so you are coming at just the right time.
Let me know what you want me to do. Where the hotel and or guide/translator is that you want. Warm weather clothes are in order. Depending on where you are going you might want to slide one very light jacket in. Otherwise listen to your lady. She is just trying to do the best she can, and not really knowing your likes and dislikes on some things she is probably nervous about what to book. And if she is like mine she wants the man to make the final decisions. Lets get together for lunch or dinner. I would like to meet your lady and so would my wife, Mrs. Burk. lol Plus it would be nice to hear English spoken after 3 weeks of nothing but Chinese. lol.
Jimb, thanks for all the great help and you are on we shall at least do dinner. As for the hotel my Zhen has passed the buck back to me hehe. Which does put me in a pickle. I do not want to offend her and book one room, and assume we wil stay there together,yet at the same time if that is her plan then I do not want to offend her and make her think I would not want to share the room. Ha conundrums heh. Also for the translator I am not sure exactly what the plan is for she has never met the translator. I would guess she is local so that eliminates that issue.
As for the hotel I think one relatively close to the maor site seeing things, so we dont have long travels to make. I would rather take one long taxi from the airport and then be close to the rest. So if you can recommend a hotel by name, something decent of course, internet so I can post here, and webcam my sister who is dying to meet Zhen, a comfortable but not luxurious room hopefully western toilet hehe and of course coffee!!
Oh by the way Jim she lives in Handan so I think she may not be familiar with Beijing at all hence the reluctance to book the room.
So a decent hotel close to the sights would be good, at as reasonable a cost as possible obviously, the $50 to $70 range I think would be great. Yes we must get together, and I promise I do speak english hehe. Zhen however does not, so please bring your wife with you and we can have a grand visit together.
As for your friend the translator/tour guide I shall discuss this with my lady and let you know. Also as soon as you let me know about the hotel I will go online and book it.
Thanks very much for all your help and look forward to meeting you in person.
To all the other brothers, again thanks for the advice and kind words they are appreciated.
It is my intent to post here as often as possible while in china. You guys have posted some great stories so hopefully I can do the same.
Regards to all
Brian
PS Jim as for the hard bed hahah no worries mate I spend enough time sleeping on the ground in the military I dont think it will bother me much.
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Brian,
http://www.daysforbiddencity.com/days-inn-forbidden-city-beijing-reserve.html That is for the days inn forbidden city. Walking distance to a lot of major attractions. I have stayed there and it is pretty good. about $60 per night to start. I would book a room with twin beds. at least for one night and see how it goes. tell her that is what you did to make her feel more comfortable. Or just ask her if she wants her own room. Print out the directions on how to get there and take the phone number with you as most taxi drivers do not know where the hotel is. It is just around the corner from the Beijing hotel. A major major hotel. around $200 Per night. If you are both going to stay in one room they will need her name also. Otherwise she cannot stay all night. Also she can check in before you get there if she wants. I had my wife call there to see if she could get a better rate but the internet price is better. Even so it is just for one night and if you dont like it you can always move somewhere else. I dont drink coffee but if I remember there was coffee in the room. If you dont like this one let me know and i will see if I can find something else.
jim
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Hi !
Jim knows Beijing better than me, but id like to throw in a few more just to give yoou choices.
http://www.redwallhotel.com/
http://www.shatanhotel.com/
Both are pretty close to each other. Walking distance from north entrance of Forbidden city and close to the east gate of Jingshan Park. I stayed at Shatan Hotel, nothing fancy but clean, friendly etc and the internet in the room worked ok. I walked by the Red Wall hotel going to/from my hotel everyday, looked fine.
You can read more on http://www.tripadvisor.com/
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Daghoi, absolutely. this way he can pick the one that best suits his needs. I am by no means an expert on Beijing.
Brian, i went to the place where Mrs. Burk and i bought our Besta. I found the cheapest one with the ocr sells for 1298 Yuan or about or about $195 usd. OCR is optical character recognition which means you can write on the screen and it picks up what you write then converts it to English. It has a bit smaller screen than mine but still works fine. we tested it out. You may want something bigger but at least you have a number to go by i think it was the 810. they go up to about 4000 Yuan. dont really know the difference. didnt check out the most expensive ones.
By the way i think Beijing is gearing up for the festival in october as the taxi's are already have a minimum now of 10 yuan. You used to be able to go from 3 yuan up now the minimum is 10 even for just around the block. You are not being charged more, just a minimum. What I am saying is that maybe the hotel rates will be going up also. That may be why when she called she got a higher rate than the internet. So i wouldnt wait too long Brian.
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Greetings brothers,
Just got back from Calgary with my visa so everything is set. also just got a letter from Zhen and being the traditional virtuous girl that she is she figures 2 rooms will be fine, heheh.Which is also fine with me as I told her I love her traditional virtuous self and never to change. Also she is bringing the translator from Handan so she wil have company on the train and they will share the room.
So Jimb thanks for the link to the days inn I will hook up with them in a few moments, also my lady Zhen says she would love to get together to meet you guys so once I get there and rested we can set something up. Also thanks for the heads up on the translator. Wow so much to do and so little time to get it done hehe.
Daghoi thanks for the other hotel links much appreciated.
So anyway gotta go finish my letter to Zhen be back later.
Brian
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Brian
Dont forget to pack a small jar of your favourite coffeee in your luggage. If you prefer real beans, grind them first and take them with you. The Chinese version of instant coffee (nescafe a la China) is awful !!!
The hotel will supply small packets of milk as and when you need them...and....good idea to take some sugar to if you use it !!!!
Lastly....take something for a headache....cant get asprin in China !!! and local alcohol (other than their very good beer) is a headache in a bottle !!!!!
From one coffee addict to another :icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
DavidE
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Brian
Dont forget to pack a small jar of your favourite coffeee in your luggage. If you prefer real beans, grind them first and take them with you. The Chinese version of instant coffee (nescafe a la China) is awful !!!
The hotel will supply small packets of milk as and when you need them...and....good idea to take some sugar to if you use it !!!!
Lastly....take something for a headache....cant get asprin in China !!! and local alcohol (other than their very good beer) is a headache in a bottle !!!!!
From one coffee addict to another :icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
DavidE
David thanks for the heads up greatly appreciated, I will take some coffee with me heh and aspirins too. Neither myself nor Zhen drink so that part at least is not a worry.
Jimb. I just put in a booking request for the rooms at the days inn you recommended. Thanks for the help. If my flights are on time I arrive at the airport at 6pm local on the 6th, so however long it takes to get to the hotel from there. I booked for 2 nights to start and we can go from there. Also the 7th is my birthday so it will probably be the 8th or after that we can get together.Feel free to call me at the hotel anytime from the 6th onward and we can set things up.
Thanks again for the help and advice everyone. Tomorrow I am off to get a netbook to take with me so I can keep you posted on events while I am there.
Regards,
Brian
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I forgot all about that. I always carry my medicine chest and it has come in handy more than once. I carry, aspirin, toothache medicine, eye drops, neosporin, imodium and kaopectate. You can get the travel sizes at most stores. It may sound like a hypochondriac but trust me, when you are sick and do not know the language having your own medicine sure helps. Now of course I have my own nurse, but still carry it.
About alcohol. For my taste the snow beer is very good and I am not a beer drinker. I like wine, and the Great Wall Dry Red is cheap and excellent. I get it in the supermarket for about 40 yuan a bottle. or about $6.00 usd Whereas the Berringer I drink at home here is $13.00 usd (at home I pay $7.00)
I cannot speak to any other types of alcohol.
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Your dead right Jim, The medicines that you mentioned plus any others that suites you are a real ''must have'' on your trip to China. If your relatively careful in what you eat or drink, you probably won't need them. Throw caution to the wind and the chances are, you WILL need them!!
The main culprits for knocking you down are ''Water'', any ''Fresh fruit or veg'', street vendors selling ''Fresh Juices'' etc, The main reason for these and other food items, is that they can all be using contaminated water to wash, mix with, or made into ice.
Always use bottled water to drink and wash food with, brush your teeth etc, or water that has been boiled for at least 3 minutes (electric kettles ''CAN'T'' boil for 3 minutes) Some of the better Hotel's will have there own water treatment plant and this will be safe to drink, but always ''ASK'' to confirm before drinking or using to wash fruit etc.....
David....
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Greetings guys,
Well Jimb did the hotel booking thing a a request since the online only does one room, so I included a note that I need two rooms one with twin beds for the ladies. Well they confirmed the one room for me and forgot about the one for the ladies. I sent them an update and told them that there were 3 of us and I need the second room so hopefully they will reply and confirm so that it will be done.
If they still dont understand i have given Zhen the hotel info and will get her to book her room on the same reservation as mine.
Just waiting to hear back from the hotel. Guess this just shows how difficult it can be to deal with these things when everyone uses different languages and cultures.
Also I went and bought the presents to take with me. Man its hard buying women stuff as a guy, lol never ever liked buying perfume and make up etc. So I got watches for the kids, and went to the Body Shoppe for the womens stuff. The lady at the store knew exactly what to do as they have a regular customer who does the same thing, except he lives in CHina, comes back here a couple times a year to see his family and takes back about 35 gift packs each time.
Apparently they love the Body Shoppe products so i hope she is right.
So it seems I am aboutset to go except I a waffling about the netbook. If I buy it here and leave it for Zhen she may have difficulty with the english keybord. If I wait and buy one there I for sure will have difficulty with the keyboard. so I not sure which way to go. The netbook here is an hp and costs around $380.
Or I could go for a normal laptop for $450. Guess I will sleep on it and go get one or not tomorrow.
So anyway three days and a wakey to go then of to the land of happiness and dreams.
Regards all and I will try to post regularly. Just remember if teh typing is even worse than this its probably Zhen doing it hehe.
Regards,
Brian
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Brian..Have you even considered looking for the notebook/laptop on eBay, they have some good refurbished ones there and they are a lot cheaper then buying a new one and some have some pretty good warranties, I know I got my laptop off line thru ebay and it cost me 297 bucks USD and is covered for at least 90 days, and I was also talking to Ed. W and he tells me that you need not worry about the keyboard as I was wondering about that myself and he informed me that they can use the keyboard but they learn to use pingyin when they use it, so that covers just about all I needed to know, I am however going to get another laptop like this one its a Dell Latitude D600, that way can teah her how to use hers and at the same time have mine to keep the updates flowing, Just giving you what I found out hope this might help you a little bit
Norb
oops gave you the wrong price 279 USD
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Greetings Guys,
David thanks for the advice on the water. I did remember about that but like you say cant be too carefull so thanks for putting it fresh in my mind.
Norb, never ever bought anything from Ebay and I leave in three days so porbably not a good idea to start with this one. Thanks for the heads up though I might give it a go for my next trip if I need any more toys lol.
Come to think of it one of my sisters has a boyfriend who makes his living off Ebay, hmm coulda asked him a while back, oh well live and hopefully learn.
Regards
Brian
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Brian, have yourself a great time in China, this is a trip of a lifetime, wish you all the best and hope everything goes well for you and your lady.
Personally I would buy the notebook in China, the ones I have seen at a shop when I was over there all had the basic software pre-loaded in Chinese and the keypad is standard English keys, (as far as I know their is no Chinese character key keypad/keyboard available) also the power supply will be 220-volts for China. My wife purchased a tablet with pen, and she writes in Chinese using the tablet. it is really easy for her to write using the tablet and send me what she wrote. We use MSN Messenger with web cam and I also use Google translate, I simply copy and paste into Google translate what she has written in Chinese, click on the TRANSLATE button and vola! Then I write in English and again hit the TRANSLATE button and send her what I wrote in Chinese. Very easy and simple once you get the hang of it, works very well for us. Perhaps this can be an easy option for you and your lady to communicate with each other once you return home to Canada.
I actually have 2 monitors going at the same time, my notebook screen I use for writing back and forth to each other (Google translate screen), the second monitor I have her video image set up so we can see each other live. The second monitor is hooked up to my HP notebook computer, I have it mounted/sitting just above my notebook screen. (most modern notebooks will have an screen output jack for connecting a second screen)
Please send us some pictures and keep us updated when you have the chance.
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Brian, have yourself a great time in China, this is a trip of a lifetime, wish you all the best and hope everything goes well for you and your lady.
Personally I would buy the notebook in China, the ones I have seen at a shop when I was over there all had the basic software pre-loaded in Chinese and the keypad is standard English keys, (as far as I know their is no Chinese character key keypad/keyboard available) also the power supply will be 220-volts for China. My wife purchased a tablet with pen, and she writes in Chinese using the tablet. it is really easy for her to write using the tablet and send me what she wrote. We use MSN Messenger with web cam and I also use Google translate, I simply copy and paste into Google translate what she has written in Chinese, click on the TRANSLATE button and vola! Then I write in English and again hit the TRANSLATE button and send her what I wrote in Chinese. Very easy and simple once you get the hang of it, works very well for us. Perhaps this can be an easy option for you and your lady to communicate with each other once you return home to Canada.
I actually have 2 monitors going at the same time, my notebook screen I use for writing back and forth to each other (Google translate screen), the second monitor I have her video image set up so we can see each other live. The second monitor is hooked up to my HP notebook computer, I have it mounted/sitting just above my notebook screen. (most modern notebooks will have an screen output jack for connecting a second screen)
Please send us some pictures and keep us updated when you have the chance.
Bob thanks for the kind words and the advice. Thats a mighty fine idea with the multiple computers and monitors. It so happens I have two computers set up myself so thats a great idea I never thought of. As for the notebook, yea the power supply thing would be easier to deal with . She is not computer literate at all so anything that makes it easier for her is better for us.
As for the pics and updates I will definitely do the updates and will also try to include some pics also.
3 days and a wakey to go then I am off heheh getting even more excited.
Regards,
Brian
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Bob is right about the keyboard, but the programs are in Chinese. It would be very difficult for her to operate anything that wasnt in Chinese. If you turn it around you will see what I mean. i cannot use hers unless I remember where things are. So it would be twice as difficult for her, firstly not knowing english then not knowing a computer very well. I know it is an added expense to buy two, but why not get yourself a mini or an inexpensive laptop. Then here we can shop around to see what we can get here or maybe she knows of a place where she is from to get one. Not knowing the translator unless she is a friend of your ladies, I would take anything she says about buying things with a grain of salt. She would probably steer you to a friends store where she gets a kickback. No problem if she gets you a good deal anyway, but just a heads up. I am not saying be upset about it because that is a way of life here. Especially if she is in the tourist type of business. We might do the same thing in her shoes. Oh, and here where i bought my wifes, they installed the complete version of Office at no charge plus a number of other programs. (No licensing agreement apparently)
The smog is so bad here today that I can only see about 4 blocks then it whites out. No smell though. Unless I have gotten used to it.
Anyway if you need anything else just holler.
Jim
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Bob is right about the keyboard, but the programs are in Chinese. It would be very difficult for her to operate anything that wasnt in Chinese. If you turn it around you will see what I mean. i cannot use hers unless I remember where things are. So it would be twice as difficult for her, firstly not knowing english then not knowing a computer very well. I know it is an added expense to buy two, but why not get yourself a mini or an inexpensive laptop. Then here we can shop around to see what we can get here or maybe she knows of a place where she is from to get one. Not knowing the translator unless she is a friend of your ladies, I would take anything she says about buying things with a grain of salt. She would probably steer you to a friends store where she gets a kickback. No problem if she gets you a good deal anyway, but just a heads up. I am not saying be upset about it because that is a way of life here. Especially if she is in the tourist type of business. We might do the same thing in her shoes. Oh, and here where i bought my wifes, they installed the complete version of Office at no charge plus a number of other programs. (No licensing agreement apparently)
The smog is so bad here today that I can only see about 4 blocks then it whites out. No smell though. Unless I have gotten used to it.
Anyway if you need anything else just holler.
Jim
Hiya Jim,
With regards to the translator I am not quite sure if its an agency translator or an outside one recommended by the agency. Either way I am sure she will have some sort of agenda. However we are only keeping her for 2 days so her effect will be minimal. Day one on the ground there I think is to get the electronic translator so we are ready when the real one leaves. Then from there we can decide on the rest. I agree with you about the computer. It would be best to buy one for her there. Plus the hotel has an internet room so hopefully I can send email and update my trip here from that facility.
Once we are certain that we are where we think we are in our relationship then I will do the computer thing. Also if things are the way we think they are then our dinner together may well end up being an engagement dinner hehe.
I asked Zhen how much money I should plan on for this adventure and she replied that people at the agency said somewhere around 20000rmb. I am not sure if this is high or not but I sure seem to be spending money like its going out of style and I havent even arrived there yet. Still it is after all only money and if it leads to everlasting happiness then its money well spent.
If I were dating here in Canada I am sure in these past months I would have spent a fair chunk also so I think it balances out. The biggest difference is the airfair, but even there I get the trip of a lifetime regardless of the outcome.
Also I just confirmed with the hotel and both rooms are now booked, so that is a load off the mind. Now Zhen and friend can go to the hotel as soon as they arrive in Beijing and drop their luggage and rest before coming to the airport.
Well time to chat with my bank about stuff so back again later.
Regards,
Brian
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Brian, I am only using one computer with a extra screen attached to it. You do not need to use 2 computers to do what I am doing. Most notebooks will allow you to connect a second monitor to it, then you simply go into the video card parameter settings and activate the second monitor, after you can "split" the screen. I have Nvidia video processor and chipset onboard in my HP notebook, and you can also do this with the ATI . It is actually very easy to do, I drag the MSN window to the top screen(that would be my second screen,Viewsonic 18" that is pluged to my HP notebook) and open Google Translate window on my main screen of the notebook. So on the top (second) screen I can see my wife live via web cam, and type what I want to say to her on the main screen of the notebook, then I click on the TRANSLATE button, then highlight the translated phrase and click on copy then Paste to the MSN window, that's it, she will receive my sentence in Chinese(manderin) , then she will read what I have written, then write something back to me and I simple copy and past it into the Google translator and click on Translate (to English),
This may sound complicated, but it actually is very easy for anyone to do, once you get the hang for it, it goes pretty fast.
so,,
1)Type your English message in Google translate
2)Then click on the TRANSLATE button,then highlight the translated text
3)right click on mouse, pick COPY,,
4)then go to the MSN screen (that would be the second screen,just drag the mouse over to it) and right click on mouse over the MSN screen where you type messeges and PASTE.
and hit the ENTER button.
Do the reverse when your lady sends you text in Chinese.
My wife did not know anything about computers, and she learned how to do this very quickly, took her only 2-3 days to get the hang of it. Now we can sent each other messages instantly while using the web cam. As the weeks past she was getting faster and faster in sending her messages, (less then a minute for her to write and send most text)
If we can do it, then anyone can do it. We said good-bye to the EMF's a very long time ago, no more agency involvement. We have been talking via internet (text and video web cam) almost everyday for the past year now.
Well, I am very happy to announce that this long distance internet stuff will very soon be over for my wife and I, she will be receiving her Permanent Residency card and Visa to enter Canada any day now. She has PASSED the interview in Beijing and FINALLY after all this time we will be together :icon_biggrin:
This is a very exciting time for my wife and I, and I hope for all the brothers here that are going through the process that you will also have great success and will soon be reunited with your lady.
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Bob thanks for the information that your supplying here...
I am so pleased to hear about your wife passing her interview..CONGRATS to you BOTH mate:icon_cheesygrin:
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Greetings guys,
Yes add my congrats as well, and thanks for the walkthrough on the setup, sounds like a great idea to me. Get off emf's hmmm yea I love that idea heheh.
Speaking of visas and such, how tough is it to bring our lady here on a holiday? Is the visa process still so tough. I mean we can get a visa to visit there really easily can they get one for here so maybe I could bring Zhen over for christmas? Any thoughts or insights on this?
Regards,
Brian
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Hello again,
Thank you all for the nice comments,
Brian, I never tried to get a visa for my wife to visit Canada prior to us getting married. I would think it would be easy enough, perhaps another brother here could answer that question, however getting a visa for your lady to come and visit you in Canada after you are married is completely a different ball game. I wanted to bring my wife here to Canada to visit me, I was told by my immigration lawyers "good luck"!!! apparently Canada will not grant her a visa to enter the country once you are married. So I never tried to get her here during the time we where married, and especially since we where also going through the immigration process at the time, I did not want to jeopardize anything with that. This is what I was told, I am not saying it is fact, but it would make sense that they would not grant the visa under such circumstances. Canada does not want these ladies in the country during the immigration process, if ever the application was refused, they know that some of these women will most likely hide in the country, and that is obviously illegal and not what they want, they do not want to have to hunt these women down and export them back to China, time consuming and costly. You however are free to go and visit her in China as often as you like during the immigration process.
My wife and I got married in China last September 2008, I do not know how that would work if you where to marry here in Canada first, I think she would still have to leave Canada right after the marriage and remain in her country until the immigration process is completed. To the other experienced brothers here, please jump in and correct me if I am wrong.
I will soon be posting my personal experience regarding the whole immigration process and what is involved in the "Visa and Immigration" section of this forum. (Canadian process) part 2.
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Brian,
I think my first trip to see Gina=Mrs. Burk, i spent about $4000 usd. But we travelled to Xi'an and stayed there for about 3 days. (By the way if you go there, I will give you my tourist guide, she was great) I did not want to give up my room in Beijing so i actually paid for two hotels for those 3 days. I bought her a computer, the translator and 2 meals a day for 3 and 4 people, gifts for people back home all of the attractions in Xi'an and I cant think of anything else. My hotel was expensive though. I wanted to stay near her so I could only find one that was $100 usd a night.
So, Yea I think $3,000 usd (20,000 rmb/yuan) plus your bank card will be enough As you say It cold be a once in a lifetime trip or the trip of your life. Have a safe trip and see you when you get here.
Smog is very bad again today. We need rain.
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Hi Guys,
thanks again for teh great advice. I kinda thought it must be tough to bring our ladies here even before getting married since I have not seen any posts that said anyone had done it. Doesnt seem fair. Same with the immigration people. They deport hardworking Philipino nannies and such and allow hardened criminals to stay. Boggles the mind. Also in todays society any immigrant family can divorce once they get here whats the big deal about bringing your wife back. Again little to no logic. Yes she may just be after a trip to Canada then divorce but that can happen to any marriage.
I would just like here to get a small taste of life here. Would certainly make it easier to decide where to live after getting married. I have decided that if we do go all teh way, tehn I willnot live apart from her. I will gosweep streets or pick up garbage if thats all I can find but I will not leave her if we marry.
Thanks for the heads up on the costs Jim I think around 20k is good then. Plus as you say there is always teh credit card in a pinch.
We both look forward to meeting you and the missus hehe. Speak with you both soon
Bob, I think when I get back I will investigate this further. I would really like to bring her here for a visit just to show her what life here is really like, and so we can make decent decisions on where to live.
Mike, its the same as always with governments logic plays no role in it hehe, but if I find out anything I will post it so we all know.
Take care guys, 2 days and a wakey til I fly to her loving arms.
Brian
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Dont kow a lot about the Canadian Immigration rules for a foreign wife, but here in Aus we have 2 categories for the lady to come here...
1) A spouse visa
This is where you get married overseas and want to bring your new wife to Aus. This takes about 9 months minimum (so I'm told)...and they dont really want you to do this !!!, because they prefer the "cooling off" period offered withn the Fiancee visa below:
2) A fiancee visa.
This visa is the preferred option from the Immigration Dept point of view. Your fiancee can come here to live freely and you must be married here within 9 months of her arrival. If you dont marry for any reason...then she must return back home. The "incentive" for this visa is that immediately you make the application, the Immig. Dept will grant your intended Lady a 3 month Tourist visa so she can come and be with you and check it all out before the Fiancee visa is processed.
But she must return to her home to accept the fiancee visa.
Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for a single, unnattached woman to get a Tourist visa...they are scared of overstays, same as USA and Canada.
Just wondered if there is similar Fiancee visa in Canada ??
DavidE
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Brian,
Your starting to run at full speed again, slow yourself down mate, get this trip out of the way and under your belt before you start thinking about long term plans. You may come away from China, with more questions than you have answers for. One step at a time Brian, catches the little mouse(y)
By all means be your romantic self over there, but a little word of warning, they also want to see a man they can ''follow''. Which means a man with a strength of character, so please give that some thought before you leave and definitely while your there with her....
David....
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Hi Guys,
To David E, interesting, I will check with our immigration folks when I get back.
To David 5o. No worries David I understand what you are saying. It just struck me as strange that in all the reading I have done on this forum and over at chnlove I have not seen anyone say the brought their lady to their home country to visit there. I was thinking perhaps they are not allowed to leave CHina, but then how do we have so many tourists from there here in Canada.
My total focus for the next three weeks is ensuring that what we both think we have is in reality what we have. and doing everything we can to solidify it. I am not going to jeapordize anything with her.
Oh and David 50 thanks for being that little voice in my head to keep me on the straight and narrow. Much appreciated.
Regards to all,
Brian
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Brian, I wish for you all that has happened to me. She and I had a good conversation this evening about it all. She says she doesnt care what happens from here on out, she is just happy that we are together. I told her it would be better once we are together in the states. We get our house in order so to speak.
What other woman would love the Rambo series movies over anything else? That is what we watched tonight. On her recommendation. god we just fit.
Anything else you need? Just holler.
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Brian, I wish for you all that has happened to me. She and I had a good conversation this evening about it all. She says she doesnt care what happens from here on out, she is just happy that we are together. I told her it would be better once we are together in the states. We get our house in order so to speak.
What other woman would love the Rambo series movies over anything else? That is what we watched tonight. On her recommendation. god we just fit.
Anything else you need? Just holler.
Greetings Guys,
Wow Jim, how on earth did you find that most wonderful woman? loves action movies, especially Stallone, heheh thats just too funny. You most certainly have a wonderful loving wife and I am glad for you.
With any luck I will be in the same position as you except the married part of course thats not possible at this time but all the rest of it I truly hope Zhen and I can be as happy as you and Gina.
See you guys in a few days,
Regards,
Brian
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If Martin, and Ronald, and others here, are living in Canada without their wives .... there must be a good reason for it .... as they wait and wait even past holidays.....
They only talk of going to China to be with their wives, and not the other way around....
I do not think it is easy as you state....
Maybe they can explain it for you, as I am not in that situation just yet ...
Mike
From what I gather, the women need to show proof of resonable grounds for them returning back to China ie: much assests or good paying job. I don't think it matters if they are already married to us or just visting as an invited tourist by us. If they wanted to hide if the permanent visa got denied, then whats stopping an umarried visitor from doing the same? So Mike has the jest of it right. We could apply but chances are the money for the application would be wasted as from most people I know who have applied, got a big fat NO.
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Add on it has to be her money. You can't wire funds to cushion the account. They look to see if this has happen and eject it if it did.
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I was thinking perhaps they are not allowed to leave CHina, but how do we have so many tourists from there here in Canada.
China will let them go...the problem is Canada. And like it has been said, once you are married, good luck bringing her to Canada on a tourist Visa. When i was in Guangzhou, I was talking to a guy from Winnipeg, and his wife had been rejected twice to come over as a tourist.
I did hear that one way for them to come as a tourist is to join an organized tour group. But this does not get her together with you...just allows her to see the country. The whole situation sucks. Once married, CIC will do everything in their power to make it difficult.
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Greetings Guys,
Well I guess if thats the attitude of the government I guess they will just have to lose another taxpayer. Once my divorce is complete and I have all my paperwork finalized around end decJan then assuming everything goes well this trip I will go and marry her there and stay. We will not go through all the grief and heartache that the rest of the guys are going through. We have discussed this and she will follow me wherever I need to go to get work over there. Once we have been married a few years it should be easier to bring her back to Canada if we still want to.
Live here or live there we dont care as long as we are together.
I will turn 52 the day after I get to China this trip so technically only 3 years after that I can start drawing pensions. That will help support us over there until I can find a decent teaching gig or something else. That plus my savings and investments and we wont be rich but should be enough to live on for a while if need be.
So anyway less than 24 hours and I am in the air and on my way to the most wonderful woman in the world.
I will try to update about my trip once I get there and let you guys know how it all goes.
Regards,
Brian
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Have a great trip Brian. I hope you can keep up the Canadian success tradition...but at the same token, keep your eyes open. Good luck. I look forward to your trip updates.
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And photos.. Good luck Brian and have fun.
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Waaaaaiiiiiiitttttttt !! I"M COMING WITH YOU TO CHINA, HELL, I WISH ! LOL.
Have a safe journey and please take lots of pictures to share with us (if that is okay) :icon_cool:
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If Brian cant, I will have him let me know and i will pass it on.