China Romance
General Discussion and Useful Links => Ask An Experienced Member => Topic started by: Scottish_Rob on June 28, 2009, 02:24:46 pm
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In the Uk we have £ P, (£ = Pounds) (P = Pences) there are 100 pence to the pound.. A couple of questions now please enlighten me.
In the USA it's the Dollar and Cents yes? In china there is the Yuan. The only thing I have got is 100 Yuan notes, what are the denominations please?
Also..
When I go to Qingdao I am assuming that the best thing is to taste all the foodstuffs that will be in front of me, what did you guy's who went do? Did you take any of your 'local' food with you for your lady and her family to taste?
I am going to be taking Haggis and Neeps (Turnips)...Let's see what they think of that....hahaha
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Rob, the notes are 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, and .50 and .10. The coins are 1, .50, and .10. Be careful about bringing foodstuffs into a foreign country especially fruits or vegetables. Nine times out of ten probably no problem but I would advise against it because if customs gets wind of it they could detain you for simply bringing in things that be riddled with insects or worse yet they might think they could be carrying some type of disease. I'm not saying that would be the case yet do not put it to chance especially with this Swine Flu still in our midst. Chinese love to make a big deal out of nothing so skip the fruit and veggies. If they do happen to discover it after you already said you weren't carrying it you are in for mega problems and you don't have the luxury of being an America too. Chinese don't like it when you don't play by there rules. You want to be a fly on the wallpaper here brother. Do not chance you wonderful trip by smuggling fruits or vegetables into someone else's country. Just my thoughts Rob, don't want to see you trouble with the govt. here.
China Shark Mike
Rob, sorry forgot to answer the second part of your query. Set a criteria up first before setting down to eat. My rule of thumb is no heads or feet. That includes pigs ears, knuckles, snouts, fish eyes. If you don't watch your girl will be stuffing some unspeakable food in your mouth before you can refuse. Came real close to having pigs ears stuffed into my mouth twice when I wasn't paying attention. Some foods brother you don't want to tangle with. Was with friends a few nights ago and was ready to chow down on this delicious looking chowder when my friend informed me it was frog chowder, needless to say I opted to eat fried rice in lieu of this horrendous dish. Amphibians and snakes are two other no nos on my list. Depends on how much you want to impress your lady. Arnold is the exception to the rule, he's lost his mind when it comes to trying exotic local food. Think I'll try to get him on Fear Factor and we'll split the prize money. Don't worry about them being dissappointed about you not trying thier local dishes, they are very understanding about that. But they are not as quite understanding about not drinking and smoking with them, real men's club in these here parts. I am actually allergic to the barley in booze so I have a legitimate reason for not partaking. Occassionally I'll smoke a cigarette when hanging out with friends.
China Shark Mike
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I dunno Mike, when in Rome and all that.
I dont eat stuff I have food allergies to but am game for trying most otherthings, although eyeballs are something I'd draw the line at.
Personally I think the most disgusting thing in terms of taste and method of eating I had there was bone marrow - they had these bones and gave you a straw to suck the marrow out of them, I just found that gross !!
On the other hand picking chicken brains out of a chicken head didnt bother me a ta ll, it was just mushy. Frogs are just boney as hell by the way, what little meat there is ptastes like chicken, at least that what i though.
Cow and pig intestine is pretty gross looking and fairly tasteless , wasn't too keen on that but would eat it again if i was hungry. Chicken feet were probably the most revolting thing , sucking he skin off the feet was slimy cold and vile at the same time hahah.
On the other hand, camel, snake and dog were all fantastic, and one frog dish i had, while boney as hell was very tasty.
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I see Michael know's me very well . Haha
I must say , the only thing that I did not like so far was Jellyfish ( cold , no taste and hard as rubber ) made Squit look tender and soft .
I did LOVE the snake though , never found out what kind of Snake , but tasted like a wonderful fish dish . That I can't wait to have again .
My list of No No's , is short of course : Eyeballs of anything , testicle's of anything , penis's , Dog & Cat and Mouse , no Brains ( have my own , hehe ) and no Intestine's .
Now can I eat my Menudo in peace .
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Hehehe Thanks Mike, think I'll stick to Fish, chips and mushy peas.....hehehe
I'm not good when it comes to exotic foods, its gotta look tasty for me to try, but I already explained all that to Keren, she said she'll keep all that outta my way.....
I smoke like a trooper anyway so that's not a problem, but don't drink because of medication, can possibly take 1 bottle of lager or something but that will be it
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I think the worst thing I've eaten there was boiled silk worm pupae it's like taking a cream filled donut hole in your mouth and biting down and getting this warm gooey mess that shots to the other side of you mouth, frankly, I couldn't get it out of my mouth fast enough, at the same time though, camel, dog,snake, lizzard,chicken feet with congee, frog, scorpions, goose intestine soup, fish soup ( includes the eyes ), and monkey all tasted very good, some of witch Zhou still makes for me to this day, you should see my sons face on those nights :icon_cheesygrin:
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Haha Robert , they all look very tasty , it's knowing what .. before eating that count's or should I say .. you don't want to know or they will not tell you . To them there is only Fish , Meat and Pork and Vegies . I gave up long ago asking what kind of Fish is this ? Or what kind of Meat ? That is why it's better just to try it and see for yourself , without making a scene or embarrassing yourself .
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I'll just close my eyes and think of Scotland and haggis....hehehe
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Hah, Michael you're a man after my own heart, I'd be in heaven to have a wife that cooked me stuff like that, I do like the food, a bit too much as my waistline would attest to!
Your Zhou seems like a wonderful lady and wife to have of course.
My Ling's granny is gonna cook me dumplings when i visit in August, i wont ask whats in em and will eat right up with a smile :D
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Your Zhou seems like a wonderful lady and wife to have of course.
My Ling's granny is gonna cook me dumplings when i visit in August, i wont ask whats in em and will eat right up with a smile :D
Michael survived five year's of Zhou's cooking , so I'm sure she is a wonderful Cook and Wife and Mother .
Irish , isn't it such a great feeling to know that Ling's Granny is going to do this to a Foreigner ? I know how I felt when Qing's Mom told me that the first time . There is no feeling like that , of being excepted into their Family .
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Michael survived five year's of Zhou's cooking , so I'm sure she is a wonderful Cook and Wife and Mother .
Irish , isn't it such a great feeling to know that Ling's Granny is going to do this to a Foreigner ? I know how I felt when Qing's Mom told me that the first time . There is no feeling like that , of being excepted into their Family .
You bet Arnold, I'm so excited, I have a seafood allergy and she was extremely careful to make sure she knows what exactly that means so she could pass on to the granny, i know I'm in good hands :) i am 100% aware how important it is to be accepted by her family and having granny cook me a dinner is a Big Deal, i have no doubt about that and I'll be sure to be respectful and thankful and hopefully butter her up with a bit of Irish blarney too :D
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Ronan, tell me about the waist line, man I've gained a few inches over time and I can't stop, especially with Dumplings MMMmmm MMmmmmm.
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What's funny , with all the eating here and there all day long , I did not gain one pound . At my age eating like that I should have gained 20 - 30 pound's . It's got to be what they eat foodwise , that makes nobody Fat . It truely was like Thanksgiving every day over and over . Well we did do things inbetween the Meal's , after all had a couple of hour's to kill before eating again . Besides Qing and her Family , that is the next thing .. that I miss the most . i certainly hope Qing will bring that part of China with her to the States .:-/
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she even made some extra last time, and told me she set a place at the table with some chopsticks. just for me !
Mike , that is something . Check out the Photo . Between Qing and her Son is a Chair , plate and juice glass set up for Me . Qing is pointing to the Chair . Our Lady's seem to have many things in common .
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Yes ... picture's do say a thousand word's . The Love is imprinted onto them for you to receive . I can't tell you how many times I go through all our Photo's / Letter's and that is just to see if it's really me , that is happening to ?
It's a great way to stay connected while apart , can't write or call 24/7 .. it's the next best thing .
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I spoke to Song this weekend (Sat/Sun) she's in the hospital, Anal Fissure? Looked it up didn't know the word at all. Anyway why I'm bringing this up was I asked about the food there. She said she buys the food in the hospital restaurant? I tried to understand what she was saying? I sent an EMF about it to clarify. Does anyone know? I can't see how people leave their hospital bed to go eat?
Even with this she was concerned about my meals and sleeping? She even made a joke in a very witty way (like I do). She said I don't sleep enough, I should sleep 7-8 hours. (I can't) So I said maybe when we're together I will stay in bed longer. She laughed and then came back with..oohhh no sleep in bed. (we won't be sleeping :icon_biggrin:) She laughed so hard I heard others in the room start laughing too.
But she knows not to sneak in any strange foods when she will cook for me. Made sure well in advance.
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Thanks Mike. I have to say when I called Saturday and she said she's in the hospital and when she tried to explain what it was? she had the word anal? but couldn't say the second word and the only thing that came to mind was cancer. (Farrah Fawcett) and my heart, jaw and everything else dropped. But then she found the words and looked it up. She also was saying other things I can't understand? She might go home after they change the machine? That was the reason for calling today she said she would be home? But she wasn't. I don't know I asked her to explain it all in the EMF. She might be there till Thursday? But she seemed in good sprits and even brought her Besta along to study english with. Other people in the room asked what it was. So yeah I was worried and still am. But she seemed like it was no bother? So I hope she's right.
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This may sound funny but I've got a chewing gum I'm quite fond of and brought some. My wife liked it so much she consumed the rest of my pack before I realized it. haha.
Some things are likely harmless to bring in but I'd avoid fruits for sure.
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Vince , a Anal Fissure is a Tear in that area . So not much to worry my Friend . It will be more embarrassing than anything else .
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Should I take chocolate and Sweets (confectionery) chewing gum over, remember guy's I'm from the UK?
Vince sorry to hear about Song, hope she gets better soon mate....
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I think it comes down to anything grown, fruits, flowers, and foods are not allowed to be brought in (any country I know of) because they could have diseases, bugs or both on them. Chocolates and chewing gum are processed and packaged. They had a show here that I think the name of it was "Boarders" or "Boarder patrol"? Where they followed a few of the officers for a day or two. You would be surprised what people send in the mail, or try to bring into the country. Some kind of meat? sent in the mail, not frozen or even chilled to keep it? Stuffed into a box in a plastic bag. Anyway you have to do a check list for customs and one of the questions is if you are carrying any fruits etc. either way it's not getting in.
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Vince, try not to fret. The Chinese put you in the hospital with the slightest problems. The fissure like Arnold said is just like an hemaroid just a little further up. Nothing serious at all. Besides these women are much tougher than we will ever be in life. They endure child birth so they are built much tougher. They whine and complain they we do. It's better that she is in a medical facility than at home where she might be 30 minutes away from treatment.
Shark
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Vince, she will be ok. But it is hard to be 15000 miles away and not be able to at least hold her hand.
Getting back to the money. The best exchange rate i got was from my bank prior to leaving. The last time I think I got 6.75, But the Bank of China did pretty well also. They gave me 6.6. The first trip I did not even think about it until I got to the airport in Atlanta, They pretty much raped me with 4.5 plus a percentage. The ATM's there dont give a great rate either. But it is acceptable. at 6.0 (This was in March of this year). The current rate for USD is 6.83 the Euro rate is 1 Euro is 9.62 Yuan or RMB (same thing)
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never, never, never change money at an airport, you will get the worst rates possible
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I tried getting money before leaving last time but was told it was impossible to get Chinese notes in a bank outside of China?? Its certainly impossible in any Irish bank, I probably tried them all.
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Before I went I bought money over the internet and the exchange rate was almost as good as it was in China. It was an off chute company that was linked to AAA travel. It might be worth a try. They would even buy the money back if you did not use it all in China. Of course that was a slim to none chance of bringing any back. I brought a little back for my sons collection but that was all.
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Well got my answers as she always does. The main question was the Machine that had to be changed? The food? in the hospital and the last was what happen? So I'll let her tell you in her own words...
I wanted to say I go there to change medicine. And you know, machine and medicine are very similar to each other, so I said it wrong, I am sorry for it, my darling! The doctor told me that I should go there to change medicine every day, which lasts for a week!
My darling, I want to be honest with you, so I want to tell everything about myself to you, too! I have had a small operation and you even can not see a scar, as it's in the use of laser! :) hehe
My darling, there is a dining hall in the hospital, and you know, the patients who can walk will go there to eat by themselves, and the ones who can not will be took care of by their families and of course, the food will be sent to them by their families! and I don't know how to say the dining hall, so I said resturant.
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Good news Vince. Glad things are going to be alright.
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I wonder how easy a few words can change the entire reflection of a message. Happy with you Vince.
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Well it is really rare that a misunderstanding happens. The last phone call was full of them but we put anything with a question into an EMF after the call. Like we did this one. We even for the first time came to who is right over the word "Couple" She read a sentence... nobody's lived here for a couple of years. She said the word couple in her dictionary said it was several. I said no it is two, a couple, 2. The word for 3 or more is "Few" She said No, I said Yes... She then said OK dictionary is wrong. :icon_biggrin: See we're both stubborn. haha
The thing I learned from the call most was about the food at a hospital? If you don't have family? You don't eat? Just shows how dependent they are on family.
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Be Careful who you befriend in China . I was out shopping with Luo Li and I was standing back admiring the large fish swimming around the tank. One caught my eye and Luo li asked which was my favourite. I pointed out the big fellow - oops - 5 seconds later he/she was out of the tank hit onthe head had the guts ripped open and within 30 minutes was on the stove cooking very nicely. Another short friendship gone - but was delicious. It made me think - what if I had been admiring another women and not a fish!!! - doesn't bear thinking about.
Willy
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LMAO.......... Willy that sounds way too funny, I maybe have to put a zip on my lips and keep my hands in the pocket then...........LOL
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The only difference was the other woman would not be on the stove cooking. LOL
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omg willy just dont look at the woman the same lol.
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Like the old saying ... if looks could Kill ? Willy has that look ... obviously . Let's see some Photo's of you Willy .:s
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:s Song had asked if we could get a Dog when she moves here? I said sure....Now i'm a little worried. :icon_biggrin:
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I see Vince , she is thinking of Home cooked meals already .:icon_cheesygrin:
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Vince, been there and done the dog deal with Xiao Wen. Life is funny, never wanted the dog yet fell in love with him once we got him. She left and Jay and I lived the next 12 years as best friends, just recently passed away last year, was 14 yrs old when he left me. Still shed a tear now and then thinking about the best friend I ever had. Having a dog sometimes pulls people closer together unfortunately that wasn't the case in my marraige. Live and learn I guess.
China Shark Mike
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Damn glad I did not stare at the kittens at the pet shop very long. Imagine your girl with a butcher knife with your new found pet at home. HAHA I will have a cat, and name him Paco. >_<
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CS Mike, that story reminded me of before I got married. Though it wasn't an animal involved. Before I married I sold my baby. My Mach I Mustang. The car I built from the ground up. Put away in the winter. All the blood, sweat and tears that went into it. Later I realized and have said since. I should have kept the car and got rid of the woman.
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as af ollow up to my original piece on the poor fish. Yesterday was my birthday and the whole family - Mother, son, sister, brotherinlaw, niece and us two were taken to one of the dozens of sea food restuarants the other side of the river from Macao. I had been told that as it was my birthday then I would have to pay - what I did not reckon on was walking along stall after stall of various revolting looking sea creatures (and some not so bad lookin) it was my job to select what was taken back to the restuarant to be cooked for us.
Some of those lobsters, crabs and prawns tried there best to smile at me. But my Luo li was having none of that - bag after bag was filled with more than we could eat at one sitting.
And when a birthday cake appeared at the end of the evening and everyone was sing Happy Birthday in English well it made the £40 ($60) to be money extremely well spent.
What I cannot get over is noi one wants tips - taxi drivers - waiting staff - all make sure you take your full change baCK.
I am going to like it here.
Willy the Londoner