1st Day Touring

We had a long day of touring today. Kathy, the wife of the business owner, took us around Shenzhen all day. We used her car but she had a driver. I can see why. Americans would be screaming, swearing, honking .... It would be serious road rage but somehow they just edge their cars around and into lanes and pedestrians. She took us shopping to a jewelry section. We thought we'd be buying knock offs but it turned out to be the real stuff. After many stops we communicated that we didn't want to spend that much money. Kathy ended up calling a friend who recommended someone. When we made it to that shop the manager met us outside with his assistant and escorted us to his shop. We both bought a jade necklace. He gave us 75% off thanks to Kathy. She also said he was so excited to have Americans in his store. He made us tea after the sell. I noticed there were about 15 employees and 3 shoppers. We were surrounded by 4-5 of them at all times. The numbers would be opposite in the US. Kathy said, "well, there are many people in China who need jobs!"

Here are some other observations:

*Some people walk backwards for good health

*they don't use clothes driers, they hang all clothes outside on hangers to dry

*people squat to rest while they are waiting for buses

*$100 = 685.30 RMB's

*100 RMB's = $14.59

*Shenzhen is a big city without a lot of historical sites as it is 30 years old.

*we toured an art village where painters sell their works...many, many shops

*tried to get to a mountain top but the road was closed due to so much rain.

*have not seen a single overweight Chinese man or woman, no butts and guts here!

*ate at a mall today, large portions. Kathy said she thinks the Americans eat too much butter      and fat.

I have to rest up now. We are going out to dinner in an hour to a seafood restaurant.

Lynn