True? I had a good laugh over the rank smells and naming them...he he.
 

yeah pretty much all true - except i thinks some of their medical facilities are ok.

I think you aclimatise to the rank smells after a while - stinky tofu (truly gross), chilli (incapacitating in large quantities), strange gases leaking from the sewer system.....

aahhh.... but the worst... I HATE it.... is stones in your rice (once I got some in a plate of greens as well) - not nice!
 

Hi

Was tipped off about your blog by Marie - I am coming to China on the January team, and she suggested your 'pictorial guide to china' might be useful. Not sure how useful it was, but worth it for the laughs.

Any tips for a first-timer going to China (especially the whole winter thing)?
 

Hi Sam, Just had a read of your blog and it reminds me so much of our three years in Malaysia. the sights are the same, the signs seem to lose (or gain) something in translation and in english don't relay say what they mean, but you get the idea. It's great to be able to see that there is a lighter side to all that happens there. From your photos I see that even the transport is much the same. Bicycles can carry almost anything we use a semi trailer for. but the one thing that you can never describe or bring home is the smell. it is unique. Jannene Wall just gave us a presentation at church - with pics - and it was great. Keep up the great work and may our God protect & comfort you. Barry Balderson
 

Katie - will look forward to seeing in January. Bring clothes that you can layer - it will be freezing outside but you will want to take off some layers in restaurants/hotels etc. bring gloves/hat/beanie, chapstick, that antibacterial hand stuff is great as are wet ones (to use before you want to eat etc so you don't get sick). Shoes that are warm and waterproof are good (it is often a bit wet/drizzly in January). You need old clothes that you don't mind getting grubby when you're with the kids but it is nice to have a set of clothes to wear at night to dinner as well.Bring your favourite cold/flu remedy (lemsip/cold and flu tablets etc), panadol, immodium/loperamide and maybe vitamin c. It will be a hard 2 weeks and lots of people find its easy to get sick. hmmm...if i think of anything else i'll let you know
 

Hey sam, about the lake thing... Does it freeze??? maybe they are talking about walking on ice!!!
China looks like thailand only they seem to cart less garbage and more food and ice and stuff in thailand.
 

Cheers for the tips. There were a few things there, like the chapstick, that I hadn't considered. Is there any particular Australian fare that you are hanging out for? Vegemite for example?
 

Hi Katie, I'm fine for all things australian, thanks for asking though. I'll be home in a month or so. I forgot to mention to bring tissues (just a couple of packs, you can buy more here). You need them for the toilets, there's no paper :) - all the little details