You've come a long way.... China

 Today I read in the local newspaper that the government was going to raise auto fuel prices by 3%. In most countries, these prices would be set by market conditions, although those market conditions may be heavily influenced by government policies ( taxes, EPP standards, reserves,etc). The Chinese government still controls many policies which affect everyday life in China. But the grip is loosening all the time. Private enterprise is flourishing here, particularly in Shanghai, Beijing and other major cities. The government does control all aspects of the flow of commerce but the rapid development of the coastal cities has forced a reappraisal of the standards. However, a recent study by the Heritage Foundation put China at# 140 out of #183 for economic freedom. ( refer here http://www.heritage.org/index/Ranking.aspx )Ironically,this study does have Hong Kong as the #1 country for business freedom so now that China has taken it back it may learn a few things. I believe China will rise in this category over the next few years.  We travel around anywhere in China without a problem and with the same level of security checks we find in the US. We have access to 98 % of the internet but blog sites, Facebook and Youtube and many videos are censored.

Fuxing Park--one of our favorites and just a 5 minute walk
from our apartment.

The park is the center for community singing ( here someone
has set up a speaker and microphone and anyone can step up
and sing). They did not like my version of  " I want to hold your
hand". No Beatles in China.Popular during the Cultural
Revolution.

What year was Fuxing Park established? Boy, would I love to
take one of these manhole covers home with me. Maybe.

Card players and dancers enjoying the day. Early mornings here are many
Tai-Chi  and general exercise groups out on the esplanade.

Fuxing Park has a heavy French influence. It is located on the edge
of The ( Former ) French Concession and sections of the park were given
to french architects in the early 20th century to incorporate their designs.

Marx and Lenin statue in the park. They highly influenced
Chinese thought before the establishment of the Chinese
Communist Party ( CCP ) in 1921.

Cleaning carts used by the municipal street cleaners.

Mostly men get together to tell stories. generally there is one speaker
and he tells about where he came from and his experiences in life. And
maybe about last night, too!

Random picture. Our son-in-law and Clementine going down
the water/aquarium encased escalator at the Shanghai/Pudong
Aquarium.

Another great topiary.

During the late fall and into winter the meat and fish are dried for
consumption during Chinese New Years ( late Jan. early Feb.) We
live one street from here.

Street scene-Shanghai.

What's Cookin' ?

In the nine months we have been in China, Anne and James have been very busy. This is Anne 8 1/2 months pregnant, due 11/6. Is it going to be a boy or a girl? Meanwhile, their 1st child and our first grandchild, Clementine, is picking out a pumpkin for her new sibling.

Reed in China-- Part one

 Reed came over on Sept. 15th for 2 weeks to visit as he was between jobs. He was leaving a 2 year stint at Russell Reynolds in NYC and moving to his new position at Orvis in Manchester, Vt. Yes, that's the same Manchester where we live so he will have a sweet deal for living arrangements for awhile but, most importantly, he will be able to take care of our dog, Fred. We showed Reed all the highlights in Shanghai and took a side trip to Beijing ( Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace etc. ) and Xi'an ( Terracotta Warriors). In Shanghai we visited The Bund, World Financial Center, Pudong Aquarium, Shanghai Museum, Urban Center, many local streets and restaurants and The World Expo.The pictures at the bottom of this post are from a Flower, Insect and Animal market we went one day in Shanghai--great stuff. Here are a few pictures of Reed in China. I will post more pictures and also provide a link .

Reed- First 5 minutes in Shanghai

Reed-- Second 5 minutes in Shanghai--Welcome!

Reed with Jane and our driver and friend Jack at
the Shanghai Aquarium in Pudong side.

The same trio under one of the tunnel walkways
surrounded by fish. There is also one with an
escalator that you travel down! Cool!

Da, Da--Da,Da--Da,Da -- This guy needs some dental work.

Smile!

What's this?

These containers hold crickets of various sizes and types.
It is popular to buy or raise your own for fighting contests.
Mostly men wage money on which cricket will push past
the competitor's along a narrow passageway.

Reed has picked out his hopefully prize winning cricket.

One of the lanes of the flower market.

I'm Baaaacck

Sorry for the long delay since my last post. But we now have a new power supply and hard drive for the computer, we are back from the States, our son, Reed, has returned from his two week visit here, we are back from our latest adventure on a Silk Road tour in western China and I believe I am over my tonsillitis and just feeling miserable for the last four weeks issues. So enough of the excuses.
My last post was an introduction to our trip in June to North Korea. I want to provide some more commentary and pictures and wrap up that trip before I post on other things. The DPRK has been in the news lately for continuing skirmishes with South Korea, their  attempts to be economic partner with China, and most importantly, the announcement ( coronation) of the next great leader. Kim Jong il, the current leader has placed his third son, Kim Jong Un, 26 years old, in position to be the next great one. Third son, you ask? Well, and don't let anyone know you read it here, but his first son is considered somewhat of a playboy. Good for American or French politicians but not in " The Hermit Kingdom". It turns out he really embarrassed everyone about 8 years ago when he was detained at Japan's Norita airport on a fake Dominican passport! The guy next in-line to be Great Leader! He was quoted as saying " All I wanted to do was take my family to Disneyland". He must be watching too much American TV and football celebrities. Put this in perspective, though. How can the common NK person be expected to ever leave the country or learn about foreign affairs if the next leader can't even get out to visit Disneyland! Now the first son lives in Hong Kong and tries to get paid for interviews. Mr. Kim's middle son, Kim Jong Chol, is also not considered a candidate, because , as  so eloquently put by  Arnold " He is too much of a girlie man". Again, no trouble with this in France but in NK it's a no-go.
 So here are some pictures of NK.

Small but terrific subway system in Pyongyang. they show this with pride. The system was built from 1969-1973 and has not been added to since! Everything is original and everything is impeccably maintained. Other pictures here show another station and the interior of one of the cars. The chandeliers remind us of a great the great Murano glass we saw in Venice.

The most significant monument to " The Great Leader" Kim ll Sung

Jane--after paying her respects. You are required to leave flowers and pay respects if you come into the country. Or don't come. Jane said she had her fingers crossed.

Monument in front of the Tower.  This picture almost got me kicked out. No pictures allowed of monuments being maintained.

Typical street scene in the capitol of Pyongyang. (Kids, do you recognize the car. I always wondered where it ended up.) And this was one of the main streets.  Not many have cars , mostly the military, the government and officials. There is no oil in the country and their poor economy does not allow for much leverage in buying or trading for oil. There is just no traffic. When we went on the highway , we would go for miles and see no other cars.

This is one of the " Traffic Girls" of Pyongyang. They are a highlight of the city and are located at most of the intersections. They stand at attention and give quick and deliberate directions to the oncoming cars. They are all very attractive and young male motorists have been known to fake a problem in order to meet one.

Here is one of my favorite pictures. This is the same women as above but from a different angle to pick up the propaganda poster. These are all over NK and they encourage the people to continue to work hard and be patriotic for the greater cause.

We were walking in one of the monument parks and a wedding couple was having their pictures taken. I asked if we could have our picture taken with them and they obliged. Their own photographer was also taking this picture. Little did they know that they were being immortalized on their wedding day with Americans!

Jane enjoying herself on a stroll thru a people less park.

View from the Tower. Many buildings have pictures of the " Great One" on the outside.

Jane, one of our required tour guides on her right, and the guide ( in traditional Korean Dress) for the Tower of Light ( Kim ll Sung's 70th B-day present)

John trying out for the NK Navy on The USS Pueblo.

The USS Pueblo. Those of my age can remember one of the few embarrassing moments in US military history. On January 23, 1968 the ship was on an electronics intelligence mission off the east coast of NK when the ship was attacked and commandeered by the NK navy. Shots were fired  by both sides and one US seaman was killed. Eighty-two crew members were captured and held prisoner for 11 months. It was the first US Navy ship to be hi-jacked in over 150 years. There were never any reprisals against NK and the US Commander, Pete Bucher, was rewarded with a recommendation for a court martial. You can understand the glee of the NK navy tour people  when they found out a couple of Americans came aboard. We had to watch a 10 minute film about the event and " the American Imperialists". All in all though, it was a good day.