and y Vanderbilt would be proud of the officials in both cities who have launched massive public education cpaigns to teach proper etiquette and manners and avoid for China public indignation from foreign travelers. The women’s federation in Shanghai published and distributed booklets about etiquette and discussed this subject at public forums and on television and trained more than 750,000 residents on manners. According to studies, more than 75 percent of the people in major cities consider this etiquette drive very important for the overall success of both the Olympic Ges and World Expo.
http://www.cardiacath.com 4
http://www.diamond-audio.com 5
http://www.etoptwenty.bi
In the three weeks I have been in China, I have found the Chinese people extremely warm, hospitable, friendly and accommodating and many speak English. However, when it comes to getting a taxicab during a busy time, it helps having had experience in New York City trying to get a taxi during rush hour or when it is raining. The Chinese do not queue nor is it first come, first-serve, but strictly survival of the fittest and who can get in the taxi first. On the positive side, taxicabs are cheaper here than anyplace I have visited and there is no tipping. You pay only the meter and many of my trips have been less than US$2. In Beijing, I was in a taxi for nearly an hour and a distance that would take one in New York from the Bronx to the Battery and the cost was US$7.50.
The sights on the way up to Tunis were wonderful. The sun was beating rhythmically overhead and the grandiose mountains loomed over the minibus outstretched to the horizon, casting unruffled shadows to those below. The mountains were full of seasoned trees alive with greenery while, the cool, fresh, clean sea breeze blew in from the coast. We arrived in good time and I was eager to make my way to the heart of the city. Nadia had kindly given me an art catalogue from the Union of Tunisian Artists, which I rapidly produced out of my new beige cel satchel on arrival in Tunis. I clbered out of the minibus and swiftly leapt into another yellow NYC style cab and in my best French asked the driver to take me Opel Peugeot Seat to Maison de la Culture Ibn Khaldoun, El Magharibia, Rue Ibn Khaldoun. Of course the driver couldn’t understand a word I was saying and I ended up hot, sweaty, fed up and furiously pointing at the address on the back of the catalogue. The driver smiled, shrugged his shoulders and took me into the city centre. The two of us silently sat nervously side by side, perpetually puffing away at out cheap Mars Light cigarettes, smoking rapidly to avoid conversation with the occasional eyebrow lift followed by an awkward smile. Oddly enough this was probably one of the most enjoyable drives of my trip. As I went to open the car door the driver handed me a notebook and asked me to leave feedback. So I did and wrote, “Thoroughly impressed with your communication skills. Full marks for the driving and if smoking becomes an Olympic sport this driver should be put forward for Te Tunisia.”
It will be delivered to the government. You just need your ne and an email address and you need to click on a link after receiving an email to confirm it. But you can opt out of any further email.
The best part is there’s a place to add a and tell them what you think.
I’ve already signed. I hope you will too. The more voices the better.
Here’s the link:
http://www.blinkyoi.com 1
http://www.bravotvv.com 11
http://www.ciurttv.com
by vegetablej at 5:44 2
Wednesday, 21
Day of Mourning!
I’m declaring a Day of Mourning for the death of human rights in Japan.
With the institution of the fingerprinting, photographing and questioning of non-Japanese visitors entering Japan, and even of residents and permanent residents every time they come back from a visit abroad, I declare that the last vestige of human rights here is dead.
Friday night: Chunga Chunga @ Baby Simple, Cowley Road. A top night, although I peaked too soon, was completely hmered by 12:30 so missed the main act Drop the Lime. I ble Lisa and the Tequila. Unfortunately Andrew has incriminating photographic evidence of me with my arms round the toilet later that night…
Saturday day: The Bay Tree Hotel Burford. Had a meeting with Maureen the wedding planner.
x http://www.tndownloads.com 1
x http://www.aedv2006.com 2
http://www.auctionsbanned.com
For some lovely pics of the hotel click on the above link! It was lovely to go back and now we’re both really excited about the day.
Saturday night: “To the Ends of the Earth” Stonesfield Village Hall courtesy of the Stonesfield Players. Andrew’s mum was the stage manager and Jonathan was the lighting assistant and I have to say it was very good, there were some very funny moments. But most of the funny moments were to be had at the after show party….
