Arrived in china

It is a hassle using blogger in china, not only because of the differences in languages (it compels you to use the Chinese format) but also I think the government puts filters on everything coming through especially Google traffic (blogs and gmail). Photos will be forthcoming, stories will be emanating, and a good blog shall be had by all.

I am leaving for China tomorrow

I just wanted to give the heads up, that I am leaving for Beijing tomorrow. I will be sure to share pictures and stories.

Chinese minorities

I thought I would share this link. It contains all the various minorities that exist in China. Most Americans think of Chinese as primarily Han (the people that probably make your chop suey), even though China is much more diverse, especially in the Western and Southern areas of the country. They have extremely tasty food, and I thought I should share a list of them with you.

Another fun link

I thought this was a fun link to all the poorly translated english you may find in China.

http://www.rahoi.com

Bargaining in China

Many western people are not used to bargaining. We go to the shop, see the price and make a purchase. How simple. Even companies such as Carmax, advertise that you don't have to bargain (as if this is a positive thing!) When we go to China, we have a couple of things working against us: language and asymmetric information.

Your natural inclination as a Westerner is to be kind and not bargain with Chinese people. After all, you just arrived, and you are not to sure of your footing. This is a mostly passing notion that goes away once you have spent more than a couple of weeks in China. The population density of China (I don't like to say overpopulation) is conducive to aggressiveness. However, before you learn the language; it is daunting using a calculator to convey everything you would like to say. In the future, this blog will deliver some key phrases for your bargaining pleasure, so stay tuned.

Second is, we stay in an American mindset when we travel for short periods in China. We imagine how much something like this would cost in Walmart. Walmart buys from China, and so they pay a lot less than we would at retail. We generally don't realize how cheap things are to produce in China. If we have the money to travel to China, traditionally you are either wealthy/middle class or the children of at least middle class upbringing, so we have no ability to comprehend the cheapness of labor in developing countries and the price level difference. This is especially true if you are going to China and staying at 5-star hotels and drinking your daily Starbucks. They know how much they paid for what you are buying and no matter what happens, they will come out ahead. Traditionally, Chinese have said you should offer 10% of the asking price, and pay no more than 25%. This rule (guide) is especially useful if you do not speak Chinese, because I assure you, if you do not speak Chinese you will pay a premium.

In the end, if you feel that you getting a steal from them, you probably are not. However, if you are traveling in search of a connection, there is nothing so primal and fun in capitalism as going to a street market and negotiating smart with someone from across the world. I promise the time when you fought for a deal in the street market and got what you wanted and what you considered to be a good price, will be one of your most treasured memories in China.

Looking to add to the BlogRoll

I would love to share links between my blog and others who are relating their blogs to travel, international business, China, or ideally Chinese cuisine. I have some other blogs which I am quickly becoming fans of, so don't hesitate to send me an email.

Send your email to galvin12@gmail.com, and share your link and your interests in relation to your blog

I just added a friend of mine's
blog as she sails around the world.

Tell me about your best Travel Experience

As a tour operator, I would love to hear about your favorite experience while traveling. It may have nothing to do with traveling to China, or internationally, or even nationally. I am of the firm belief that a great trip is usually from some sort of communication or understanding of something outside your day to day realm. This may be of a new understanding of your mate, your children or a stranger in a culture that you have never encountered. In the future, I will share with you some of my favorite past experiences and hope you will do the same.

MSG

A common "fear" about Chinese food is the MSG content. I personally believe it gives me headaches. However, it some are actually afraid of it so i wanted to dispel anything about going to China.

Sichuan food, where the tour begins and ends rarely has MSG in it. It could be for a couple of reasons. MSG is first and foremost a Japanese product. Sichuan's relative distance from the ocean and hence Japan perhaps has slowed the adoption. More importantly, MSG is only effective for the taste of blander foods, (seafood, noodles, etc.) Sichuan's relative spiciness makes MSG a rather moot spice.

Searching for your marketing ideas

As you all know by now, I am starting a tour group for those individuals who seek to eat authentic unadulterated Chinese cuisine and delve deeper into the culture than any competiting offering. I want to bring China to the masses, and I would like you to help. How do you think I should market the wonders of Chinese culture and more so the wonders of Chinese cuisine? How do you think potential customers would like to hear about traveling to China, Sichuan province, and indulging in its intriguing splendor? Internet, traditional advertising, buzz marketing, it is all open to discussion and debate. I look forward to hearing your opinions and ideas.

Exploring Culture Through Food

The fundamental basis for our Sichuan tour is not merely to eat great food and learn how to make it but fully involve yourself in an elusive and fascinating culture. If you believe traveling is a sum of pictures taken you probably would not enjoy traveling with me.

When traveling to a country where the vast majority do not speak the same language you speak, it can be quite challenging to get a sense of the "real" experience that you were originally searching for. The exotic notion you once had in your head become filled with mundane picture posing or banal picture taking. What would impress the people in your office or what sight could you display to your family on a Thanksgiving slide-show. Your vacation becomes less of an escape, but something that keeps tying you to the place you were trying to leave.

As this blog develops, I would love if readers would share a small story about their most illuminating travel experience.

P.S. Duzi Tour's website is currently being developed, and you will be the first to know when we get something up.

Inaugural Post

This is the first of many posts dedicated to exploring and eat in China. I will be starting this summer taking Americans into China to enjoy the culinary exploits as well as bring home not only a unique cultural experience, but also the ability to create and share the knowledge and experience gathered while in China.