In the Big World

My mom arrived in Shanghai this morning. She visited a year ago in November, but with a friend. Now she is here alone. I tried to prep her. I draw her a map of the airport, so she would find the taxi stand. I reminded her, that taxi from the airport to where we live costs about 160 RMB. (Although it may be a bit more now, after the increase in taxi rates effective last Saturday.) I told her to go straight to the taxi stand. And to call me immediately if she has any questions.

She is always telling that she is an experienced traveller, which, in a way is true. She does travel a lot in Europe. But not alone. And in Europe.

Well, this morning my phone rings. When I pick up, I can hear my mom talking with someone, discussing about prices. She, however, does not hear me, as she has obviously called me accidently, without noticing the call. "Three hundred" I hear a male voice say. "No! No no no no!!!! What are you doing! Mom!!" I yell, but with little use, as no one hears me, save for the nextdoor neighbours.

What is she doing now, I wonder, and close the line. I immediately try to call her back. The caller you are trying reach is busy now, a voice tells me in Chinese. I try again. Please go through, please... This time I get another chinese message, which I do not understand and don't care about. Third time I get through, and find out my mom is already in the (black) cab, on her way to somewhere, hopefully here.

- "No, but this IS a taxi" she saya, when I ask why she didn't go to the taxi stand I told her to go.

- "How much did you agree to pay?" I ask.

- "250 RMB, but they tried to ask for 350" she says. "I was strict with them" she adds. "I told him I don't have that much. When the man saw how much I have, he said, ok 250." Oh for Pete's sake!

- "And you paid already? But remember I told you two days ago it costs 160 RMB?" I ask.

- "Yes, and I remembered it was 140 RMB last year." she replies.

- "So why, oh why, did you pay 250?"

- "Well, I was going to the taxi stand, but the man asked where I am going, and when I said to the city, he said that those taxis leave from here."

- "But in which country do you pay in advance for a taxi?" I still try.

- "Yes, but if only I wasn't so tired from the flight, nothing would have happened."

What can I say? The monetary loss is insignificant, and we all make mistaked. But it is just the principle. The principle that I am not sure how I can let her go around and do things here alone. She is here for two weeks, and I am suppose to be working part of that time. We'll see...

For all of you not used to big cities:

- in a taxi, always make sure the meter is on.

- you don't show your money to anyone

- if someone tries to take you somewhere say NO!

- if someone tries to offer you something, say NO! No, I don't care if it sounds interesting, just say no. No no no. No.

And most importanly: listen to your daughters. They know what they are talking about.

Educational cartoon

Some days ago I went to pick up J. from the airport in Shanghai. I had time, and there was nothing interesting in sight. But then I noted they had an informative cartoon rolling in the telly. To prevent the spreading of H1N1-virus, or swine flu.

I want to share with you the most important bits and best practices I learned from the video. I apologize for the lack of music, but hopefully you can imagine a childish rap beat to the background. Because that's what the original had.

Firstly:

"The swine influenza comes from America."

Oh, in deed: "What a shame!"

"But it is not only my fault!" Says the pig. No, we have also the duck and the man to blame. H1N1 is mixed, you know.

"It "is very stressful to live in this situation", but still "remain calm".

"It is very important to have "balance of body and mind... no illness"

"Pay attention to you diet at home"

"The meal must certainly be boiled"

"If you have no business strolling outside..."

"...don't be around groups"

It is: "Dangerous"

"No stress, no bother", no swine flu. Also "take care of air circulation, you won't catch the cold."




I really want to do my part to prevent the spreading of swine flu. So, once more to make sure you remember the most important thing:

Ban flying!

Chinese National Day is drawing close. This year, it is the 60th birthday of the People's Republic of China. October 1st is the big day, and this year, because it is combined with Mid-Autumn Festival, we have eight (8!!!) days vacation to celebrate the two. Well, I am flying to Finland, to celebrate the wedding of a good friend.

Also, I have no idea how it happened, but during the eight day vacation, I am WORKING 5 or 6 days. That doesn't sound right, does it? What the heck went wrong? Maybe it has some connection to the fact that of my 4 week summer vacation I have spend just one week... I dunno, have to investigate further.

Anyway, what I wanted to tell you relates to flying. Namely Beijing has banned "flying activities" starting 15th of September, due to the upcoming National Day. It is for security reasons. This applies to sports, recreational and advertising flights. But not only those! They have also banned kite flying, because of security reasons. They have banned balloons. Because of security reasons. They have banned pigeon flying, because of security reasons. (Did someone watch Alfred Hitscock's "The Birds" recently, or..?)

Head of the Public Security Squadron of the Beijing Municipal Security Bureau, Mr. Li encourages citizens to report to police if they see these flying objects.

Pigeons! Balloons, for Pete's sake! Please excuse me while I tremble as I think of these horrible threaths to our security.

Something wrong

One day I stepped of the elevator in our building and immediately noticed there must be something wrong with the ventilation. Or electrics. Or something.

Why?

I don't know... maybe because of this:

And these:

The hallway ceiling was, all-around our floor, punctured with holes. The location of what ever it was that was wrong, was obviously unknown... The hallway makes a full circle, so I walked around it, and every 2,5-3 meters there was a hole.

The next day... what ever it was, was bygones. Leaving no signs it was ever there.

Too much to ask for

Sometime ago I was in a small car accident when I was travelling in business. Recently I have been working 11-12 hours a day. Couple of days ago I had to go to a coal warehouse, so I came out covered with black dust, and I felt like my lungs were full of coal, too. (Yes, so I am a sissy, I know that already.) I had not dressed for the ocasion, so I was wearing high heels, skirt, and light colored blouse. I haven't even had the energy to blog. All because of all kinds of work things that are going on. Such is life.

But too much is too much. I needed to go to a harbour area to check some receiving procedures. And they have very detailed safety instructions.

In order to fulfill the consideration and adoption of your surely busy schedules I have highlighted some... well, highlights of the instructions.

In order to fulfill the consideration and adoption of Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 and International Code for the Security of Ships and of Port Facilities, to reinforce the safeguard of harbour, we constitute the regulations according to the relational national laws and regulations as follows: (try to say that with one breath!)

1) Personnel, vehicle and good etc. should show valid certification, be checked and registered by the security petsonnel when they go in and out.

2) After personnel, vehicle have gone into the dock area, they should pass through and stop according to the traffic signs.

3) Within the dock area, Firework is banned. Without permission no photo or film.

4) No entery to the restricted areas without permission. After you've entered the restricted areas such as the petroleum and chemical industry, etc, you can never use mobile telecommunication tools, carry kinelings such as matches, cigarette-lighter etc. Automotive vehicle must bring extinguisher.

5) When the safety incidents occur in the dock areas, you should report to the security personnel and harbour administration department as well immediately.

So I guess I am banned from my cell phone from now to eternity? On the otherhand, it is much harder for anyone to bother me now with questions and problems...

Lucky me!

Chinese government promotes honest, all in books and ledgers, business culture by a lottery. The lottery ticket is actually your restaurant invoice. The purpose is, that the customers would ask for official invoice, get an opportunity to win 500,000 RMB (which is a little less than 50,000 euros) and restaurant will have to include the sales transaction to their reported revenues. Not a bad idea.

So, because I am an auditor and want to do my bit to prevent grey-business, I usually ask for an invoice. And guess how many times I have won in the last 18 months I have spend in China? Let's say I have had about thousand meals in restaurants.

Once. Very recently. And what a win it was!!! 5 RMB. Or 50 euro cents.

I haven't even claimed it yet, because I cannot make up my mind what to do with that sudden wealth. Maybe a Snickers bar and a 0.5 l mineral water. Or two sets of new hair pins from the subway tunnel. Or should I wait for the next win and then get something big with it? Maybe a tin of coke or a blueberry muffin? Yes, I think that is what I will do.

Same old story...

Namely, me being in Finland, and therefore too busy with everything to blog, and not having internet (yet) in our new house. Sooo, please entertain yourselves with this piece about mighty expensive apples.

I'll get myself together before the end of the week. I think...