Mydnight wrote:
> Alex wrote:
> > It varies. China is a lot more exciting but Taiwan has a lot of
> > advantages, and not getting ripped off at every turn is chief among
> > them. China is certainly a way better place for learning Chinese
> > (pinyin, simplified characters, and largely standardized
> > pronounciation), if you can get out of the trap of everyone you know
> > trying to get free English lessons out of you. It sounds like you're
> > not having problems with that though. One very cool thing about Taiwan
> > is that the main form of transportation is motorcycles, but on the
> > other hand I hear they are now letting white people ride those in China
> > too.
>
> Sure, if they want English lessons, they can pay the standard rate of
> 350RMB an hour and I'll try to fit them into my schedule. But, then
> again, I get free Chinese lessons from everyone I know...
>
> Yeah, us honkies can buy and own cars here now too. Motorbikes are
> such a hazard on the roads, that most cities limit the amount of
> motorbikes that can be purchased or sold. Here in Dongguan, the numero
> uno cause of death on the road is motorbike collision.
>
> > This is for those less fortunate of us that don't live within striking
> > range of a wholesale Chinese tea market: if you hear about good TGY
> > online, please, please let me know. I am still looking.
>
> Well, even for us within striking range, most people didn't buy TGY
> this year. Everyone around here is on a pu'er binge and the lack of
> quality TGY only reinforced it. Do yourself a favor and wait until
> autumn.

Thanks for the TGY update. English lessons, that is the only
attitude to have. As for bikes, when I lived in Taiwan, they were also
the numero uno cause of my broken bones. They sure are fun though.

Just saw this in the Times and thought, "Just like China!"
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/09/wo...0&ei= 5087%0A
Some people are just scum, and some countries seem to have more of them
than others.