For a day by day blog of our experience, check out Joey's blog
http://www.joeysasianinvasion.blogspot.com. I plan to update once a week with a more broad, big picture, philosophical type of entry. I doubt I have much of an audience but for those interested, here is entry #1:
So far I have experienced 5 days in Beijing and 3 in Shanghai. The biggest surprise so far is what you learn from the people you meet. What we hear in our home country (USA) is only a sliver of what is going on here in China and I probably have only learned a slightly larger sliver of how this country is evolving. What we here involves the growth of China's economy and effect it has on the world resources. Indeed when you travel about Beijing you will always see at least one but usually several construction cranes. Building is happening almost everywhere in the city. In Shanghai it is a little more subtle but the sky-line of this city changes every year. Usually in books we see urbarn development on the scale of decades but here is happens every year. Everyone knows of China immense population, but you must come here to appreciate it. These cities expand with miles and miles of high rise apartments and buildings. Shanghai is quoted at 13.4 million but some locals estimate 20 million in the Shanghai territory. The cost of this growth is not only resources but pollution and exploitation of labor. More than one of the people we've crossed paths with agree that there is an exploitation of the rural chinese population, keeping them extremely poor. In rural and urban territories, people are export to outlying territories to make way for new development. The construction of the Three Gorges damn caused evacuation of over 3 million people. I am not to make anyone seem right or wrong, just that the cost of such a booming economy goes far beyond a nations energy and resources.

The people of China are in the category of hospitable. They do what they can to help you, but are not off the charts helpful. It varies of course from person to person. There is a lack of courtesy in terms of waiting in line, and yeilding right of way on the streets. You need to decide where you are going, whether it be across the street or to the window of a ticket boothe, and committ to it. You will be next in line and be cut in front of by as many people as you physically let. But in general, we have not encountered anyone trying to cheat us, deceive us, or steal from us. Yeah we've been lured into some "student art galleries" but the simply are trying to make a living by selling Chinese art. You can't blame when given their situation.

Another point, with so many people in these cities there is an incredible market. We have gotten the feeling there is definately a separation of wealth which we guess is based on family ties, reputation mostly and possible some on education. There are definately pockets of nice, high-end, western hubs of the city. We've interacted with both ends of society in terms of economics. I guess there is this economic separation wherever you go but it is different seeing it on such a large scale in terms of population.

2007 Tour - South East Asia

The first annual world domination tour is set for south east asia. We are putting the "-asian" in Caucasian. I am taking this break between work and school to truly do some serious traveling while I can. My fellow Cal Poly student, and more importantly childhood friend Joey and I are heading to China, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand for a 5 week adventure starting July 1. Joey and I discovered we had the same interest in seeing eastern culture as we have both been exposed to Europe in some way. We will be taking pictures, throwing up peace signs, and punching holes in the language barrier. Stay posted and wish us luck.