I guess you guys know that I was selling my Formula 1 tickets a few days ago because I am going on a long vacation for about 8 days. I am going to Guang Dong Provice, in China. I met this girl online that I have been talking to for about 1.5 months now, and I am going to finally meet her in September. I will be there from the 27 until October 8. If you guys want me to bring you anything back, just send me a list and of course some money, oh, the rate of the American dollar to RMB is now 8-1, so it wont take to much to get you something from there...LOL...

Crazy you might say, well I look at it like this. I get one hell of a vacation out of it and get to meet a girl that I have been talking to for a while, so what the hell, right. Since me and my old lady have split, I might as well start to enjoy life again, and I think this is a good start.

So go ahead and start flaming me...LOL...I can handel it, cause I know that someone is going to have some smart a_s remark to say about it!...LOL...

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Ferrari Fan

quote If you guys want me to bring you anything back,...

An "Asian" Courtesan! Young, petite, fit, attractive, ample and firm with smooth silky tanned skin and a smile that will light up a room!

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"The PRE10DR"

[This message has been edited by JSocha (edited 07-11-2002).]

rules for visiting china:

1. when you are eating a meal, if you dont know what something is, dont ask - just eat it - if it doesnt look familiar then you dont want to know what it is, esp if you have already tasted it.

2. manners when visiting - someone will ask you if you would like something to eat or drink - always say no. then they will always give you something anyway. Its rude to say yes - it implies you are only visiting because you are hungry - and even though you say 'no thanks' they feed you anyway, as a sign of their generosity.

3. touching a woman in china implies you are sexually intimate with that person - you dont shake hands with a women, pat her on the back, bump into her, put your hand on her shoulder, never violate a womans space - it is normal however for friends of the same sex to make physical contact more than you would in our culture - to lean against someone when you are talking to them, to bunch up while walking through a doorway, or to put your hand on someones shoulder like we might do with a son or brother.

quote Originally posted by Ken Wittlief: rules for visiting china: 1. when you are eating a meal, if you dont know what something is, dont ask - just eat it - if it doesnt look familiar then you dont want to know what it is, esp if you have already tasted it. 2. manners when visiting - someone will ask you if you would like something to eat or drink - always say no. then they will always give you something anyway. Its rude to say yes - it implies you are only visiting because you are hungry - and even though you say 'no thanks' they feed you anyway, as a sign of their generosity. 3. touching a woman in china implies you are sexually intimate with that person - you dont shake hands with a women, pat her on the back, bump into her, put your hand on her shoulder, never violate a womans space - it is normal however for friends of the same sex to make physical contact more than you would in our culture - to lean against someone when you are talking to them, to bunch up while walking through a doorway, or to put your hand on someones shoulder like we might do with a son or brother.

WOW, thanks! Do you know any Chianese that you could teach me real quick?

Alright I'm gonna flame you.
Your sorry no good something or other and one of them other things too.

Wish I could go and I haven't even been communicating with anyone from there. Sounds like fun no matter how you slice it.

Hope you have a good time and I really wish you well. Don't get culture shock and you just gotta let us know how things go.

quote WOW, thanks! Do you know any Chianese that you could teach me real quick?

Depends on her dialect and region to which she is from:

Zheng que (cheng cue) = Yes
Cuo wu (shaow woo) = No
Quing (shing) = Please
Xie xie nin (she she knee) = Thank You
Bu ke qi (Boo cah chi) = You're welcome
Lao jie (laow gee) = Excuse me
Dui bu qi (doo bahkah chi) = I am sorry
Zao Chen hao (Zow shen how) = Good Morning
Wan shang hao = Good Evening
Wan an = Good night
Nin hui jiang ying yu ma? = Do you speak English?
Zhe li you ren hui jiang Ying yu ma? = Does anyone here speak English?
Wo zhi hui jiang yi dian Zhong wen. = I only speak a little Chinese
Nin jiao shen me ming zi? = What is your name?
Wo jiao __________ = My name is __________
Nin hao? = How are you?
Wo hen hao xie xie nin = I'm fine, thank you
Hen gao xing ren shi nin = I am very glad to meet you
Wo bo ming bai (Whoa boe ming bye) = I don't understand
Nin ke ye jian man dian ma? = What did you say?
Nin ke yi jiang man dian ma? = Can you speak more slowly?
Wo wan quan ming bai = I understand perfectly

Then there is enunciation of each word, inflection and of course pronunciation of the sylables and the difference in enunciation context of a similar word.

For example: "ma" can either be said short or long and have two different meanings, like ma or maaaaaaa respectively.

You asked!

quote Originally posted by Ferrari Fan: WOW, thanks! Do you know any Chianese that you could teach me real quick?

Hey I used one of those hand held translators once when working with a Mexican man. It wasn't the best way to communicate but I could relate my ideas/intentions to him and we could communicate. The guy corrected many terms I tried to use and that was kinda interesting and funny at times. I figure those things could work in a pinch.

Whoops! You better memorize this phrase as it is very, very important should the occassion arise, which I know it wil, otherwise it could be a little more then embarresing...

Xi shou jian zai na li? = Where is the bathroom?

And definatley do not ask her these!

Ni men shou fei shi duo shao? = What is your rate?
and/or
Mei wan shi duo shao? = How much is it per night?
Xiao fei bao kuo zai nei ma? = Does that include the gratuity?
Wo ke yi yong xin yong ka ma? = May I use this credit card?
Wo xian yong lu xing zhi piao? = I would like to pay with a Travelers Check.
Nin ke yi ming zao ba dian jiao xing wo ma? = Could you wake me tomorrow morning at eight o'clock?

Jsocha is right about the inflection (tone of your voice) as you speak - if you say a word with a rising tone or a decenting tone, the word can mean two completely differnt things

Chinese is a musical language - the only thing we have that is similar is when we ask a question:

say these out loud and you will see what I mean:

"you are going to china" is a order or directive

"you are going to china?" is a question or statement of disbelief

in the chinese language ALL the words are different depending on the tone of your voice.

see if you can get some 'learn to speak chinese' tapes before you go - the people you meet will be impressed and honored if you are able to speak to them in their own language, even if only a little.

Chinese do not have a written verbal language as you see typed here, as their language is through symbols (oka: Kanji). Many different symbols for what would sound like the same word.

If you have a laptop with speakers, BEST Buy or other software store near by and $40 to $50 bucks, go pick up "Language Now: Chinese Now!" or visit their website Language Now

With it, you get a microphone to plug in to your computer so you can pratice during their "Listen and Speak" exercises which will rate how you compare graphically to their graph and/or rate you on a meter so that you can work on matching your inflections and tone to say the word properly.

I got to go to China on Business three times. 1999, 2000 and 2001. Tea made from extremely hot water and strong. Beer usually served warm. Where I was in southern China in October-November, hot and humid. Lots of good food, but everything is cut with one utensil, a clever, so there were bones in every bite.

The best place I was at was Xiamen, sort of a resort area where you could get cultured pearls very inexpensively.

The Chinese I worked with were very sharp, but lots got lost in the translation. Fortunately for me they spoke English 1000 times better than me speaking Chinese.

Enjoy the trip.

Beer served warm?!?! Sacriledge!!!!
Then again, who hears of Chiniese Beer? They got that there Saki stuff.

quote Originally posted by Don_Chi_Chi: Beer served warm?!?! Sacriledge!!!! Then again, who hears of Chiniese Beer? They got that there Saki stuff.

Sumimasen (excuse me). Saki is from Japan.

Wakara mas ka? = Do you understand?

Just messin with yah man...

Hey Ferrari Fan i think thats pretty cool that your gonna go meet a girl over in China. Good Luck
Im gonna be meeting a girl I have been talking to for about 3 years now next yr when im back from Mil school..

Soaper

quote Originally posted by Soaper: Hey Ferrari Fan i think thats pretty cool that your gonna go meet a girl over in China. Good Luck Im gonna be meeting a girl I have been talking to for about 3 years now next yr when im back from Mil school.. Soaper

Good luck dude! Don't take any wooden nickels!

[This message has been edited by Ferrari Fan (edited 07-12-2002).]

BTW Ferrari Fan, just so you know if you don't already, the Chinese now "have" to learn English. Its required in their country. Along with several other languages.

You'll be surprised how well the Chinese do speak our language (and possibly several others), although with an accent, they will be able to communicate with you and understand you for the most part.

Unless they are over... ...I would say 35/40 years of age (estimating), when it wasn't a required language.

Still wouldn't hurt to learn her language though.

quote Originally posted by JSocha: BTW Ferrari Fan, just so you know if you don't already, the Chinese now "have" to learn English. Its required in their country. Along with several other languages. You'll be surprised how well the Chinese do speak our language (and possibly several others), although with an accent, they will be able to communicate with you and understand you for the most part. Unless they are over... ...I would say 35/40 years of age (estimating), when it wasn't a required language. Still wouldn't hurt to learn her language though.

The girl that I am talking to knows English very well actually, she teaches an English class in China. I think she actually know's it better than some people I know hear in the states.

I went the other day and got all of my Passport paper work taken care of, they said that I should be getting it around 4-6 weeks from now. My Visa, I went to this Travel place in Yorktown VA, and they said that all I have to do is bring my passport in to them when I get it and they will let me do all of the paper work and send it to Washington, so I don't have to waste my time going to Washington.

Do you guys know if I have to get any kind of shots before I go there? I have heard several different stories, but just want to make sure. I am only going to be there for 8 days, I guess that really doesn't matter with the shots issue anyway.

So far on Cheaptickets.com I can get a round trip ticket for around $1,400.00, I am going to be getting my ticket next week on my next set of days off.

I made the mistake of when the first time that I called her, I used operator rates to call, got my phone bill and it was $227.00 for 45 minutes, needless to say I almost **** in my pants...LOL... So now I am useing the $20.00 calling cards from the 7Eleven. She calls me a lot so I am sure that she has one hell of a phone bill. Do you guys know if I will be able to use my Cell Phone in China or not? She gets 4 days off when I am there, I am only going to be there for 8 days, but on the days that she is working I need to call her.

This is where I am going to be staying, http://www.lotusvillas.com/ she is going to make the reservations there soon, I guess. The city that I am staying in is called Guang Dong Provice from what I understand about it is that it is a big Import and Export city that has more people in it than they know what to do with.

I am so glad to have MSN Messenger, because that's what we talk on mostly every nite that I don't have to work.

Thanks a lot for all of your help guys, especially to JSocha for the free leson in speaking there language. I am useing some of it right now, not really saying it, but just slipping it into E-mails to her every now and then...LOL...

I forgot something, can I use a calling card on my Cell Phone and just get charged for the minutes instead of the long distance rate?

[This message has been edited by Ferrari Fan (edited 07-13-2002).]

WOW!!! that sounds like a cool trip! I hope everything works out for you two... there was something simalr to your story on a wedding story! HA! well good luck dude!

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AIM: Fierobaby87
http://angelfire.com/sports/sfiero

quote Originally posted by JSocha: Sumimasen (excuse me). Saki is from Japan. Wakara mas ka? = Do you understand? Just messin with yah man...

Yeah, sumima-whatever the hell, sounds lovely.

quote Originally posted by Ken Wittlief: rules for visiting china: 3. touching a woman in china implies you are sexually intimate with that person - you dont shake hands with a women, pat her on the back, bump into her, put your hand on her shoulder, never violate a womans space - it is normal however for friends of the same sex to make physical contact more than you would in our culture - to lean against someone when you are talking to them, to bunch up while walking through a doorway, or to put your hand on someones shoulder like we might do with a son or brother.

I E-mailed her the other day and asked her about this custom, not really sure where you heard it from, but this is what she had to say about it,

"LOL....Where did you find that kind of customs??Why dont I know that??Eventhough I have been living in China for 26 years.lol.... Its not true,dont worry about that!lol...You can do anything you want when you come here as long as the girl would be willing to do with you.lol...."

Sorry dude....LOL

I think Ken was referring to the custom of #3 in China which is a custom in Japan.

In Japan, well under traditional customs, which of course today is kind of out the door with the teenagers over there, prevents a man and woman from being close to each other in public and/or touching. But of course, its also illegal to show any pubic hair in magazines and/or on video.

To bad you weren't going to Japan. You might be able to enjoy the fine art of "Pillowing". Or there term of reference for sexual intercourse.

Anyways, traditional, respectible families in Japan steeped in Japanese customes and beliefs still practice the #3 rule Ken referred too.

quote Originally posted by JSocha: BTW FF, just wanted to know if the Chinese you have been slipping in to your correspondence, if it is the same "dialect" and if she understands?

Yea, she understand it because when ever I send her an E-mail I always put Zao Chen hao or Wan shang hao on it. The first time I did it she asked me how I knew that and I told her about my "teacher-son"...LOL...and where this wise mentor was...LOL.., she said that I must have a good teacher.

Great to hear my friend!

You've just crossed diverse language cultures. hehe

This is where I am going in China:

It's that place right above the "I" in China.

[This message has been edited by Ferrari Fan (edited 07-15-2002).]

"LOL....Where did you find that kind of customs??Why dont I know that??Eventhough I have been living in China for 26 years.lol.... Its not true,dont worry about that!lol...You can do anything you want when you come here as long as the girl would be willing to do with you.lol...."

I think the line that sorta stands out is:

"You can do anything you want when you come here"

Dude, She like, sounds like she WANTS you, duude!

Just remember, Duct tape HURTS when you take it off...

Have fun!

guess maybe my travels to china information has gotten out of date? or maybe it applies more to Taiwan?

I think your trip to china will be interesting - I am a little concerned about the idea of meeting someone in a poor country like that and then having a romantic relationship - many people in china would REALLY like to be able to move to the US permanently

I dont know anything about the lady you are meeting there - but Im sure this must have crossed your mind.

quote Originally posted by FieroRumor: "LOL....Where did you find that kind of customs??Why dont I know that??Eventhough I have been living in China for 26 years.lol.... Its not true,dont worry about that!lol...You can do anything you want when you come here as long as the girl would be willing to do with you.lol...." I think the line that sorta stands out is: "You can do anything you want when you come here" Dude, She like, sounds like she WANTS you, duude! Just remember, Duct tape HURTS when you take it off... Have fun!

I think you can read between the lines just like I can, or is it that obivous...LOL... We have had some really hot and steamy talks on the computer, this is all a first for me, I mean the talks on the computer. I'll tell you one thing though, it sure as hell puts a smile on my face though. It's like I said before, If nothing happens between us and we never see each other again, I will get one hell of a vacation out of it, and even maybe a little play also...LOL...

Internet sex is not as good as "live" one-on-one sex.

Just my .02.

I just hope you're not eating Cheetoes when this is going on...

BTW, maybe you should memorize this phrase

Nin ke yi ming zao ba dian jiao xing wo ma? = Could you wake me tomorrow morning at eight o'clock?

[This message has been edited by JSocha (edited 07-16-2002).]

quote Originally posted by Ken Wittlief: guess maybe my travels to china information has gotten out of date? or maybe it applies more to Taiwan? I think your trip to china will be interesting - I am a little concerned about the idea of meeting someone in a poor country like that and then having a romantic relationship - many people in china would REALLY like to be able to move to the US permanently I dont know anything about the lady you are meeting there - but Im sure this must have crossed your mind.

I guess the times have change a lot Ken, not really sure if it's for the best or not, but we will see.

Trust me Ken, the thought has entered my head quit a few times, and this is why. One of the guys that I work with at Ball Metal did the same thing. He meet this girl from China on the computer and they started talking and what not. She lived with her parents and was, I think, 30 years old and had a somewhat good job. He said that they talked and talked for about 2 years and then he decided to go over there and visit her. He went to China and stayed there for about 13 days and asked her to marry him while he was there. After he got back here, he had to start all of the paper work to have her move here. From the time that he started the paper work until she got here was about 5-6 months I think, anyway, she got here and three months later they were married. Now I think they are having all kinds of problems, and on the verge of seperation.

But, you can look at this in two ways though. She was willing to come over here and marry him, leave her family, and her home, but, he wasn't willing to change for her. He still likes to party, drink, and hang out with the guys, and she's just not interested in that, see what I mean? If you are going to go through all of this trouble to do all of this, you must be willing to give a little quarter towards her. Sure, some of them want to come over here, just because, but some of them want to come over here because they care about the person that they are meeting, I think that was the case with my friend, she cared about him a lot, be he just wasn't ready for the settle down life.

I can say for sure that Jennifer, that's the girl that I am talking to, cares about me in some way. I can just tell, but it's like I told her, we will have a very long talk before I come back here and get a lot of things settled. I know that it's just trusting her, and that she could still come over here just to get here, but that's something that I guess I'll have to find out.

Either way, I am looking forward to one hell of a vacation and maybe even sample some of there goodies while I am there...LOL...

I wasn't going to do this, and she would kill me if she found out, but here is a picture of Jennfer in Thailand:

WOW! Great pic! I definately want that horse carriage that is behind that tourist! hehe

Well, I got my passport today in the mail, really quick, was'nt really expecting it for another 2 weeks. Now I am taking my passport to:

Creative Travel & Cruise
Photos- Passports- Visa Expediting Services
Washington Square Shopping Ctr.

They are going to mail it to Washington DC for my visa, now I dont have to make that God for saken trip there and fight all of that traffic...LOL... So far, everything is going OK, hope it stays that way!

Have been looking at CheapTickets.com for prices on them and it looks like I will be paying about $1,200.00 - $1,400.00 for the tickets.

Wow, man!

Best of luck! I hope your trip turns out for the best.

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Raydar

From the Department of Redundancy Department.

Well I guess I'm on my way...LOL... I got my ticket today and applied for my visa.

I ended up getting a ticket at the same place where I got my passport and visa from. Here is my Itinerary:

Friday 27 Sep 02
Depart: Norfolk VA- 4:15 p.m
Arrive: Atlanta...- 6:04 p.m

Depart: Atlanta...- 6:55 p.m
Arrive: Los Ang...- 8:40 p.m

Depart: Los Ang...-11:59 p.m
Arrive: Guangzhou.- 6:20 a.m

Now get this...LOL... I leave Virginia on the 27 of Sept. and arrive in Guangzhou China on the 29 of Sept, man I am going to be tired as **** when I get there, hope she does'nt want to do anything on the first nite there...LOL...

[This message has been edited by Ferrari Fan (edited 07-26-2002).]

It looks like a good trip to see an attractive girl. I remember commenting while I was in China, that I did not see many unattractive women. It will be warm while you are there. I was in China late September through mid November and I was sweating like anything. I was right on the coast in Xiamen at one of Kodak's plants in China. What I also remeber was the women seem to have a lot more ambition than the males and they were sharp.

quote Originally posted by Old Lar: It looks like a good trip to see an attractive girl. I remember commenting while I was in China, that I did not see many unattractive women. It will be warm while you are there. I was in China late September through mid November and I was sweating like anything. I was right on the coast in Xiamen at one of Kodak's plants in China. What I also remeber was the women seem to have a lot more ambition than the males and they were sharp.

I am talking to her right now as a matter of fact, and she said that it is really hot there right now with little rain at all, sounds like a few places in the states right now...LOL... so at least I will be used to the weather, if not anything else.

I know what you mean about them being sharp, Jennifer has a very good head on her shoulders, as far as I can tell so far. We have got a lot to find out about each other in those 7 days that I am there...LOL...

Well, we are still talking on the phone a lot and on the internet each nite. I have gotten wise about phonecards. A $20.00 phonecard will give me about 35 minutes to talk to her, that is just enough for us to talk and to tell each other what has been going on, so actually it works out real good.

I am still waiting for my visa, it should be in about the middel of next week, after I get that, it's all just a matter of waiting for the 27 of September. That will be one of the longest waits I have ever had in my life...LOL...

Well, I went today and picked up my Visa, Ticket and Passport from the travel agency. They figured that it is like 19,000 miles from Virginia to China and back, so I am only about 2,000 miles away from a free ticket to anywhere USA.

Looks like all I have to do now is wait until the 27 of September and then that's it, I'm on my way to China...LOL...

Jennifer and I have been talking a lot on the computer and a little on the phone. We average about 15 hours a week on the computer and about 4-5 hours a week on the phone. She got her biggest phone bill that she said she has ever had in her life last month, $550.00! I offered to pay for half of it, but she said that she got a lot of happiness out of it and did'nt expect me to pay for any of it I guess you cant beat that, right? She does'nt know it yet, but she will get her money back when I get there...LOL...

Well, I guess that the next time I add to this will be around Sept. 27, unless something changes...LOL...

I will be in LA International Airport for about 4 hours if any of you guys want to stop by and say high, or bye, or whatever the case might be...LOL...

Wow Furious! Have a great trip!!! Bring me presents!

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AIM: Fierobaby87 or Dropsofjupitercj
http://angelfire.com/sports/sfiero