Global village
Shanghai
Perfect time to have babies
New mothers living in Asia as expatriates enjoy a greater quality of life than at home, according to a relocation specialist. In a recent article, Jacqueline Reischel said a stint as the "trailing spouse" of an expat, may be the perfect time to plan for a baby.
"The quality of life for a mother (or father!) in Asia is tremendously increased by the opportunity to engage a live-in maid or even a nanny. You do not have to miss out on nightlife nor are you restricted from traveling. Just take along the maid and the baby," Reischel said on expatexchange.com.
While living in Shanghai, Reischel launched a relocation and real estate service for people moving to that Chinese city, as well as to Singapore. Reischel now runs the business online from London.
Harbin
Dark Lord goes indy
Former Harbin-based independent American filmmaker whose pseudonyms include Doctor 666 and Lucifer Jones is now putting the final touches on his rockumentary, Megwoman. For the film, Tim Lies (his real name) fuses a fictional narrative with live footage of dozens of Chinese rock bands playing at various local clubs. Lies, who's also the frontman for Beijing group The Supernaturals, said that he financed the project entirely with his English teacher's salary over several years.
Beijing
Birthday bash
Are you having a June birthday? The Beijing Birthday Bash will be held on June 16 and has been set up to give expats a fun time on their special day. There are free party gifts and prizes for all. And special prizes for people who show proof of June birthdays.
The Dragonfly crew will be giving manicures and massages all night and giving away massage gift certificates to some lucky guests.
Chinese and foreigners are all welcome. The event is limited to 300 people, so contact the organizers before it's too late.
Organizers plan to hold a birthday party on the third Saturday of each month at 6pm. For more details, contact party@emailit.com or check the website: beijinghelpline.com
Beidaihe, Hebei
Something smells fishy
At a seafood restaurant in a tourist area, always ask the price of the whole flapping fish in the bucket first. What you may think only costing 40 yuan ($5) may actually cost 40 yuan per 100 gram.
A naive group of five foreigners on a trip to Beidaihe wandered into a nice restaurant and ordered fresh fish straight from the tank. They also feasted on crabs, prawns, mussels and oysters. It all went down a treat until the 1,600 yuan ($209) bill arrived.
The foreigners made a few calls to Chinese work colleagues in Beijing, who kindly helped negotiate the price down after almost 45 minutes of sticky tos and fros. The restaurant manager kept his cool during the entire ordeal, despite some heated words from the foreigners, who walked away slightly wiser.
Hohhot
Playing the Dolph course
Expats can find some interesting jobs on the side in China and Beijing film video teacher Greg MacIsaac manages to squeeze in some small acting roles in Hollywood movies.
The Canadian has just finished a bit part in an action adventure with B-grade movie star Dolph Lundgren. The production recently wrapped up in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
And another thing...
Lido's disco inferno
Old China hands say Beijing was very different place 20 years ago and a Friday night out on the town meant going to the only disco in the city at the Holiday Inn Lido Hotel. In 1987, expats would have bopped to songs such as Walk Like and Egyptian by The Bangles, I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston and Touch Me (I Want Your Body) by the curvaceous Samantha Fox. Many are still dancing to a popular song from that era. I Had the Time of My Life by Bill Melody and Jennifer Warnes.
(China Daily 06/01/2007 page19)
