Top Seven Impressions of China

7. China is a land of contradictions. How is it possible for communism to coexist with capitalism? Just look on the streets where you'll find BMWs sharing the road with rickshaws, high rises towering over slums and massive modernization juxtaposed with primitive simplicity. Both rampant materialism and extreme poverty are covered by an invisible lid of limited speech. You can pursue virtually any vice known to man, but you are not free to pursue God without restriction.

6. The size of the population is overwhelming. There is a limitless supply of people willing to work for low wages. Day or night, no matter where we were, there were people. Those that have repetitive, tedious factory jobs know that 1. they make orders of magnitude more money than working out in the rice fields and 2. that if they quit, that there will be a thousand people standing in line to take their place.

5. There are forgotten generations. Those who were between 18 and 26 during the Cultural Revolution of the 60's now live a hard life. Their college years were spent rejecting all forms of higher education with many sent to the countryside to work with their hands and to be "re-educated". They are now struggling to find jobs that can support their families and are sacrificing in unbelievable ways to send their only child to the best schools and universities.

4. The Chinese are a superstitious lot. Everywhere we went, there were signs that the Chinese were somewhat spiritual in nature. Tons of money thrown at various spots in temples, tombs, and fountains marked their desperation. Thousands of padlocks were secured on chains on a mountain (see slideshow) to bring good fortune. The cell phone numbers deemed "unlucky" sold for almost 20% less than the phone numbers that could bring about prosperity.

3. China is undergoing a tidal wave of change. The culture is changing at breakneck speed. Smog is present 24/7 in and around Beijing. Skyscrapers under construction span the horizon in every direction. Almost all Western brands are now featured in China's stores from M&Ms, Starbucks, shampoo, clothing, McDonalds and even Harley Davidson. Internet connections are found even in the most remote locations.

2. We live in a global economy. The Chinese umbrellas that we bought at a local Trustmart (China's version of Walmart) for $2.50 US each were found at the Dollar Tree next to Mosaic for $1.00. Some electronics made in China and shipped to America are cheaper to purchase here than there. A recent report on the Discover Channel showed cotton being picked in North Carolina, shipped to China, weaved into extravagant fabric, shipped back to the US, upholstered on high end furniture and then exported back to China for sale in the Ethan Allen stores that are now operating there.

1. My family understands me better. Most fast food restaurants (McDonalds, KFC, etc.) sell corn! I absolutely love corn! The streets are highly crowded, with pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles (economy and luxury), trucks and buses all somehow managing to avoid hitting each other. Nobody runs or makes sudden movements. Everybody anticipates everybody else. It is like an orchestra of movement with nobody conducting. There are surprisingly few accidents of any kind and little, if any, road rage! There are so many homes that look like my desk (cluttered!). The people are gentle and peaceful.