Chinastuff

China's is a gift giving culture, so one invariably comes back to the US with an array of presents from friends, colleagues and former students: scarves, cups, scrolls, teacups, Chinese opera masks, decorative boxes. There are so many of them!

We recently moved, and I found a passel of Chinapresents in one of the boxes. It was like clearing out after Christmas. We're pressed for storage space in the new place, and there isn't time to regift, I'll be donating some of these items.

Below:
A sample of chinastuff I have to get rid of.  

Welcome for the next eight years

My Chinese visa read "Valid from April 2015 to April 2025." I thought it was a mistake, and I applied for a new one anyway.  Most of the time, Chinese visas are granted for one visit only, though it's possible to obtain a multiple entry visa, especially for business.

The visa agent told me the ten year visa was valid, though she could not say why I'd been granted one.  A stroke of luck.  While visas to China cost only $140, there are associated fees of about $100 in addition.  American visas are slightly more-- from 160 to 190 USD, but the Chinese consider them very expensive because of the exchange rate.

Below:
My ten year visa

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Going Back!

I'd expected to return to China last summer, but the offer fell through.  I presumed the problem was my retired status coupled with what was considered my advanced age.  Though I still teach part time, I am older than the People's Republic of China-- I was born in 1948.The Chinese are skeptical about the ability of older people to work. When I was invited to University Shandong at Weihai this year, administrators  inquired if there was a mistake in my birthdate. I assured them there wasn't, but since I'd worked for them before, they knew what I could do.  I'll be teaching American English.

Chinese women are required to retire at age 55.  Though Senior citizens are deeply respected in China, many are subject to a disorder called 'post-retirement depression.'

Below: The map of China and a banned political cartoon. Note the birth date.