CHINA 3

On the surface all is free and easy, but little things show us reality.
Information freedom is not allowed. We were unable to access Facebook or our blog site (hence the big lot all at once)
People are not encouraged to freely visit us. All need a special Immigration pass!!!!!!
And we have been handed along a chain of people..with dumplings always on the menu. These dumplings are what we call wontons...but instead of being fried they are boiled in plain unsalted water...and the highlight of the meal is to drink the dumpling water.

QINGDAO (pronounced Chingdo)was the Sailing centre city for the 2008 Bejing Olympics and for this city the freedom genie that has been released will not be easily recaptured.
90% of the tourist attractions relate to the Olympics, supermarkets are almost like shopping at home, western style bakeries are everywhere. Shopping malls are full of expensive stores (Tiffanys, Cartier, Gucchi...you name atop expensive store and it is here. And not just in one mall. We have been infour malls and the customers are spending, not just looking.
The roads are clogged with cars...modern and expensive...BMW. Mercedes,Audi, Range Rover, Porche...etc. Talking of traffic it is amazing. Not much speeding, the rules are....there are no rules!!!!!!!! People usually drive on the correct side, they side fromlane to lane with a gentle toot. It is amazing to watch a major intersection.(6 roads) gridlock work its self out with the minimum amount of horn noise.