Hong Kong

So I had to get out of China for a night. Actually got two nights out of it. The long and the short of it is my camera gear is in China without being charged import duty. It’d be about $15,000 or so. Instead of paying the duty, my gear is on a document called a Carnet du Passage. French for “ you should be able to come and go with your stuff for no cost, just don’t stay longer then one year!” It is a renewable document every year and keeps you from selling the stuff abroad and not paying tax or duty on it.

Of course this being China it’s not so simple. Both times they have seized my stuff. Apparently they won’t recognize it if you call it Professional Equipment. So after much back and forth the wording was change to say for Fairs and Exhibitions. Now, I don’t take part in fairs and exhibitions. But what do I can, I just need my gear. So after trying to get an extension, (the Chinese would only give me 6 months,) I had to get out of the country. Hong Kong counts as out of China; although Hong Kong is now part of China but I don’t think I’m the one to be discussing the turnover of Hong Kong to Mainland China. I didn’t study much in high school, as my parents will attest.

Which brings me to this, here is a couple shots from Hong Kong. Need to go back when it is a little sunnier, but hey was able to get out of Beijing and enjoy a milder greener city for a night or two. Maybe next time I’ll opt for Thailand or the Philippines. The nice thing is it timed out nicely to be over the Chinese New Year. Oh and yes, the fireworks continue. Day 15.

Oh the first shot is Beijing at night the rest are HK

Sunny Sunday

As I sit and enjoy a bright and sunny Sunday in Beijing, (it’s 11 degrees and I’m in a t-shirt getting more stares than I usually do in this town,) I'm hit by one word. Dignity, Pretty simple word, “the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect.” Something we all like to keep, and something we think we show others.

So I'm disappointed. I've been sitting at Starbucks and watch a guy who is roughing to put it mildly. Over the last 46 minutes several hundred people have walked by. Some glance down, some look away. Very few have bothered with him at all. The 7 punks that stopped seemed to take youthful pleasure in trying to spook him. All the while one moron is videotaping it. I do hope that these Nike clad yahoos never wind up like this guy, but for one week. Just so they can see what it's like to that guy for a while. Guess I’m getting old and I’m starting to be curmudgeonly.

So that’s my observation for the day. The people of China are no different than the people of North America. Little time for others and many not willing to show a little dignity to someone who is down. I'm no different. I turn a blind eye to it all the time. I guess it just takes watching other to remind me that it doesn't take much effort to show someone a little respect and dignity.

PS, as I’m digging in my pockets for a couple of small bills, three others in the space of about a minute all drop a little bit in to the mans cup. All of them under 30, I guess there is hope after all.

New Years Eve

Olympic fever

So as I reassess my career decision on coming to China, and yes I made the right one, I'm watching with envy the party that is the Olympics. When announced I thought it was a huge waste of money. Now that it's here, I'm wishing I was there. There is an infectious spirit to it. To bad we can't bottle it and use it when other tragedies like Haiti and others happen. Maggi, my wife is volunteering with the Canadian Ski Patrol so she is enjoying the spirit as well. Hope she has a blast.

Just before Christmas, Ben, Qi and I did a quick trip up to Qi's home town to find the Coach for the Chinese Aerial Team. He is a Canadian. They have a shot at medaling so forgive me if a give a little cheer for the Chinese this winter. Enjoy.

Here's a little story about one of the many villages that have been affected by China's rapid growth. Not the most uplifting tail, but reality for many people here.

Aired Jan 27th, 2010