TRAVEL TIDBITS FOR CHINA

First piece of advice which holds true for everyone traveling to China or accompanying someone to adopt their daughter is THIS IS NOT A VACATION!!!!!! Now, I know that all of you know that but, I think we forget that and when we’re thinking about what it will be like and what kind of experience to have. Please remember that this trip may not be the most fun you ever had and that it will, in fact be very tough. You will be in a strange, foreign country with strange food, water, currency, and customs and that I will most likely be going through the most stressful (and long anticipated) experience of my life. However, that said, it will also be the most exciting and fulfilling experience of my life, one that will become one of the most frequently told stories in my life and one that I will probably be very proud of, I hope that you will have a fulfilling experience too.

INTERACTION WITH CHINA &
THE CHINESE: 

1.     Be on your best manners all the time to everyone. Some of the officials may not speak English in front of you but that does not mean that they don’t understand what you say. Remember they are the ones doing you the favor not the other way around, and others want to come after you.

Please remember that concerning Zoey I want to be the only one to talk to the officials.

2.    Remember your sense of humor. China is filled with wonderful people and wild contradictions. Roll with the surprises and the inconveniences.

3.    As far as customer service,  It seems as if people fall over themselves to do whatever they can for you. Everyone is friendly and polite. However, in public places, it is the custom to be pushy and not respect lines.

Click here for a site on China that has been developed by the Asia Society to meet the need for timely, reliable, unbiased information and assistance regarding cultural,economic, social, historical and political dimensions of Asia.

4.    Expect to be sleep deprived – at least for a time.  You might consider taking prescription sleeping pills to sleep at night and then experience all you can during the day. 

5.    Educate yourself before you go, or I can fill you in. Read as much as you can about China on all topics geography, culture, language, economics, agriculture, music, literature, religion and day-to-day life. It will enrich your experience and understanding of the country tremendously. It is easy to interpret things from an American point of view and sometimes erroneously. It will also help you to know about Zoey's heritage and culture.

6.   Relax and enjoy. If you are the sort that always has to be in charge, give it a rest. It will be strange enough to be in a country where you can’t speak or read the language, without trying to maintain command. Let your guide you and sort out the paperwork, the bills and the steps. You just relax and follow along. Save your energy for the baby and shopping.

Next Page