Me Ol' China, week 25 and counting..

How about this ad:

Hi everyone
Good news to you guys if you are a foreigner and having a visa problem in beijijng here right now
if you are an ESL teacher or on a business trip
moreover ,you don't want to go back to your own country or leave abroad .. please feel free to turn to us for the visa help

what we can do for you is :
1.extend your L visa to another 3 or 6 months
2.extent your F visa to another 3 months only (0 .1 . 2 etc various entry ) which will be issued in BEIJING city .it takes 7 --10days for processing

what documents you need to submit is :
a . your passport with your valid visa
b. two 2-inch size pohtos with blue or white background
c. your living permit (residence permit given by your local police station )
thoese who are holding an L or F visa and come from the western countries only alailable now
for more info .pls feel free to contact at

Probably this doesn't mean a lot to those of you living abroad but over here in China this has become a big big problems. Business people are denied multiple entry visas these days and it takes more than two weeks to apply for a single trip visa. This includes those based in Hong Kong or Macao that for administrative reasons are considered as foreign countries. Add to this that Visas have not been renewed... This is not true, the authorities will say, but effectively it's happening that many expats have to leave China despite they have regular contract here because their Visa is expired and it doesn't get renewed on time... Tourist visa? forget them! How about Olympic visas... If you have a ticket you must get a visa... So many people are looking for tickets to any kind of event just to be able to get a visa to come to China. I know some business people that have bought some tickets just ot come on a business trip to China. I know of a school that has suspended most of their English (or foreign language classes) because the teachers had to leave. It is not uncommon to find adverts on local papers of expats that are selling all their household because they have to leave the country all of a sudden. Other rules are in place according to the type of visa but, believe me, it's all a mess and, as usual, someone is making money. The ad above shows it. Someone has been asked for 20,000 RMB for a one year visa...

Another change taking place these days it's the deployment of army soldiers around hte city and police patrolling underground stations and trains. Police are visiting foreign households to make sure that the Big Noses are where they declared they were.

Fear of terrorism? I don't know, perhaps... perhaps yes...But I really wonder why they bid for the Olympics if they do not want too many foreigners in the country. the effort they are putting into it is great but, honestly, I cannot understand what kind of Olympic event is going to be this one when people are not even allowed to enter the country if they got no tickets and where workers are sent back to leave some room to the tourists.

Read some more ads:

Apartment for rent
It is in chaoyangmen . 6mins walking to the subway station . named fangjiayuan. It is really quiet 3 stories building. Every floor just have two apts. The neighber is beautiful –looking countyard. (...) Landlord is a kind old man.The last tenant left just because the visa problem. The rent is...
or


With visa problems like everyone else its time to call it quits and head home. Two beds for sale:
1. Ikea queen sized bed frame with sultan hovsten mattress- 700 RMB
2. Childrens single bunkbed/playhouse bedroom set. Not sure exactly the official name for this one, but its the type that has the ladder going to the top bunk and a small storage area/ playhouse underneath. Also included is a matress, desk, shelf, and clothes closet.-1400 RMB
Everything in great condition
or, this one...

Hello,
If you are in China and you have overstay or your visa has expired but you want to go back to your country.
Then, you problem is over. Just contact us and we will work-out your documents for you to enable you get back to your Country. We have a very good relationship with the Government of China.
For more information, contact:

and this

Do you have any difficulty in finding a nice job? Do you want to get a good salary? Do you want to have you z visa in China easily?
Fangrui International Business Consultant Company Limited can give you a nice job and good salary,help you get you z visa and work permit ,so you will have bo difficulties living in China.
We have good relationships with government and all kinds of schools,so don’t worry about you job in China and your visa.
I am your friend ,so feel free to contact me


So, in a country that tries to fight corruption like in Italy we try to avoid taxes, creating certain opportunities it's a bit of a nonsense... A normal country would try to avoid any sort of situations like this.. but apparently even China is not so normal. What it's funny though, is that locals do not know about this Visa issues and they think that it's business as usual...

But one ad caught my eye:

I am a wealthy Caucasian American moderate Muslim living in another country. I seek a good young woman as a 3rd wife. You must be a Muslim or a Christian or willing to convert to either. You must have good morals and be a virgin. You must be educated or eager to learn. You must be smart and have some English as I do not speak Mandarin. You must want children, must love children, 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 as God chooses.
I am kindhearted and loving. i am 46 years old and prefer a girl of about 18 or 22 years of age. I am tall, 1.9 M. I am very well educated.
My two wives are kindhearted and educated too. You will be a sister to them and they to you. You must have room in your heart for them and they will have room in their hearts for you. They support me in quest for a new wife, and you will meet them as often as you like before you decide.
I will cherish you, and I promise that my other wives will too.
Ours is a good life in a beautiful city by the ocean with a good university. We have maids and drivers and nannies, so if you wish to pursue a career you may do so as much or as little as you wish. In that, you will always have my support and assistance.
God willing, I may in the future take 4th wife, but never more than 4.
If you wish, your parents may come live with us or you may send money home to support them comfortably.
If you are unhappy you have only to ask and I will divorce you and give you a dowry.
Isn't he sweet?

Let's look at something nice though: According to a report published this week in Beijing Times, Beijing residents and Olympic visitors will be able to take advantage of free wireless Internet throughout large sections of central Beijing during the Olympics. The first phase of the roll out of free Internet, part of the Wireless City initiative, will begin testing today. The area covered in the first phase includes the second and third ring roads, the CBD, Financial Street, Zhongguan Cun and the Wangjing Economic and Technological Development Zone. Areas of Xuanwu and Yizhuang are also covered in this first phase which offers high-speed wireless services to a total area of 100 square km.

Someone with a malicious eye has said that the only reason why this is happening is due to the fact that the authorities want to control all sort of communications between Beijing and foreign countries. I would like to laugh at that but I think that it is so pathetic to think that if you pay, like I do, your net is out of the authorities controls... Amazing how ignorant some people can be!

This has been my family first week in Beijing. They have been welcomed by Fog and rain... Sticky weather has given us the feeling of being some sort of dumplings getting steamed to be served on a giant's table. Eating out, bit of sightseeing, plenty of sleep and tasting local crap (I mean finger food) has been the favourite sport until we have hit my favourite Market: Hong Qiao...

24 pairs of socks, 12 pairs of undies, 14 tops, 3 blouses, 1 rain coat, 8 pairs of shoes, a suitcase, 4 man shirts, 3 sweaters, bracelets, necklaces and earrings, one big suitcase, 4 jeans, a big wood and silk wall fan, a small decorative one and I am sure I am forgetting something, for less than 3,000 RMB...

The girls were amazed and visibly happy. Who said that it's impossible to make a woman happy? It is enough, over here, to have around 100 Euro per day to spend and they will forgive you anything, even a lover!

One evening I had the pleasure of seeing one of the most beautiful ethnic group in action. The Uighur. They are so beautiful, both ladies and men. Their features are a mix between Middle Eastern and Chinese. I was absolutely astonished by the beauty of those faces and the serenity that their look could radiate. Even men, with their fair hair, radiant smiles and oval eyes but with the Persian face shape and lines were so nice to look at. We have been to a very popular restaurant, A Fun Ti, with dinner and show. It was great time and as usual, every single time my wife is around, I get dragged into shows and I have to play the part of the silly one... Oh well, this time my wife was dragged into it and guess who was asked to do belly dancing? Yes.. me! And my wife! Funny enough I ended up coupling with my wife making a fool of myself.. Come on! At least let me do it with another woman!

This week coming is going to be a tough one, especially at work where problems are piling up and my will in solving them is on the low side... I will be waiting until end of July to know if after September I will still be writing this blog from China or another country. My wish is to stay here but...

Anyway folks, gonna start another busy day... The Peking Duck is waiting for me!

Kisses to you all and talk this week!

Oh by the way, once again, if you have a blog and want to link, let me know, I will be glad to do so.

cheers!