Tom

EXCELLENT post Carl. Very well stated.

Mark, you can rent a car from a few of the major hotels in Harbin, but the car comes with a driver - they won't let you drive it yourself. The daily rental price is reasonable, but there's a steep deposit of the equivalent of 2 to 3 thousand dollars US required (the deposit is returned upon the return of the car).

QiQiHar? What a coincidence - I used to live just down the road in Daqing. We still own an apartment there, but are renting it out for a couple of years. The Harbin Ice Festival is a must-see. It does get very cold in that area during winter time. December's not too bad, though. It's January and February you've got to watch out for - just in time for Spring Festival. Traveling by train in winter will work out fine - it's just when you need to take a car to a remote farm on the edge of Xingkaihu Lake during the first week of February in a snowstorm with no-one else in sight that you'll start to worry (but I digress - ah, the memories).

Haven't come and gone - after a year since joining I still read this forum every day...

Excellent stories Rob! You should indeed write a book. You had me laughing to the point of tears (while I’m at work even)! I would have definitely liked to have experienced the newborn baby scene with my extended family in China, I could just imagine it now… I have, though, experienced many of the Chinese baby traditions and customs via my wife and some of our Chinese friends here in the States (and via her family and friends in China over the phone). I’m sure many of you in this group are familiar with these customs, but they were new to me. The first thing I was told about (even several months before the baby was born) was that my wife, JingLi, would need to stay inside for 1 month after the baby was born – in bed, with no shower, no cooking, no cleaning, no cold drinks, no cold food, lots of soup, no air conditioning, and no open windows (we had the baby in August). I thought ‘that’s fine – I could do the cooking and cleaning…but the heat’? We got through it, but I didn’t understand the apprehension to being anywhere where there may be wind (such as from an air conditioner or from an open window). We had the ceremonial 1-month celebration for the baby – and yes she did get her hair shaved off (I was told after the head shave, the hair comes in much better). We’re looking forward to the 100-day photo being taken (which translates to a 100-year photo – but I’m not sure how). There are so many other things – like the pillow for making the back of the head flat, but I’m sure you’re seeing all those little idiosyncrasies already. One thing I learned early on is that the Chinese matriarch is always right. The Chinese grandmother is the authority, and if there’s a great grandmother – then she’s the ultimate authority. Personally, I wholeheartedly welcome all this cultural diversity. I know it will go a long way in making our daughter aware and accepting of other cultures. We’ve already committed to teaching her both languages – my wife only speaks to her in Chinese, and I only speak to her in English. Rob (and soon Mick, Dave, and Tine) I don’t have to tell you you’re embarking on one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. It becomes self-evident when it happens.

Congratulations Rob and Youyue. That’s wonderful news - I know how you feel. My wife Jingli and I just had a beautiful daughter about a month ago. English name: Lily, Chinese name Gao Li Li. When she was first born, she looked almost identical to her mother. Now, about a month later, we’re beginning to see more of me in her. It’s interesting that all our western friends think she looks more like a Chinese baby, and all our Chinese friends think she looks more like a western baby.