Meelo

Today I took the test. The test is all computerized and the questions are exactly the same as the test they give you to study. I received my driver's license about 20 minutes after finishing the test and it is valid for 6 years. I did drive today to the supermarket, but I think that I will keep the driving on a minimum for awhile! B)

I've noticed this too in the past....only ROC flags for any kind of celebration...but I also noticed that this year for National Day, Chi Chinatown only PRC flags hanging up...so...maybe they have a more diverse planning committee this year At least it is getting better. From my experience I noticed that PRC gets no love.

Yep, someone posted about this a while back, it can complicate things if you have an accident this can prevent you from leaving China until after the matter has been settled. SEE: http://candleforlove.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=32655 http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-08...ent_6979340.htm After living here for 18 months with the possiblilty of not being able to get a visa for another year I felt that I will need to drive to stay sane. I live in Pudong District of Shanghai, it is not crowded here and I will only drive in Pudong. Also I will not drive like we drive in America. We drive everyday to work. I will continue to use public transportation during the work week. I have many foreign friends that drive here and they all have never been in accidents. They do carry good insurance with a VIP membership that gives them good service. When they get into an accident they call the insurance company and they help out. The rules for China are no different than in America. If you have a court case pending in America, you cannot leave the country. It is a felony I believe.

At least you go to go up the pearl tower on a clear day. We went on a terrible rainy day and you couldnt see anything haha.

I tried the American thing for several years, but I didn't like the verbal abuse. I met my wife in America and she had good English. But what amazed me was her story, it was different than any other woman I met. Now I can't possibly imagine going back to an American woman because of the lack of International feelings. I always liked Japanese women because they are so good to there men even when the men treat them bad. At first I didn't know the difference. Now my wife treats me like a king, but isn't affraid to speak her opinion. haha

On Vista Ultimate Edition you can have two profiles. 1 in English and 1 in Chinese. Ultimate is the only one that can do this. Also Microsoft office 2007 in ultimate can have chinese too. I think that can solve your problem but it is expensive.

Have you ever taken the bus on a rainy day during rush hour in Shanghai? Now that is an adventure with the goal of making it to work on time hahah.

It will definately be an adventure!

We did ours in Hangzhou. They turned out awesome. I would highly suggest getting these pictures done. We paid around 2000rmb for this but we had a discount(gotta love guanxi).

For the past year I have been pondering the idea of driving here in Shanghai. At first I thought that the idea was crazy, but now I think that it would bring me a sense of freedom and happiness. I did the research and had Lei Lei make a phone call to the traffic police. If you have a valid driver's license from America, it is very easy to transfer it to a Chinese license. Requirements are residence permit, driver's license, and work permit. Here is what you do: 1.) Bring your American or other country's driver's license to 66 East Nanjing room 702 on the 7th floor for the translation that the police will take. The building is close to the Peace Hotel on the Bund. It took 5 minutes and costed 50rmb. 2.) Make copies of your passport picture page, residence permit, work permit and your driver's license. Any copy shop can do this for 5 jiao per page. 3.) Go to the police station that deals with driver's license in Xin Zhuang. The address is 179 Qingchun road gate #3. Take subway line 1 to Xinzhuang and the take a taxi to the police station. The taxi fee is only 11rmb. 4.) Go to building 11 and get your pictures taken. The photos there are only 40rmb. The photos have you chinese name and your new driver's license number on them. After getting your photo taken you can pick up the pictures in less than 5 minutes. The pictures are for your application, body check, and your driver's license. 5.) In the back of building 11 is the place for the body check. The cost is 60rmb and needs to be done here. It takes 20 minutes and they test you blood pressure, hearing, eye sight and check if you are color blind. The body check form is all in Chinese, so if you are not able to read and write Chinese I will suggest to bring someone who can. The body check doctors speak basic form of English and speaking alittle Chinese is always good. 6.) Go to building 8 room 200 on the second floor. Don't worry about all of the Chinese waiting there, there is a special room for foreigners. There you will give them your copies of the driver's license, passport, residence permit. Give them the translation of your driver's license, applications, and originals of your passport, driver's license, and residence permit. They will give you a test date and a copy of the test with the answers. My test date was in a week. The license is 55rmb. 7.) Return to building 8 on the test day and the time stated. Take the computer test. You have 45 minutes to answer 100 questions. A passing score is 90 and the top score is 99. 1 question is given that is why it is 99 for the top score. You will get your license 15 minutes after you pass the test. You will need to show work permit to show your address. So for anyone who is brave enough to drive here, Good Luck!

A lot better then "working in America" I broke my BUTT here in America and where did it get me, NO WHERE!!! I know this sounds like I am downing America but the truth is what it is. I do love my Country but I am being beat up by the system daily. I am getting tired of fighting. Some of you may know what I am going through and others may not. I just want some peace in my life. I think we all want that. Hey John - I'm sorry, but my question was more along the lines of you learning about - ..what it takes to get a Z visa ..which MNC firms are hiring in China, and what their requirements are ..How to have fun teaching English, which companies to avoid ..benefits of simply going with your wife and getting a temporary residency permit, and then getting a Z visa later... I was serious about dem Google searches, really ! If yer in reactionary mode, say so ! If you get back into educational mode, ie - you are serious about learning what it takes to work in China, let me know when that happens? Be Good ! (If you can't be good, don't get caught!) It's ok, I am just venting. I am serious about teaching English or do something. I have been looking into and researching it. Thanks and I am the one that should be sorry. I am living in Shanghai with my wife and I am teaching English. Teaching anywhere other than Shanghai doesnt pay good money. If you want a residence permit and a work visa, you need to have a degree and a teaching certificate. If you have questions shoot me a PM.

I have taken United from San Francisco to Shanghai and it is around 9 and a half to 10 hours. They have old 747's that fly that route and I would suggest upgrading to Economy Plus for $130 more. Like the rest have said any flight for a long time is horrible. I have also taken China Eastern Airlines from LAX to Shanghai. They are the cheapest I feel but the flight is 13 hours. I prefer United because of the shorter flight and because it is easier to accrue mileage points with them too.

My wife can't stand Sienfeld. Just like you said she just isn't fluent enough to understand. Chinese humor I have noticed goes a lot with playing with words. They say words that have the same sounds as plain meanings, but mean something really different. My wife is at work now, but when she gets back I will have her tell me some jokes and more about their humor.

Thanks for the tip!

The insurance rates are going down but not a lot. Here is a website that provides insurance rates by state. It is mid-year 2007 report. http://www.insurance.com/article.aspx/2007...eport/artid/542

I think that living in China is a must for anyone marrying a Chinese person. I have been able to learn the language and the culture. The job thing sucks, but I do make over the poverty line. I teach English at Berlitz and make around 23-25000 a year. I know that it is not much but it is over the poverty line for my family of 3. In Shanghai, this is a lot of money for Chinese. As for Phoenix, I lived in the Norfolk area in Virginia. I felt that the insurance was more expensive there. In both places I drove a Honda Prelude, which is a highly stolen car and also very expensive for a single guy to drive insurance wise. I felt that they were about the same price for both places. I definately would not let this issue impact my decision to live there. If you still are thinking about coming to Shanghai, I am sure that I can hook you up with a job at Berlitz.

In the past there has been a high amount of auto thefts. But now, honestly it is not worse than other big cities. Most of the problem is the illegals coming to Phoenix. These days there not very many illegals around because if they are caught then they get a felony on their record. That will not let them legally back into America for anything. I do not live there now because I moved to Shanghai to be with my wife. We will be moving back to Phoenix as soon as my wife gets a visa. I have no second thoughts about it. Now the housing prices are incredibly low, but the job market is also weak. So you should look into that stuff too. The schools in Scottsdale are good. I hope this help.

Hi, I am from Phoenix and my wife lived in Phoenix when we met. There is a Chinese Cultural Center there and they do a lot of things for the Chinese holidays. The center has some mainland restaurants and an Asian supermarket. There are also asian supermarkets located around town. My wife absolutely loved it there and we have chinese friends there too. My old Chinese teacher is the one of the heads for Chinese activities in Phoenix. There is a chinese school for activities after school for the kids. Phoenix is not as busy as LA, but it has a bit of everything too. The only downside of living there is the Summer which can be very hot. But after the first summer you will be used to it. Also the winters more than make up for it. Just like SoCal there is sunshine almost everyday! If have any more questions about Phoenix, I will be more than happy to help. I can also introduce you and your family to some Chinese people too. Miles and LeiLei

Happy Thanksgiving!!!