danb

Hello. Time to say. Happy New Years! Wishing everyone a great day. And a great Year. Happiness and a heathy and good life! Danb n

I just signed into CDL on my other older computer. I used Bing as a browser. I didn't have those problems that I had on my older computer accessing CDL with Google. I am so used to google, but not sure what version I have. I will let you know if I have any problem as I transition to the newer computer.

I wanted to give an update on my ATM and banking issues. Most of them have gone away. I went to B of C this Friday. I was able to to withdraw 2500 RMB from my Credit Union account from their ATM. That really surprised me because the last time I was limited to only 1000 rmb. I am very happy now because I should have working access to both of my banking account at least for now, I hope. I will go back next Friday and see if my luck holds out. I still have a problem with accessing my banking info for my CU account. The CU told me not to try to access my account on line when I was in China. They said that they were blocking access to China addresses. So I dont have access to my CU account info and the ability to move money between accounts. If I can continue to withdraw weekly 2500 rmb from my CU account I will be fine. So things have settled down for me except for my foot/leg problem. I am working on that. Danb

I finally got Astrill loaded onto my three devices. Astrill recommended deleting other Vpn so I did. They said those other vpns may interfere with the settings in Window. Searching is so much better now. 30 dollar for 30 day is worth it to me. Randy's link worked well for me,

Good Morning !! It look like it is going to be a sunny day in Nanning today. Woke up about an hour ago. Decided to get the Astrill downloaded. Powered up my 2 computers and my Mobile. I waited for today because their 30 day plan will match up for the time I will be here. 30 dollars for 30 days. With my luck, just to throw a wrench into the matter I noticed that my new Computer said my was VPN connected. So i tried to access google, yahoo and google translate. And it worked! And it seemed that it worked well. I was happy but I wanted to verify that If I disconnect and connect the same VPN that it work again, no such luck. I dont trust the original VPN but I dont want to let go of it just yet.. Just 2 minutes ago it worked a second time ,again. 🙄 I would like to know if I could download Astrill to the same computer. And then if one VPN isnt working, i can just click on the other VPN app. I dont want to use both vpn apps at one time. Just one. What do you think? Danb P. It it so amazing how well google with a working VPN. I have almost forgotten that for the past 7 days.

Thank you Randy. I am working on things as I can. I think i overworked myself before I came to China. I was going to asked about changes in China here on this forum. And I started to, but I think too little and too late. I thought I could do the same things that I had done before. Definitely ATM' and money was a bit underestimated but I think I will be okay. I have options. Another mistake is that i didnt get a VPN before I got here. Actually I did and I didn't. The night before I left I got one. Started to download one but never completed it. In part because I had many other things to do. Now I am trying to contact VPN in China without a VPN. Perhaps not the brightest idea. Years ago I had VPNs. But it didnt seem I needed it so much and it was easy to use. Things are different, now with more of a need to contact my banks. I also thought that I had a back up because I have Norton 360 and they have Nord vpn. I thought I was covered. Wrong! They dont cover certains regions. China is at the top of the list. I have a stupid question. What is a good browser to use in China. I like google but it looks like China doesnt like their product. I have tried Norton and Yahoo and they dont seem to work so well. Now if I had a working VPN I think things would work much more smoother. I finally got a VPN loaded now. But now I got to get it to actually work. I am going to get a hold of tech support tonite. Hope I can get chat on line to work. Thanks again for the offer. Time for dinner. Danb

Hello, Yes, I am in China now. It was a very long trip from the east coast. A couple of long layovers. I flew United and Air China. Cost rt was $2010 I think. A bit higher than what I used to pay. I am very happy to be here but had some problems with phone, computer, ATM and my leg. I am addressing them as I can and as I go. Some of the problems are my fault. I was a rush and didn't plan well enough. One issue is the the ATM. I am able to use my B of A ATM card at a big B of C that might be the main branch downtown in the old part of city. I was able to withdraw 2500 RMB. And I was even able to use my B of A mobile app to access my account. My credit Union is a different story. Same B of C, same day, and same time. I could only take out 1000 rmb. The ATM would not let me take out 2500 rmb, they said due to insufficient funds. Now that is not true , because payday was the day before. But I said ok, let me check my account. I couldnt/ and now cant check it on my mobile or my computer. The first reason is because my credit union said that China is blocked. I got that notice from them three day after I got here. Also I was warned not to even to try to sign into my account or my profile may be locked. I sent them an email about this situation and all they did was to repeat that they blocked China from their site. I am aggravated with my credit union. In less than 5 days of leaving for China I visited my CU twice. I told them that I was going to China for a month. They took down my travel plans. They said that I was all set. I went back the day before I left for China and took out more money. Sent some money to my Lao Po. And got some extra cash due to some good recommendations made here. I should be ok but will need to watch my spending a bit. I am going to try to talk to and access my CU account but that will be another story. I am happy to be here. The weather is fairly nice. It is supposed to be nicer in the next ten days. Most of the time it is overcast or I think smoggy. Well time to go. I hope all are doing ok. Danb

In only the past week have I heard on CNN about WHO asking for an explanation of an outbreak among school children in northern China. Here an article that I found that gave some details: https://www.npr.org/2023/11/23/1215024992/china-pneumonia-clusters-children-who I will keep an eye on the situation. I will try to use a mask when in public. I also think I will send some more money to my lao po. Just in case. I have a question about whether I need to show TSA the cash that I have in my pocket. They are alway saying to empty our pocket. Everything! It always has made me nervous a bit. ? Danb

Hello. You said, "Attitudes toward China in America have changed, but as far as I know, the attitudes of the Chinese people toward Americans have not changed so much." I am very glad to hear that. Three year ago, I was able to use my credit card for most hotels that I stayed at. I also my used credit card at the travel agency in the hotel. If I cant use them now then I will adjust how things get pay. My laopo has a credit card. Not sure what her limit is. Attaching a credit card to We chat is something I will explore. I read the VPN post and also the links that you posted in there. Thank You for posting them. I can't easily change plans, I bought my tickets already and have already made some travel arrangement. I will just have to be careful. I will bring some extra cash. To be truthfully if we have to I am okay with just hanging out at home with my Lao po. Just stay local. I will have more than enough cash to do that. It should be very good to be back in China for a visit. Danb

Hello, In a few day I will be going back to China. It has been 3 years since I have visited China. I didn't give it a lot of thought about changes that might have been made in China in the past three years. Changes in banking, traveling Covid VPN, attitude, etc. I knew there might be some changes but I was hoping they would not really affect me. Access to money is starting to concern me a little bit now. Basically I need spending/ living money for the time I am going to be there. In the past I alway relied on cash and ATM mostly. I am starting to worry a little about the ATM accessibility. I guess I am going to bring a little extra cash. More than I usually do. And I also have a Discovery and American Express card. Those I hope I can use for travel and hotel. I did just have a covid booster shot a few weeks ago. Does not seem to be any travel restrictions because of covid. But as been mentioned on this site there are some issues in the north with children having some respiratory problems. As far attitude, I was wondering if at the moment is the attitude towards the USA more positive or negative? I am hoping it going more positive. What you guys think? Anything that I really need to consider or be concerned about? Danb.

Thank You for the reply. I am going to get a VPN app. I went to the bank and my credit union yesterday. I wanted to notify them that I was traveling to China and would be using my debit and credits cards over there. They said that a VPN would probably be necessary to access my account over there. My credit union wasn't sure if there was a good number to contact them if I wanted to contact them when I was over there. Bank of America said that the first time I used a Bank of America card in China that I would probably get a text message about verification to my American phone and I would have to reply to them on my America phone. I normally don't use my US phone when I am in China. I have AT&T. I think they are expensive to use in China. DanB

Hello. How are things going? I have a question or two. I am looking for a VPN. I haven't used one for about 3 years. Any recommendation for use in China? I did use Expressvpn. I don't recall having any problems with it but I didn't use it that much. Is it more difficult to use Vpn in China now? I just really need it to do banking and a few bills? Any thoughts and suggestions? Thank you. Danb

Randy, just sent you a message. Danb

Ditto that. Randy, I dont post that often anymore but I try to visit and read some of the post every week. Always find interesting reads!! Thank you for all the time and effort you put forth on this site. Thank You.

Hello, An old post. Just noticed the date. The last time I was in Nanning. Two year ago. I had problems using my B/A ATM card at the Bank of China ATM. Lao po called the bank. Was told that we had to go to the main B of C branch. I believe that is on 39 Gucheng Lu. Went there several times and had no problem. Just there was a daily limit. I think either 3000 or 3500 RMB. Danb