Daviation

I did that too... until I got severely reprimanded by customs for having a suitcase full of her stuff. Some obscure rule about not bringing in things that belong to others. Seems odd to me, but I didn't feel like arguing at the time, so just agreed not to do it again. Next trip, I was in the system because they asked me if I was bringing anything of hers that time. I suppose one could just make the claim they like wearing all those things. I should add... at the time we weren't married yet (K1 visa)... maybe such rules don't apply within family.

I did that too... until I got severely reprimanded by customs for having a suitcase full of her stuff. Some obscure rule about not bringing in things that belong to others. Seems odd to me, but I didn't feel like arguing at the time, so just agreed not to do it again. Next trip, I was in the system because they asked me if I was bringing anything of hers that time. I suppose one could just make the claim they like wearing all those things.

I live in Cincinnati-Dayton area. No Cathay here. Have to pick it up on the West coast I belive. I am at the mercy of the domestic carriers here in the Midwest. Bu Hao. Besides if my wife would ever find out I spent $2K plus on an airline ticket should never talk to me in English again. Cathay does fly from New York. They are usually my favorite (probably flown them 25-30 times... lost count). But just flew Hainan for the first time a few weeks ago. Quite good... and couldn't beat the price - $680 RT SEA to PEK.

We were just a few hundred clicks south of here 2 days before the quake hit... while I miss China, in this case, I'm glad to be home!

My wife's folks just passed their interview for tourist visa today in GZ following the new electronic process. It was very quick and straigh forward. We made the on-line application and scheduled the appointment less than 4 weeks ago. Now I'm curious, what is the latest status quo on how much time they are granted for their stay upon reaching the POE. Anyone with late breaking experience? I've heard 6 months is the max to expect - is this correct? Anything more? Can 6 months be expected? Thanks

Correct. In fact most EU countries now issue ONLY what is called Schengen Visa. While you do obtain it directly from the country where you first enter (and you are supposed to exit from same country), the visa is good for travel in all EU countries that are part of the Schengen agreement. Also correct that UK is NOT part of the Schengen agreement. US permanent residents can transit through UK with actual GC (but NOT with just equivalent stamp in passport).

We are getting ready to apply for tourist visa for my wife's parents. My wife is not employed so payment for their travels and funds while here will be based on my income. I've read through entire post here, but still have the following questions: 1/ Should my wife or I be listed as sponsor and US contact for the application? I'm guessing it would be me if I'm the one demonstrating funds to support them while here...? 2/ If I am listed as sponsor, how should I answer the question about my relationship to them? There is no choice for "son-in-law". The only seemingly applicable choices would be either "child" or "other relative". 3/ The application asks for "Organization Name" under the sponsor's contact information. Should this be my employer? Or N/A. Thanks much!

Saw a bumper sticker on a 28 year old Mercedes diesel that said - "I'll still burn eco-fuels when hybrids litter our junk yards" Now that was funny even BEFORE we had to start throwing the latter away cuz their brakes didn't work.

Yes you can renew your passport early if you wish, but it will then expire 10 years from the date you choose to renew.

Often times the Chinese consulate will periodically send a temporary delegation to other cities to support their citizenry. At one of these weekend sessions in our city, we did the paperwork to have her passport amended with married name. They interview you in your home city and then paperwork is mailed to the Chinese consulate.

While your right - they don't have the balls - I fear they might be just stupid enough to try it... cuz they really don't get it.

It may come to that again if they keep ignoring the American people and continue pulling shenanigans in secret. Amazing how they can simply ignore their own tanking approval ratings.

Yes, we've just recently done this (Germany, France and Italy). I don't have time to document details just at the moment, but if you PM me I'll try to follow up with lots of specific details. Thanks

Along those lines, a statistic etched in my mind is one that noted approximately 30 million people are migrating to the cities from rural areas each year. That is amazing! In just one decade that will almost equal our entire population! In my mind that kind of puts a damper on the theory that China needs us to grow.

I read that article. While there is likely some truth in it, what I find key is that the guy making this call is no China expert. I don't think he's ever been to China and only started studying China about a year and a half ago. I'm often amazed how such "experts" demand respect and credibility. Seems to me that if you've never put shoe leather on the ground... seen how some cities are completely transformed in record time... how can you be an expert. Again, seems there is certainly some truth to the 'credit bubble' discussion. However, I don't see China borrowing from other countries now. All of their funds exist in accounts within their borders. At least at a macro level they are not spending money they don't have.

Another option, depending on how much the phone needs to be used, is to purchase a pre-paid GSM card. As others have noted, your wife's phone is likely GSM and unlocked. If so, then Tmobile GSM pre-paid card will work in it directly. We've been using a GSM phone from HK with Tmobile prepaid cards for several years. If you buy the right card, it's about 9 cents/minute... lasts 1 year... and rolls over unused minutes if you reload it before expiry at end of year.

Ditto that. I think 001 gets a bad wrap (and I include myself in that mix sometimes). It can be really frustrating when you've done all your homework on this end and then ya get the "... we gotta do this cuz I read it on 001.." and whatever it is ya gotta do could take collecting a bunch more data or involve more homework. But with that said, at least in my world, I found much of it turned out to be helpful in the end... even if painful in the beginning. Much of it was just looking at something from a different angle. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably listen even more closely, but still with caution.

Me thinks the Chinese are going to save capitalism... who would'a thunk it?

That's good to hear. Take care man. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Yes, it really is that inexpensive. With $10/month option you can make unlimited calls to landlines or cell phones in almost every country including China. For about $60 year (actually I think the price is lower now) you can subscribe and obtain a phone number where any other cell phone or land line can call you. Ironically, we find better call quality to Ba and Ma in China than to Dad and Mom here in the states.

Others have already given some good advice, but in answer to your original question: China Southern flies direct from GZ to LAX. You may have to call them, as last time I checked you couldn't find it on their web site (it's been a while so maybe different now).

I swore I wasn't going to read anything even remotely political here again. But to anyone with experience in Japan, there is an aspect of this whole bowing thing that I've not seen addressed anywhere, here or in media outlets. I was hoping to have found it here. In Japan, bowing is a VERY precise and practiced art. There are a multitude of rules involved... affected by things like, age, social status, political status, familiarity, family status, gender. The Japanese practice it for a lifetime, from a very young age. It is a two way act, and how it it is performed is based on the relative status of each participant. In the end both parties bow, but in a subtle and slightly different way. Any thoughtful foreigner (gaijin) seeking cultural advice before traveling to Japan learns that it is best not to even try bowing - because gaijin simply don't understand the subtle nature and will make themselves look like a fool for doing it all wrong. The Japanese don't expect bowing from gaijin, and usually have LESS respect for those silly enough to try. It is quite telling (at least form the pics I've seen) to see that Japan's emperor didn't even try to bow back. He just stands there looking at the act, and you can almost see the amusement on his face... and I doesn't appear to be a look of respectful amusement.

I didn't serve... but I have tremendous respect for those who have (and do)... and I thank every one of you for your part in making this a country where we have that choice.

From our experience, we were advised they are NOT supposed to tell you during the interview if you passed. In our case, during interview we were told "you passed and will receive GC in a couple weeks". Two months later, having received nothing (not even the approval letter), we made info pass appointment. At the appointment we were told "... there are no problems... still going through review... and interviewers are being told NOT to advise status during interviews." After several more weeks we did finally receive approval letter, with GC shortly thereafter.

Entirely wrong!!! Hu was professional through the whole parade until your so called "Muffin Top Brigade"... when he clearly smiled and waved to them... in fact I made the comment to my wife at the time about how excited he looked all of sudden... and I've watched it again to confirm I saw it correctly... You must be blind. He got all excited at the first female PLA unit. The Muffin Top Brigade passed and he showed no excitement at all. The same thing happened in the crowd at Tiananmen. The Muffin Top Brigade was like the freak show. The female PLA units inspired heavy drooling amongst the crowd with all the ooohs & aaahs. Reminds me of the grandmother sitting at the parade... when the soldiers came marching by she nudged the person next to her and said "Look, everyone is out of step, except my Johnny!" So, yes Johnny (GZBILL), I guess by those standards... I am blind and out of step.