Karen_Koerner

PS: Gong

How is the English going?

Karen_Koerner

I will talk to you, if you think it would help. I speak and write in a grammatically correct form but I can't explain it. I make a special point of using proper spelling and punctuation so that the examples are correct. I am so old fashioned I still speak and write in full sentences with full punctuation. I very seldom use "computer speak" because it usually makes no sense to me.

If I think of something to tell you about, I will ramble on and you can practice on it! Are there any subjects you have a special interest in? If I go on too long, you can just tell me to shut up. OK?

KK

Karen_Koerner

Absolutely!! I would be thrilled.
KK

Karen_Koerner

Gong,

I know a little about Xian. It is a very ancient city-two or three thousand years old. It was the capitol city of several Dynasties. At one time it was called Chang'An. It must have been the stomping grounds of the First Emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, because he is buried near there with the Terracotta Warriors. If I remember right, the First Emperor's tomb has not yet been opened and probably won't be until technology can be developed to protect the contents from turning to dust upon exposure to the air.

It was also the eastern terminus of the Silk Road. That seems like a very romantic period when a whole assortment of cultures were meeting, exchanging cultures, and settling in new lands. That's how I imagine it.

Are some of these sites of the past preserved well? I know it is probably a very modern city now, with ancient sites still scattered in and around the city. I am one of those silly people who want to touch ancient art works and architecture to see if I can connect with the past. I have to be sneaky in the museums!!!                                             

I know your city has a population of about 8 million. I would love to hear about your city, which I consider a glorious city. What do you do, how do you get around. My favorite way to learn about China is for people to share what their life is like.

KK

Karen_Koerner

It sounds like you have some freedom to do what interests you. That is very important. I worked very hard my whole life and thought I'd have time to do things "later". I got a big surprise when I became ill and wasn't able to do things later. Live in the moment and do the things you want to do NOW.

I can't imagine a city with a population as large as yours. Our entire metropolitan area comprising 5 small cities is about 100,000 people. The whole state of Minnesota has about 6 million people. It only takes 30 minutes to drive from the eastern boundary to the western boundary of the Metro area. Are public places just filled with people? Everyone must maintain a certain kind of manners or it would be chaos. That is a guess-am I right?

Do you think the rest of your city will be able to catch up with the development? It must be the same everywhere. The one thing no one wants to build is affordable housing for the citizens. I suppose because there is not enough profit in it. We are a small enough city that the city council members are known by everyone. The do seem to favor developers, but, if they get out of hand people form groups and shut them down. Many stupid developments have been stopped.

We also have strong infrastructure for public roads, bus stations, etc. Funding is a combination of Federal, State, and Local government investment. There are strict rules for building and inspections that ensure safety. Most of it is very transparent so you don't get that level of corruption that results in unsafe roads and buildings.

With the current recession and austerity measures (cutting all the wrong things) things will slow down or stop. But I believe it's just the pendulum swinging-and eventually it will swing back. We're going through a cycle that will come back around!

I should mention that I love the "Judge Dee" (Tang Dynasty official Di Renjie) mysteries by Robert Van Gulik. That is where I get my idea of a walled ancient Chinese city. The books also give one a slight idea of how justice and attitudes developed. However, I did not like Andy Lau's Judge Dee movie, it was way over the top. I wish they had stuck to the books more. (I'd like to see his 3 wives.)

Boy, once I start I can not stop!
I'd like to hear about where you live. Is the city divided in neighborhoods or districts?
KK

Karen_Koerner

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_van_Gulik

Here is an article in English about Robert Van Gulik and the "Judge Dee" mysteries.
KK

Karen_Koerner

It is a very hard balance. Working just for money does not make a person happy. You want to do something that gives you satisfaction, but it must pay enough so you can live comfortably and have some security. Security becomes more important as you get older.

I was lucky that the last 13 years of my working life were very satisfying. I was a dispatcher for a family owned ambulance service that grew to be a highly professional ALS paramedic service. We grew from a service area of 600 square miles to an area of over 1000 square miles with substations in surrounding cities. We grew and grew and grew. I actually dispatched ambulances before there was a 911 system. (That is why I am prematurely old!) The satisfaction came from knowing that all of us working together saved lives.

I got that job completely by accident. I never would have dreamed of doing such a thing because when I observed to see if I wanted the job, it actually scared me how fast and furious it all was. But I tried it anyway and was very good at it. Sometimes a chance comes along to try something new that you might not have thought about. Always stay open to that chance that could come along.

I am sorry I go on so long, but once I start I cannot stop. I keep thinking of other things to tell you about.
KK

Karen_Koerner

Gong,
I looked for photos of traffic jams in Xian and saw many examples. WoW. How strict are the driver's license procedures and driver's tests? Do the traffic police enforce traffic infractions?  If you screw up do you go to traffic court?

It looks more like a problem of traffic engineering. When I see a huge intersection pretty much unsigned for traffic or clear lane markings-I can see how you get a whole bunch of cars stopped pointing in every direction and not getting anywhere. Or else everyone is just driving and walking wherever they please!!! The most important part of traffic control is the infrastructure. Infrastructure is developed over time.

I have a feeling that is what happened with the bullet trains. You have got these beautiful, sleek trains that go faster than the wind-but you have not got the well trained guy in the main control room that keeps them from running into each other. It seems they didn't have the right communications to warn the other trains.

                            Maybe China is trying to go too fast.
                               Get all the pieces in place first.
                                "Get all your ducks in a row."  
                 It might take a little longer, but it will probably be a lot safer.

Your country has so many well-trained people to handle these kinds of problems, send them around the world and check out what works. Our city is adopting the traffic turnarounds that are standard in England. They work great.

(The corruption that causes buildings to fall down is a completely different thing. I am **, but I can not understand why the top guys don't seriously and honestly commit themselves to stopping this stuff from going on and then going out and actually doing something about it!!!!  Are they capable of doing this or do they not care?

Sorry. I know this is too long. Do you get any benefits from my monologues?

Tell me more about Xian.

KK

Karen_Koerner

** =  N~A~I~V~E         What a silly word to disapprove...............

Karen_Koerner

Hey everybody. Do you think Chyi Chin will be coming home pretty soon?