Latest Comments

• • December 27, 2011
  • 2011: The Year in Review
    

    Hey, thanks for the lovely year-end review. I especially loved the August part where the interview with the guy talks about his "wacky life". Wacked, indeed, I'd say.

    Peace, Love and 3 days of understanding, like Woodstock. And you should have been there. Oops, you weren't even born then.
    Nevada

• • December 13, 2011
  • Charcuterie: Taking food safety into one's own hands
    

    Interesting article, and thanks for all the information. Phil "The Kunming Sausage King" told us about your plans the day before — had we known a bit earlier Cas & I surely would have loved to tag along and help out. Well, enjoy, and know that your ideas and insight on all of this — having knowledge of where our meat comes from, participating, are the way of our parents and grandparents. Sadly, few people now take the time, and this is pretty inspiring!
    Nevada

• • August 23, 2011
  • Interview: Scott Williams & Carl Oakley
    

    A really nice article, Chris. to Scott & Carl I'd like to say: We've been "Bad Monkeys" for quite a while. I know this article centered on the brew and the evolution of the Monkey, but I want to say thanks for all of the love & support and encouragement you've given to all of the musicians. there's nothing better than a good place, a 'real" bar that combines great beer and cocktails with live music.

    In regard to the comment someone made about American beer, I'd just point out that you guys are talking about the American micro brew culture — and I'd agree — it's probably the best in the world.

    See you soon for some beer, music and perhaps that venison steak!

    Oh, and trust me, your first franchise should definitely be set up in Kunming!

    Nevada

• • August 22, 2011
  • Cycling from Kunming to Dali Old Town
    

    Well done! thanks for the interesting story. I always love the photos from your journeys and wished there had been a few more. But hey —I have deep admiration for your cycling skills and effort in completing this challenging endeavor! I think one thing is missing in detail here, though: How about a little insight into how the celebration party in Old Dali went upon your arrival?

• • May 13, 2011
  • Back to Bangdong Village
    

    Thanks, guys. This is touching and such a wonderful project. We know the energy and effort you have put into organizing all of this. You have all of our support.

Latest Forum Posts

• • December 2, 2011
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > LABA MUSIC WEEKEND
    

    Thanks, Eddy...and thanks to all the people who have organized, and places of business who are selling tickets for this weekend of music at Laba.

    We all are looking forward to it — and excitement is building!

    I just want to add this about our band:
    "War Horse" is Ian on guitar/vocals, Chuck "Jacques Le Blanc" on bass/vocals, Nick La Flame on accordion/vocals, Ma Tu on drums, and myself on guitar/vocals. We're going to do some new originals and a few new covers. It will be an interesting set.

    Thanks again to everyone helping out with this weekend of music in Kunming!
    Nevada

• • October 23, 2011
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > Halloween 2011
    

    Hey, "Bad Boy" — since you asked the question, let's put it this way: How many days am I gonna dress up? I'm goin' as a cowboy. I've been going as a cowboy, or the Lone Ranger, all my life. That's why they call me "Nevada". So I pretty much dress up EVERY day...Easy, see? Friday the Hump for the Great Apes, Saturday at the Camel and at the Mask for bands and DJs and Hip Hop. Probably Sunday, somewhere, and then, see, I dress up again as a cowboy to teach my students on the "real" Halloween. Fun, eh? It's all fun. I'm sure this weekend, in San Francisco, for example, is gonna be about a 5 day blast...that's the way it rolls...in Kunming, too.
    Nevada

• • August 19, 2011
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > Lazy Bones Restaurant Is Closed
    

    Elliott: Cas & I want to thank you for all that you have done for us and for everyone. We had some great brunches, pizza nights, sports nights — well into the early mornings — and for making Lbones such a wonderful place to eat & meet.

    We're gonna miss the friendly, community atmosphere you created.

• • July 25, 2011
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > Fake Apple Store in Kunming
    

    The latest news:"Chinese officials have found five fake Apple stores in the southwestern city of Kunming, and ordered two of them to suspend business while they're investigated, a local government website said Monday.

    Officials couldn't do anything about the other three stores — which prominently displayed Apple signs and logos — because they did not find any fake Apple products for sale, according to a report by a local newspaper posted on the Kunming city government's website."

    The moral of the story is that you can sell real products in fake stores but not fake products in fake stores. Go figure.

• • July 25, 2011
    
  • Forums > Living in Kunming > Fake Apple Store in Kunming
    

    Laughingstock or Admiration?

    I think a question could be asked here: Is China being laughed at because just about everything, including entire Apple Stores and products are knocked off, faked, and sold in China and around the world?

    Or: Do people around the world admire China for the savvy and skill to do such a good job with their abilities to fake and copy?

    The surprising thing about this recent story is that everyone, including news agencies in every country, are picking up on the story. I'm not surprised. I know this store and have always thought it was fake. I never questioned that it was a real Apple franchise selling real Apple goods. I do know there are licensed dealers to serve and repair Apple computers as my American friend had to use one and present his warranty and registration for his Mac.

    But hey, if you're a musician and have bought a Fender amp in Kunming, you know it's fake. They won't give you a real guarantee. If it breaks down, like mine did, like my friend's did, hey, they just give you another one. They don't send it "back to the Fender factory" for repair.

    My guitar, an Epiphone which I bought in Guangzhou for a lot of money in a reputable music store, couldn't, wouldn't, supply me with a guarantee. They asked for my email address and said they'd send it to me. After many emails to them and without receiving any replies, I gave up. It's probably fake. But it's a great guitar!

    Point is, we're not talking about t-shirts with misspellings bought on the street proclaiming to be some hot shot international band — which we obviously know are fake. We're talking about walking into regular stores which sell known brands of equipment and electronic devices, like Apple phones and computers, and we're sold fake products. No one bats an eye. Why?

    Well, perhaps the products aren't perfect — but maybe they are "good enough" - for the price one pays. And are they really that inferior to "the real thing"?

Latest Reviews

• • tahoe
    December 5, 2011
    
  • Kunming > The Box
    老夫子

    We love the Box. Last Sunday we tried the new special baked ham and roasted potatoes. It was wonderful. Thanks, Francesca & Stefania — and thank your lovely staff.

    We'll be back soon to try the beef...

• • tahoe
    August 28, 2011
    
  • Kunming > The Mask
    脸谱酒吧

    A great big thanks to Steve & Alex for the wonderful time at the Mask Bar last night! Truly, one of my best gigs ever!

    The sound system was fabulous! Playing solo and then with Ian for that crowd gave me goose bumps! Again, my heartfelt thanks!

    Nevada

• • tahoe
    June 10, 2011
    
  • Kunming > Moondog
    月亮狗

    Saturday night June 11th Ian & I are playin' a couple of blues sets at Moondog. Starts at 9pm. Free entry. this is the first time we have played Moondog and looking forward to seeing people stop by...Spread the word. should be a great night!
    Nevada Lundemo

• • tahoe
    April 25, 2011
    
  • Kunming > Lazy Bones Delivery Service
    美食快递

    My wife and I have been ordering from Lazy Bones ever since it began. We live on Xue Fu Lu. We have never had a problem with our orders. The people on the phone make everything clear in English and Chinese. The service is reasonably prompt and we've never had a problem with the bill nor any problems with the Lazy Bones staff. I'd just like to thank Lazy Bones and urge others in Kunming to use their delivery service and to visit their restaurant.

• • tahoe
    March 6, 2011
    
  • Kunming > Sandra's

    Thank you Sandra & Pierre for the lovely memorial night you hosted for our dear friend Anna last Friday night.
    We appreciate all of the love and effort you put into making the night special.
    We are supportive and happy that you have established an "Anna Library & Book Exchange" which proceeds will benefit the street children of Kunming. This is truly a great way to keep Anna in our memories...
    Cas & Nevada
    

• The Old Theatre Inn
• Chicago Coffee
• Lost Garden Guesthouse & Restaurant
• Kunming Mei's Mandarin School
• As You Like
• Keats School
• Moondog
• GoKunming
• YMCA Club 1933
• Slice of Heaven
• Kingsway Tented Resorts
• Bakery 88
• Camel Bar
• The Mask
• Kunming College of Eastern Language and Culture
• My Favor Restaurant
• Chapter One
• Wonders Of Yunnan Travel
• O'Reilly's Irish Pub
• Salvador's Coffee House
• Wangtianshu Restaurant & Deli
• Tenwest Mandarin School
• Cacao Mexican Restaurant
• Flying Tigers Restaurant
• Kunming Yu-Cong Enterprise Management Company
• Huiying Dental Clinic