@Dan, yeah, you're right, we're obviously getting closer.
Surely there must be better ways to employ labor than to create such unnecessary things with it. Not that I expect the creation of pumpkin-carving knives to be a major industry anywhere, but still, it does smack of the end of civilization, or anyway of what is called civilization.
On the other hand, Alex, I think it is fun. I've got a good Swiss army knife, multi-purpose - tough, too, will probably outlast the end of civilization as we know it.
Perhaps, but I don't think many people in Yunnan who use wood for fuel for cooking - but that would be year round - heat their homes with it, or with anything, regularly, except perhaps in particularly high areas, and note that many such areas don't have many trees - anyway, I doubt if this has much effect on Kunming.
Just a guess, would like to know more.
Point take does make sense. Though I guess there might also be something about windy days, hi/lo barometric pressures, etc.
And then to some extent I'm willing to risk a balance of scrubbed air vs. sunshine & accompanying mile-high radiant heat
@ redjon: OK, I agree.
@ForeignGuy: (1) I appreciate the problem, but it's possible to know a language and control its use in the classroom. (2) What about living in KM? Don't know your Chinese ability, but I'm not pretending everybody become fluent, which is the kind of irrational and impossible goal that has kept friends of mine from learning any Chinese at all - and that is a stupid mistake. On the other hand, if you can only buy things in the market in Chinese etc. you are shortchanging yourself, as well as those you attempt to communicate with and live among.
Well, I've lived places for more than 6 months without developing at least conversational language ability and I felt like an idiot. Being a nice person doesn't come into it.
Although I have studied at Keats and find it's the bet place to study Chinese in Kunming that I know of, the article sounds a bit like a plug for Keats.
As for studying Chinese, imagine how idiotic it would be to live in any country for more than about 6 months and not be abler to hold a conversation in that country's language.
Not quite what you'd call a jumping place, but not bad at all for rather standard US-type meals, not overly expensive, and with a really good salad bar that's cheap, or free with most dinner dishes after 5:30PM. You can get a bottle of beer or even wine if you really want to, but I've never seen anybody do it - maybe that's just to take out. Chinese Christian run, and they hire people with physical disadvantages, who are pleasant and helpful. Frequented by foreign (mostly North American) Christians and Chinese Christians - was started by a Canadian couple associated with Bless China (previously, Project Grace), who are no longer here, but no religious pressure or any of that. Steaks are nothing special, and I avoid the Korean dishes, which I've had a few times but which did not impress me.
As a shop and bakery, it's very good bread at reasonable prices, of various kinds (Y18 for a good multigrain loaf that certainly weighs well over a pound. Other stuff too, like granola and oatmeal that is local, as well as imported things, including American cornflakes and so forth, which some people seem to require.
Large portions, seriously so with the pizza, which is Brooklyn/American style, I guess. Convivial, conversational, good place to drink with good folks on both sides of the bar, especially after about 9PM.
Life in Kunming: Studying Chinese in the Spring City
发布者@JanJal: Yep, I'm sure it gets easier year by year.
Life in Kunming: Studying Chinese in the Spring City
发布者@ redjon: OK, I agree.
@ForeignGuy: (1) I appreciate the problem, but it's possible to know a language and control its use in the classroom. (2) What about living in KM? Don't know your Chinese ability, but I'm not pretending everybody become fluent, which is the kind of irrational and impossible goal that has kept friends of mine from learning any Chinese at all - and that is a stupid mistake. On the other hand, if you can only buy things in the market in Chinese etc. you are shortchanging yourself, as well as those you attempt to communicate with and live among.
Life in Kunming: Studying Chinese in the Spring City
发布者Well, I've lived places for more than 6 months without developing at least conversational language ability and I felt like an idiot. Being a nice person doesn't come into it.
Life in Kunming: Studying Chinese in the Spring City
发布者Although I have studied at Keats and find it's the bet place to study Chinese in Kunming that I know of, the article sounds a bit like a plug for Keats.
As for studying Chinese, imagine how idiotic it would be to live in any country for more than about 6 months and not be abler to hold a conversation in that country's language.
Counting down Kunming's Top Ten Smells
发布者Obviously all a matter of different strokes.