ULIBCN70: yes - you must be new in China.
You can buy a ticket in advance at any one of a number of state-run ticket offices in Kunming (there's one just off 121 Street across the bridge from the north end of Wenhua Xiang (the street where Salvador's is), and the other day I was in my local post office and there was a sign in Chinese saying you could book tickets there as well. However,
I'm almost certain you would have no trouble just showing up at the bus station and buying a ticket for the next bus, or possibly the one after that. There are a lot of scheduled buses to Jianshui, from fairly early morning on.
However you buy your ticket, you will probably have to show your passport, or Chinese id.
Renting: I found my flat (55 sq. meters, living room, bedroom, kitchen, another small room & a not-very-modern bathroom, solar water heating, big windows both north & south, sunlight) in a fairly old xiaoqu about a year ago. Fine fo a single occupant. Rent is Y1000/mo., agent took 1 month's rent, and I pay the landlord 6 months in advance.
Note that Y1000 is cheap. This is nothing fancy - I got what I consider a good deal. 7th (top) floor walkup, I'm used to it, rather appreciate it. Buildings with 20 or something floor are more 'modern' and more expensive, but I don't like living in the sky. Lower-mid class neighbors, 1 other foreigner, no hassles; 50 minutes walk from Yunnan U.; nearby new metro station.
Thanks. I did something or other, new version of ExpressVPN, seems to be working again. But I'm continually reminded of Chuck Berry's "Too Much Monkey Business", half a mind to chuck it all & go look for a job in a car wash.
Damned twinky electrons.
@tiger: For the village in question, I'm referring to the percentage of middle-school grads who go on to senior secondary, at present. In this village, the percentage just a few years ago was even worse. And the percentage of elementary school kids who go to middle school is less than 50% now - worse 10 years ago - in fact, 10 years ago those who completed elementary school was less than 50% too. Yeah, I know, the law says everybody has to study through junior middle, but it was ignored, with no consequences other than for the future of the kids.
I'm sure that the percentages are considerably lower in poor rural areas of Yunnan. I know of a Miao village where the percentage is considerably less than 20%.
It's about time! This is SO important for poor areas of Yunnan! As far as I'm concerned, the stipends should make it 100% free for any student to study in senior secondary school, as well as to room and board there.
Thing about staff/security not interfering probably has to do with general Chinese unwillingness to get involved in other's family affairs, where concerns for others among one's family members are rather strong. Flipside perhaps of the lack of concern for members of general public.
Mass Society & Depersonalization Dept.
A thing that annoys me about this event is that such people, in their absorption with their own problems, the apparent complete lack of concern for the rights/convenience of anybody else - as if those who are not directly, personally involved with you simply don't count.
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.
China to overhaul high school education in "poverty-stricken" regions
发布者@tiger: For the village in question, I'm referring to the percentage of middle-school grads who go on to senior secondary, at present. In this village, the percentage just a few years ago was even worse. And the percentage of elementary school kids who go to middle school is less than 50% now - worse 10 years ago - in fact, 10 years ago those who completed elementary school was less than 50% too. Yeah, I know, the law says everybody has to study through junior middle, but it was ignored, with no consequences other than for the future of the kids.
China to overhaul high school education in "poverty-stricken" regions
发布者I'm sure that the percentages are considerably lower in poor rural areas of Yunnan. I know of a Miao village where the percentage is considerably less than 20%.
China to overhaul high school education in "poverty-stricken" regions
发布者It's about time! This is SO important for poor areas of Yunnan! As far as I'm concerned, the stipends should make it 100% free for any student to study in senior secondary school, as well as to room and board there.
Married couple's tarmac dustup at Kunming airport delays flight
发布者Thing about staff/security not interfering probably has to do with general Chinese unwillingness to get involved in other's family affairs, where concerns for others among one's family members are rather strong. Flipside perhaps of the lack of concern for members of general public.
Married couple's tarmac dustup at Kunming airport delays flight
发布者Mass Society & Depersonalization Dept.
A thing that annoys me about this event is that such people, in their absorption with their own problems, the apparent complete lack of concern for the rights/convenience of anybody else - as if those who are not directly, personally involved with you simply don't count.