Napoleon is having a bad day - if you're new in town, don't take all that seriously. The average cabbie is an average guy, not scum of the slum or whatever; the buses work fine, although buses are sometimes crowded and bus service is slowed by the tremendous number of private automobiles. I've ridden a lot of buses and do so regularly; the passengers on the bus are ordinary people, and nobody cheats you on a bus. It's possible to be taken for a ride by a cabbie especially at or near the airport, but it's nothing to get wild about - obviously you want to insist on the use of the taxi meter - but life isn't that hard here.
New arrivals shouldn't worry too much, this is about as cold as it gets, though it seems awful to those of us who've been here for awhile away from really cold climates and/or are not used to unpleasantly unheated buildings. It rarely stays this cold for more than a couple days or so, then will pop up above 10 degrees again, even 15, with sunshine. Only sporadic - although in fact I hate it. Excellent time to go to Jinghong or farther south - actually, it's not a matter of going south so much as it is a matter of going downhill.
1. there's a lot that BASIC medical care doesn't cover (note current campaign to help 5-6 kids who need heart operations which they can't afford).
2. so now they have to attempt extension of health care, thru purchase.
Health care previous to Opening of China was not overall better than it is today, it was worse; but policy then was to make it more egalitarian, with some success.
Final note: "certainly not the state" - I agree: not anymore.
Not from pockets of the peasants themselves, who can't always afford it - perhaps tax the hell out of new capitalists?
No nostalgia here for the era - I'm just suggesting they might have built on what they'd started, with the increased health resources possible thru the overall rise of China's economy and improvement & spread of higher education, rather than throwing out babies with bathwater & then starting again to attempt to equalize inequalities that have blossomed under Opening & Reform. Policy now said to be creation of a 'harmonious society' - occurs to me that dealing with such inequalities might be an important part of it.
So I hope current policies for health care can do this. Not sure they can or will. Meanwhile, there are some people making some effort to take up the slack - a worthwhile effort, if a small one.
Overall seems like a good idea, though I don't see what's wrong with selling food barbecued over an open fire. Not sure it will take decades to bring back a good reputation. Question of 'locals' being innovative: I wonder how many businesses are run by Lijiang locals?
Sounds like an interesting place to visit, but $40/day for a guide for 14 days?
And you mention a Catholic church - okay, but I think Kengtung was also a missionary base for American Baptists in the late 19th century, no?
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.
Lijiang Old Town bans certain businesses, promotes others
发布者Overall seems like a good idea, though I don't see what's wrong with selling food barbecued over an open fire. Not sure it will take decades to bring back a good reputation. Question of 'locals' being innovative: I wonder how many businesses are run by Lijiang locals?
At the top of the Nujiang Canyon: Life in Bingzhongluo
发布者Yet another good one from Jim.
Yunnan's Myanmar borderlands becoming more accessible
发布者Sounds like an interesting place to visit, but $40/day for a guide for 14 days?
And you mention a Catholic church - okay, but I think Kengtung was also a missionary base for American Baptists in the late 19th century, no?
Rock climbing with underprivileged kids in rural Yunnan
发布者Must have been fun!
Kunming's bike share options: A user guide
发布者Doesn't look to me that the bikes have been scrapped.