<p>Marilyn, my D is a fashion design student, so I consulted her. Depending on size (of course) a dress can be as little as one yard (of 45" to 60" width) fabric, up to 4 yards. She says that will make a lovely dress up to a size 16. In school she says she averages about 2 yards for her size 6 dress form. She says she can make a gown using less than 4 yards. A jacket for 2 yards. Pants using 2 yards. </p>
<p>I travel with little cash so can’t help there.</p>
<p>Bank of America and China Construction Bank have an agreement. No fees on ATM withdraws (forgien transaction fee applies of course).</p>
<p>It sounds to me like you are getting ready to experience a “five star China”, correct?</p>
<p>Does anyone in your party speak Mandarin?</p>
<p>“DocT - I was on a tour. We ate at many places that didn’t particularly cater to westerners and found a variety of toilet facilities.”</p>
<p>We were on a tour also - a private one - just the driver, the guide, my wife and I. We specifically asked for the real deal when it came to food. I’m not certain in some places what we were eating as the guide was not allowed to eat with us. I brought pictures back to show Chinese people at work and they couldn’t figure out what some of the stuff was either. Most of the time, we were the only westerners in a packed restaurant. I can think of only one time, I think it was in Xian, where there was a western toilet in a restaurant. At the restaurant, people were lined up to use the “squatty” with the western toilet having nobody waiting.</p>
<p>I know people that take jars of peanut butter w them to China and live on that & energy bars for a week. An 8 hour layover in the Beijing airport last June was enough for me!</p>
<p>Will a Capital One Venture card work in China? It worked in Europe without adding international travel fees.</p>
<p>Though I’ve seen a lot of China, most was ages ago, so much of this is an interesting update. The food can be exquisite! </p>
<p>Though there is the unfortunate tendency toward odd body parts being prized in a way that only disgusts westerners, and that can be some of what you find at the endless banquets. But the basics, on the street, from the little shops where the average person eats can have some of the best food on the planet. Each shop really masters their specialty, much more than restaurants where a large number of dishes are prepared. In Beijing, the dumplings (bao) are so yummy! In Shanghai, the little soup dumplings are exquisite. </p>
<p>But when I traveled, for the most part I ate vegetarian. If you like tofu, and mushrooms, this is not a bad option, and is part of the Buddhist tradition, so not a foreign concept. In my experience, almost any restaurant has vegetarian dishes. The eggplant was outstanding. </p>
<p>Regarding musical instruments, yes, there are many. I have a number of them, unfortunately gathering dust. The er wu, or two string violin can be a nice gift, and not too bulky, if long. There also are flutes and a bamboo wind instrument. </p>
<p>Avoid the fake designer goods, if for no other reason than it prevents problems re entering the US. I was given a very hard time at customs, though that can be luck of the draw.</p>
<p>emeraldkitty - I don’t think so. He just a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy… I know he makes an excellent contribution to the local microbrewery businesses and dumpling shops, however.</p>
<p>woody, our Ss should hang out together to astound the locals and play basketball, though mine is back in the US this year, after 3 years in China, mostly Shanghai. He is 6’5. The worse is sending him size 14 shoes, made in China in the first place.</p>
<p>Just a few more days and we’re off! I don’t know much more than before except for our flights and hotel. We will do one overnight trip to Lioayang, flying into Shenyang. Our hosts know what we’re interested in seeing so hopefully have arranged for tours. We’ve learned we can send the cash via Western Union directly into our bank account.</p>
<p>I’ve been learning the history of China from a series of great podcasts although I do get lost with the names, especially since so many historical characters used the same name. Fascinating anyway and at least have skimmed the major events and dynasties. I’ve also learned a few words in Mandarin just to be polite, and we’ve put together gift bags with Frango mints, a mini-bottle of Amaretto, and a Chicago tourist magazine and map in Chinese.</p>
<p>DH started the jet lag diet today - swears it works for him although I gather from online research that it’s not really proven. I’m not trying it because (1) I have a eclectic sleeping schedule anyway (2) can’t give up caffeine or will suffer and (3) don’t want to jinx my Weight Loss for Dummies protocol. I will try to switch to a Beijing schedule on the outgoing flight and will drink plenty of water. We’ll be in Executive First Class so hopefully will be able to get some sleep (I have a high distraction quotient so never sleep on planes). We’re arriving at 4 pm Beijing time so by the time we get to the hotel and have dinner, it will be bedtime there. Any other suggestions? I’m used to being sleep-deprived!</p>
<p>I do have Immodium and we’ve been saving partial rolls of TP. Also lots of various wipes. I bought a dual voltage hair dryer and everything else except my electric toothbrush are already dual voltage (we have adapter plugs). We stocked up on travel size stuff at Bed Bath (never know so many products came in travel size). After all this, three nights ago I had a bunch of flashes in one peripheral vision so saw my ophthalmologist the next morning and I have PVD, which is annoying but not dangerous and no restrictions. It was somewhat nerve wracking until that was confirmed. He also said if I need any kind of medical care to fly to Hong Kong - good to know!</p>
<p>I’ve decided to try and find silk robes as gifts for the guys, hopefully with a dragon. I’ll get a few yards of silk for my niece, and probably scarfs for mother and SIL. Then whatever ornamental gee-gaws catch my eye. And maybe I’ll buy myself a kite.</p>
<p>Take a surge protector with an Asian converter.
Yo will need to charge your camera, laptop, whatevers and it makes it easier to have it all on one strip-you’ll be less likely to leave any electronics behind.
Check the weather-high 80’s already.
Protect your feet and ankles, cobblestones and rough streets-no slips or falls.</p>
<p>Thanks Battlo - we did find a 3 outlet surge protection power strip. We’ll need the adapter to plug it in but it can charge all our dual voltage chargers. So far the only thing that actually needs a converter is my toothbrush and the hotel is supposed to be able to provide converters. If so, I’ll charge it up once or twice. If not, I’ll use a manual toothbrush once the charge wears off.</p>
<p>I did see the weather! Hot and sunny - we’re bringing some water bottles ourselves just to be sure we have some to carry around.</p>
<p>All my daytime shoes are flat soles with treads; my evening shoes are cork wedge sandals. No spike heels!</p>