nate33 wrote:willbcocks wrote:Just received an email that my next assignment, to Guangzhou, has been cancelled. Given two choices: Chengdu and Shenyang, and I'll hear next week. I am not keen on living in Shenyang for two years...
I spent a week in Chengdu in 2003. That far inland, there are very few people who speak any English whatsoever. Typically, the five star hotels in major cities have front desk people who speak a smattering of English, but not in Chengdu. I had a hard time communicating "hotel" to the taxi driver. The people were very nice and friendly, though.
Also, at 5-9, I was a giant there. I got a lot of strange looks while walking the streets (I suppose the red hair and freckles may have had something to do with that as well).
If you want to feel even taller, come to the Philippines.
I have in fact been assigned to Chengdu. I speak basic Chinese and will be interviewing people in it for 3-4 hours per day, so I'm not worried about the language issue as much. My wife is, but she's Japanese, so at least she can read everything, and she's already started taking Chinese classes.
My expectations for the food are sky high. I am expecting the best inexpensive food in the world, and I'm confident that I won't be disappointed.
Magnumt
