study tour

[Anonymous]

I ordered some CDs on basic mandarin through the Redondo Beach Library. I recommend them - Pimsleur Basic Mandarin. By recorded books. Simon and Schuster. 5 cds in a giant box. No book. All audio. good for the car. 😐

[Anonymous]

Shopping - This is a way to validate shopping our way thru China. Just what Clay wanted to hear! Wait.....check this out.
The K -12 East Asian Connection at Indiana University had an interesting article. Some teachers on their Asian study tour collected items to create a CHINA BOX. This is a box of items that teachers can use to introduce or teach a unit on China.Suggested items include city maps, a Mao pin,Young Pioneers Red scarf, Chinese New Year's dragon puppet,games,Children's songbooks, money,a calligraphy brush, Chinese character workbooks, and DVD's. They created one box that could be checked out by the teachers in the district. These items would be a good visual aid and could lead to some good discussions.

[Anonymous]

Found a nice little site that gives a great deal of information concerning travel in China. You'll find topics and tips about etiquette, money, security, clothing, weather, how to bargain in China, etc. Go to http://www.goingtochina.com
Denise Clement

[Anonymous]

Denise - Thanks for the info on traveling in China. I just received my passport in the mail and I'm really excited about the trip. Now I need to complete my lesson plans and website to make sure I'm really - http://www.goingtochina.com! Bev Smith

[clay dube]

The Chinese consulate in LA has information on tourist visas to China:
http://losangeles.china-consulate.org/eng/visa/chinavisa/t27605.htm

I have attached (as a pdf) a copy of the visa form. Please complete it and bring it to the next session (March 11) along with the required photo.

Notes for questions:
12 - tourist visit
13 - Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai, Luoyang, Suzhou
16 - 14 days (under 1st entry)
17 - regular
18 - various tourist sites

[Anonymous]

Is the Visa just a one page form? Just checking. Also is our next class session on March 11th or March 6th. For some reason I thought we had class Monday March 6th. Just want to be up to date. Looking forward to our adventure.

[Anonymous]

According to the schedule we have class on Monday the 6th at 3 and also Saturday the 11th at 8.

[Anonymous]

So, we are supposed to bring a passport, 2 passport photos, and a filled out Visa Ap for next time, right? 8)

[Anonymous]

If you download the Visa Ap Clay gave a link to, make sure you notice his directions on what to put for #'s 12,13,16,17,18. Makes it much easier 😛

[Anonymous]

I can't wait to go on this trip now! I'm so glad that everything is getting together and we'll be on our way in a few weeks! I must admit...I had my doubts for a while there.

Louis

[Anonymous]

I got my passport pictures at AAA yesterday. Very easy. Just $8.

[Anonymous]

I got my photos at Savon in Hermosa which does them for $7 and are ready in about 5 minutes. I am getting so excited for our adventure!

[Anonymous]

When I told my students about my trip, they were beyond excited. They asked five million questions and wanted to share everything they knew about China with me. I thought they could start me a travel guide and could post pointers or thoughts in this. Some students have been spending all their free time collecting thoughts, important Chinese phrases, and traveling tips. Then, Beckygave me another great idea to further this journal project: have my students plan my trip. They are now going to research weather, clothing, necessary supplies, exchange rate, ideas for what I should buy for our classroom and bring from our classroom, what sites to check out based on the places we will be visiting, and other tips. This is a great way for them to be involved and research. I am so excited and so are my kids!

[Anonymous]

Below are a few facts concerning Chinese Currency, and exchange rates, which I put together from several web sites. Hope this proves helpful for the trip.
The Chinese currency is the RenMinBi (RMB), generally pronounced Yuan in written form, but spoken as Kuai. Paper money available in RMB1, RMB5, RMB10, RMB50 and RMB100. Today, China is suffering from numerous counterfeit notes. Fake notes are sometimes easily recognizable since the paper feels different and the Chinese will check several times when they receive a RMB50 or RMB100 to make sure it is not a fake. Old and tattered notes can be difficult to exchange, so try not to accumulate them.
Most of the time, vendors and taxi drivers ask for a small notes when you pass them a RMB100 note, sometimes they cannot make change (or are not willing to). Therefore, it is a good idea to stack up on RMB10 bills. If you have any problems with a note, exchange it for a new one or small change at a bank. A counterfeit note will be confiscated.
Travelers cheques are the best way to carry money around in China. The exchange rate is fixed and Travelers cheques can be replaced if lost or stolen. Cheques can be cashed at the major branches of the Bank of China. Credit cards like Visa, Mastercard and American Express are useful in major tourist cities too. They can be used in most mid range to top range hotels, and some big department stores. You can get cash advances in the head branches of the Bank of China, however, a high commission will be charged (four percent).
Foreign currency can be changed in most banks and hotels. Exchange rates do not vary too much, so hotels are often the most straightforward place to exchange. Keep the exchange receipt with you in case you want to exchange any remaining RMB you have left over when you leave.
Current Exchange rate (Sunday March 5th.)
One Chinese Yuan (RMB) = about 12.5 cents (US)
One Chinese Jiao = about 1.25 cents (US)
One Fen = about one tenth of one cent (US)
Chinese Currency denomination
One Yuan = Ten Jiao
One Jiao = Ten Fen

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the lowdown on the money. And the Yuan is still pegged to the dollar, right. So, that 12.5 cents to teh Yuan should hold, eh? About 8 Yuan to the Dollar. =:O 😛 😀

[Author]

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