Another China Trip

The quality dispute we were having with the customer has become very complicated that I got to visit the customer's factory again a few days after the 1st visit.



As usual, I took the KCR train to LoWu station.

Self-service checking out the HK immigration, quick-and-easy by using my smart ID card.

Within a few minutes, I was crossing the bridge that divides HK and ShenZhen.

Then, heading to the SZ immigration that allocated for foreigners.

2-3 years ago, LoWu immigration is the worst immigration I've ever seen before. Not just because of its crowded and noisy condition, but the normal waiting time was 40-60 min. There was once, I stuck there for 2 hours. Gosh, such a torture that I couldn't help but to curse on everything.

Also, the queue method was very stupid. People just made a long queue at every opened counter. If you were lucky to stand in a faster line, you could get through the immigration faster than the people who came much earlier than you, who unfortunately, queue in the slower line, vice verse. So, before I start to line up, I used to stand at the far side for a couple of minutes, to observe which lines moved faster, then I joined in. Can you imagine how suck it was?

Thank God this stupid method is no longer in used. Instead, everyone queue in the same zigzag line to wait for their turn to be diverted to the different counters later on. That's fair and efficient! The queue time has been reduced to 10-15 min these days. So, I have no complaint now.

LoWu Immigration tower, one of the landmark of ShenZhen city.

The pedestrian walkway outside the famous ShenZhen Commercial Centre. The scene is also , more pleasant than years ago when heavy construction was in progress.

This long, clean pedestrian lane has helped to upgrade the city's image. Before the rebuild had been taken place, this area was just like a chaotic black market. I used to feel such a huge difference between HK area and SZ area that is only a river distance. But not anymore.

Many years ago, HK people like to go to ShenZhen to tailor made for their home curtains and clothes. But in view of the fast appreciation of RMB, there is no advantage to shop in this area anymore. In fact, it's getting more expensive shopping here than in HK these days.

Last time, we used to trade HKD100 for RMB112. Gradually, the difference become smaller and smaller, until now, HKD100 can only get RMB88. How pathetic !

This is the government who is very determine to grow fast. For the past few years, I've witnessed its transformation from a 'village' girl to a 'modern city ' girl, like Cinderella fairy tale.

This time, I've decided to take the train way instead of the road way. According to my customer, it will only take 40 min by train. Compare to 2 hr by car, there is no reason I don't take the train. That is ShenZhen railway station, it's only 10 min walking distance from the LoWu Immigration Tower.

Unfortunately, buying train ticket is not as efficient as checking in the immigration. It tests my luck again. I was lucky enough to line up in a faster queue this time.

If things like this happen in HK, we normally just groan and curse inside the heart quietly. But China people are more direct in expressing their anger, they would shout and kick people ass instead! And when it's your turn to buy the ticket, it's better pay and move away fast. Do not ask too many questions.

The train schedule is quite frequent. I didn't need to wait too long for the next train to come.

This is the 1st class compartment. Comfortable enough. Weird thing is, the the 1st glass ticket cost RMB55, the 2nd class ticket cost RMB50. So, there is no reason why I shouldn't go for the 1st class, right? However, despite of the small price difference, 1st class is not full at all. I wonder if 2nd class condition has no much difference from the 1st class then?


Table for 4, good for playing poker or 'chor-tai-D' game.

The train departed around 11.52 am. Consider punctual !

I turn on my iPod, there is nothing better than listening to the music and watching the fast moving scene outside.

The train pass by residential area...

pass by agriculture fields...

As a consequence of the rapid growth in economy, China people are getting richer than before. This can be judged from the high standard condominium they are afford to buy.

I think this consider lower standard apartment.

26 minutes later, the train stopped over DongGuan station.

Every CRH train is pretty identical in appearance, just like twins.

Their speed is pretty fast too. I think the max speed can easily go over 150 km/hr. See the nearest power stand, it is actually vertically straight. But its image was severely distorted when the picture was taken during the train moved fast.

Another example.

Exactly 40 minutes later, I reached my destination, ShiLong.

Littering is still commonly seen everywhere, splitting too.

Just stepped out the train station and saw this statue of Shuen-Zhong-Shan, father of China

Many motorcyclists poll over their bike near the train station. This is the cheapest "taxi", if you don't mind sitting behind the motorcyclist, without wearing helmet. The market rate is RMB5. I've tried that once before, many many years ago. Well, dare not to take a ride anymore.

Err..I haven't seen this "taxi" before. Apparently it's a modified version, Benz grade.

I simply walked in a restaurant and ordered the safest food possible (vegie + toufu), as a result of seeing too many disgusted disclosure on the TV, mainly on how the meat is processed, etc...

I like the tea anyway. Its scent is pleasant and soothe the throat too.

1.30 pm.

Ok, eat full, drink enough. It's time to start work now. I halted a cab and reached the customer site in 15 min time.

The customer didn't compromise a bit though many negotiation was done beforehead. Since the issue had been dragged for 2 weeks unresolved, the customer won't let us leave without our commitment this time. So, QA called his boss, I called my boss, my boss called his boss, finally we agreed to retract all the so-called rejected goods. After settling the replacement and its delivery schedule, we were free. Boy, I feel like I was a hostage there.

*

Sigh, althought it's not 100% our fault, but some one just got to give in this time. And that's the woe of being a responsible supplier.

Aloofness

Today, I walked to this vegetarian restaurant for lunch, again.

Saw this auntie#1 whom I just knew was there this afternoon too. Since the place next to her was vacant, I went over and sat next to her. Both of us are patrons to this restaurant since a long time ago. But, we started to get acquaintant to each other just about 2 months ago. Normally, we chatted on casual stuffs, like hot news, foods, cooking, works, nothing too personal nor too specifically.

To my surprise, today, she asked me how would I spent the summer holiday with my kids? Err? I didn't recall I have ever told her that I have kids before. She didn't seem that she was probing me either. So, I asked her how does she get to know about my kids.

She said she has been watching me since a very long time ago, back to the time I was in my 2nd pregnancy 5 years ago. She said I was rather fresh because not many "young girl" who carried a big tummy would visit the restaurant at that time. Ahh..no wonder.

(BTW, "young girl" huh? I want to take her words a compliment lo, haha...)

Actually, there is another auntie#2 who knew where I work even though I've never mentioned about my company name since day 1 I've started to talk to them. It's very obvious that they know me more than I know them. Are they being too busy body or I being too aloof all this time?

All this years, I go to this restaurant alone, occasionally with 2-3 colleagues who is not meat-crazy. When I was alone there, I just let my mind wanders no where or fix my eyes on the TV screen to follow the news. I didn't pay attention to anybody until one fine day, we started to talk.

It strikes me a lightning that I might have neglected many nice people to whom I may find them pleasant to talk to. How should I put it? Emm...you can make more friends in 2 months by becoming interested in other people than you can in 2 years by waiting for other people interested in you. So, why don't I?

I gave things a thought...Well, I am a follower of "隨緣" philosophy in many aspects, that includes making new friends. It's a rather passive approach but I believe by having less attachment, it gives me more freedom and stay objective.

*

The conclusion is : Yes, I am aloof and selective, so to say. I will try to be more open up, but I will not force myself though. Totally helpless !