Beijing 2008 Olympics
Calm Spirit/Ying Yu Jade Blog

The Olympic games are ending this weekend, and next week the Blog will move back to its original format and location. I enjoyed watching the events as much as watching the features. NBC did an adequate job of broadcasting, although only one of the broadcasters correctly pronounced "Beijing" with the true "j" sound, not a "zh" sound. It would show more respect if they took the effort to correctly pronoune the city they mentioned hundreds of times. And unfortunately, the Chinese governments efforts of their fabulous opening ceremony and wonderful hosting of the Games will be overshowed by the controversery of the true age of the women gymnasts. More intrigue! China always has an aura of mystery and that's part of what makes China unique. Thanks for looking in on the blog, and we'll see you back on Ying Yu Jade next week. August 22

You can see that many of the foreign visitors to Beijing Olympics have been enjoying shopping in China by what you see the spectators wearing. Didn't go to Beijing? You can get similar traditional Chinese jade and culture items in our Ying Yu Jade store. During the storm today, I listed new jade bangle bracelets on both web sites, check out the new items on Ying Yu Jade here, and Jade Bangle Bracelets here. Have fun shopping! August 21

We survived Fay's storm, lots of wind and rain, but we were lucky. It's still raining and windy today, and Fay might turn around and visit Florida again. The Daily Special is still "make your own" on jade bangles item #BB, so take advantage of saving $25 on these $250+ with coupon code BB25. I have to say something nice about the USPS post office, the source of some of my biggest shipping headaches. Just when the storm was starting, an official USPS truck pulled into the driveway to deliver and EMS Express mail delivery from Beijing, an order that was shipped to me on Friday. Usually the carrier brings these deliveries, so I was surprised and pleased to get it separately. What I got was silk brocade "fortune cookie" boxes, like in the photo to the right, in a variety of beautiful colors and fabrics, and an order of them with silk flowers embroidered on the side. I also received some really cute small silk pouches that have metal bars on the top when it's opened, then you slide a gold frog charm across to fold the ends in and it snaps with the frog. The fortune cookies are for the jade ben wa balls, and as an optional gift packaging for small items like pendants, or you can use them for holding little signs, or names at a dinner party. The pouches with the frog will also be available for purchase, and I got them for a pouch to hold the jade eggs sets for kegel exercise. I'm happy to offer cute, feminine storage pouches for these items, which customers have told me the kegel exercise with jade has dramatically improved their lives. August 20

Chinese people wonder why Americans, who they believe are the wealthiest tourists, dress so terribly when they are in China. They don't understand the American travel tradition of dressing comfortably and wearing athletic shoes. With their own new wealth, Chinese people love to wear designer clothes, show of their designer labels (a reason why knock-offs are so prominent) and really "dress up". The major television broadcasting channels have showed special interest programs from Beijing, and often the anchor people, women especially, have dressed very casually to the point of looking pretty awful. This morning I watched a shopping segment, the Chinese woman who went shopping with the American women was beautifully, fashionably dressed and wore the cutest shoes. The Americans looked frumpy. "What to wear" is a big dilemma for me when I go to China, because I am on my feet walking miles each day, but want to have good "face" and be respected when I am buying. If I look like a tourist, I'll have to pay tourist prices, so I need to look like a business woman without looking "rich". I do agonize over my wardrobe for China, and what to wear each day. I know enough Chinese language to know what Chinese woman are saying when they talk about me. An interesting thing is happening, though, as Chinese fashionistas are learning that we "rich Americans" don't always flout name brands, and a new style of "American casual" is catching on in Beijing. A clever American company based in California is opening up street shops in Beijing to sell this kind of clothing, which is different marketing because the stores won't be located in shopping malls where the "rich Chinese" shop. I really do get treated differently when I wear shorts, athletic shoes, t shirts and buy things, than when I am dressed up a little more. Appearance is very important in modern China. August 19

A friend who lives in Beijing told me that he's seen the visitors wearing clothes they bought in China. The most popular is a tai chi uniform, and he thinks it's quite amusing. I have occasionally seen tai chi teachers wearing these as they teach or practice in parks. But Chinese people don't wear "Chinese clothes". However, it's fun sometimes. Chinese people wear Western clothes. Watching the Olympic games, I saw a western woman spectator wearing a jade bangle. I've received many contacts recently asking how to know if the jade they buy in China is "real" and "good". I provide a lot of information about that, so read it, have fun shopping, and then enjoy whatever you buy. Even if it's "funny" Chinese clothes. August 17

The programming showing the Olympic events also feature interesting aspects about China, Chinese life and culture, and Chinese food. The culture of tea is shown frequently, the tea masters pouring from long spouts, over great distances and filling the cup perfectly! Tea is not only a thirst-quenching beverage, it is also used for health, and as medicine. I bring back 8 Treasures Tea for Calm Spirit web site when I go to China, and it sells out quickly. It is a "number one" tea for health, with 8 herbs in a small packet to which water is added, and it can be used several times. If you want to try several varieties of Chinese tea, we have a limited supply of small canisters in a tea sampler. I chose these because not only is the tea good quality, but also because the tin canisters are cute and you can enjoy them after the tea is gone. August 14

Ying Yu Jade has been very busy since the Olympics started. Many people want a little piece of China to feel connected to the Olympics and to China. The jade hair pins and sticks have been very popular, pendants, keyrings, and of course jade bangle bracelets. In fact, I've received emails from people who saw something they wanted to buy one day, and it was gone the next. So "get it or regret it", and I'll ship it fast so you can have your jade to enjoy while you watch the Olympic games. August 13

The International Olympic Committee has determined that the passports verifying the ages of the Chinese womens gymnastic athletes are "correct". However, the entire world knows that most of these girls are younger than 14 years old. Cultural anthropologists, forensic scientists, have shown that their physiology is younger than 16. However, to dispute this and require physical examination would cause an international event with China, and the IOC doesn't want to do that. The Chinese government wants the world to believe they are honest, transparent, but incidents like this work against them and their credibility. When I read about their passports being "proof" of their ages, I really laughed, because China is (in)famous for forged documents. Jade certificates are the example I am most familiar with. I often get jade bangles with certificates from the carver that are "A" quality, and I look at them, and they sure look color treated, but they are certified as "A" and all natural. I often put these in my clearance section and then don't purchase anything from the carver again. If Chinese passports are considered to be "genuine", then who am I to cause an international incident claiming the certificates are fake? But if jade doesn't "feel" right energetically, I trust my experience more than I trust a jade "certificate". And that's why I don't offer them unless requested, in which case I test in my lab because certificates are important to some customers. My professional opinion is that certificates from China, Thailand, Hong Kong are worth only the paper they are printed on. Sorry about that. August 12

Several Australian women in the swimming events have been seen wearing jade earrings. They really look pretty when they are wet, and jade loves the water. We certainly don't expect to see jade bangles on the athletes, but it's nice to see the earrings. I hope they get to pick up some nice jade while in China. Australian people really love jade, and most of my Australian customers tell me that that genuine jade is very difficult to find in Australia, and the genuine jade they do find is more expensive than YYJ. I send something to Australia at least twice weekly. I hope the jade earrings bring good luck! August 10

The Olympics opening ceremony was exactly what I would expect! It was the biggest, the most spectacular opening event. And so very symbolic. You could certainly enjoy watching the event for what it was, but if you are really interested in Chinese culture, you could look for all the symbolism. One of the best examples of using the symbolism of the modern technology made possible by the people was the "moving blocks" segment, the floor seemed to be made of electronically controlled moving blocks that were actually blocks with people inside, working in harmony (more symbolism). The Chinese designed Medals are very symbolic, too, AND they have jade on the back side

On the reverse side China has placed jade in the forefront, extolling its historic stone in three colors. All three jade pieces are "Bi" disc carvings, inscribed with a dragonl. The Gold Medal has white jade, the Silver medal is pale green jadeite, and the Bronze Medal is darker green Chinese jade. August 8

I'm working on getting new jade items, ordering from my Chinese suppliers. It takes 4-6 weeks to get my order worked out and receive it, and I'm hoping to get new jade bangles, pendants, and other things for October. However, avid Chinese capitalism is taking second place to the upcoming Olympic games now. Millions of Chinese people will be glued to their television sets, as will millions of people throughout the world. So business is at a standstill until after the Olympics. And most factories in Beijing have been closed for a few weeks to help improve the air quality. So the factory that makes the silk fortune cookies won't get my order done until the end of the month. I didn't think anything would slow down the Chinese business machine, but the Olympics are doing it! August 7

One of my friends came over today with a fashion catalog that showed jade flower pendant necklaces for $55 and she thought I should raise the price on the YYJ. They showed the small pendant necklaces, not even the larger ones. The jade flower necklaces I purchased didn't go through very many "hands" to end up on YYJ, so I can offer a lower price. Of course, I have one of each that I wear and I get so many comments on them. I used to keep a few in my purse to sell when people commented on them, but jade is stone, stone is heavy, and I've been carrying a smaller handbag, so no jade items inside to sell! I like the adjustable cord because I can wear it close to my neck, or let the pendant hang when I'm wearing a camisole, with the little bead parts hanging below, it's a very feminine "look". Chinese women wear them a lot, too, they are very "yin", symbol of woman. Nice! August 6

My first real awareness of how beautiful jade is was on my first flight to China in 1999. I saw a woman wearing an imperial green jade bangle, and I kept following her around on the plane to look at it. Every time I saw her get up to use the lav or walk around, I made it a point to do the same thing, I never saw a jade bangle bracelet before. I was with a qigong group and we spent most of our time learning Chinese medicine, but we did go sightseeing and one of the stops was a "jade factory" which is really a tourist stop and not a factory at all, although workers show how jade is carved, and is usually over-priced because the tour guide gets a "cut". And it's not very good quality jade, but we didn't know that then. Since we had been practicing tai chi and qigong several times a day, I was very in tune to energy, and the jade bangles looked pretty, but didn't "feel" good energetically, so I didn't get one. And that's the reason I include an energetic description on the jade bangles, because I'm not the only one who wears jade for the qi energy as well as the beauty. Anyway, on our last day in Beijing when we had a free day, my room mate and I went wandering around the local shopping areas, and found jade shops, where I spent hours looking at jade, and finally bought an imperial green color jade bangle that wasn't even real jade! It was Malaysian jade, which is quartz or quartzite! But it had good energy and it was the color I wanted. I returned to China two months later for more Chinese medicine and then tour China for two weeks, and the female tour guide helped me choose a jade bangle, which was a mistake because I paid a lot for it as it was supposed to be A quality, but it was C quality, and I never really liked it. Then eight months later I went to China on my own, established friendships with local Chinese people and learned about jade, jadeite, and an 80 year old man took me to a friend of his to buy my first genuine, A grade jade bangle. Which felt so good, I fell in love with jade, and bought a few more to add to my first web site, calmspirit.net. I decided to try to make a business out of selling only natural jade with good energy, and only sell jade I would wear. I want my customers to experience only good quality jade, and not be disappointed like I was with my first "jade" bangles. August 5

It's interesting that the media who are in China to report on the Olympics are upset that the Chinese government did not honor their pledge to completely unblock the internet. The sites that are blocked concern falun gong, Tibet, and Tiananmen. Why would they be surprised that these sites were not unblocked, and why wouldn't they do any research about these topics before going to China, and what relevance do these topics have to do with the Olympic games? As it turned out, China did open the "great red firewall". I would hope that the media do an exceptional job reporting the Olympics, because there is certainly a lot to report on. But of course they want to sensationalize and bring up politics. For example, they want to report about how many people lost their homes that were destroyed to build for the Olympic games. Of course, the American government has never used "eminent domain" to relocate Americans without adequately compensating, destroy their property to build commercial projects for individual profit. (My tongue is in my cheek as I write this). Here in Orlando area a developer acquired a low income trailer park by eminent domain, displaced everyone without adequate compensation, and there was nothing they fixed income, low income residents could do. So when you see finger pointing on the media regarding the Chinese government, keep in mind that when one finger points foreward, three point back, and realized that China is different from the west, and what works here (and does it really work?) doesn't work for every country. And wear your "peaceful" jade and hope these Olympics bring more world peace instead of animosity. August 4

Lots of feedback regarding the photos. One of my friends who has lived in Beijing all his life told me that sometimes he goes to a place and gets there, then doesn't recognize it. The people or business has "disappeared" and modern buildings are now there. He has a lovely old courtyard home and studio that used to be at the edges of Beijing but now it's in the middle of the new district for foreigners, newly wealthy people, and his courtyard is scheduled for demolition for a new and modern building. I'm glad I went to China 10 years ago to see Beijing as one would expect to see a Chinese city. I loved the hotels, the huge lobbies with lots of sitting areas for "doing business", now they don't look very Chinese at all. I think people who visit China want to see "Chinese" things, because you can see modern buildings at home. August 3

Since a picture equals a thousand words, here's a link to some awesome Beijing photos. The comments are interesting too. Yin and Yang. Click here. August 2

There have been some security "incidents" in China recently, which gave the government the perfect opportunity to plan all their excuses if any disaster happens during the Beijing Olympics. They have already blamed all problems on the three following groups: Tibetan protesters, the Muslem minority groups that they blame almost everything on, and (can you believe they still give so much attention to this group) Falun Gong. In China, really people don't care about Falun Gong. I have seen a few people practicing it in the parks, and they're senior citizen people. Most people do tai chi and qigong. And it really is mostly senior citizens, as people working age are busy working. China is more of a capitalistic country than a communist country, but statements like "who's to blame" and about the pollution remind us of the antiquated Communist party system. Chinese people love their country, and tolerate the goverment. The government as it is does provide stability to the country. CNBC often has programs about the Chinese capitalism, and it is a point well taken that life is improving, and there is much new wealth from individual capitalistic ventures. But what will help the economy the most is the stable present government system, because wealthy business people confidently reinvest their wealth in China to the benefit of the country. because of the present government. It's the yin and yang of politics. You can't have a perfect goverment. By the way, I should have mentioned yesterday that even with all the pollution, you can still find the jade stores!
August 1

The following statement is the kind of statement from the Chinese government that is outdated and backwards, and really not an example of "new China". It is so ridiculous that it gives the Chinese government a real black eye. This is a response by deputy director of Beijing Municipal Environment Protection Bureau Du Shaozhong concerning the pollution in Beijing being so bad that most people can't even see the new "Bird's Nest" stadium built for the Olympic games.
"Throughout the year, on many days, we can have a clear visibility of the Bird's Nest with very beautiful photos. However, on certain circumstances, it is not clearly visible from the distance such as in rainy and dark days. It is quite natural. For example, when you are taking a bath in the bathroom, you are unable to see the one opposite us. It does not mean there is pollution".
This propaganda works in China. When we were in Guangzhou in March, we asked several people about the pollution, if it was usually as bad as the days we were there. Intelligent, educated Chinese people told us that it was not pollution, it was "fog". Maybe they can fool their own citizens, but foreigners can't be fooled. Too bad it wasn't openly addressed. It would have given China "points" for working toward transparency and credibility. July 31

I watched an episode on the Travel China last night, Samantha Brown visited Beijing. With her camera crew and travel connections, she certainly didn't travel like a regular tourist! While her position enabled her to have some unique experiences, she probably missed out on the fun of being a tourist. She went to the Great Wall and showed all the commercialism you have to get past to even get to the Wall, all the souvenir stands. But...these are really interesting souvenir stands, because they are aimed toward not only "foreigners", but also to Chinese tourists, of which there are more of than from other countries. So you can really find interesting things at these stands, and prices are not too expensive (of course, you are expected to bargain). Chinese people love to tour their country, and when you see a lot of Chinese people at an attraction, and buying the souvenirs, that's a hint that it's a good place to "shop". July 29

A reader told me that she purchased some jade pendants from tourist stands on her recent trip to China, and when she sent some to friends, the green "jade" turned white. She was disappointed that these cheap "jades" were sold. That's a chance you take buying souvenirs from street vendors in China, but it's fun! And sometimes you can get some really neat things, so have fun shopping for little trinkets. China is designer-knock off heaven, the Chinese are excellent imitating. Due to the nature of the public education, students don't learn creativity, but they are very good at copying. If you're not paying what you think you should for a designer item, you are probably getting a knock-off. But, if you don't care, and you like it, then enjoy what you buy. You'll have good memories when you get home. Just don't pay more than you would if you KNEW you were buying a "fake" and you won't be disappointed. July 28

The Travel Chanel is featuring China this week, some new episodes will be featured. The Olympics are increasing interest in China, as we see more of the actual Olympic stadium, as well as features of the life of people and other attractions. So tune in, and I'd love to hear from you what you find interesting.
I'm really behind keepin up with Ying Yu Jade web site, we've had daily thunderstorms and internet outages, so if you act fast you can still get the Christmas in July sale prices on a selection of jade bangle bracelets.
July 27

FUWAs are the five "friendlies", Beijing's mascots of the Olympics. They are Chinese characters, dressed in different colors, and together they spell "Welcome to Beijing". These mascots have been made into robots and are at the Beijing airport to welcome people. They are programmed to speak several words and phrases in different languages, and include other information about the airport and Beijing. I can remember the first time I arrived at the old Beijing airport, it was 1950's style, many armed soldiers, archaic baggage handling equipment, quite an ordeal to get through on arrival, but even more of an ordeal to depart from. There was one restroom, with three toilets, all squat toilets, and the floor was so filthy it was disgusting to use. After checking in for the flight, a sticker was put on your shirt and you took buses to your plane. There were no airport shops to buy things. Then in the early 1990's a "new" airport was built, a great improvement. And now there is an even newer airport, to handle all the hundreds of thousands of people who travel to and around China. With FUWAs! July 23

The Olympic athletes are very concerned about the food they will eat while in Beijing. Earlier this year, the US Olympic committee anounced that the US athletes would bring their own food. China's food is notoriously unregulated, and it is standard practice to use growth hormones, pesticides, antibiotics. Athletes are concerned they will test positive for steroid use if they eat food produced in China. However, the Chinese government has promised to produce only organic food for the athletes. There are four special greenhouses outside Beijing that have been growing organic produce. Animals purchases are also completely free of antibiotics and steroids. Every carrot, every pig, is scanned and tracked so they can be guaranteed to be organic. China has become more conscious and concerned about world opinion, and at least for the Olympic games, will comply and "show off". I have to admit that I graze through the stands on the food streets. If I see a lot of local people eating at a stand, or a restaurant, I eat there, too. You can ask for a pot of hot water to be poured over your table service if you're not sure it's clean, and wash your utensils at your table. However, most Chinese people simply wipe their napkin on the rim of their glass, or drink their "pijiu" (beer) from the bottle. And we all KNOW if you drink beer with your meal, you'll never get sick in a foreign country! July 22

Beijing has been building more public transportation, not only for the Olympic games, but out of necessity. A concern about adding to public transportation has been that more people are able to afford private cars and thousands are added to the road every day. But good public transportation means getting where you want to go more conveniently than driving on the gridlocked roads. If you visit Beijing, do take the public transportation. Buses and subways have English directions and maps, even if the drivers and attendants don't speak English. You can easily get around. And it's fun to experience China "life" on public transportation. When I first started going to Beijing, the city bus was an ancient 1950's belching behemot, often with a tiny Chinese woman driver deftly operating all the antiquated equipment. The inner city trolleys kept coming off their lines, and the driver carried a special pole to re-attach it. Now these have been replaced by modern buses. NOT air conditioned, very crowded, but an adventure to ride. Of course, there are always taxis, too, but don't expect the driver to understand English. If you don't speak any Chinese, have your hotel desk write down where you want to go in Chinese. And always take the hotel card with the name of your hotel in Chinese so you can get back at the end of your adventure. July 21

Today starts Beijing's big attempt to clean up the air. Drivers can drive only every other day, factories has started shutting down or reducing hours, gas stations must comply with cleaner fuel pumps. Special traffic lanes are reserved for Olympic traffic only. Scientists will manipulate the weather so it will not rain when it's not supposed to, and rain when needed. China really wants to show off, especially when there has been so much negative media about China. If China has the ability to "clean up" for the Olympics, wouldn't it be great if China and other countries used their technology to make the environment better as an every day option, not just for special occasions. I've been in Beijing when the pollution was so heavy, I couldn't breathe outside, people were wearing face masks, and being outdoors was like being in a smoke cloud. Let's hope Beijing's clean-up lasts. July 20

I've been following the weather in Beijing, which has been reported as quite pleasant. However, a friend in Beijing has reported unusual torrential rain and very hot weather. When I first started going to Beijing I would go in June or July, until I had more freedom to be able to go when the weather was not so hot and rainy. The Chinese government has not been honest about reporting the weather, especially temperatures, because they only want to give good impressions. The other reason is, in the summer when the temperature reaches a certain degree, government offices and factories close because it's too hot, so of course the official temperature is never reported as one that would be too hot. It will be interesting to see how this is explained when all the world is watching the Olympic games next month. July 18

From my feedback:
Dear Kathleen,I have often heard that jade will become more vibrant and beautiful if one's body chi is good or if the person is healthy. I have a jade bangle and it seem to be more translucent now! Don't know if it is imagination! Please tell me if this is true and will B grade jade have the same effect?
This is true, your jade qi and body qi will mingle, and both will benefit, and you will see your jade become more beautiful. How do I know? When a customer purchases a jade bangle from me and I get it ready to ship, as I look at it I wonder if it's the same one that's in the photo because it doesn't look as nice as the photo. But when I took the photo, the actual item looked better. Then it got wrapped and put in a box until it got sold. Before I ship it, I polish it and let it set in natural daylight for awhile, sometimes in a bowl of water. Sometimes I wear it for awhile. Then it starts to look better again. Your body qi will make your jade glow as you wear it. This is true even for B grade jade, because B grade is still "good" jade, sometimes more fine grained and better quality than "A" grade jadeite. B grade means that it has been color enhanced, with heat or with color added to it. "C" grade has been acid washed to remove color and inclusions, and it will not look so good because it's brittle and so heavily impregnated with color it has lost its jade qualities. If you are on a tour in China, and the tour guide takes you to a (fake) "jade factory", and you purchase a jade bangle there and it turns out to be "B" grade and is over-priced because these "jade factories" are tourist traps, you can still enjoy your jade and see it become more beautiful as you wear it. July 16

Pearls are always beautiful to wear in the summer, or any time of year. A pearl necklace, earrings, or bracelet looks good with anything you wear. If you wear only a jade bangle bracelet, but want to "dress up", wear pearls. If you go to Beijing, I highly recommend a trip to the Hong Qiao Pearl Market. Your tour guide may take you to a (fake) "Pearl Factory" and you might find some good buys on cheap pearl accessories, but take a taxi to the Hong Qiao Pearl Market and about $100 take the escalator up to the pearl floor (don't buy on the bottom floor). You will be able to choose a string of pearls that are sorted by size and quality on a string. Depending on how much you want to spend will determine the size and quality of the pearl you can buy. I suggest 6 mm white pearls of the best quality you can get for your $100 (be sure to bargain, you'll get more for your money that way). The pearl seller will then take the string and make your pearl necklace while you watch, knotting between each pearl, using silk string. If you bargain good, you might get matching earrings in the deal. 6mm pearls are classic and will usually be a better quality than the larger ones, although the 8-10mm pearls are gorgeous, too. You have to be careful about pearls more than 6mm in the pearl market. Several years ago I found a 10mm pearl necklace in a private shop for $3500, which was really a great bargain, but at that time it was rare to find a store that took credit cards for payment. If you buy pearls in China, buy the best you can afford, buy where you see Chinese people buying them so you know you're getting "good ones". July 14

Ted Koppel hosts a fascinating series on Discover Chanel, "People's Republic of Capitalism", about how fast China is changing. Ted tries to get Chinese people he interviews to say something negative about China, but the general consensus is that Chinese people love their country, and trust their government. Because the government is stable and people trust it, private wealthy Chinese business people invest millions of their own money to help pull the poorest people out of poverty. And anything goes in China now as long as it is good for business and doesn't disrupt the government. Yesterday on the US national news, I watch a segment about a bike rental business in New York so people can save gas and bicycle to work. In China, hundreds of newly wealthy Chinese are new car owners that take the roads each day. Their economic growth is tremendous, opposite of the USA. In the past, Chinese people tried to escape from China to the USA, now they do not as there are more jobs and more opportunities. Chinese people who came to the USA for education, for job experience, return to China in high numbers to use their education and experience to continue this economic growth. And the Beijing Olympics have set the stage for even more economic and social improvement. If you want to understand China, watch this series. July 13

Dragon, "Lung", is the symbol of China, and the protector of Chinese people. Chinese culture belief is that the people descended from the union of Dragon and Phoenix. The jade dragon pendants are so popular, I have trouble keeping them in stock. And the dragon bracelets are especially popular now. Wearing your dragon is a great way to get into the spirit of the Beijing Olympics. July 12

The Beijing Olympics have brought much change to Beijing. On the positive side, the city has become more tourist friendly, with more signs, and dinner menus, in English, the toilets have been upgraded from squat holes to modern toilets, and there are more opportunities for Chinese people to start a business relating to the Olympics. On the negative side, hundreds of thousands of people were relocated to modernize, and older people lost their communities, family and friends, and culture when the were forced to move to the outer Ring Roads; businesses and factories are closed down so pollution is minimized, and car owners can drive on either odd or even days. Jade prices have shot up to all time highs, and many jade bangles are being sold for more there than I sell on Ying Yu Jade website. A customer who purchased a jade bangle this week told me she just returned from a tour in China, and she had been looking at Ying Yu Jades before her trip, but wanted to buy one as a souvenir of her China trip, but the prices were so high and she doubted the quality, and decided to wait until she returned home to buy her jade bangle from a trusted seller at a lower price. I'm very aware of jade prices at the tourist "jade factories" in China, and try to keep my prices lower than Chinese retail. June 11

When you take a trip to China, you will have more fun if you learn some basic Chinese language. Pimsleur sells a basic and advanced Chinese language program, which I highly recommend. The basic 10 lesson program will teach you enough Chinese language to speak and comprehend the basics. Although many Chinese people in Beijing are learning to speak English, you will gain a lot of respect by using a few Chinese word appropriately. It can make all the difference in the service you get, and the prices you can bargain for. And yes, you should always bargain! Some tourist stores have fixed prices and state there is no bargaining, but you should try anyway. It gives you "face", respect. If you are shopping and are not in a tourist area, meaning you don't see foreign people and you see only Chinese people, then you are expected to bargain. Even if the price seems fair, offer a little below, because it's expected. And it will help you become more comfortable when you are bargaining for more expensive items, like jade. "Diamonds and gold have a price, but jade has no price", means the price you pay is determined by how much you agree on. And when you return from your China trip, you will be able to tell a story about your souvenirs that you bargained for. July 9

30 days until the Beijing Olympics! The number "8" is the most lucky number in China, so 8-8-2008 is certainly and auspicious day to start the Summer Olympics. Beijing is my favorite city in China, and the first time I set foot in Beijing in 1999, I felt comfortable there, and felt like I intuitively knew my way around. There are many new hotels that have been built near the Olympic games site which will be convenient for travelers, but my favorite area to stay is in the Wangfujing Dajie area, near the center of Beijing by the Forbidden City and walking distance to Tiananmen Square. Beijing and all of China has excellent public transportation that is relatively inexpensive: the subway, buses and taxis. If you're packing your bags for Beijing this summer, it's hot, hot, hot in August, take cool, comfortable and as fashionable clothes as you can find because Chinese people dress very "fashiony" and except us "rich foreigners" to look good! And don't forget to wear your jade. Your new Chinese friends will certainly be impressed that you appreciate the beauty and luck that comes from wearing jade. July 8

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Official Beijing 2008 Olympics Website