Ask Me Help Desk - Fr Chuck on the road

Fr Chuck on the road

Just to let anyone know, I will be in and out of contact for a couple weeks starting on August 24th. I am moving to Bozhou China for at least 6 months and perhaps a year.

And yes Ms Fr Chuck and our son is going with me there. I have already checked with several friends in China and our web site here is available. So once I get settled, I will be back on line. In route I may or may not be online, so if you miss me for a week or two, that is where I am going to.

I will be working on my Martial Arts and Chinese culture.

I will have a travel blog going of my adventures. If people have any advice on China or living in China, please post them here.

WoW awesome.
I'm sure you'll take full advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity...

Yes, I "retired" from my police job some years ago, "retired" from my medical tech job last Oct. And as of now have merged my school with another school ( making us most likely the largest karate school in the area) and sold part of the school. I retained part ownership, but I am taking the money and going to do things NOW instead of wishing latter. Also what a life for my son Nate who is 11. How many children get to spend a year learning culture and seeing all the major sites of China. We may stay longer if it goes well, or may also go to Japan and a few other places.

And of course if things don't go well, I may come back sooner.

Lady Toni (MS Fr Chuck) has always wanted to have some of the stories I tell about living in Mexico and Japan and other places. The stories of Cambodia sound more fun than they were at the time I am sure.

But this will give her and Nate experience many people only dream of. ** or perhaps dread, we have actually lost a few "friends" who have stopped talking to us because we are going to live there.

Well sold my one car today, getting rid of everything I have a debt on, so I will be free to live better in China.

I am interested in any suggestions on things to take ( and not to take) , packing ideas and more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

Well sold my one car today, getting rid of everything I have a debt on, so I will be free to live better in China.

I am interested in any suggestions on things to take ( and not to take) , packing ideas and more.

Me, take me! Me! I'm small, I don't eat much. I'll TRY to keep my opinions to myself.

Me, please, me, take me!

Oh, by the way - I don't refer to your wife as MrsFrChuck. I refer to you as MrLadyToni.

Keep opinions to yourself, HUMMMMM?

Wow! What a great adventure! I hope y'all have a great time!

18 days and counting. So I may be off here for a week or two, ( and maybe not) Hope internet is not an issue where we are going. Appears to be a small farming village will be our first stop after we do a week in Beijing. Have to get new cell phones, open bank accounts there and other issues for a long term stay to make life easier.

Not looking forward to the toliets ( or lack of them)
Random Observations from China: Toilets :: Dammit Jim!

I'm glad you looked into the toilets... I didn't want to bring that subject up.

Already knew about them, they use these somewhat in Japan and other parts of Asia

I just can't imagine using those "holes."

What happens when you hit 65 and aren't as limber?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

What happens when you hit 65 and aren't as limber?

You have to aim better?

I will see about posting a few photos ( not of them being used of course)

Actually, I'd like to see one being used. I can't imagine how a woman uses one.

Sort of squats over it and lets it go, wearing a skirt I understand makes it easier.

What if she has bad knees?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

sorta squats over it and lets it go, wearing a skirt I understand makes it easier.

Gives new meaning to 'got a link for that?'. Well I don't know if it would make it easier, one still has to deal with getting the panties out of the way of the stream and that is awkward when squatting. I guess one could go without them. I hope they don't have streetcars (inside joke).

Panties ? What panties ?

Well have not left and may have a slight change to schedule, I had been trying to get a residence permit for China, so I don't have to enter and leave the country as you do with a tourist visa.

So I had been refused because of my religious status ( or so I was told by the people working on it for me) Well it finally got though today and I can change to a residence permit and a visa that allows me to work and not have to enter and leave the nation.
I guess if this was the US I would call it a Green Card for the best comparison I can.

I had almost given up on this happening, but this changes my plans some, we will still be traveling around and seeing the culture but I have the opportunity to consult in China, I am not at liberty to say for who and exactly what. But I will be telling about some of my adventures on my blog and some things here.

So when does the ship leave port?

On the 24th, leave for the exotic land of Canada for a day and then off to China. Will arriave in China on the afternoon of the 25th.

Will spend the first couple of days, just "being in China" first day most likely sleep, trying to get over the jet lag everyone says I will have, then a trip to the great wall out side of Beijing, the Forbidden Palace, and other sites. Then off to Zhengzhou on Thursday. Then get registered, most likely a trip to the local police to register my living there.

Then in the next week or two I will have to run off to Hong Kong to change over my visa's and then back to China to re-register and do the paper work for my residency papers.

So during that period If I have internet I will be on some in the evenings ( or mornings here) maybe.

Already working on my spoken Chinese, I can say hello, how are you doing, call the police, tell them here is my passport, tell them I am an American and order some basic foods, plus my coffee.

Are you taking only clothes and necessities, and will buy stuff there? Do you have a place to live?

Yes I have an apartment there already, ( 7th floor) It is suppose to be fully furnished, 2 bedroom with American bathroom ( real toilet). Hopefully it will have some pots and pans and the such.

But yes we are each packing a bag under 50 lbs. and a 22 lb carry on bag. Everything else stays here. Toni and Nate are going lighter on the clothes since they will not have any trouble finding clothes to fit, I was told that my clothes may be harder and since I will be working with some of the Communist Party people and with some of the legal systems, I have to have more dress clothes and then everyday clothes also.

And then lots of special shampoo and some items we were told would be hard to find high quality for.

I still think we have too much packed but we are all packed and ready.

I found that all of our computers will run off their power so that is a blessing.

One of my cell phones is unlocked, so I can buy a sim card for it, at the airport and have a cell phone from day one on the ground. We will buy Lady Toni and Nate a phone when we get to the apartment so it has the right area code for the local area.

I use a certain bank here that is "connected to a China bank" so money transfer is going to be easy.

And my major credit card is owned by a company whose parent company is in China
Hong Kong, Singapore Banking Company which we know as HSBC who does many credit cards, There will not even be extra fees for my using the cards I have there.

I will be posting photos of the entire trip as I go along.

Are you three nervous? Excited? Have you researched China and the culture?

Hello Padre:

Sayanara.. Ok, that's probably Japanese, but you get my drift.

excon

Researched it to death. I know customs, sanitation, and more. Many of the legal requirements is so much as to where you are at, or what embassy you go to.

And not having exact plans has been killing me. I over plan everything, that is what I do.

But in the last year, I retired from full time work as a Medical Tech
Now in last month, I have sold 1/3 of my business and turned over all the management and running of it over to a business manger.
Closing up my home, and having a family member move in to take care of it.
The exactly what I was going to do and exactly where we were going was in limbo. I had a backup plan just in case, But was really counting on a one of the two other plans to work out. So the one was suppose to have all worked out, I am suppose to have all of the paper work emailed to me on Monday. I will need the original paper work for the government, but can take care of that after I get to my apartment.

So if all works out as promised today, I will make the hotel reservations, and other travel plans in the morning for in country. Already have the flights to there booked

Quote:

Originally Posted by excon

Hello Padre:

Sayanara.. Ok, that's probably Japanese, but you get my drift.

excon

You all will most likely not even notice I am somewhere else, ( at least if it works as I have planned)

Except maybe you have to call me comrade or something not padre

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

Already working on my spoken Chinese, I can say hello, how are you doing, call the police, tell them here is my passport, tell them I am an American and order some basic foods, plus my coffee.

This made me laugh - "Hello" I understand.

"How are you doing" Okay.

"Call the Police"?

I just can't stop thinking about those toilets. *shudder*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wondergirl

I just can't stop thinking about those toilets. *shudder*

Then you never want to travel through europe because they have them in other countries as well. At least you don't have to worry about getting something off a toilet seat !

Yes a some of Europe and most Asian nations use those.I was just much ,much younger, not sure I can even get into the right get that low anymore. Guess like a gun, point and shoot, and see what you hit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

Yes a some of Europe and most Asian nations use those.I was just much ,much younger, not sure I can even get into the right get that low anymore. Guess like a gun, point and shoot, and see what you hit.

Easy for your to say ! Point and shoot. With us it is aim and dribble !

Right on!

I bid you safe travels and hope to see you on again soon!

-Justin

Yes, I have not traveled internationally since before they had internet. So I guess they will have it in the hotel in Beijing. But my first 5 days is in a very "discount" place they list internet but not sure if it is free or costs and what. After that I will be traveling to my apartment but then also not sure if it is turned on yet or not. Withdraws hit after two days so most likely will have to have a coffee shop ( well for coffee also,and can't go two days before that withdraw hits first.) But I will try and get on some but it may be a couple weeks.

You know in Beijing, should I answer questions here or go see the Great Wall or the Fobidden City , hard choice (LOL)

Of course I may have internet everywhere I am at, and just my IP will be different

Arrived at may first stop of the day, the exotic and enchanting Toronto Canada. Started my day off with some of their unique items, Canadian eggs from real Canadian chickens. And none of that swiss cheese on my eggs it had to be Canadian cheese. On the coffee, all I can say is I am not in Star Bucks no more. I am sure they tried to make me feel at home in Georgia since everything was fried in extra amounts of oil or grease of some sort.

Well getting a chance to practice my Chinese, I must not be real good, no one has blieved I was Chinese yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

I must not be real good, no one has blieved I was Chinese yet.

Hello Padre,

That's because you look Jewish...

Keep us informed. It'll be like we're there with you. Funny... Now, I have to have some hot and sour soup for lunch.

excon

Ok on the ground in Beijing. And the traffic was not as bad as I had been told.

Have to fun, will be on some over next few days

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

Arrived at may first stop of the day, the exotic and enchanting Toronto Canada. Started my day off with some of their unique items, Canadian eggs from real Canadian chickens. and none of that swiss cheese on my eggs it had to be Canadian cheese. On the coffee, all I can say is I am not in Star Bucks no more. I am sure they tried to make me feel at home in Georgia since everything was fried in extra amounts of oil or grease of some sort.

well getting a chance to practice my Chinese, I must not be real good, no one has blieved I was Chinese yet.

Why do you call Toronto 'exotic'; do we really say 'canadian eggs'? I know we say 'canadian back bacon' because no where in the world do they do it the same way.

Our coffee comes from the same place yours does.

We do have a very large asian community in Torornto and rich in ethnicity which makes it a very international city. Too bad you can see more then what you do at the airport.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tickle

Why do you call Toronto 'exotic'; do we really say 'canadian eggs'? I know we say 'canadian back bacon' because no where in the world do they do it the same way.

Our coffee comes from the same place yours does.

We do have a very large asian community in Torornto and rich in ethnicity which makes it a very international city. Too bad you can see more then what you do at the airport.

The lady at the little diner where we ate, called it that, made a point that the eggs and cheese were Canadian style. We had a long lay over almost a full day. So we got out and about some. I used to live about 20 min from the border and shopped and was in Canada a little.

I think I found a place to eat with a nut case as a waitress actually.