9/23/07

Folks,

My postal code is listed as 100000 on a legit government site, however on my contract it's listed as 100007, so I'm not sure. Apparently if you mail to 100000, it should be completely fine, since it's the general code for Beijing. I've checked on government websites and gotten many, many different codes for my district, which isn't large, so I'm baffled. So, for now, hold off on mailing until I figure this out for sure.

Isa - Sorry about any possible issues, but I'm sure I'll get your post card. I think it's close enough, you have the rest of my address correct and the post offices really work here. My complex, street and district are all clearly named. Lets use it as a test, anyway.


However, there is more postal drama as my "mail key" actually doesn't fit at all in the key slot on my mail box. So many little issues...

On another note, if you haven't read BBC's Changing China series, it's a must. Especially interesting is the article on China's "brain drain," a tremendous problem that will affect the future generation.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Ross, I just read most of the China series you recommended. Very interesting about the Chinese feelings about the new Super Mall-from young to old. China will indeed change as people get more opportunities and how the government reacts will be even MORE interesting!
Sorry I haven't blogged you I have been busy and lazy! It rained and was gray all day today but it was a needed relief from the suffocating and mind-numbing heat! One of my large palm trees died suddenly and a large piece broke my pomegranete tree and it also died with a fruit on it sooooooo sad! I almost cried. I still have 2 black pines from the ones that came from California as seedlings-cool huh! They must be almost 10 years old! One is so interestingly windswept and I guess I need to prune it but I am so afraid! I just pull off a few needles from time to time...
see any bonsai in China?
anyway I will post on your past comments I missed so pretend I did it before and check them now...
Loveyerma

Chad said...

Mom: Sounds so cool with her strange plant stories. Wow.

Ross: Find me a recipe for spicy fried Shanxi noodles, will ya? I know how to make the actual noodles, just not what to do with them.

Chad: Is hungry for real Chinese food.

Chad: Will also read the BBC story.

Anonymous said...

We have been having some parallel experiences involving China and mailboxes. I know you've had mailbox issues at both of the places you've lived in Beijing. Our building mailboxes were replaced about a year ago. The other day Ira's key got stuck in the lock. I got it open, but when I tried to take the lock out the cylinder fell into bits. I took the lock remnants to a locksmith, turns out that it was made in China, was substandard and they had replaced a lot of them recently.
Now I'm waiting for my zipcode to be changed without anyone telling me the new, correct number...
:):):)

Anonymous said...

Chad!!!! AT LEAST I AM NOT AN INTENTIONAL PLANT MURDERER! Like someone I know-dried up and burnt to a crisp! sound familiar?
...not that I am going to put you in plant prison or the like...I will let you make your own brown, plant-less hell!
huh?spicy noodles for another noodle-ee!not too spicy burn your --s!
Just add 10 habaneros to any noodles!
loveyerma

Anonymous said...

p.s.
I replaced my defective mailbox lock with one that was made in the USA- I was surprised they were still made here.

Anonymous said...

Hey Scott!
Did it cost 2x's as much but MAY last 6-8 months longer!!!!???? Just kidding USA locks are the best!!! Go USA!!
Good lock Luck!
Granny T`

Anonymous said...

G.T.-
It cost about the same, a little more than a Chinese one. The Chinese lock was held together at a key point by a nut, and the nut got loosened when the mailbox was regularly filled with mail. It's kind of like attaching the sealer strip on a refrigerator door with velcro...it's bound to fall off. The American lock I replaced it with is sealed, the way it should be.
S.