Dear Friends:
Back from China and no jet lag. A good sign. The
special attraction was the 23rd Annual
International Ice and Snow Festival (The HBE WEBSITE has
our trip report and photos of the fabulous creations).
In addition to TJI-I associate, Xiong Neng Her, my 12
year-old son Alex, came along on this, (his third) trip
to China.
I was honored to be invited to join
Mayor Shi Zhong Xin as the principal speaker
at the Festival Opening of an assembly of more than
150 foreign business and government officials. My
speech recieved lead space and time in the media
the next day.
During the trip, we advanced a number
of projects, including our own Hollywood Food
Palace restaurant. We spent quite a bit
of time with the architect working on the concept
and renderings.(See some of the new renderings --
HFP
Power Point)
On a different track, while we may think of Chinese
bargains for consumer goods, hotel accommodations
and fancy meals, I wondered if Chinese medical
and health services offer cost–saving
opportunities, too. So, we did a modest
experiment. My favored pair of glass frames
were perfectly refitted to my current vision with
custom lenses within 24 hours, at a cost of $12
USD.
Then a dental exam. Popped filling replaced,
prescription strength antibiotic toothpaste and both
Xiong and I had a professional cleaning, in total
about $45 USD. Chinese colleagues felt we were
given an “out of towner” rate, and promised a future
dentist trip not as "costly".
I was due for routine blood tests, so -- off to a
Harbin clinic. The professional procedure was done
within 20 minutes including a complete print-out of
my results – in Chinese. Although, they do use
standard international medical abbreviations readily
understandable to Western doctors. I could see the
graphs and was assured everything was quite
normal. It would have cost less than $10, but the
clinic provided the service free of charge.
Completing the regimen, I spent a half-day at a
health club. Time in the hot tub, sauna and steam
room were followed by a full-body salt rub, a two-
hour massage, facial, foot therapy (including callous
removal), and even an ear cleaning. Depending
on location, a package runs between $30-$75 USD.
Do the math. New glasses, dental work, blood
tests and a complete spa package for around $125
USD. So, business aside, you coming on
next trip?
We also enjoyed a day of skiing courtesy
of the Harbin Foreign Affairs Bureau. This was
Alex’s first time down the slopes, but he rose to
intermediate capability in less than an hour. On the
other hand, I am still trying to attain that status
after . . .well . . . quite a few years.
Have a productive week! Larry P. Horist - HBE
Chairman
"Water quality has improved
dramatically. Drinking water is as safe and even
better than before," Du Yuxin, the city's
Communist Party Secretary, told reporters
on the eve of the festival's official opening.
After intense investigation it was determined there
are no pollutants. Among many remedies instituted,
standard gravel filters at its water processing plants
were replaced with activated carbon that will remove
more toxins. For the massive Ice Palaces and
Sculptures the ice blocks used in the festival were
cut from sections of the Songhua River never
affected by the pollutant.
