As an American living in China, I’ve been greatly affected by this internet shortage due to the earthquake in Taiwan last week. I’ve conducted some China-to-US speed tests:
Average download speed: between 100-500 bytes/second
Average upload speed: between 20-100 bytes/second
That means that uploading a 35k index file to the US can take up to 29 minutes. I believe this is slower than a 300 baud modem, correct me if I’m wrong.
But anyway, Chinese sites are really fast and I try to get news and stuff from the local English web sites.
I ran across a page where they discuss flaws of Chinese movie stars (and I thought Perez Hilton was hardcore!)
Water Buffalo Update 2
In two days we will embark on a southbound journey to buy and deliver a water buffalo to a family that needs it. I’ll be taking pictures and video.
Tags: the Water Buffalo Internet China General
ENLARGE
We ate dinner at a farmer’s ranch today. His main work is farming and as a side he created a place for people to come and play mahjong and eat dinner. We ate in the dining room / game room (pictured with the corn hanging in the windows.)
There was another party of government officials seated at the only other table in the room (so, 20 or so people including our party) — and I found it interesting that these people (who we didn’t know) stood up and toasted their table, and our table, and everyone stood up. It created a comfortable environment, and they even came over later to toast us again personally. It just further defined the eating experience here in Yunnan — lively, loud, friendly, and very personal.
Water Buffalo Update
Tomorrow, we will have more information about when and where we can get one. We’re shooting for this Sunday to buy it and deliver it.
Tags: the Water Buffalo China Chuxiong Photos
I’ve learned a lot from Philip Greenspun’s sites ( e.g. photo.net) over the years. Recently he wondered if giving a water buffalo as a present was a bad idea, since according to the charity’s site your donation is only “symbolic” (see fine print). I went and asked some local farmers in Chuxiong, China (where I currently live) what they thought about receiving a water buffalo as a gift, and they said it would be “zui hao de liwu”, or “the best gift.”
Phil asked if I could find a way to give an actual water buffalo to an actual farmer in need, so his gift wouldn’t just be symbolic. I think I can! A water buffalo is significant to local Chinese farmers. Not only is it worth about a one year’s salary (roughly 4,000 RMB or around $510 USD), but it can help them cultivate their crops. Tending to the land is otherwise done by hand.
I’m going to see if I can get this done in the next week, and post pictures and video of the process. Stay tuned!
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[UPDATE] “4 Generations” Water Buffalo Movie uploaded here.
Tags: the Water Buffalo China Chuxiong
