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Q: how do you find things/ places in China ?
When I'm looking for places to buy things I'm totally lost. I don't know where to look for some things or how to find places on my own. It would be nice to have a Yellow Pages book, but I couldn't read it here anyway. I was looking for a place to get small passport type pictures taken. My girl friend came over and showed me around the corner on the beauty parlour street, the first store took passport pics, photocopying etc. She doesn't live close to here, I'm amazed at how she knows where everything is. I'm still wondering if she knows about all the beauty shops here. How do you find places, businesses etc? There are so many small clothing stores I can't believe they can all stay in business.
Just print out a map and write your address down, then just take off exploring. Just try and get yourself lost. Turn down streets you've never seen before. Poke your head into various little shops. Walk down little back alleys just to see what treasures you can find.
Not only do you learn where stuff is once you need it, but it's a nice cheap way to kill an afternoon.
Ted, I am sure I have said this before, so please do not get on my throat for repeating myself....
What I did when I first arrived to China to live permanently was to learn my surroundings. So, every morning I would walk out for maybe a mile or two in each direction possible, and look at the stores as I walked by to become familiar with them.
From that, I went into getting to the closest bus stop and climbing on a bus. I carried a notebook, wrote down the bus number (route number), and tried to write down the name of the streets as it went by. If I saw a particular place that could be of my interest in the future, I would write it down. That allowed me to become familiar with the city. And since I had been a sailor for many years, with a hand held compass I became familiar with many places within the city.
3.- Then, I bought an electrical bike. Had another compass installed on the handle, and I knew if I drive East, by driving West I can get back to my place. It was not that simple, but with a city map and my compass I have never been really lost.
Then, I started collecting business cards. For everyplace I found to have something I needed, I would get a business card and write down on it a brief description of what they sell. That allows me to go back by taxi (show the card to the driver) or using my e-bike.
Another thing I have found about China is to be patient. In a few occasions I have wanted things not easily found. But I persevered looking for them and one day in the least possible place I see them. That happened for example with small white marshmallows to have with a hot chocolate cup in wintertime, or one of those long neck lighters we use back home to light BBQ's.
I fully understand we are at a disadvantage because we do not speak the local lingo, but I do not allow that to hamper my drive and instead of asking questions, I substitute that with walking and looking. Maybe I have been extra lucky, but so far I have found everything my heart has desired (eventually).
TedDBayer:
sorry I don't think I've ever jumped on you and don't think ya told me this,,I've explored Guilin out to the Expressway Ring Rd. I know my way around. I have GPS map on my phone. Its finding places that I need stuff from. I spent half a day looking for spray paint, once I found one store I found an area for building supplies, I went to everyone of the and could not get any colours I wanted. i'll have to tag all your stuff with black and white paint. The photos were another, I spent a day walking and asking, then my girl friend walks me around the corner and there it was, but nobody local told me. Let me put it this if a local from the east side wanted to find an internet cafe on the west side, is there someplace to get this information. Many Grocier stores are in basements, I'd never find them unless I drove around inside every building, gonna have to buy a motorcycle. Man I could have fun doing that, Great idea thanks.
Wow where are you from? Ok so go to the bookstore get one of those maps for foreigners in china. It will show you where everything is at, tourists spots etc., It also tells you how to say a couple of words.
TedDBayer:
I'm a foreigner unlike you. My GPS and a map, neither say meat store this way, red light area this way, Warning Gay area ahead
The problem is that you are waiting until you really need something to go look for it. Like others have said, it's much better in the long run if you pay attention to your surroundings and make note of what you see. I don't really walk around, but I do stare out the bus window. One great example is that I always wanted a qipao. A few weeks ago, I went somewhere with some friends and took a different bus than usual. As I was looking out the window, I saw a shop with several qipao for display. If I hadn't have been paying attention, I wouldn't have spotted it, and may still have been looking. When I went to find it again, I took a different bus but went by the shop anyway, lucky for me.
TedDBayer:
I didn't know what a qipao was so I won't recognise it, i googled it, I know it as Cheongsam dress, I wanted to buy one for my girl friend but she doesn't like them. I think they look like China and are HOT
As much as I agree that talking long walks exploring and making mental notes helps a lot it wasn't enough for me.
I am almost totally dependent on my gf when I need things that aren't available at the Vangaurd store downstairs....she is a godsend for me here and helps me do almost everything outside when needed.
