Nice story, Dan. Thanks. I’ll cut out a few extracts re factory conditions and put them on my site.
You’re right about fireworks factories being unsafe. SAWS released figures this month for the first half of 2004, which listed 64 accidents that caused 131 deaths (though the next 6 months may be worse with the lead up to Spring Festival). And it’s possible that not all accidents and deaths are reported either.
Interesting comment about the 12-year-old girl working there. It’s highly unlikely that you’d see a girl that young in a Chinese factory supplying products to a buyer with a high-profile brand, but when it comes to small enterprises in villages it’s a whole different world. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know what’s going on due to lack of access and the sheer number of factories like the one you describe.
Thanks again. I really enjoyed reading your post.
On Aug 1, 2004 3:16 AM, Carroll said:
Wow! What a wonderful glimpse into the home of such hospitable villagers, Dan. Impossible to think of such a cute puppy as anything other than a beloved member of the family, though. I more than halfway expected to hear that you’re continuing your tour with him in tow. Not possible, of course, but still… Thanks so much for sharing these experiences with us all!
Dan,
Awesome story. The Bryan Adams song must’ve made the drive all the more painful. Do me a favor and listen to _anything else_ to purge it from your mind.
On Aug 2, 2004 11:00 AM, Anya said:
The girl is my classmate, a very hard working girl. Actually, students from rural area work much harder than average urban students. The situation is quite similar in other universities.”She said when she is in Hengshui, she misses Shanghai. When she is in Shanghai, she misses Hengshui.”
I can quite understand the complex of these students. I feel lucky to be a shanghainese and cherish what I have now and hope all the students like Jo will have a bright future.
On Aug 2, 2004 2:12 PM, Danny said:
Dan great stuff. After I read this story I’m wondering why it took me so long to finally make it to your site. I can’t wait until the next entry. Poor puppies though. Do they eat them because they can’t afford to feed them? And why do they string up cats? Population control? If so, why in that way? Did you see any cats hanging from trees?
On Aug 2, 2004 5:54 PM, Jolin said:
i guess it’s sang by richard max not Bryan Adams
anyway,i love the entry,great one!
On Aug 2, 2004 11:51 PM, Diana said:
Awesome story,Dan!The route you are taking now is exactly the same as the one I travel back home by train from Shanghai.You are now experiencing the real life of a big amount of Chinese people.I’ll spend time reading your blog more carefully and looking forward to you story in Hunan!:)
On Aug 4, 2004 1:29 PM, kiddy said:
It is said that Chinese are easy to be satisfied.I guess sometimes because it seems more easier to stay where they are.Tradtionally,change is considered as something not so nice in our culture.
Looks like y’already lost some weight! Thanks for sharing the stories and photos. And be glad you’re not around when the prep the pup for dinner. It usually involved a bag and a big stick. Out of fear that the dog will bite, they prefer beating it to its faith…
Dan, cannot wait for your story from Hu Nan.
“He like here, special west Hu Nan!We spent almost five days to traveled in Hu Nan province, I think except for language, we are the same, “experience real life and nature with heart!” “
What a marvelous glipse you give those of us from “away” into this very different world. The kindness of the family is special. Your descriptions bring them and the country inwhich they live to life. Thank you from one who is seeing more than she ever dared hope to of such an amazing country.
On Nov 10, 2004 3:38 PM, kevin wu & sharon xiao said:
It’s very lucky and glad to meet you on the train .Thanks for your giving us the new English names . Waiting for your nice story about our hometown Quizhou.
On Feb 23, 2005 2:00 PM, cattalk said:
Hmm….Little chinese country girl with curly dyed auburn hair…I am Chinese. Even though I have lived in USA for ages, I dread the thought of dying my hair. Perhaps it’s a way of retaining my inherent characteristics while living in a foreign culture. I find it amazing so many young Asian people are dying their hair these days. But then again, they don’t exactly have to “retain” their heritage, since there is no way of losing it when you are immersed in its presence 365 days a year.
On Jul 2, 2005 7:20 AM, paul said:
hello,
i need some really powerful fireworks. i am looking for high power explosives such as m-80, or quarter sticks of dynmite, maybe some exploding rockets. if u can help me out then let me know if not, then ill have to travel far to find them. email me at Snowatlantic@aol.com
15 Comments
Nice story, Dan. Thanks. I’ll cut out a few extracts re factory conditions and put them on my site.
You’re right about fireworks factories being unsafe. SAWS released figures this month for the first half of 2004, which listed 64 accidents that caused 131 deaths (though the next 6 months may be worse with the lead up to Spring Festival). And it’s possible that not all accidents and deaths are reported either.
Interesting comment about the 12-year-old girl working there. It’s highly unlikely that you’d see a girl that young in a Chinese factory supplying products to a buyer with a high-profile brand, but when it comes to small enterprises in villages it’s a whole different world. Unfortunately, it’s hard to know what’s going on due to lack of access and the sheer number of factories like the one you describe.
Thanks again. I really enjoyed reading your post.
Wow! What a wonderful glimpse into the home of such hospitable villagers, Dan. Impossible to think of such a cute puppy as anything other than a beloved member of the family, though. I more than halfway expected to hear that you’re continuing your tour with him in tow. Not possible, of course, but still… Thanks so much for sharing these experiences with us all!
Great story as usual, Dan. I wonder how long it takes you to make entries of this length. Do you write them in parts or in one sitting?
Dan,
Awesome story. The Bryan Adams song must’ve made the drive all the more painful. Do me a favor and listen to _anything else_ to purge it from your mind.
The girl is my classmate, a very hard working girl. Actually, students from rural area work much harder than average urban students. The situation is quite similar in other universities.”She said when she is in Hengshui, she misses Shanghai. When she is in Shanghai, she misses Hengshui.”
I can quite understand the complex of these students. I feel lucky to be a shanghainese and cherish what I have now and hope all the students like Jo will have a bright future.
Dan great stuff. After I read this story I’m wondering why it took me so long to finally make it to your site. I can’t wait until the next entry. Poor puppies though. Do they eat them because they can’t afford to feed them? And why do they string up cats? Population control? If so, why in that way? Did you see any cats hanging from trees?
i guess it’s sang by richard max not Bryan Adams
anyway,i love the entry,great one!
Awesome story,Dan!The route you are taking now is exactly the same as the one I travel back home by train from Shanghai.You are now experiencing the real life of a big amount of Chinese people.I’ll spend time reading your blog more carefully and looking forward to you story in Hunan!:)
It is said that Chinese are easy to be satisfied.I guess sometimes because it seems more easier to stay where they are.Tradtionally,change is considered as something not so nice in our culture.
Looks like y’already lost some weight! Thanks for sharing the stories and photos. And be glad you’re not around when the prep the pup for dinner. It usually involved a bag and a big stick. Out of fear that the dog will bite, they prefer beating it to its faith…
Happy and safe trails man. Read ya soon
Mario
Dan, cannot wait for your story from Hu Nan.
“He like here, special west Hu Nan!We spent almost five days to traveled in Hu Nan province, I think except for language, we are the same, “experience real life and nature with heart!” “
What a marvelous glipse you give those of us from “away” into this very different world. The kindness of the family is special. Your descriptions bring them and the country inwhich they live to life. Thank you from one who is seeing more than she ever dared hope to of such an amazing country.
It’s very lucky and glad to meet you on the train .Thanks for your giving us the new English names . Waiting for your nice story about our hometown Quizhou.
Hmm….Little chinese country girl with curly dyed auburn hair…I am Chinese. Even though I have lived in USA for ages, I dread the thought of dying my hair. Perhaps it’s a way of retaining my inherent characteristics while living in a foreign culture. I find it amazing so many young Asian people are dying their hair these days. But then again, they don’t exactly have to “retain” their heritage, since there is no way of losing it when you are immersed in its presence 365 days a year.
hello,
i need some really powerful fireworks. i am looking for high power explosives such as m-80, or quarter sticks of dynmite, maybe some exploding rockets. if u can help me out then let me know if not, then ill have to travel far to find them. email me at Snowatlantic@aol.com