Lost in Translation

Recently, I was in Beijing to exhibit at a Fashion Trade Show in Beijing, China. Even during the tough economic global climate I felt it important to showcase our brand to prospective buyers and to test out the market. It was certainly an experience! I understand why people say it is better to travel with a translator and/or tour guide, as there can be a number of obstacles in communication. Taking a taxi was a huge task at times. It is essential to have your hotel or accommodation address with you and also written in Chinese and directions written in Chinese where possible. Some drivers found it difficult to read the Chinese characters as well, which made it even more frustration. That indicates to me, somewhat a high rate of illiteracy. There is of course, the drivers that like to take advantage of travellers by taking them what they say is a short cut, but of course the longer expensive way to your destination. It helps if you are heading somewhere regularly during your stay, that you keep the taxi receipt and show each new driver what you paid for it last. That way, they know that you know how much it should cost.

Beware of immitation bottles of liquor being sold in what looks like a reputable small tobacco/liquor store. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. For instance, a bottle of Jack Daniels may look like the original bottle, but when you taste it, it is a Chinese generic spirit instead of the real thing. I don't drink JD by the way, a fellow traveller had the terrible experience. Thankfully he got his money back, after havong the guts to go back to the store and demand the refund. The refunded money was not fake either, which was good. He managed to have his hotel verify that it was not fake currency.

I recall one of the funnier experiences at the Trade Show, when I was approached by a small group of Asian general public, not Trade Buyers. They immediately speak to me in Chinese, but of course I said I cannot understand and that I only speak english. One of the girls had said to me 'Why you speak english?'. I replied, 'Because english is what I know, just as Chinese is what you know', and then they giggled and walked off.

Walking down to the Food Night Market was another interesting cultural experience. Chinese do not mind eating BBQ'd Scorpions, Crickets, Cocooned looking witchetty grub type worms and snakes served on skewers. I wasn't game enough to try any of these, but I saw a few tourists try some for a unique photo-op.

My tourist highlights would have to have been The Great Wall of China. The most AMAZING man-made creation on this earth. It stretches out as far as the eye can see. Walking up the section I was at, surrounded by tourists from all over the world and old local Chinese up to the ages of 70-90 and still being able to walk around without walking sticks or needing glasses of contact lenses was so fascinating to me. It must be the Tai Chi, special herbs and remedies the Chinese consume regularly and just the simple lifestyle. They older generation loved hearing english speaking tourists and often tried repeating words they would hear in english as well. It was very cute!

The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square were also must see sights for me. I know understand why China has been perceived as such a 'grey-looking' country for many of the major cities. Its due to the Imperial times, only Royalty was permitted to colour the inner palace walls and outside the walls where the 'ordinary' people lived were only permitted to have their structures in grey.

I highly recommend you visit China in your lifetime, especially Beijing to see the historic sights and experience the local culture and people. I will certainly be back and look forward to visiting cosmopolitan Shanghai next time. There were times I was certainly 'Lost in translation', but as long as you are a traveller that has a very open mind and some common sense, you can certainly get by visiting this immensely cultural and historic part of the world.