Being a FIT-Things we Learned

It's taken a month to gather my thoughts about the most valuable things we learned about our two weeks of independent travel in China. Here are the things we learned.

1) Buy a cell phone: On our first day we bought a cheap Motorola cell phone-about $60. We charged it up, loaded up the telephone numbers of guides and hotels, and began to use it almost immediately, particulalry texting. This allowed us to call ahead to confirm meeting times with guides and drivers, AND to call the USA and the UK. We gave the number to family members and they could call us, or text us, if necessary. Split the cost with another travelling family or keep the phone for future trips. I had hoped to unlock my own cell phone and take it to China but the frequency was not the same. I'm glad we bought a phone while there.

2) Stay at Hutong/Courtyard Hotels: We stayed at the Zhong Tang and the SiHe courtyard hotels while in Beijing, and we LOVED them. The rooms were big,the service great, the ambiance wonderful, and walking through the hutongs every morning and evening was a treat. We would eat in the small restaurants in the hutongs and enjoyed GREATLY the relaxed atmosphere. They never cost more than $110 a night....

3) Trains! Travel by train, if at all possible. They may be a royal pain to reserve, but our family of four found them comfortable, spacious enough, a relaxing way to travel, and inexpensive, and kids LOVE IT.

4)Head off the beaten track, if you can, at least once. We visited Zhaji, a small village in southern Anhui province . It was a highlight of the trip, and it was a trip of many highlights. Do lots of research, ask around, and find a special place to hang out for a day or two.....these slower paced places were times to really connect with local people and to recharge your batteries.

5) And speaking of batteries, take a portable DVD player. When your kids need down time, they can have their favorite videos, and you can have a bit of peace.

6)Arrange your translators ahead of time: Again, through group lists and online networking, arrange a translator to be waiting for you in the places you need high level of communication.

7) We had friends help us make little printed cards that explained, in one to two sentences, who we were and why our family looked the way it did. This was helpful in two locations, in particular. One of our cards said "We are visiting China with our two adopted daughters from Anhui and Jiangxi. We are here on holiday. We love China." Something like that.....they were very helpful when we needed them.

8) Dragon Seal and Great Wall wine....self explanatory.

9) Do not be afraid to wander in to restaurants, wander around the place, point to stuff you want on other people's table, wander back to the bar area, point to what you want to drink, and smile a lot. You will be rewarded!

10) Travel with a good and varied supply of meds, ointments, cold meds...anthing you think you MIGHT need. Why waste time in Tibeaten homeopathic clinics in from of the Lama Temple when that tube of hydrocortisone cream sitting in your medicine cabinet at home would do the trick. It's worth being very prepared in this area.

11) Bribery works well with kids..."Mae, if you just smile and face the camera you can have a little coke at the bottom of the Great Wall...." Hey, it was for our likely Christmas Card and we did not have time to waste. Note: It worked.

12)ATM cards: Use them, but do not depend on them without preparing ahead. THere were places that we thought we would have no problems withdrawing money, and ended up having to have tea with bank managers at Agricultural Banks to withdraw funds. Bank of China was not always successful, but this is still a very safe way to access cash and not have to carry it around on your body.

Go for it....it takes a lot of planning,but it is all worth it.

Lisa