This summer we adopted a rescue dog that has become the source of a tremendous amount of joy in our lives. In Shenzhen, dogs found running loose on the streets are taken to designated vets’ offices and if not claimed within a week are put down. Our pug was one such dog. We named him Qiu Bi Ta but call just call him Qiu Bi which is the Chinese translation of cupid.
Qiu Bi was amazingly housebroken and is extremely well behaved. I usually take him out every morning around 6-630 and in the evenings Pei Lin usually takes him out when we get home. The last few weeks we have started to walk him together after dinner and letting him off his leash as we walk through our apartment’s garden. He will walk about 15-20 feet ahead of us and then circle back around and us and never going to far.
On one of our walks, Pei Lin ran out of sight as Qiu Bi walked away and thus began our game of hide and seek. As soon as Qiu Bi turned around to walk back to us he realized Pei Lin was gone and began running around trying to find him. Qiu Bi backtracked our steps, running up sidewalks and to the different buildings until he found Pei Lin. We have increasing gone further or hid in more hard to find places and so far he hasn’t failed in finding us yet.
There have been a few articles here and there in the Asian press about the gas shortages in Mainland China but by and large it has not been widely reported. I read the few articles I found with passing interest, since I am after all one of those crazies who drives in Shenzhen. Never really paid much attention to the issue, until yesterday when I experienced the gas shortage issue first hand.
Driving home after our Thanksgiving dinner last night, the light indicating low fuel came on, we headed to our usual filling station only to find it roped off and the workers all sitting outside. I immediately recalled the few words I had read about the gas shortages and thought out loud maybe the station down the road will be open. Well, apparently it has been awhile since we have driven or ridden our bikes around the mountain, we were surprised to find that gas station not only closed but also sitting behind concrete walls that had been erected and painted indicating the location of the new underground subway station. After finding another closed station and two other stations, one of which was only servicing buses and the other trucks, that had lines down the street we wound up back near where we started. The gas station we passed as we left the hotel was not only open, but had fuel and virtually no lines.
Why the gas shortage? From what I remember reading, the Chinese government sets the selling price of fuel and the refineries lose money producing and selling fuel at the state mandated prices. Therefore, the non state owned refineries have stopped refining fuel and the state owned refineries have slowed production. Two weeks ago, the government raised the price but that few percent increase was the first price increase in almost a year and half. At the current price of CNY5.6 a liter that equates to a little less then $3USD a gallon. Prices most Americans would be happy paying to fill up their cars.
While the retail selling price of fuel is capped, the Chinese government gives subsidies to many. Taxi drivers who see their take home pay decreased due to the rising fuel costs; dividends and other lost revenue payments are made to state owned refineries who must sell at the state mandated price; bus companies since ticket prices are set by the local government and not based on reality; employees of the gas stations that are closed continue to show up to work and get paid just as if they were actually doing something.
Supposedly the theory is that retail fuel prices can’t be increased otherwise the average working man will feel the effects in the prices of the consumables that he buys. I would argue that if gas stations can be segregated by who they provide service to then they should also be able to be segregated by pricing. Maintain mass transit prices by charging buses one fuel price and base that price on the highest allowable bus ticket price that maintains social harmony without any subsidies back to the bus companies. Do the same for taxis and trucks that move domestic goods. For private drivers, charge market prices that allow for market fluctuations and a reasonable profit for the refineries.
Then again, what do I know? Only thing I can be certain of is not to count on having a foreigners only station.
I have always loved Thanksgiving, not so much for the food but rather because of the reflection on what we are thankful for. While the list of things I am grateful for is not much different then it was before I moved to China five years ago, the meanings have changed just a little.
Tonight we had a nice pseudo traditional dinner at a western hotel tonight that was way overpriced, but worth it. Ran into some old acquaintances, ate turkey and stuffing, gourged ourselves with too much pumpkin pie, and talked about the things in our life that we are thankful for.
Having a loving and wonderful partner has made my life more whole and rounded then ever before and is the single most important thing in my life and what I am most thankful for. Wonderful parents and extended family who love and support me and my partner is a wonderful blessing. Friends, some around the corner and others half a world away, who are there no matter whether we need a shoulder to lean on, a voice to comfort us, a joke to brighten our day, encouragement, and loving us for who we are. Being employed by a progressive company that respects me and Pei Lin and provides us domestic partner benefits. The good fortune to be born as an American and the freedoms that affords me. Those are just some of the blessings in my life and the things I am thankful for everyday.
Regardless of our nationality, our religious beliefs or status in life we all have things for which to be grateful. My Thanksgiving wish is that each of us is able to recognize those gifts and make sure we share those blessings with the people in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving wherever you may be.
One of the best, and maybe craziest, decisions I have made since living in Shenzhen was buying a car. It is a definetly a luxury, but one that I believe has been well worth it.
Last weekend we took Qiu Bi to the park that runs along Shenzhen Bay and had fun walking and playing on a nice cool Sunday morning. He likes to go for rides but goes crazy when the windshield wipers move. Luckily, rainy season is past!
We haven’t made it to the beach yet, but am sure it is just a matter of time now that I am more comfortable driving beyond the areas I know well and Pei Lin is now all trained and licensed to drive!
Has been quite awhile since I blogged. Not quite sure why I haven’t been in the mood to share my ups, downs and the goings on in my life over the last few months but alas am going to try and get back into the habit once again. Not just because I want to share with whoever happens upon my little piece of the internet but rather it is a good way for me to vent and chronicle the details I would like to remember.
My quest to be an Olympic Torchbearer did not end with me being selected to run with the torch. However, it did leave me feeling loved and touched because of the quotes that my friends, coworkers, family and friends of friends left. I received a total of 5,639 votes which placed me in the top 15 vote getters. Ultimately, the top vote getters from 8 different countries were chosen to be the torchbearers and I congratulate each of them.
So it looks like I will be a spectator only at the 2008 Beijing Olympics!!
