Final thoughts on China

Overall the trip was most excellent.  If I had to do it differently, I would have picked a cooler time of year - spring or fall would have been perfect.  The heat and humidity was a little sapping.  And of course, more time would have been better - we still want to go to Beijing, Tibet, Hanzhou, Hainan, Guilin and a whole host of other places.

Some interesting observations:

1. There are a heck of a lot of Chinese people.  I know it's been said, but this country and its people will be a force to be reckoned with.  In fact, China surpasses Japan as the world's second largest economy last month - and is forecasted to overtake the US in 20 years if they progress at their current rate.
2. Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan and relatively unknown in the US, has an official population of over 5M.  Plus a whole of others who live and work there but are not registered.
3. The Shanghai Louis Vuitton boutique greatly surpasses the San Francisco flagship store.  This is not surprising, in and of itself.  However, there are also giant Louis Vuitton boutiques in Chengdu and Xian - much smaller, much more provincial cities.
4. Corollary to the last observation, many Chinese have a lot of money.  And they like spending it.  LV is extra expensive there with an additional luxury tax!
5. The Chinese don't have the same queuing philosophy as the West.  If there is any space within the queue, they will move to fill it.  Even taking a minute inconsequential step forward is of paramount importance.  Seriously.  We almost came to blows over standing in line.

OK, I'm done now.  I'm so behind on all my posts - I must move on to Thailand...