More On China

Hello everyone,

As usual, I hope this post finds everyone doing well. I am still alive and kicking in China.

I forgot to blog one important detail last night. Yesterday, my "facilities" fears of China were realized, at our processor. "Finding a ladies room" took on a whole new meaning. I secretly wondered if KH and Lulu were having a laugh to themselves, knowing I had never quite seen a facility like this before. But there it was, a hole in the ground - a plumbed hole in the ground, but a hole in the ground all the less. It was OK for a day - I will make sure I do NOT have to do that again today when we go back. Today should be a short visit. I had breakfast with KH and will rest until we meet here in 2 hrs. Yesterday was very long and exhausting.

As I have had time to reflect on yesterdays experience, I am starting to realize a number of things. Life is very different here - as I watched all the people from the car window on the way to the processor, I caught myself thinking, Man, what a place. The area outside the facility is filled with poverty - and it is hard to imagine these people will ever know any other life. The places they live are dirty and rundown, and really, I am not sure how they make money - and therefore, am not sure how they would ever afford to be able to get out of there. I saw a lady carrying a bucket on her way to the river - the river to me looked dirty and I would never want to have to wash my clothes in it, yet drink it or cook with it - or feed it to my kids either.

Once I realized all of this, I began to understand a little more about the people that work for our processor. They have a job, they know where their next meal is coming from, they have a roof on their heads, a shower to bathe in and they have toilets (all be in a hole in the ground). I understand their motivation a little better. I am sure not all of China is like this, but with a country that has in excess of 3 billion people, it is probably much more the rule than the exception. As I said, the workers were very diligent and always came running over to count when I asked for a recount.

A lot of people criticize American companies for manufacturing over here, and taking jobs out of America. One thing that was really evident to me yesterday was the difference in the workers in the plants I have been in domestically and over here. In the US, your typical (and I say typical based on my own experiences - as a auditor, I participated in my fair share of inventory counts in plants) plant workers are people that make $10-12 per hours - that you have to light a firecracker under to get them to do anything, they complain about this, that, etc. Over here, if you work in a factory, typically, you have a roof over your head and food on the table - and probably are in better shape than they would have been in their home province. I am not saying this is right for every company, but I certainly have a much better idea of why it is so attractive. Also, I have a better appreciation for every one's "normal". What may seem awful me is probably very normal to someone else - it has certainly made me more appreciative of what I have, I can tell you that.

My concerns about driving in China were reinforced yesterday. Our driver joined us for dinner last night, and I thought to myself, we have to feed the poor guy, he must be adequately nourished to survive the stress of driving in China. Again, yesterday, bikes and people were everywhere - with over 3 billion people in the country, I imagine enforcement of traffic laws is not high on the priority list..I have first hand knowledge and can confirm this is indeed the case. The shopping area we were in last night was quite crowded - Lulu was very concerned for my safety, that I might get run over by a car or bike. I told her I would walk where she walked and follow close. Thankfully, I did not manage to get hit.

Anyway, I am going to go read my book for a bit before we have to go back to the plant..hopefully, it is an early night. Dinner last night was quite the production - I swear it took us 20 min to order, and the food was quite spicy. Good, but spicy. This morning's breakfast was light, and KH and I did not meet for lunch - it would have been too much. So I am going to get my book and my granola bar..and quite possibly fall asleep in the sun.

Have a great Sunday! ~Nicole