Randoms...

There are a lot of large apartment buildings in the Chinese cities that I have been to. People have a pole that extends outwards from the top of their windows- they hang clothing out there to dry. It is crazy to see.

Chinese people don't really smile in pictures. I noticed this in Hong Kong all of the tourists looked very serious in all of the pictures. On the flip side, Japanese tourists have a huge smile, they all lean into each other and make a peace sign- every time without fail!

There is no toilet paper anywhere! It is bad enough that they don't have western toilets, just a hole in the ground... but they don't even provide toilet paper. It is a must that you carry your own. Some nicer restaurants will have some or will have some at the bar for you to take a few squares, but for the most part you have to have your own. You also can't deposit the used toilet paper into the toilet or hole... you have to put it in the waste bin- even if you did #2! I getting used to squatting though... this made me think of my brother though (read on before you think anything weird)... he likes to read on the toilet... you can't do that here. I believe in accepting people's culture and adapting to their ways of life when visiting... but I have to say, western toilets just make so much more sense! I know the argument of it being healthier to squat than to sit... but I think when going to the bathroom you can think of comfort first!