Your experiences touring China?

Subject: Your experiences touring China?
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 22 Jun 02 - 02:13 AM

A large group of Scottish fiddlers I'm with in Northern California are strongly considering a performing tour of mainland China for 2004. 50 people looks to be the limit for this tour (we number around 100 musicians on stage at our annual local concerts). There are some issues of concern among us, mainly that: We are a very spontaneous group, and although we rehearse and put together carefully planned concerts, and have toured several times before, knowing the careful planning it takes, we are known to take out our fiddles and have impromptu sessions at airports, bus terminals, hotel lobbies, etc. One of our members lived in China, and another has traveled there, and report that our spontaneity would probably come into collision with the bureaucracy there. Spontaneity is frowned on, and we very well might not be able to have any unplanned mass music happenings. Though we would be going as a humanitarian gesture, bringing music to the people and learning from them, our spontaneous ways and China's government might not be a good mix. We are aware of the nature of the regime there, and many among us have mixed feelings about what would have to be a state-sponsored tour, but would go in order to share our love of Scottish music with their people. We are a non-profit, and our main reason for existing as a group is to share our love of this music with our audiences, and have some sort of connection and musical/cultural exchange with them (we toured Alaska in '99 and had an amazing trip).

So, this plan is both very exciting and a little unnerving. It would be one heck of an adventure, whatever happens. Has anyone here had a music tour/gig in mainland China? Anyone want to share their experiences, the good, the bad, and the ugly? Advice for us?

chanteyranger

Subject: RE: Your experiences touring China?
From: SINSULL
Date: 22 Jun 02 - 04:58 PM

Did not sing my way through China. But John Denver had been there the week before and the people were singing his songs and "Oh Susanna" with great gusto. They were thrilled to have shared a campfire with him. Go for it! The bureaucracy will frown and GENTLY keep you in line but you won't be arrested or even insulted. And you will find some new and appreciative fans.

Subject: RE: Your experiences touring China?
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 Jun 02 - 05:14 PM

I spent 6 weeks there a few years ago, saw three major cities and enjoyed the visit very much. I am certain that you can take the state-sponsored route and be very happy with the results. You will find the Chinese people curious and friendly - and they will find your music and your ways fascinating, especially if you can get away from the cities that see many Anglos.

You will likely get some problem from officials for playing music in the room place at the wrong time. So what! It is especially true in China; better to apologize then ask permission! If you sat a street corner or bus station and played your instruments; you will attract a crowd - and eventually an official will come and tell you why this is not allowed. You can simply, not speak too good Chinese, apologize for he inconvenience and apkc up your instruments. No one will make a big deal - and many times I am sure you will be able to play all you want.

I think your China trip sounds like the experince of a lifetime. I hope you go and I am sure you'll enjoy it. Be open to very different ways, travel arrangements, toilets, food ... but you'll manage. Actually the food is wonderful. Just be glad you won;t know what you're eating!

Subject: RE: Your experiences touring China?
From: ddw
Date: 23 Jun 02 - 04:38 PM

My son and daughter -- both pretty world-wise travellers -- went to China last summer and said it was a nightmare from start to finish. They said it was filthy (apparently the national pastime is spitting on the walkway, but they could cope with that), but there appeared to be no amenities for people who speak any other language (between them, they speak five), and they were herded around by officialdom, even though they were not travelling with a group.

When they started to leave, their paid-for seats on China Airways (I think that's the name -- it's the national carrier) weren't available. They were told they could either wait a week for another flight (also overbooked already) or buy new tickets and be put on standby on another airline. They were on pretty tight schedules, so they wound up having to pay second fares home. Stephan got on one flight, but Monica (who had a little more leeway in her sked) was there an extra 36 hours.

They also said they were just about sick at what the Chinese are doing to prepare for the Olympics. They are razing whole neighborhoods, often leaving hundreds with no alternate accommodations, and just bulldozing everything -- including 300- to 400-year-old building with marvelous carvings on them -- without trying to salvage anything.

Jed seems to have had a better experience, so I hope yours is too, but I'd be prepared for some hassles if I were you.

BTW -- I'd love to go, too.

cheers,

david

Subject: RE: Your experiences touring China?
From: Gina Dunlap
Date: 23 Jun 02 - 04:44 PM

Pack powerbars. The food is not always identifiable.If you are on a tour you will be insulated from most of the problems. ((my husband and I did it the hard way..on our own) Have a great time.

Subject: RE: Your experiences touring China?
From: JedMarum
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 10:37 AM

I couldn't argue much with the last couple of comments, but to say; it is a very different world, travel is always a bot of a hastle anyway - expect problems, and roll with punches. You'll have a great time!

Also, I figure food not always being identifiable was a benefit! It was always delicious! You'll be surprised; lots of veggies, yes as we might exepct, but lots of organ meats, fats and oils too. I ate scorpions, snakes, roasted sparrows on a stick (featherless but otherwise whole) and turtle soup (shell and all). Turtle soup was pretty mediocre (maybe I was comparing it to the delicious Carribean soup I've had) but the rest were wonderful. Just remember, if they're eating and enjoying it; you can too!

Subject: RE: Your experiences touring China?
From: Gina Dunlap
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 12:08 PM

Jed, I agree in principle.Eating the food of the country you are in is a good thing and while I had lots of offers of spit enhanced snake and gekkos on a stick, my tummy just wasn't up to the job.

Subject: RE: Your experiences touring China?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 12:22 PM

I was in Hong Kong before it was officially Chinese again, and about the food - watch HOW they eat, too. We wanted to try the roasted cockroach, which had an extremely strong flavor - but we popped one whole into our mouths and it turns out you're supposed to crush it and sprinkle it on top - it was a condiment, not a snack. Oh well.

And ANY country worth its salt should try to screw as much extra $$$ out of Americans it can, more power to them. I wonder if you'd put your foot down, if they'd have made you buy more tickets, I don't think they actually wanted you stranded in China.

When we were in Burma we were sheperded around too, to prevent I don't know what, we weren't in a group either but we were followed wherever we went. We weren't prevented from doing anything in the few places we were allowed to go, but we weren't allowed to go anywhere else. But what we saw was wild and wooly and worth it!

Subject: RE: Your experiences touring China?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 12:24 PM

On the other hand friends who went on a trip had a whale of a time, and everybody was incredibly friendly. It's a big country. I suspect there are large arreas of America where the idea that somebody might not be able to speak English would be regarded as weird and suspicious. (Not just America, but you've got larger areas in any case. You can't travel all that far in England these days without running into a Chinese restaurant, for example.)

"Spontaneous" can mean a lot of different things. If you've been following the threads about Public Entertainment Licences you'd see that it we've got a few problems there. I suspect you'd find it easier going in China.

Subject: RE: Your experiences touring China?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 12:24 PM

On the other hand friends who went on a trip had a whale of a time, and everybody was incredibly friendly. It's a big country. I suspect there are large arreas of America where the idea that somebody might not be able to speak English would be regarded as weird and suspicious. (Not just America, but you've got larger areas in any case. You can't travel all that far in England these days without running into a Chinese restaurant, for example.)

"Spontaneous" can mean a lot of different things. If you've been following the threads about Public Entertainment Licences you'd see that it we've got a few problems there in England. I suspect you'd find it easier going in China.

Subject: RE: Your experiences touring China?
From: rangeroger
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 11:38 PM

Chanteyranger, you might try a PM to Seth. He has been living in China, but I don't know his status now. He may have returned to the States, but either way he should be a wealth of information.

rr

Subject: RE: Your experiences touring China?
From: rangeroger
Date: 25 Jun 02 - 11:40 PM

I just checked and the last time he posted was February of last year.

rr

Subject: RE: Your experiences touring China?
From: Peter Kasin
Date: 26 Jun 02 - 12:40 AM

Thanks, folks! This is valuable stuff. I'd say at this point we're 99% sure we're going. (Thanks, rangeroger, I will try to contact Seth). The common thread here (no pun intended) seems to be - friendly people, great adventure, smoother sailing for a large group as opposed to going solo, but still be prepared to deal with a good dose of bureacratic foul-ups and roadblocks.

Thanks again, everyone.

chanteyranger