Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (No surprise... I love it!) 『When my previous Sharp convection microwave finally quit working I wanted to replace it with the same thing. My old unit had a date of manufacture on it... June 1988. This product is just like my old one except it is slightly higher wattage. And, amazingly, this one was slightly less expensive than the one I bought more than 20 years ago. I never would have replaced my old unit just to get a more modern look, but that is another benefit. The old one was black with a phony wood look. I love the look of my new all white model!』
(Sharp R-930AK 1-1/2-Cubic-Foot 900-Watt Convection Microwave, Black) 『The Sharp R-930AK 1-1/2-Cubic-Foot 900-Watt Convection Microwave, Black is the best convection microwave oven on the market. I had been using my previous VERY similar model for about 15 years everyday for all of my major cooking. It did baking, roasting, and broiling excellently. I did roasting chickens up to 7.5 pounds and turkeys up to 15 pounds, steaks, beef roasts, hamburgers, pork, fish, cassaroles, everything. It was my main everyday cooking utensil. That is why, when it came time to replace the old one, I bought another Sharp model that is almost identical to the old one I had. It is the most reliable cooking appliance I have ever used. Althought I have a conventional oven, I hardly use it. I use the Sharp R-930AK 1-1/2-Cubic-Foot 900-Watt Convection Microwave instead. It also saves me a bundle on electricity over my conventional electric stove and oven.
I bought it from evVive Home on Amazon.com, but when I do a search for it on Amazon now, it comes up with a different company. I was very happy with evVive Home.
[...] 』
(Sharp R930AK Convection Microwave) 『I was so pleased with this convection microwave that this is my second one. The last one was purchased 10 years ago. I needed another oven during the holidays and I can only have one oven and a microwave or a double oven and no microwave so I opted for this convection microwave. It works great. I can use it as an oven when needed and also as a microwave. It is big enough inside so you can put a 9x13 pan and it still moves around on the turn table. To have the inside this big is a must. I would highly recommend it to anyone. NOTE: In order to pop popcorn, you need to have the bag setting on something and you can use a glass pie plate turned upside down. The book calls for something else but this glass pie plate works great and usually everyone has one of those.』
(I have had one for almost twenty years) 『I got this because of the novelty of it. However, within a very short time, this was my 'do it all'. One of the reviews said he had baked a bundt cake in it. I can't count the cakes I have baked in it. It is my first choice for an oven. When the pan is too big, it will go into the regular oven. I am not sure this particular one has the combination cooking or not, but if you haven't tried it, you should. After almost twenty years, it is finally not doing what it should be doing, so I am going to replace it. I cannot live without my Shart Microwave Convection oven.』
(Asset to Any Kitchen) 『The Sharp R-930AK is as good as a second oven. There isn't anything you can't cook, and cook well in this unit. Very user-friendly, easy to clean and attractive as a cabinet insert or free standing on the counter. Our first Sharp Convection Microwave lasted 10 years. Fortunately, for us, we were able to replace the old unit with a new duplicate model. We are extremely pleased with this brand and its' many features. It is a true value for your dollar.』 『Sharp microwave oven R-930AK black convection sensor cook, interactive display, compudefrost plus 11 power level.』
price：$35.41
Zojirushi
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Very very very nice rice cooker.) 『We have had a one-button rice cooker for about 15 years and it was recently dropped by movers and the lid broke off. We were sad, but began the search for a new rice cooker. Now I am glad the movers broke that old piece of crap.
This rice cooker is AMAZING! We never have that burnt crust of rice from the bottom of the pan anymore. The rice stays fresh much longer than in the old one, and it also cooks things like steel cut oats, farina, veggies, cake...
GET ONE!』
(Rice Lover) 『Excellent choice! I've purchased several rice cookers in the past. The last one I had was a Tiger Brand which I was very disappointed with. This by far was the best rice cooker I've ever had. We cook rice everyday and although it takes a little longer than the other brands I've used, the rice comes out "PERFECT" each time and does not get spoiled easily. One of the best feature is that you can actually see the measurement inside the pot.The pot in itself is heavy duty. It's a little pricy but you get what you pay for and this Zojirushi is definitelyworth the money. It also has two different tunes when you initially press the cooking button and after it's done...very cute! We all love it and will definitely recommend to anyone.』
(10 cup zojirushi rice cooker- used one sent!!) 『I ordered this new from Amazon, but was sent an obviously "used" and repackaged one... This is disappointing. I hope it isnt a defective product!!!』
(Rice Cooker) 『This is a great Rice Cooker. I have had many Rice Cookers in the past but this is by far the best one that I have ever owned. It cooks great rice and bakes nice cakes and the oatmeal in the morning is the best. I love the music that it plays. I would recommend this rice cooker to my friends and family. All in all I cannot find any fault with this product. I use the cooker everyday of the week.』
(Best value of all Zojirushi Rice Cookers and you get AWESOME RICE!) 『I LOOOOVE RICE, and the Zojirushi is everything they say.
First of all, people that come to my house love the design, it looks like it was made in space, and the stainless steel touches, allow it to blend very well with every other SS item in my kitchen, rice tastes delicious, stays delicious for a long time, and I must point out, that you feel that the manufacture of this Zojirushi is FAAAAR better that any of the other $40 rice cookers on the marker, plus you can cook a whole bunch of things with it, like soup, and different kinds of rice, the process has been simplified by Zojirushi.
I am very happy with my purchase and would recommend it to everybody else. :D』 『With a 10-cup capacity, this versatile rice cooker and warmer features advanced fuzzy logic technology and a variety of cooking functions. Choose from white/sushi rice, mixed rice, porridge, sweet rice, brown rice, quick cooking, even cake. Its black, thick, inner cooking pan and heating system provide even heating for perfectly cooked rice every time. Other features include a detachable and washable inner lid, an easy-to-read LCD control panel, and automatic keep warm and extended keep warm, as well as a delay timer with two settings and a retractable power cord. In addition, its clear-coated stainless-steel exterior not only cleans easily, but also matches any kitchen decor. Accessories include a spatula, a spatula holder, and a rice-measuring cup. The 820-watt rice cooker and warmer measures 15 by 11 by 10 inches.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Picture doesn't do this justice!) 『The price is amazing and the picture doesn't do the table justice. It's VERY easy to put together and looks beautiful afterward - like it costs far more.
Dimensions are 14" deep X 45" long X 26.5 inches high. The top is made of particle-board as another review said, but the cherry laminate looks real unless someone gets a microscope! It was packed very well and arrived in perfect condition.』
(Not An Heirloom, But Does The Job&Looks Good Doing It) 『This is a great little table; to look at it, you would never believe I paid less than $50 for it. It's actual dimensions are 14" deep X 45" long X 26.5 inches high. The top is made of particle-board, but the cherry laminate finish looks great. There is no drawer, but there are 3, highly-polished "brass" pulls on the front - nice touch. The legs are nicely turned and solid. Assembly was easy - just attach the legs with the provided bolts, washers, and wrench. I wanted a little work table for my office, and this table fits the bill. I have it next to my full-size, Queen Anne, dark-cherry computer table, and it blends right in. It's also the perfect height to lay out and work on papers, files, etc., while sitting in my computer chair. I will also use this for my sewing machine table. It arrived ahead of schedule and in excellent condition (good packing). What a bargain! Good product and vendor.』 『Add this elegant cherry colored sofa table to your home today.』
price：$10.98
Angel Records
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great Content, production quality not so much) 『The music is amazing. The artistry and creation of the movements is fantastic. Unfortunately, the playback is marred by poor mastering. The first track in particular is noticeably panned to the right channel.
What this means is a listen on headphones will make you feel as if you have water in your left ear, because it sounds muddy on that side. Still, as a lowfi recording it's pretty good. It may have been a poor source recording -- unsure on that score.
In any event, the bottom line is that the music is great, but the production of the CD is kind of subpar. 』
(Love it!) 『This is excellent, especially if you are new to Indian sitar music. I put it on for relaxation.』
(Instant Meditation!) 『This cd is awesome! It is the first Ravi Shankar cd I've bought, and I was very happy with it. The first track starts out slow, and when the drums kick in it's like you are instantly transported into a deep meditative state. I'd highly recommend this cd for anyone interested in this genre of music!』
(Supurb music) 『All music is art. The feeling of this recording is one of happiness and playfulness. The interplay between sitar and tabla makes for an exciting listening experience. Truly a masterpiece by the master, Mr. Shankar and Mr. Rakha. Highly recommended for this genre.』
(very nice, good for contemplation in the afternoon) 『This is a very nice album of Ravi Shankars. I recommend it highly.』
price：$15.98
Arc Music
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Superb artistry!) 『Alan Bardezbanian, or 'Sensei Al' as I and many others knew him (he was an 8th dan black belt in Shotokan karate, among many other things) has released an album that is both accessible and richly textured.
Bardezbanian is widely regarded as one of the great oud players of his time and the tyro may think his music would only reward those versed in the subtleties of the instrument, but as one who came to his music with essentially no experience with Middle Eastern music, I can attest that this album has something for anyone interested in world music and opus of a master.
Sadly, Sensei Al passed away a few years ago before he could see his music reach a broader audience. Fans of this album should take heart, as I've heard that his estate and bandmates have finished mixing the follow-up album he was working on when he died.
Anyone who knew Sensei Al, heard his stories, and benefited from his instruction - musical or martial - will never forget him. Thanks to the wide release of his work, many more can share the experience of his tremendous abilities for years to come.』
(LIVELY...fabulous musicianship) 『I listened to samples of a large number of Middle Eastern music CDs before choosing this one. It is completely instrumental, and there is a nice selection of different tempi and instrument combinations (this is not a solo Oud CD). There are a number of selections where the Oud is the featured instrument, but for the most part, the pieces are performed by a band of instruments with the Oud leading the way. The percussion is especially marvelous...you will be on your feet by measure sixteen of the first piece!
The recording is high quality in every way, and the music is quite authentic. The musicianship is first rate. I would especially recommend this CD for anyone who is just starting to listen to this genre of music.』
(Landmark recording from an underappreciated oud master) 『Alan Shavarsh Bardezbanian (Gardner) originally released this recording in 2002 as "From Kef to Classical", and it has been out of print until recently. Fortunately for fans of the oud and near eastern music, it is once again available. Bardezbanian showcases his breathtaking range here, as a composer (Sfekas Tsamiko, Suzie&Sozie's Dance), improviser, and interpreter of classic repertoire. His playing seems to effortlessly manage to balance soulfulness and soaring virtuosity. Not merely an oud virtuoso, Bardezbanian was also a master of the G clarinet. Highly recommended. with: Beth Bergerhoff (acc), Bau Graves (gt), David Hillon (bs), Eric Laperna (perc), Mike Gallant (vln)』
price：$16.99
Lyrichord Discs Inc.
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Intense Sounds) 『I'll admit i am fairly new to the indian sound, but as a improvising musician I can attest that this album is right up there with my all time favorites such as Coltranes"A Love Surpreme", the expessiveness is astounding.
I've listened to a good number of albums by indian artists (Shankar/Ali Akbar/Hussain) and nothing has come close to the inensity that this album possesses.』
(wonderful, tranquility provoking recording...) 『Imrat Khan plays both the sitar and the deeper sounding"bass sitar", the surbahar. We have all heard Ravi Shankar on the sitar, but I had never heard a surbahar before this recording and fell in love with the timbre. Imrat's son, Shafaat Miadaad Khan plays tabla with his father and is world famous also. The harmony of the duets, one a melodic instrument and the other a rhythmic instrument, is lovely. 5 stars.』 『A world famous musician of astounding accomplishment, the great Ustad Imrat Khan performs here on sitar and surbahar (bass sitar) with his son Shafaat on tabla two extended ragas intended for evening, a time of meditation and romance. One of the finest example of Indian improvisation on CD by two master musicians.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A UNIQUE, BUT PRETTY LOOKING LAMP.) 『I BOUGHT THIS FOR MY BEDROOM. IT DOES NOT GIVE OFF A LOT OF LIGHT, WHICH IS PART OF WHY I BOUGHT IT. IT WAS EASY TO ASSEMBLE AND LOOKS GOOD. I ALSO LIKE THE FACT THAT IT HAS A SWITCH CONNECTED TO THE CORD, INSTEAD OF A TURN KNOB. MY ONLY COMPLAINT IS THAT IT IS FLIMSY, THAT'S WHY I GAVE IT FOUR STARS INSTEAD OF FIVE.』 『Attractive variation of classic Japanese paper lantern, crafted from 100% kiln dried Scandinavian Spruce, with fiber reinforced pressed pulp rice paper shade&subtle bamboo tree design, diffused light creates a soft, warm glow in any room. UL approved wiring, socket, and switch for a 25 Watt bulb, ships in 48hrs from our Massachusetts warehouse via FedEx, expedited delivery available. Great gift idea! Browse our Amazon collection Japanese style lanterns, porcelian oriental style table lamps, and 2000+ Asian style furniture&decor- wall art, statues, bamboo&paper blinds, natural rugs&carpets, as well as the web's largest selection of Japanese design shoji room dividers, rice paper folding floor screens, privacy screens, and dressing screens.』
タイトル『 Golden Asia Solar #CD703-RBW FS Solar Str LightASSTD >
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price：$11.50
GOLDEN ASIA SOLAR INDUSTRIAL
『Four Seasons, Solar Party String Lights With Red, White&Blue Stars, 9 Total, Working Time Of 8 Hours On Fully Charged Battery, 3 "AA" Ni Cd, 600 Mah Batteries In Remote Panel&9 Slow Flashing White LED Pulsate Like Twinkling Stars, 6 To 8 Hours Exposure To Full Sunlight For Full Charge, Built In Light Sensor That Will Turn Light On Automatically Upon Night Time, String Wires Allows For Adjustments&Styling Around Bushes&Porches, Multiple Use, Patented Design&Construction, 23' Of Total Wires With Separate Solar Module For Placement In Sun Lit Locations, 4' 10" From Remote Solar Panel To First Star, Plastic Motif Pieces, For Replacement Battery Use True Value #341-230.』 タイトル『 Thomas Lighting Asia Minor Three-Light Bath Fixture >
price：$19.99
UTV Motion Pictures
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Must See) 『Director Vishal Bhardwaj--best known for his film adaptations of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' ('Maqbool') and 'Othello' ('Omkara')--breaks new ground in Bollywood with his latest creation: a violent, convoluted, Tarantino-esque trip through the mean streets of Mumbai--stellar soundtrack and all. But the Bard's influence is still apparent in Bhardwaj's work, particularly in the double role played by Shahid Kapoor, that of twins--a symbol of fragmented identity as common in Indian films as it is in Shakespeare's plays--and here the brothers, Charlie and Guddu, are at odds with themselves as well as each other. Kapoor sheds his trademark boyishness and transforms into two rugged, world-weary men--both broken in their own unique way, both in need of redemption. Charlie fixes horse races but loses everything when a jockey double-crosses him. Guddu does street theater with his girlfriend Sweety--who is anything but--to promote AIDS awareness. Played by a de-glammed Priyanka Chopra (who will surely win awards for her performance), Sweety is as indomitable as her crooked family and she bulldozes Guddu into getting her pregnant and marrying her. The estranged brothers both get into trouble with the mob and only they can extricate each other from the desperate mess their lives have become. - The Bollywood Ticket: The American guide to Indian movies (Subscribe: The Bollywood Ticket)』
(One of the best Indian movies in recent times) 『Kaminey is one of the best Indian movies I have seen in recent times - it is an intelligent, gritty thriller with a clever story line and excellent performances. Shahid Kapoor proves his mettle with his double-role, the dialogues are crisp, and photography features the bylanes of Mumbai where most of the story takes place. The songs are worth humming. All in all a complete package worth savoring. If you are looking for a typical Bollywood fare, you will be "disappointed". Enjoying this movie requires you to apply your brain.』
(Disappointing) 『 This movie did surprisingly very well and Shahid Kapoor earned well deserved praise. I guess he is close to becoming the next Bollywood hero. He is not bad for another muscle-puffed Bollywood actor. These actors need to decide if they are going to spend time building muscles or getting to the business of acting and doing it well. In this particular case, Shahid Kapoor comes through and does a good job of playing the dual roles of twins - one bad, the other good. It's the story that does not connect the dots for me in a way that makes it understandable or coherent as to how the brothers' personalities are different and why one of them chooses a life of crime. It's not fluid. The dark theme of the film supports the premise of the story I suppose. But again the story and its narration has no substance. It's too bad because this film could have been a lot better. I like Shahid Kapoor by the way and look forward to his next film with Rani Mukherji.』
(Hard hitting, gritty - not Bhardwaj's best, but good enough) 『There is the average Bollywood movie, and there is Cinema, and most of the time they run on divergent tracks. When Vishal Bhardwaj makes a movie, the tracks meet. There are many others as well - of course - like Madhur Bhandarkar, Nagesh Kukunoor and Navdeep Singh.
After talking to about a few friends, and hearing them point out the movie's shortcomings (can't "relax", songs too short, movie too short, can't miss ten minutes of the movie, too much happening...), I thought I should post this review to try to "place" it.
If you watch this movie together - like in the same week - with Inglourious Basterds, Burn After Reading and the new (mainland) Chinese movie The Message, it would easily hold its own against them. I think. Provided you haven't had your intellect permanently damaged by watching too much Indian TV. Kaminey has great ingredients: it demands (and holds) attention, there's a lot of irony, the characters are weird enough to be real, performances are what you would expect from Bhardwaj, it's unpredictable, I didn't find any plot bloopers offhand (and I can't say the same for Basterds), it has a great soundtrack, it's gritty. If you think at all, it does convey some messages - one of them, towards the end, is about who are the real "Kaminey" (that means, roughly speaking, "scum" in Hindi). I don't want to put in spoilers.
On the other hand, I've already watched Omkara twice and will probably take out the DVD again for a viewing some years down the line. I don't own Maqbool yet but I will set that right. I'm not sure Kaminey is in the same league as those films by Bhardwaj. I would give it 4.5 stars if I could, just half a star less than what I gave Omkara. I can't quite figure out why, though. It just that those movies were a bit more layered and somehow better overall. To be fair to Kaminey, my opinion must have been biased a little bit by the fact that the person I saw it with just didn't get it.
Kaminey is good, absolutely no doubt about it IMHO. 』
(Very Very Fexy!) 『You can't believe how much anticipation I had for this movie(I loved Awarapan, also a gangster movie). This movie passed each expectation. Amazing songs(especially the title track and Dhan Te Nan), enthralling action, mind-blowing story, shocking performances(in a good way), and an ecstatic execution through and through. Shahid's performance along with Priyanka's, Amole Gupte's and everyone's performace make me speechless. They all fit in their roles. Shahid as Charlie steals the show. Priyanka looked her best in Dostana, but she looks angelic with no makeup(and still hot).
What I liked about the movie: Shahid, Priyanka, Amole, action, run-out of the mill songs(especially the ones mentioned above), photography BEST FILM OF THE YEAR. MY FAVORITE BOLLYWOOD MOVIE EVER.
What I didn't like about the movie: Too short, like Awarapan. Come on, 135 minutes? What about 150, at least?!』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Great movie!) 『I love movies with excellent soundtrack. This movie is no exception. Every song in this movie is beautiful. After watching this movie, I spent hours on the internet looking for the sheet music to this soundtrack so I could learn how to play them. The plot itself was also touching as well. I was glad it had a good ending.』
(A Taiwanese Jewel) 『Jay Chou wrote this story, composed most of the music for it, directed it and acted the lead role. The love story is good, with a twist of course, but what really makes me love this is the music. It's gorgeous. I listen to it over and over. This showcases three talented pianists, Jay himself being the best. He made it fun to watch them play. He also plays cello beautifully, and you will hear it briefly here. As others have said, the cinematography is beautiful too. So far, the best movie I have.』
(Secret) 『one of the best films i have seen in a long time, secret is engrossing, beautiful, and haunting. the cinamatography is well done and i love how music is woven throught the strands of the story. jay chou exceeds expectations as an actor and this is a triumph for his debut as a director. i hope to see more like this from him. 』
(Terrific) 『This movie certainly exceeded my expectations. I can't say much about the film without giving away the plot, but take my advice: if you like romance movies, you will love this.』
((4.5 STARS) Jay Chou's Debut Film as Director Is an Engaging Romantic Drama (and a Secret)) 『The 2007 Hong-Kong / Taiwanese film "Secret" is one of the recent pleasant surprises for me. I know Jay Chou has been a big star in the music scene of Asia, but I never thought he could make such an emotionally engrossing film. Those who were disappointed with his rather colorless performance in "Curse of the Golden Flower" will be amazed to see Jay Chou as gifted storyteller in "Secret," his debut as director.
Not much should be revealed about the story of "Secret." I only say it starts as a romance. Jay Chou plays a new student at art school, Ye Xiang Lun. In the old school building he encounters a beautiful girl student named Lu Xiao Yu (fantastic Lunmei Kwai) playing a mysterious tune on piano. Asked about the strangely absorbing song, she answers playfully, whispering to him that it is "a secret," a secret that cannot be told.
Yes, the romantic love story has a secret which no one should know. I'm sorry that I cannot disclose even the nature of it. All I can say is, when you think you know everything, you haven't even got a clue. Perhaps you should enjoy the love story of the two likable leads and you will see what I mean by and by.
Anthony Wong plays the father of Jay Chou's character (as in "Initial D") and gives a comical touch to the film's slightly nostalgic world. There is a "piano battle" sequence that might remind us of "The Legend of 1900" (but done with less bravura), which is an enjoyable scene and also a showcase for Jay Chou's musical talent. Jay Chou's approach as director is surprisingly orthodox and he seems to always keep in mind that his goal is telling a good story. And he is very good at that.
Beautifully shot "Secret" is a refreshing and well-told romantic story with originality. Strongly recommended for anyone who loves good romance.』 『"Secret", an original story written by Chou, deals with the memory of first love through high school lovers, Lun (Chou) and Yu (Gui Lun-Mei). Music is a key element of the romantic drama in which Chou composed and sang the eponymous theme song, "Secret".』
price：$9.99
Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (a little different) 『the first time i watched this movie it felt like forever. now watching it more and more it becomes better everytime i watch this movie. diane keaton looks so pretty in this movie and you can't help but kept your eyes in her. i didn't see the verdict coming out like it did and the ending wasn't that good but i couldn't imagen it being any different.』
(It's Not Easy Being a Single Mom) 『Diane Keaton and Liam Neeson are fine in this powerful, but disturbing tale of a single mom who has to fight to keep her child. I believe it is based on the novel.』
(Between a rock and a hard place) 『Based on Sue Miller's novel, this is about a somewhat frigid woman (Diane Keaton) who is raising her 8-year-old daughter using modern, open ideas. She then meets a man (Liam Neeson) who causes her own sexuality to blossom. But an "incident" occurs between Neeson and the daughter that filters back to the ex-husband who then fights Keaton for custody of the girl. Neeson is made out to be a sleazebucket at the trial, and Keaton sacrifices him in the attempt to win her daughter back. Of course Keaton's all-out battle to win her daughter back is admirable, and I suppose it is meant for us to think of her as a victim of a male-run society that is penalyzing her for her sudden sexual blossoming and openness in child rearing. I couldn't help, though, shedding a tear or two for Neeson, who is the sacrificial lamb here. Keaton's performance is typical, which for me is not saying very much: I don't care for her as an actress and find her overacting most of the time.』
(So Powerful, So Wonderful) 『I was warned before watching this movie that it would not be one of those 'sit in front of the television with a bowl of popcorn' movies. For half of the movie, I just sat there, my eyes glued to the screen, watching Diane Keaton in a simply wonderful and dramatic role.
Anna Dunlap (Keaton) is a newly divorced woman with an adorable six year old daughter. They have a wonderful relationship, and it is very evident when you sit down and watch them together. Enter Liam Neeson. He starts out as a person with whom you would not want to get to know, but after a few minutes, he reveals that he's just in a bad mood and he is actually quite nice. When he first meets Molly (the very adorable Asia Vieira), she is very shy towards him, but she learns to like him and you can see that there is a bond between them. When something happens (I don't want to say what), and Molly's father wants full-time custody of her, the movie becomes a full-blown drama. It is, I admit, hard to watch some of the courtroom scenes, but they are so powerful and they draw you into the story. In a way, I saw the end result coming, but not exactly like it did. It definitely showed finality in the family.
Keaton's performace, like I said above, was incredibly powerful and she does a wonderful job portraying Molly's mother. The main reason I bought this movie was because of Diane Keaton, since she is my favorite actress and this movie shows her in her best dramatic role, in my opinion. If only it had received higher reviews when it came out. But I go by what looks good to me, and to me, this looked good, mainly because of the cast and the story.』
(Simply a must-see) 『Being a tremendous fan of Diane Keaton's work, I rented this movie (I'm still... that this movie isn't sold anywhere), and it immediately rated as one of my top-ten favorite Keaton videos. It honestly is an enigma that this movie didn't get enough praise it deserves. Most of the scenes are incredibly sweet, warm, and intimate. That's what makes this movie so great. When Keaton's character, Anna, meets Liam Neeson's character, Leo, there's a unmistakable bond forming. I especially love the scene when Anna goes to Leo's apartment and Leo and Anna becomes one, dancing in front of Leo's sculpture, making shadows on the wall from the light shining on them from behind. This is an esoteric concept of first love. I really thought it was so sweet when Anna confessed to Leo that she thought she wasn't very good at sex, and he gently assures her that they can fix that. There's no judgment in that scene;it's obvious that Leo really loves Anna, and their love is vivid. Another favorite scene is when Anna and her daughter, Molly, are in the bathtub with Leo reading to them. This is truly intimate, and I just love the fact that they were so open-minded about being naked in front of Molly. There's just so much tenderness and love. It was, to me, beautiful. And yet another favorite scene is when Molly has a bad dream and goes into Anna's room while she and Leo are making love, and they comfort her until she falls asleep.There's another display of intimacy, about caring and love. The three of them together was absolutely wonderful. That is why I found it incredibly appalling that Anna's ex-husband, Brian, goes to court for something that happened between Molly and Leo that had absoluely no intention of happening. (I won't ruin the ending for you). But I found the ending truly sad and final. A soon-to-be family are wrenched apart by an innocent mistake. I felt bad, because I knew they could have had a wonderful life together. I also felt bad for Anna and Leo. I could really see their love shown for each other. They were so comfortable together; their feelings for each other were vivid and beautiful. This is a movie of non-judgment and unconditional love, and that's what makes it so special. I honestly don't understand why this movie was considered a failure. Keaton is at her best in this movie, and Neeson is simply wonderful. I consider myself as an efficient movie critic, and I know which movies are bad or good. This movie is a MUST-SEE!!! I acclaim Keaton especially for her wonderful work in this movie. 'The Good Mother' is proof that Keaton is one of the world's most rare and special actresses. If you're not suffering from brain deterioration, immediately rent this movie! You won't regret it.』 『A DIVORCED WOMAN FALLS IN LOVE WITH AN ARTIST BUT FACES LOSING CUSTODY OF HER DAUGHTER IF SHE CAN'T PROVE SHE IS STILL A GOOD MOTHER.』
『Our rich blend of dark roasted coffee and chicory is available in decaf.
We use an Ethyl Acetate process to decaffeinate the coffee used in our blend of Coffee and Chicory. Ethyl Acetate is a natural chemical found in many fruits.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Nutritional facts) 『Please display nutritional facts with your item as I am looking for products with no MSG and the least amount of sodium - Thanks』
(Better with a simple addition) 『These are the classic Spicy Korean noodle bowl familiar to everyone in Korea, or anyone who's been there. By themselves they are good, very spicy, but the addition of a single slice of processed cheese melted in the noodles turn these from good to INSANELY DELICIOUS. Try it, trust me.』
(yummy) 『I do love this brand of soup very much but be aware of the packaging when you get it mine was crappy :(』 『Nong shim shin bowl noodle soup is the great and most popular Hot and spicy Korean Noodle. One of our instant noodle bowl best seller. We recommend any noodle lovers to try this one.』
Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Makes the best herbal tea) 『This tea is just like the tea used in the Thai restaurants I've been in and is great for both hot and Thai Iced Tea.』
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Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Works as advertized) 『Bought this and two 1T hard drives. My setup is a PC workstation, MacBook, Sonos music system and HP deskjet USB printer. It takes some intermediate PC skills to setup. I installed the latest firmware and software from the Promise website. The system is working as advertised. It's basically acts as a server with 1T storage (in addition to the USB port).
Setup: I set it up as a RAID 1 device (can be RAID 0). So I have only 1T of storage but both drives contain the same information - which is safe for any drive failure. I plan to investigate switching out another 1T drive monthly so I can have a backup stored in a fire/water proof safe. The USB printer is working for both the PC and Mac.
Music files: I store all of my music files on it which I use iTunes on my PC to manage. After installing the iTunes addon and adding the Promise server to my Mac server list my Mac iTunes shows the server as a shared device - which allows it to play any song on the drive. The Sonos configuration was easy and is working perfect (update the music idex after installing new music files.)
Other files: I will put our photos and video files on the drive. And other house hold files that are important (Quicken, letters,...).
Overall it has been working good for my setup.』
(Junk if you're on a Mac) 『What a major waste of time. No drivers on their site, no tech support who know a damn thing about Macs, NO true USB connectivity. This thing is cheap piece of junk. I spent the better part of a day on the phone with these guys and nobody knows nothin' about using this product with a Mac, even though they ADVERTISE this on the box. I'm thinking of filing a lawsuit against these guys.』
(Impressed) 『I did some research and my friends recommended the D-Link 323 but while at Fry's a customer rep recommended the NS2300N. I went along and decided to try it. Setup took literally 5 minutes and i had the RAID 1 set up with a network drive on the network. I uploaded 20G of data and it wasn't super fast but i think the reason is my laptop not the device. The best thing i liked about this device is how quit it is. Almost full silence. I'm still a bit disappointed though about the USB Print Server, a feature that did not detect my printer. I'll be calling their customer support and figure out a way to make it work. Otherwise, i'm going to have to return it as i know the D-Link has that feature and it works great. i got this device at Fry's for $199 + 2 500GB hard disks for $89 each.
If I get the USB print server option to work, this device is deffinitly worth the money.』 『SMARTSTOR NS2300N - 2-BAY NAS WITH SATA RAID1 FOR SOHO/SMB.ENGLISH&ASIA.PROMIS』 タイトル『 Decorated Mouse Pad with "black and white", "palm trees", coconuts, farming, lake, Asia, Burma, cultivation, scenery, river >
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Harper Perennial
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (A tear pulling story.) 『I was really moved by this book. The woman lost both parents and two sisters to the Khymer Rouge. She survived by moving around and dodging the bloodthirsty Kyhmer Rouge. She kept moving and believing in herself, and this ultimately saved her. She credits he murdered father with helping her move on.
This is an incredible story of a middle class family in Cambodia who experienced all the material things before the revolution and much of the agony after. They left the capital with an auto until it ran out of gas. They sought shelter with relatives. Then they escaped to another village and pretended to be poor farmers. The family was broken apart as the parents thought of how to save their children.
This is a truly sad but inspirational book. The author went on to great things, even though she suffered. An inspirational read.』
(The Survival of the Cambodian Spirit) 『My daughter has been volunteering at an orphanage outside Phnom Penh since July and asked me to read this book before coming to visit her at Thanksgiving so I can understand what the Cambodian people endured under Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Loung Ung was only five years old in April of 1975 when the Khmer Rouge moved into Phnom Penh and her family immediately left the city. She had a younger sister, two older sisters and three older brothers. Her father worked as a military police captain, a position that put him and his family at risk should that information be learned by the Khmer Rouge. Luong's mother was half Chinese and as a consequence the family was also at risk because of their light skin color. Loung has written an extremely engaging book, which incorporates over 100 pages of family history and details of this family's life under the Khmer Rouge provided by a brother who was 16 in 1975. The Khmer Rouge killed an estimated two million people from 1975 to 1979 through systematic starvation, forced labor, execution and disease. This was a fourth of Cambodia's population. As Luong says, if you lived in Cambodia at this time, this would be your story, too. My daughter tells me everyone in Cambodia, including the 67 orphans at APCA, is happy. I can't wait to meet first hand the people of this country who endured the atrocities inflicted on them by the Khmer Rouge and came out the other side with their spirits intact.』
(This family's story is truly unforgettable) 『First They Killed My Father is a poignant story told from the perspective of a child who is experiencing the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970's. This true story of the daughter of a high-ranking government official in Phnom Penh, who was in imminent danger because of her family's status. Her descriptions of the events are poignant, compelling and informative. The memoir is captivating and illustrates the dispersion of her family, the brutality that she had to endure, and the plight of many of the immigrants from Cambodia. Bolstered by the shocking bravery of one brother and sustained by her sister's gentle kindness amid brutality, Loung forged ahead to create a courageous new life. Harrowing yet hopeful, insightful and compelling, this family's story is truly unforgettable. The content is disturbing and violent, but it can be used in a high school classroom.』
(Helping Others Remember) 『On a recent trip to Cambodia I got to witness it's rich culture, lush landscapes and delicious, delicious food. At every turn I also saw the remnants of a painful past.I spent a hot afternoon walking through the Tuel Sleng Genocide Museum, having my breath taken away as I walked from room to room, each worse than the last. In one section of the former prison, I walked into a hastily made brick cell and felt so instantly claustrophobic I had to run out into the open air.The pictures, informational plaques and even the conversation, held via hand gestures, with a former prisoner couldn't help me grasp the genocide that occurred not that long ago.
Later I went to Choeng Ek, the most (in)famous of the killing fields. I walked up to, around and even in the commemorative stupa that had been built to honor the murdered and to hold their remains. Seeing children's skulls display evidence of so much violence with the cracks, dents and bullet holes broke my heart. Walking through the grounds and stepping on peoples' bones and clothing remnants that were making their way up through the dirt... Knowing that every year the rains would bring up more remains.... How do people make peace with that? How do they move on?
Loung Ung lived through the genocide and has carried on her life by teaching others about what happened, helping them to survive the atrocities that seems to keep happening around the world. In her memoir "First They Killed My Father: A daughter of Cambodia remembers" she tells of the Cambodia genocide from the eyes of a child. This perspective that makes what happened all the more heart-wrenching but also makes the facts easier to understand. (I use that word loosely, because I can never understand why what happened did, but I want to, need to, understand the facts of what did happen.)
Genocide is such a big concept. The Cambodia genocide was so messy, political, based on a series of events that made it possible. A child's memory strips out all of the extraneous facts and delivers only what they know. In her memoir, she inserts the historical facts necessary to keep her story moving, but she inserts them as dialogue from her father delivered to her. History as would be explained to a small child doesn't include the political intricacies that make our world so confusing. For this, I was grateful to Ung. Her tale helped me establish some basic knowledge from which I can expand with future reading.
A quick read, "First They Killed My Father: A daughter of Cambodia remembers" is the kind of book you start reading and don't want to put down. It's a great introduction to anyone interested in visiting Cambodia, learning about their history or learning about genocide in general.』
(Liar....Visit before you buy http://www.khmerinstitute.org/articles/art04.html) 『This is the first book I ever read on the Khmer Rouge. The second was When Broken Glass Floats. When I compared the books (not of facts) When Broken Glass Floats was much more vivid and Mrs. Ungs Book Was boring and slow.
If you read the negative reviews many Cambodians that have review the book are offended because she lied for her and her husbands gain.
Visit the website below before you waste your money on this exploitation book. I wish I HAD.
[..]』 『
One of seven children of a high-ranking government official, Loung Ung lived a privileged life in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh until the age of five. Then, in April 1975, Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge army stormed into the city, forcing Ung's family to flee and, eventually, to disperse. Loung was trained as a child soldier in a work camp for orphans, her siblings were sent to labor camps, and those who survived the horrors would not be reunited until the Khmer Rouge was destroyed.
Harrowing yet hopeful, Loung's powerful story is an unforgettable account of a family shaken and shattered, yet miraculously sustained by courage and love in the face of unspeakable brutality.
』 『Written in the present tense,First They Killed My Fatherwill put you right in the midst of the action--action you'll wish had never happened. It's a tough read, but definitely a worthwhile one, and the author's personality and strength shine through on every page. Covering the years from 1975 to 1979, the story moves from the deaths of multiple family members to the forced separation of the survivors, leading ultimately to the reuniting of much of the family, followed by marriages and immigrations. The brutality seems unending--beatings, starvation, attempted rape, mental cruelty--and yet the narrator (a young girl) never stops fighting for escape and survival. Sad and courageous, her life and the lives of her young siblings provide quite a powerful example of how war can so deeply affect children--especially a war in which they are trained to be an integral part of the armed forces. For anyone interested in Cambodia's recent history, this book shares a valuable personal view of events.--Jill Lightner』
price：$8.50
Lonely Planet
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (Out of date and inadequate) 『I've been using this latest edition of the Vietnam LP during my current trip to Saigon, Nha Trang, Hue and Hanoi. I've found it to be inadequate. Maps provide misinformation, hotel and restaurant information is completely out of date, and choices seem arbitrary. LP dominates the travel guide book market, but they leave a lot to be desired.』
(Never lets you dowm) 『Another good LP book:) The "Bibel" never lets you down and was a great help on our journey. Was so lucky to visit Vietnam 2 times in 08 and used it both times. Vietnam is a lovely country!!』
(Trustworthy, comprehensive with excellent maps.) 『I am reviewing the L.P.2007 guide. Note: most of the other reviews are for older editions, ie. Pre-2007. I was in Vietnam January-February 2007 and used this guide.
The guide has maps that are superb and easy to use. Both the accommodations and restaurants I chose from the guide's recommendations were good to very good. The cost for accommodations are listed in dollars, instead of the insipid icons that other guides use. Kudos!!! The restaurants cost quotes are in Dong. Caveat! Because the dollar is in a free fall against world currencies, you will need to add at least 20% to the quoted price for hotels, maybe more.
Vietnam is a country of paradoxes: Communistic-Free Market. Traditional-Progressive. Etc. To capture a caricature of Vietnam is as demanding as it would be enigmatic. Yet, Dragicevich, Ray&St. Louis (authors) have written an outstanding brief profile of this country. "The Culture" is a section not to miss. No other guide is as complete if you are going to go "off the tourist track." I found towns and places in L.P. that other guides don't even list. The information was accurate and trustworthy.
Unlike Rough Guide's Vietnam (8 pages) this guide has only a smattering of book/film recommendations. Sadly, in this guide, unlike other L.P. guides, there are few sidebars or text boxes that give you interesting tidbits about the country and its people. Though most all accommodations have an email address, there are NO webpages. NOT GOOD. This guide needs serious improvement in this area.
The 2007 is a significantly revised guide and one of the best guides in print for Vietnam. This is a highly recommended guide - happy tramping. 4.5 Stars.』
(Most up-to-date) 『This was a very good guide. I got the Rough Guide, National Geographic and Let's Go and was most satisfied with Lonely Planet. This had the most up-to-date info and mentioned a few things that were not in the other guides. Let's Go might be best for people in their early 20's. All of the guides avoid giving opinions and pretty much list all the tourist destinations. I found the web site [...] to be the best source for recommends on what to see and do and used the guides for hotel information.』
(Lonely Planet Vietnam 9 -- LP's best try yet) 『For the first-time visitor to Vietnam, Lonely Planet's Vietnam 9 overall is a fine production -- and is easily Lonely Planet's best swing at Vietnam -- even if the style police are trying to ruin the show.
Vietnam 9 covers all the big-ticket destinations comprehensively, with detailed sleeping, eating, drinking and sights information. There's a detailed orientation section, loads of maps, crystal clear photos and lots of general information. Good coverage on most of the border crossings is included and the transportation information is pretty easy to digest -- if a little confusing at times. A series of suggested itineraries, while not overly imaginative, remain useful for first time travellers.
Authors Nick Ray, Peter Dragicevich and Regis St Louis have done the hard yards and crammed much of what Vietnam has to offer into Lonely Planet's famously tight word-limits. They've done a great job putting together what is a probably the most comprehensive text available and something much improved on Vietnam 8.
Listings Guesthouse and hotel listings are concise and all budgets are well covered. There were some omissions which struck me as odd -- Mai House on Phu Quoc, Tay Ho Hotel in Can Tho, Jungle Beach north of Nha Trang, Hoa Hong in Da Nang and the Tung Trang in Hanoi -- all outstanding places, yet none made the cut. That said, there are stacks of excellent places they do mention -- more than enough for most readers. For the rest you'll just need to read www.travelfish.org.
Sights-wise, the information is excellent. Lots of historical background and interesting snippets are woven into the text, acting as leads for the reader to learn more. For example Ong Pagoda in Tra Vinh includes a reference to the Chinese classic The Romance of the Three Kingdoms for more information on the pagoda's god Quan Cong.
Transport Transportation comes in two parts -- a summary and the destination specific sections throughout.
The summary section is good though a little unbalanced. There are almost three pages about getting a flight to Vietnam (surely something fairly simple), yet almost no information about the niche topic of buying a motorbike -- certainly an area where advice and suggestions would be useful. The train section has the briefest of fare charts, but thankfully steers people to the Man in Seat Sixty-One website (www.seat61.com) which is a far better resource.
The destination specific sections vary. In particular better information regarding frequency of bus services would have been good. There are also some discrepancies -- the Qui Nhon to Pakse bus service is listed as taking 12 hours and costing 250,000 VND, yet in Pleiku it reads "There is also an international service linking Pleiku and Attapeu (US$10, 12 hours)". This error (Qui Nhon to Pakse is at least twice the distance of Pleiku to Attapeu) is repeated in the transport introduction. Perhaps if one of the writers had actually done the trip they'd know that Attapeu to Kon Tum takes about five hours and another two hours to Pleiku, while the Qui Nhon to Pakse trip can take up to 20 hours. Of course these errors can happen to anyone -- I'm sure there are some in Travelfish -- but hey, LP has a bigger editing team than us.
Text and design Talking about editing, the text is dense and the writing dry, verging on encyclopaedic. I've met a number of the LP writers over the years and without fail they've been a much more interesting, amusing and verbose lot than this text would have you believe. Perhaps the editors could spin the dial back a little on their "textual-de-emotionaliser device" to let the occasional witty or cheeky line slip through.
And while I'm on the topic of the back-end -- there's a new layout, and this one isn't great. A step forward is the removal of "Author's choice" aka the Lonely Planet Touch of Death -- replaced by a small "our pick" icon. A step backwards is the ordering of accommodation by price rather than quality. In this nod to the serial penny-pinchers, the rest of us are left scratching our head thinking "So which one do they recommend?".
Fact boxes though are the real blight. Vietnam 9 saw its length increased from 524 to 540 pages, yet rather than bulking out destinations, there are now more than 100 shaded fact boxes. Of course, some are useful; "Tracking the American War", tying together various sections covering war interests, is great. But half a page dedicated to Regis St Louis's motorbike breaking down is excessive -- especially when there's but a lone paragraph dedicated to trekking out of Kon Tum. Minor point perhaps, but the designers should have their cookie-jar benefits suspended for the incorrectly typeset, mistakenly padded fact box on page 163 -- sloppy.
Call me old school, but a move back to the basics -- accurate and easy to use information -- would be welcome. As an example, if you're looking for a list of internet resources for Vietnam, you'll be needing to refer to pages 21, 42, 58, 63, 69, 74, 79, 84, 89-90, 171, 465, 476, 494 and 495-6 -- whose bright idea was that?!
Now I'm getting petty and trivial -- lets move on.
Maps The 105 maps cover all the major destinations and look terrific, but in anything short of ideal conditions, are difficult to read. Vietnam 8's maps, while uglier, were far easier to use. The new maps replace clunky shades and chunky outlines with gentle hues and delicate lines. This may look great in Lonely Planet's mapping HQ, but when you're crammed in a minibus trying to decipher the Hanoi map by torch, you'll be thinking different.
Photos The photos are terrific. From the wraparound train cover-photo to the bored tourists gawking at the carpet in Reunification Palace, they do a great job of catching -- and explaining -- Vietnam. In another layout change, the photos are clustered in the first few pages, closely followed by a food overview and then eight more pages of colour in the centre.
Conclusion It's worth noting that some of my criticisms are general and not specific to Vietnam 9 -- overall it's an excellent guide and I've rated the book at 8.5 stars (out of 10). If you're going to Vietnam and planning on hitting all the key destinations -- you'll be set with this title -- no questions asked.
*A pet peeve -- I purchased Vietnam 9 at a bookstore in Jakarta on July 20, and had seen it at the airport weeks earlier. Yet on the half-cover it reads "9th edition published August 2007". Unless Lonely Planet have a special in-house definition for the work "published" this is misleading to potential buyers who are looking for what they consider to be the most "up-to-date" text available -- it should read July 2007.』 『Experience the best of Vietnam with Lonely Planet. Our 10th edition is so full of practical information that you'll be watching the sunset from a junk on Halong Bay, sucking backbia hoistreet-side in Hanoi, or bargaining like a local in Ho Chi Minh City in no time.
In This Guide:
Detailed itineraries on beaches, food, the Ho Chi Minh Highway and more Comprehensive information on everything from food and language to health and transport Full-Color chapter on the hill tribes of Vietnam 』
price：$4.78
Broadway
Usually ships in 24 hours Core2Duoノートレビュー 's review (lost on the planet china) 『I work part time in China and everyone asks how is china. It is difficult for me to explain everything i see and do, but lost on Plant China is spot on. 』
(Great book!) 『My kids traveled to China last year with their dad and my son thought this book reflected some of his feelings and his experiences. I feel better prepared if I travel to China.』
(Great Commentary) 『While not as humorous as his previous Pacific islander books, Troost's bravery in tackling the massive undertaking that is China is commendable. Since the country is so large, so old and so densely populated, he had to address many more topics than his own astute observations: history, economy, politics, culture, and pollution. And he hardly scratched the surface. He reported on many of the obligatory locations and major cities, stopping in [pre-Olympic] Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and seeing the Great Wall, the Terra Cotta Warriors, the Forbidden City, and many, many pagodas. My favorite part of his tour was definitely Tibet, which sparked my imagination with its beauty as a sacred bastion nestled in the Himalayas, but also elicited my sympathy due to its recent tumultuous history. Of course, commentary on the cuisine throughout the country was essential, but Troost's most adamant remarks were about the stifling pollution in the urban areas. This of course is a result of the economic surge, which is due to so many factors, political and otherwise, that Troost attempts to address. Overall, his main emphasis is that China, a country with no less than 1.3 billion people, is a rapidly evolving beast that is in the position to make a huge impact on the rest of the world.』
(Really informative and well-written) 『Not having read any of his other books, I had no preconceived notion of how this book might turn out when I started reading it. Unlike some reviewers, I found this book to be highly enjoyable. I've got to say I was hooked; the author doesn't skimp on details, and has really done his research on Chinese history. Good stories and well thought out descriptions of his travels throughout the country, with great tidbits about less savory aspects of the culture, including hippie retreats, the prevalence of the sex industry, and air pollution. I really enjoyed his account of the climb up Tai Shan, the most famous mountain in China. I came to a better understanding of the society of China, as a place like any other with upsides and downsides. He shows how China has become a major world superpower, and investigates how and why this is so. I highly recommend this to anyone who is a fan of travel literature, or is interested in visiting China in the near future. Its an interesting book.』
(great book) 『This is probably the better of the three books that I have read by this author (and I think the only three that he wrote). It really gets you to love and hate China at the same time, for all the rich heritage, much of the beauty and modernity, and at the same time the miserable human rights record, pollution and general misery that is associated with living in this crowded country. This is not your typical travel guide or academic thesis on China, it is an account of Troost's experience, which is very enjoyable and a quick read.』 『Amazon Best of the Month, July 2008: Maarten Troost is alaowai(foreigner) in the Middle Kingdom, ill-equipped with a sliver of Mandarin, questing to discover the "essentialChineseness" of an ancient and often mystifying land. What he finds is a country with its feet suctioned in the clay of traditional culture and a head straining into the polluted stratosphere of unencumbered capitalism, where cyclopean portraits of Chairman Mao (largely perceived as mostly good, except for that nasty bit toward the end) spoon comfortably with Hong Kong's embrace of rat-race modernity. From Beijing and its blitzes of flying phlegm--and girls who lend new meaning to "Chinese take-out"--to the legendary valley of Shangri-La (as officially designated by the Party), Troost learns that his very survival may hinge on his underdeveloped haggling skills and a willingness to deployRollerball-grade elbows over a seat on a train. Featuring visits to Mao's George Hamiltonian corpse and a rural market offering Siberian Tiger paw, cobra hearts, and scorpion kebabs (in the food section),Lost on Planet Chinais a funny and engrossing trip across a nation that increasingly demands the world's attention.--Jon ForoMaarten Troost's Travel Tips for China1.Food can be classified as meat, poultry, grain, fish, fruit, vegetable and Chinese. Embrace the Chinese. If you love it, it will love you back. True, you may find yourself perplexed by what resides on your plate. You may even be appalled. The Chinese have an expression:We eat everything with four legs except the table, and anything with two legs except the person. They mean it too. And so you may find yourself in a restaurant in Guangzhou contemplating the spicy cow veins; or the yak dumplings in Lhasa, or the grilled frog in Shanghai, or the donkey hotpot in the Hexi Corridor, or the live squid on the island of Putuoshan. And you may not know, exactly, what it is youre supposed to do. Should you pluck at this with your chopsticks? The meal may seem so very strange. True, you may be comfortable eating a cow, or a pig, or a chicken, yet when confronted with a yak or a swan or a cat, you do not reflexively think of sauces and marinades. The Chinese do however. And so you should eat whatever skips across your table. It is here where you can experience the complexity of China. And you will be rewarded. Very often, it is exceptionally good. And when it is not, it is undoubtedly interesting. And really, when traveling what more can one ask for. So go on. Eat as the locals do. However, should you find yourself confronted with a heaping platter of Cattle Penis with Garlic, youre on your own.2.To really see China, go to the market. Any market will do. This is where China lives and breathes. It is here where you will find the sights, sounds and smells of China. And it is in a Chinese market where you will experience epic bargaining. The Chinese excel at bargaining. They live and breathe it. It is an art; it is a sport. It is, above all, nothing personal. If you do not parry back and forth, you will be regarded as a chump, a walking ATM machine, a carcass to be picked over. And so as you peruse the cabbage or consider the silk, be prepared to bargain. The objective, of course, is to obtain theChinese price. You will, however, never actually receive the Chinese price. It is the holy grail forlaowais--or foreigners--in China. Your status as a laowai is determined by how proximate your haggling gets you to the mythical Chinese price. But you will never obtain the Chinese price. Accept this. But if youre very, very good, and you bargain long and hard, and if you are lucky and catch your interlocutor on an off day, you may, just may, receive thespecial price. Consider yourself fortunate.3.Travelers are often told to get off the beaten path, to take the road less traveled, to march to a different drum. You don't need to do this in China. The road well-traveled is a very fine road. The French Concession in Shanghai is splendid. The Forbidden City is a wonder of the world. So too the Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an. Indeed, the Chinese say so themselves. There is much to be seen in places that are often seen. And yet... China is not merely a country. It is not a place defined by sights. It is a world upon itself, a different planet even. And to see it--to feel it--means leaving that well-traveled road. And China is an excellent place for wandering. From the monasteries of Tibet to the rainforests of Yunnan Province and onward through the deserts of Xinjiang to the frozen tundra of Heilongjiang Province, China offers a vast kaleidoscope of people and terrain unlike anywhere else on Earth. This may seem intimidating to the China traveler. Will there be picture menus in the Taklamakan Desert? (No.) Is Visa accepted in Inner Mongolia? (Not likely.) Still, one should move beyond the Great Wall. And if you can manage to cross six lanes of traffic in Beijing, you can manage the slow train to Kunming.4.Hell is a line in China. You are so forewarned.5.Manners are important in China. How can this be, you wonder? You have, for instance, experienced a line in China. Your ribs have been pummeled. You have been trampled upon by grandmothers who are not more than four feet tall. You have learned, simply by queuing in the airport taxi line, what it is like toeat bitter, an evocative Chinese expression that conveys suffering. This does not seem upon first impression to be a country overly concerned with prim etiquette. But it is. True, hawking enormous, gelatinous loogies is perfectly acceptable in China. And a good belch is fine as well. And picking your teeth after dinner is a sign of urbane sophistication. But this does not mean that manners are not taken seriously in China. Its just that they are different in China. And so feel free to spit and burp, but do not even think of holding your chopsticks with your left hand. You will be regarded as an ill-mannered rube. So watch your manners in China. But learn them first.
』 『The bestselling author ofThe Sex Lives of Cannibalsreturns with a sharply observed, hilarious account of his adventures in Chinaâa complex, fascinating country with enough dangers and delicacies to keep him, and readers, endlessly entertained.
Maarten Troost has charmed legions of readers with his laugh-out-loud tales of wandering the remote islands of the South Pacific. When the travel bug hit again, he decided to go big-time, taking on the worldâs most populous and intriguing nation. InLost on Planet China,Troost escorts readers on a rollicking journey through the new beating heart of the modern world, from the megalopolises of Beijing and Shanghai to the Gobi Desert and the hinterlands of Tibet. Lost on Planet Chinafinds Troost dodging deadly drivers in Shanghai; eating Yak in Tibet; deciphering restaurant menus (offering local favorites such as Cattle Penis with Garlic); visiting with Chairman Mao (still dead, very orange); and hiking (with 80,000 other people) up Tai Shan, Chinaâs most revered mountain. But in addition to his trademark gonzo adventures, the book also delivers a telling look at a vast and complex country on the brink of transformation that will soon shape the way we all work, live, and think. As Troost shows, while we may be familiar with Yao Ming or dim sum or the cheap, plastic products that line the shelves of every store, the real China remains a worldâindeed, a planet--unto itself.
Maarten Troostbrings China to life as youâve never seen it before, and his insightful, rip-roaringly funny narrative proves that once again he is one of the most entertaining and insightful armchair travel companions around.』
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