We are interested in looking at purchasing some electronics. Through a contact at one of the factories, we met a guy named Henry. Henry agreed to show us around a bit tomorrow but suggested we go to some sort of electronics district a few miles from our hotel and look around. This is another time that the scam radar should go off. What is in it for Henry? That is a question that needs to be going off in your head constantly to keep from getting taken advantage of anywhere but especially here in China. We jumped on the subway and rode over there; once again China astounds us.
This will be even harder to describe than the previous market. Imagine going to the biggest tradeshow you have ever been to. Then imagine it is housed in a 10 story building. Then imagine that at least two entire city blocks have 5-15 story buildings filled with those same booths every 15 – 20 feet. There are not as many hustlers calling to you, and most people here do not speak English but the enormity of each building and what they can offer is daunting. We learned by experience that some buildings have a little bit of everything and other buildings specialize in certain type of item. One building has more computer components; another building has more cell phone components. Another specializes in digital storage like memory cards. Another specializes in cameras. Some are more retail oriented. Others are fronts for the factory and have factory reps. It is really beyond description.
People are everywhere. I told De on the phone that it is like getting shrunk down and transplanted into an ant hill. If you can imagine that – and you don’t speak ant – then you will get a sense of this place.
I can’t help thinking that we are in the electronics district. Are there the same types of places for clothing, jewelry, furniture, household goods, etc? I have to believe there must be. There is certainly more to this city than originally meets the eye. We need a person on the ground here that speaks Chinese and understands the city to show us around.
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