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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;NewEngland, post: 3622188, member: 6071&quot;]I toured mainland China with my sister in 1980, one of a lucky few in the tourist/airline industry. It was very early in the tourism biz there, with brand new hotels being built everywhere.We travelled by train and bus. We were lucky to stay in a couple of 1920s art-deco hotels in Shanghai and Peking, which had not been touched for decades. We also were strictly supervised, with a dour state-sponsored tour guide by our side at all times. We had some unique experiences....once, were taken on a tour of a working commune. Everyone wore clothing like in your piece - only in dull colors like blue and gray. In general, the people were never smiling. Groups of people followed us everywhere in the streets, pointing at our clothes and a few reached out to touch us - especially my sister, who stands over 6&#039; tall. A few of the younger people came up to us to show off their English speaking skills. It is hard to believe how fast China has flown into the 21st century considering that in 1980, it was like visiting a primitive land.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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