Carey Carlan wrote:

Everything electrical is in one rack.
Triple that number? No charging available?

As long as you're prepared with the proper adapters. Most
modern hotels will be able to accomodate the several
different outlet types.

Do not under any circumstances allow your equipment to get
out of your hands or out of your sight. DO NOT.

No armed guards allowed, huh?

You planning on bringing some? :-)
There are armed guards, but they won't be watching your
stuff. They'll be watching you.

Assume nothing. Do not assume that you will have any kind of
load in or load out help. Do not assume that anything is
going to work the way you expect. Do not demand anything.
You have to have the attitude that what happens, happens;
that what you get is what you get.

My gear in and out will be small time by comparison to the orchestra. 4
double basses, full complement of percussion, 50 or so music stands. I
suppose we'll have to carry chairs as well.

I travelled with 140 musicians, full orchestra and chorus.
The stages were preset. One place, the instruments, the
luggage, and my recording gear didn't show up until 20
minutes into the show. Several extraordinarily talented
musicians improvised with piano and violins until the stuff
arrived. Be prepared for anything.


they will need some significant transport. I'll be
piggybacking on that.

Good luck.


I'm traveling with a group of high schoolers and their keepers. I suspect
they'll have us all on a very short leash.

A couple of other cultural notes:

Discourage as much as possible any questioning of your
Chinese national guides on issues of politics or government.
As well, don't pry too much into their personal lives. If
you travel in Beijing, and visit Tienamen Square, keep your
mouth shut and let them tell what they are allowed to tell
you, and don't press them for more, and certainly don't
comment or offer an American opinion.

And of course, tip your bus drivers well. When you see the
traffic there, and what they have to do to get around in
those cities, they will appear as gods to you. They like US
dollars - be generous, especially if you have the same
driver(s) through the whole tour. Make sure you have someone
on each bus that speaks Chinese.



TM