Prada, Hermes and Tiffany in Qingdao

Tall, Gorgeous and Yonng
Yesterday, I attended the opening of the Health/Beauty Spa in the new HiSense Plaza Mall here in Qingdao. Not too "shabby" - Prada, Gucci, Hermes, Tiffany, etc. Short Hills Mall in New Jersey and Rodeo Drive in L.A. come close in comparison.

I figured if I shopped there, I can afford an ice cream cone from the Haagen Dazs kiosk. Even that one looks too expensive to me. Leather sofas, and more.

The Spa is so upscale and classy - but - for women only. Fixtures and furniture are European and American brands - Kohler, etc. But Made In China, of course.

Lots of tall, gorgeous and young Chinese ladies in attendance. I, Helmut and Tomas (my expatriate (Germans) friends) were conspicuous in blue jeans, t-shirts and backpacks. A six-women (tall, gorgeous and young) traditional Chinese musical ensemble greeted us at the door. Then Chinese hostesses (tall, gorgeous and young) served us (non-stop) French, German and Italian glasses of wine and champagne, which helped with the hors d'oeurves -- caviar, truffles -- nah, only cheesecake, canapes, etc. For a while, I thought I was at "The Donald's" party.

My Chinese lady-friend (tall, gorgeous and young) invited me to join her at next week's opening of the French Printemps store in QD. I am a sucker for free booze and tall, gorgeous and young Chinese women.

The Olympic Arenas - Politics, Econimics and Sports:

The Olympics of Politics
Oh, as I was writing this blog, an RSS (news feed) streamed by - on Amnesty International's news release about the 'horrible' human rights record of China. Ten days before the opening of the Olympics!!! That's great timing. At the same time John McCain (my own party's presidential candidate) just had a meeting with the Dalai Lama.

Added on August 1st: Bush meets with 5 Chinese dissidents in the White House, and promised to bring the message of freedom on his trip for the Olympics....NYTimes, July 31st.

I am one of 5 remaining supporters of Bush II in the world (the others are wife Laura, mother Barbara, dad George HW and veep Dick Cheney. Yet I am appalled at how he has given in to left - Democrats, liberals and do-gooders. Why now? Even if there is a reason for supporting the Dalai Lama, this is hardly the time.

There are two million ethnic Tibetans, perhaps a few hundred of them supports the DL. There are 1.3 billion Chinese. Do your math. From my perspective, 99.99999% of Chinese are very optimistic and increasingly happy with their lives. The United States of Meddlers (USM) should butt out!

The Olympics of Economics
While I am at it, I say that the debate whether China will overtake America economically (in GDP) is over. The question is when - 10, 15, 20, 25 years? Most economists predicts 15 - 20 years. If the US turns more liberal and socialistic, i.e., less capitalistic, (Et tu, Obama?) I think the crowning of China as the #1 economic world leader will be sooner. America has become its own worst enemy.

Today's news article - U.S. deficit to hit record level of US$490 billion; U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) will grow 1.6% this year and expand 2.2% in 2009.

Last week's news article - China trade surplus for the 1H 2008 declined to mere US$99 billion (sic) due to slowdown in global markets. China's GDP grew a 'disappointing' 10.6%.

The Olympics of Sports
Many are forecasting that China will be numero uno in the Beijing Olympics. China was #3 in Sydney (2000), #2 in Athens (2004). There is even talk that Russia may spring a surprise by coming in #2 to China, which may place the USA #3. Time to be less cocky, America.

In basketball, Team USA is promising to 'bring back' the glory days. The US was bronze medalist in Athens (2004), silver in Sydney (2000). But if these NBA stars do not come down from the dollar laden backboards, they may not even make medal. China, Russia, Spain and Argentina (the depending Olympic champions) will be huge problems to Team Millionaires.