[fastraxsg]

No cobras but lottsa Buicks and Jeeps, hot, dusty and dry in the summer, city is becoming more modern by the day as the old parts get torn down and new sterile replaces it. Lot of cheap places to eat if you spent the time to sus them out. Great place if you want to see and learn history of the middle kingdom first hand. Be prepared for learning to have patience in all you do and with everyone you work with. Learn and study what it means to "save face and give face" (no, not being gross). It can be a lot of fun if you go in with the right attitude. Being an ugly American will insure you have a miserable two years. If you have family, get them excited about the adventure of learning about a new culture, new life style and new language, and by all means try to wrangle a deal that covers taking them with you and international school fees for your kids and a good medical plan.