Hi John,
I have read about the possibility to stay with Chinese host families. I think, it´s a nice idea, because you can get a deeper look into the Chinese way of life. I would like to do so. And when there is someone who speaks English, the better. It opens also the possibility to see a little bit more, for example as you mentioned, the Food Street. I would really like to go there. When I was in Hong Kong, I loved it, to visit those places.
But in the end, all depends on money. Flights from Germany to China are not cheap, and all the other things, you have to pay, also not.
As always, I have to save money, when I will do such things. For me, it would be much more money I usually spend for vacation.
But postponed is not abandoned. (In German: Aufgeschoben ist nicht aufgehoben. I don´t know, if my translation is right)
And so, I will read or watch all the news and stories I can get.
Today I´ve seen your video about the censorship. I can´t wait to see how it will be during the games.
Best wishes
Elke

John,

Can you name a Chinese restaraunt that you know of ever put the dog on the menu. Stop lying! You are such a sick man.

You play the American public who would not have chances to see what you claim as fools. And you smear the Chinese people because they can not be here to defend themselves. What is your evil agenda to creat all these difficulties between the peoples?

Go prey for yourself!

Before its too late!

John, lets face it. Nobody reads your stuff because they are apparently biased (destored and twisted) but Elke and I. Do yourself a favor, quit it, ok? They are too pathetic!

We read these not because we want to learn any lies from you. Elke has nothing else better to do after making BMWs. Neither do I after making toys and shoes! We are bored, ok!

I deeply admire the smart American public. You see, they don't pay attention to your propadanda at all. Ha, Ha, Ha! A few hopeless people like you only make America strong!

Senator: China orders hotels to help spy on Internet users

this article is only to demonstrate that the double standard game the american play and how lack of common sense the american are. if the chinese want to spy on you, they don't have to install the hardware and software in your hotel room. does the homeland security install hardware and software in your home to spy on you? simply stupid. shame on you.

This is a nice story, indeed! And I think it's a great opportunity for those Chinese families, be they screened or not, to meet foreigners and get some insights into different cultures. It's not about politics or policies, about who knows and understands cultures and politics better or who is better, it's just about meeting some ordinary people, learning about differences and common joys and sorrows. After all, those families obviously are interested in meeting foreigners, just like their guests are interested in how Chinese families live, and curiosity and openness are always the first step towards a better understanding.

I like these stories from the sidelines and hope to read more of them!

I feel so sick of your report after watching your report on CNN headline "'Gold machine' chews up, spits out athletes". You think US athletes do not start from 6 years old, can just relax and get gold medal automatically...? That's the life if you want to become gold medalist... Do you have your mind and eyes shut down when you write news without a second thought?

Tony,

I used to eat dog at street vendors when I lived in Beijing, it was delicious!

Steve, you know, if one does not like you his mother's teaching about honesty do not have to be followed. However in John Vause's case, he may not feel that the Chinese are humanbeings, whose feeling can be hurt from his telling story. Deep in his mind he may very well believe he is doing the right thing to hurt Chinese and to provoke hatred and conflicts with Americans.

Humans are like that. Hitler did not wage the WW II all by himself. There were many helpers, like ..... Since the entire humanity is just a extremely short phenomenon on the Earth, who is right and who is wrong does not realy bare much significance. John Vause gets his paycheck monthly.

The thing is: will Americans recognize the purposes of John Vause and CNN after they repeat their story of the same theme over and over again for one thousand times (at this point, in Hitler's view, the story will become the truth). Will the Americans care about Chinese's three meals or more about their own three meals? Prejudice and xenophobia are intrinsic to humans, which John Vause and CNN are banking on. I think, the Americans clearly know what John Vause is all about if you read the comments here. There have been barely any readers! Americans are not fools and they are not going to be lured into these stupid conflicts and lose their own three meals a day!

My solution: let's all eat one meal a day to reduce the conflicts. You Chinese go first, ok? After all you only started three meals a day a couple of years ago. Look, you guys are getting fat! You don't even have the bony frames for the adipose tissues!

There does not have to be a reason for people to dislike you. But there are usually reasons for us to like you. I like free lunch and I like you, if you leave your lunch for me. OK? So two meals a day. ER?

Interesting article. The Olympics contains a political face, but it certainly does give people an excuse to intermingle and see what the rest of the world is like. IT does help foster the ideal that we are human beings and we, despite cultural difference, language barriers, etc., are very similiar.

And to those who deny the consumption of dog in China, I will have to testify that there is indeed dog to be served in China, along with crickets, water snakes, and various other unusual meats. And I have nothing against this.

Hi, I like this blog, it shows some fairness towards Beijing and the Olympics. I do not like the attitude of CNN's reporters though. Most of them are poking fun on China, and Beijing of the preparation of the games. I hope the CNN correspondents can be more professional and objective. I am just back from Beijing and am excited about its change and development. The quality of the air? It's been improved so much! What you see now is not pollution but the climate. So, please CNN, dont twist truth, be objective and fair. Show some respect to the people who have been working hard in making the event reality!

NYC, agreed. Shame on those who denied it. The Chinese should learn from the Americans, be honest! See JoeBlow admitted it. "... it was delicious!" Didn't they have human sometime on the menu in the process of their evolution? Well, John Vause should have credited the Chinese for taking the human off the menu as well. The world knows the Chinese had the dog on the menu and JoeBlow (an American?) had it too. But we are talking about the menu.

In his report, "Crunchy time in Beijing", Steve Almasy was running on the streets of Beijing because the barking vendor to him "'Try the penis,' over and over." JoeBlow would have had that, too. Could be delicious, too. Should we care about the penis? Should John Vause have also pointed out that for "now the dog is off the menu, but not the penis"? That'll be fair report. Fair and balanced.

Does anyone know how I can contract any of these chinese family?