Sharon, who is a classmate of mine from Touro, is studying in Xiangtan, a town nearby, visited last weekend and we went the Lai feng museum. Lai Feng is a communist character, who was legendary for being a moral and honorable man, but tragically passed away as a young man in a car accident. Conceptually Lai Feng is wonderful, yes, he was a solder, but did not fight in any war, he became a hero through selfless acts helping the elderly old, teaching children how to read, sewing old clothes, snf fixing cars which are all remember in a series of photos in the museum. The government gave everybody two pairs of clothes, but lai feng only wanted one.

The museum itself is run by the communist propaganda committee, really that's what it is called, and I think is used as a trip for kids in school to help them learn how to be good people. Other than the enormous amount of pictures there's also old Lai Feng clothing, shoes, bamboo shoes which he made to not get muddy on his way to school, (that rambuctious young one), his blankets, and statues of his father as a
strong farmer, and his grandfather being oppressed by the landlords. Lai feng was a poet as well, and there was his poetry, and poems written by all the party leaders to him.

Physically it is a large open space, with a really nice gardens, exhibits on how firemen and police, and soldiers al learn from lai feng. 100 meters from the back, you can get to lai feng's house, a comfortable peasant house with 2 rooms, and a chicken.

This open and pristine space stands in contrast to the relatively cramped apartments on one side (not too poor, just older and crowded). and on the other side is a Florida like gated community being built, classically called Since England, because of the English style houses (actually the houses are more spacious adobe, but the townhouses are somewhat English.)

Sharon strolled through the English gardens, enjoying the little statues of old English men in chaps. At the end of the garden was the sales office, and they came out and asked us if we were interested in buying a house. Of course we did, why else would be at Since England. They first showed us the model of the community with the common space, open green, fountains, new roads, and then asked if we wanted a tour of the house. How could one resist.

As drove us to the four story townhouse, set among the small green mountains outside Changsha, in a huge golf cart, we explained that we were in the textile business living in the Changsha, and may be setting roots down in the area, if things go well. This community emphasizes the good life, with ample space for entertainment, a fountain in the backyard and a roof top deck for just hanging out, painting, or tai ji practice. But also it has respectable neighbor's of doctors and lawyer as well as many bedrooms for the kids. The servants room is closely located to the kitchen, but in the front of the house, so they can get the paper in the morning as well, what a great idea. They're only asking $100000, I think a steal.

Sadly Sharon and I had to get back to the city for dinner plans, so we could not see the other unit, which was only $61000. But if anyone is interested in the Changsha area, I recommend Since England.