Ofcourse, we can eat Western food in China, but that option is only open to wealthy FT's in China.

We can cook western food ourselves in China if we know how to cook it. I can cook some Western dishes as well as some Chinese dishes, Thing is, being on a light schedule gives you plenty of time to cook if you wish to do so.

How do you know Manuel wouldn't like Chinese food?

I don't know why you have suddenly changed your tune re China, especially after having taught here for quite a few years. But with your present attitude towards China, you're wise to have left its shores, that's for sure.

You are so right again Foxy, good post....but I'd go further. Now, I like China and the people but do not like their food. I know many FT's including myself who cook for themselves more or less any Western grub, and source the ingredients without too much trouble. I would say to all the grumblers, you leave yourself with too much time on your hands ,so stop grumbling and start cooking.-; whether it be bread, steak&kidney pudding/pies, chicken in the basket & chips, the list is endless of stuff you can cook. If you don't know how to cook, look on the Internet for instructions. When you arrive in China you can get off to a good start by bring the lightweight additives, like herbs. Do not bring lots of heavy clothes, because you can buy those in China quite cheaply, bring stuff to make your life easier until you have learned to source ingredients in China. Of course many of these ingredients are purchased in the market, meat ,veg, chicken, eggs. TUT TUT TUT, let's get a hold of ourselves.