It is Guo Qing Jie!

Once again, the week-long October National Holiday is upon us, and I have failed to plan any vacation. But CCTV has done a great job of taking me on a virtual trip to Beijing, to see the massive 60th-anniversary celebrations being held there.

I sit by the TV on the edge of my seat, waving my mini China flag.

Those kids look just like I feel!

This Chinese Ayi is great.  She is holding up a flag that she has just made – you can see her workbench in front of her. And she is just super happy. I feel like we could hang out, me and her.

And of course, I have my commemorative 60th anniversary shoes on. (They were only 60rmb and come in sizes all the way up to 45.)

If you are considering buying a flag, my recommendation for you is to go big.

You can get a 1号, which is 2 meters by 3 meters for about 200rmb. That will cover an entire wall and will make a formidable impression. Aim your ceiling lights at it, and give the room a warm red glow.

Big flags make a great room decoration, and a great gift. Buy a few now, and pack them away to give to your friends next time you go back home. They will like it better than a wall scroll.

Flags for the China National Holiday

Shanghai’s Eclipse Fever!

Everybody here in the eclipse belt is buzzing about the imminent solar eclipse. The stars and the moon will align, and all will be harmonious. While I will be knee-deep in goat’s blood, carrying out a pagan eclipse ritual, most people will be staring up at the sun like deer in the headlights.

You will want to pick up some of these sweet commemorative eclipse glasses. Luckily there are many flavors of glasses depending on your style. If you want to go for an X-Files, mystical look, try on these.

If you want your glasses to say: ‘my eyes are on fire’ try these.

By far the most popular style is this nationalistic camo pair. I am a big supporter of anything camo.

If you are serious about protecting your eyes, go with a deluxe pair, with tiny eyeholes. This girl is so serious about safety, she doesn’t even look up towards the ecliplse.

Solar Eclipse Glasses – about 20rmb

This might be the coolest of our Cool Stuff to Buy. Meet Chen Xiao. She used to sell cosmetics on Taobao.  After getting bored with that, she decided to sell herself. Or at least rent herself out, 8 minutes at a time.

“…so I’ll let you plan the rest of my life.”  It sounds like the setup for a movie. Cue the montage of her performing her various errands around Beijing, backed by Donna Summer singing “She Works Hard for the Money.”

Her whimsical plea has attracted some interesting assignments. For example, some of her past contracts have had her deliver coffee, buy train tickets, and take photographs at various locations around Beijing.?In fact, the only restrictions she sets are on ’sexy or violent activities’.

Starting at just 8rmb for 8 minutes of service, her rates ramp up to 100rmb for the whole day. That still seems like a pretty good deal. She keeps a regular schedule, splitting her time between working online and going out on assignment. This could be a good option for your personal assistant in Beijing. Chen Xiao’s Remaining Life Shop - 陈潇的剩余人生店

If you need some assistance outside of Beijing, Taobao has plenty of people and companies selling similar types of services.

Running errands 跑腿

Check out all the Cool Stuff to Buy, and contact one of our expert Taobao Assistants to help you buy cheap Taobao stuff from outside of China. You will be  a happy camper!