more pictures

pictures from last day

Here are some pictures from the last day ... sorry I didn't get them posted earlier ... will write more later ... Back at work and it has been a CRAZY !!!

Day 8 - Shanghai

This morning - Saturday, November 15, 2008 - was our last morning in China. So Terri, Caroline, Todd and I made the most of it. We got up this morning, ate breakfast, then took our life in our own hands by taking a taxi to the Shanghai Museum. It was well worth the risk as the Shanghai Museum was incredible.

Unfortunately we were under such time constraints so we were only able to check out one and half of the four floors that contained exhibits. We started with stone carvings - mostly Buddhas - then went to bronze pieces (anything from bells, to water dishes to spears and daggers). It is difficult for me to wrap my mind around the fact that many of the artifacts on display date as far back as 700 BC. It really is phenomenal when you stop to contemplate that fact.

Then Terri and I wandered up to the fourth floor with the hopes of working our way down. However we only made it through the clothing (pretty awesome stuff) and furniture. There were also exhibits showcasing currency and jade on that floor but time flies in a great museum and that is exactly what happened to us.

We made it back to the hotel to in time to catch our bus to the Shanghai Airport. Except our wonderful tour guide arranged for us to take a trip on the Maglev Train. It is incredible. I took a video of it so I'll try to post later. The train is super fast and instead of running on rails it uses magnetic levitation to propel the train at higher speeds. Needless to say it us longer to drive to the train station than it did to take the train to the airport.

So now, here I am at the Shanghai Airport updating my blog. It won't be the last time I'll update as I want to put some more pictures and other information on it. Mainly for me ... I want to keep record of my experiences. But I also enjoy sharing them with you. I've really enjoyed writing again, even though I'm a little rusty and usually sat down to write when I was completely exhausted. Oh, and this type of writing was never my thing - I was much better at straight news. So really, this was fun to do something different.

And I do have to recommend this trip to others. China is truly a fascinating country and I feel like I have only touch a small part of it. I found the people here to be open, warm, and friendly. The food was actually pretty good (don't know what it is, but its good). I really like the vegetables including bok choy (which I don't recall ever having before) and, of course, cabbage, sweet potatoes and corn. I have eaten my fair share of rice - sticky rice - and I hope I recall how to use a fork and knife since I've used chopsticks for every meal for the past seven days. I really didn't eat anything totally crazy which may be good since I am about to go on a two hour plane flight to Beijing, then another 12 hour flight to Los Angeles.

OH, and I learned something new today. Our tour guide - Jimmy - taught me how to count to 10 in Chinese. I would type it out, but I'm not sure on the spelling.

Perhaps the skill I learned the most in China is the art of haggling ... And I did brush up on my division/multiplication skills as I had to continually convert yuan to dollars and dollars to yuan. Divide by seven, multiply by seven.

I also have a greater appreciation for people who come to our country who do not speak, read or write the language. It is very difficult to communicate. I think I can now beat anyone at the game of charade after all this practice!

It is now 1:44 a.m. in McKinney, Texas - Saturday, November 15th. Thanks to our massive time difference I will be back in the U.S. tonight - I'm now calculating closer to 9 p.m. - but not sure - need to check my flight information.

See you all very soon.

Pictures from Day 7 in Shanghai

VIDEOS!

Obviously this isn't my forte, but I thought I'd post anyway! Wish I would have figured out how to do this sooner - Well, while the video is uploading I suppose I'll begin describing my day. This is our last full day in Shanghai. Tomorrow afternoon we leave for our LONG flight back to the United States. This morning we took a trip to the silk carpet factory where we saw how silk rugs are made. Like most things that are intricate and down by hand it takes a long time. Some of the rugs take over a year to make. Glad that's not my job. Then we had Mongolian style lunch where you put all the food you want in a bowl and take it to a chef who cooks it. After lunch they took us to a marketplace that they call the "China town of Shanghai." What an experience. It's basically like Sam Moon times 100. It's craziness, I'm not kidding. Lots of trinket stuff everywhere ... scarves, jewelry, Chinese lanterns, wigs, camouflage pants, fake rolexes, fake purses, and the list goes on and on and on. For a shopper like me the first hour is fun because you can haggle .. But after about an hour, I was done. It gets old haggling (and converting in your head from yuan to dollar). And really, it is best to have small bills. Apparently you don't want vendors to give you change because they've been known to give fake money back. Many of the vendors are REALLY pushy. One lady was trying to sell me cashmere scarves (didn't know cashmere felt like sandpaper) and she actually held on to my arm while I was trying to pull away and would not let go. Then she followed me down the street. It was insane. Whoever thinks persistence is a virtue has obviously never been to the Shanghai street market.

After four hours of shopping and walking (and finally finding a Starbucks) we made our way to dinner.

After dinner most of our tour group went to some circus-like show. Terri, Caroline, Todd and I decided to pass on the show and go walk to the Bund and then to Nanging Road. Nanging Road is supposedly like the Rodeo Drive of Shanghai. I would describe it more like Rodeo Drive meets Las Vegas.

What really was the experience of the night was our cab ride home. Rule number one in Shanghai traffic code is: there are no rules - every man for himself. So after several near head-on collisions, a few possible side swipes, and a couple of potential pedistrian road kill, we made it back to the hotel.

Terri and I have been trying to figure out how to pack everything while staying within our two checked luggage and two carry-on limit. It's been a challenge, but I think we have it under control.

Tomorrow morning we have free time before leaving for the airport. Terri, Caroline, Todd and I are going to go to the Shanghai Museum (we're trying to fit one more site-seeing adventure in). What I'm really excited about is the train we're taking to the airport. The train is the Magli which goes 270 to 300 mph. I don't know all the details, but will be sure to update you tomorrow. Enjoy the ametuer video and I'll try to post some photos tonight as well!

OH, I'll be sure to post my favorite - no lie there is a Dairy Queen (Texas Stop Sign) in Shanghai. I just had to get a picture.

Pictures from Day 6

Sorry for the delay in uploading photos! Last night it was taking FOREVER to upload and I was getting more and more tired. But now, after a great night's sleep and shower, I am ready for a wonderful day in Shanghai.

Talk to you later!