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!

Hangzhou - Day 6

Wow, what a day. I'm finally able to log onto the Internet to update my blog and it's after 11 p.m. here in Shanghai. Terri and I started our morning early in the city of Hangzhou. We had to be packed (ugh!) and ready to go by 7:45 a.m. in order to take a tour of West Lake. Our fearless tour guide, Jimmy, said that when President Nixon first visited China he went to Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou. (just like us!) And, supposedly, after President Nixon saw the West Lake he said "beautiful lake, poor city." Of course, after all these year, Hangzhou isn't all poor. There is a great commercialized area with extreme wealth. But that is not the majority. There is also extreme poverty still there today. And it, from what little I've seen, is more common.

But (going back to Nixon's quote) if that is really what Nixon said, I would agree - beautiful lake! And what makes it even more spectacular is the beauty that surrounds it. The trees are beautiful and in the back drop of the lake are mountains. When we were on the boat the fog was just beginning to lift and it was an incredible sight. There is an area that we cruised by where there are three stone pagodas in the water. Jimmy (the tour guide) said that when they celebrate the Moon Festival that they put candles in the pagoda. The pagoda in enclosed and there are little windows around it. At night with the candle light pouring through the circular shaped holes and the moon beaming down there are a total of 32 "moons" reflected on the water. I'm sure that would be a fabulous site to see.

So after leaving West Lake they took us to a tea plantation where we learned all about the process of growing, harvesting, drying, and properly consuming tea. The tea plantation they took us to was located in a valley ... it was breathtaking. When we arrived we learned a little about the tea plant itself and then we went to a room where a gentleman who studied tea in college (yes, that's what he said - tea was his major) and he showed us how to drink it. Apparently you should use only loose tea leaves (tea in bags would be the equivalent of drinking instant coffee versus Kona beans freshly ground). You should not boil the water, just make it really hot and pour into your glass. Let it set for at least two minutes. Then enjoy. If someone is making and serving you tea - in China it is custom to thank that person by using your first two fingers and tap on the table three times.

I have to explain one of the pictures I've posted. At the tea plantation, there was a bulletin board full of postcards. Of course I put one on the bulletin board as well - so now, maybe that picture makes sense.

After the tea plantation, we ate lunch then went to a Buddhist temple. That was interesting. The first time I had ever been to a Buddhist temple. This temple was built near the carving of a limestone mountain of several Buddhas. The carving date back 1600 years. It's amazing to see something so old that has existed for all this time. To think it was there during all of that history and through so many changes in our world and yet it still remains the same. It is really a site to see. The temple itself is composed of several halls or structures that house other Buddhas ... I'm really not familiar with this religion and need to read more about what it is that I saw ... I do know that I so broke the rules today! There are signs everywhere indicating to NOT take pictures and of course there are people who are there to monitor and make sure all rules are being followed. Well, I just had to get a picture and I saw others doing it (slyly of course) so I decided to join in. I posted two of the pictures.

At this temple it is mostly tourists ... but there are people there who come to pray and burn incense. All I can say is it is a little different ... Ok VERY different ... than the Baptist religion that I practice.

So, after our tour we loaded the bus and three hours later we were in Shanghai. This is actually the last leg of our journey! We arrived here only to sit in traffic (reminds me of home). We finally made it to our dinner destination. You can imagine how difficult it is to get around when you consider that there are 16 million people (not including visitors) who are in Shanghai. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around that number of people in one city.

After dinner we were taken to the Shanghai Bund (that mean bank, as in river bank). What a spectacular site! I have to first explain - the city of Shanghai is less than 100 years old. It was originally a fishing village. In fact the name Shanghai mean "go fish." So on one side of the bank ... or as they say here ... bund, is the old (like 100 year old) buildings (which are beautiful). And across the river is the picture of new Shanghai (built circa 1994)... It is almost like Disneyland to me. Really is something to see, but I'm not sure if I like it ...

Anyway, I'm heading to bed! It's late. I think I have a little free time tomorrow and I hope to post more pictures and take more time to jot down some thoughts, impressions, observations, etc., that I have and don't want to forget.

Good night ... oh, wait, I guess it's morning for you ...

Sight-seeing in Suzhou - Day 5

Hello~ or as I now say (because is one of the few words I know) Ni hao! As is my routine now, I am blogging before bed (hmm, that sounds funny). It is 9 p.m. Wednesday, November 12th and I am in my hotel room in Hangzhou.

I actually started my day in Suzhou with a great breakfast, potent coffee and a good night's rest. Our guide first took us to one of the canals ... Apparently that part of China is considered to be the "Oriental Venice." I have never been to Venice (unless the Venetian in Las Vegas counts), but from what pictures I've seen the only comparison to be made is the fact that ARE canals. I would think the canals in Venice are more pleasing to the eye. Suzhou is actually surrounded by the Grand Canal which links the Yangzi to the Yellow River and is supposedly the largest man-made canal. Suzhou is actually criss-crossed (like a checkered board) with a series of small canals that somehow feed into the Grand Canal.

The canal that we toured showed us what everyday life is like for the common people of Suzhou. It is fascinating the way they live. These little homes are right on the water. Many of them have an enclosed deck area that is the kitchen (judging by the women who appeared to be cooking in them. It was morning when we were there and many women were out washing clothes in the canal. One lady had raw meat and was cleaning it in the canal; another gentleman was fishing.

We got off our boat (or whatever you call what we were riding) at a local marketplace. This is where people who live in that area purchase their food for the day. According to our tour guide, Jimmy, the people shop daily for their food. This definitely was an interesting experience. First, people are jammed packed up and down the streets and they don't have a true concept of space. Second, people are very curious about us Americans (just as we are of them) and have no problem coming close to you and staring. Many are very friendly and try to speak to you by saying phrases they know like "good morning" or "hello." Others are trying to sell to you. One child this morning (I posted a picture of him) kept staring at me and trying to get my attention. Finally he walked up to me and poked my leg, almost as if to see if I was real. It was funny.

I was so curious to see what types of items were being sold. There were live ducks and chickens to seafood to fruits and vegetables to clothing and housewares ... There were also some places to eat that were - literally - whole-in-the-wall establishments where someone was cooking in front of the building and people were inside eating. I've posted some pictures of this marketplace in on the blog.

But, of course, I like to deviate from our group and check out what else is out there. I wandered through some of the neighborhoods (for lack of a better word). People live with so little. I first was sad for them as I observed their living conditions, but then noticed how happy they seem. Perhaps they are content with what they know and what they have and the life they lead. Maybe I should take a lesson.

Another lesson I've learned today is the fact that a smile goes a long way. Today I've had many interactions with people who do not speak English and I (obviously) do not speak Chinese. But we're able to connect through just a smile. Two examples - today at lunch I was looking through some postcards I had purchased and all of a sudden several of the waitresses came over to me and started trying to teach me how to say in Chinese each of the places the postcard depicted. There were six girls all around me trying to have me repeat (awkwardly I might add) Chinese. It was funny. Oh, and I took a picture with them. Notice how tall I am and I'm not wearing heels.

Then today after we toured the embroidery factory I was standing outside when a man with his child came over ... he didn't speak English, but motioned that he wanted me to hold his child. So I did. The baby was very, very cute. But, FYI - many of the young children in China wear pants that have a slit where the bottom is with no diaper on ... luckily I had noticed this prior to holding the child ...

So anyway, back to the original train of thought - after touring the canals we went to the Silk Factory where we learned how silk is made. Long process that entails the exact knowledge of the life cycle of a silkworm. But it is interesting.

After the silk factory we had lunch and then went to the Embroidery factory. Also interesting to see how embroidery is made. The really good embroidery is a work of art.

Then after yet again touring and, of course shopping, at the government-owned factory, we boarded our bus and made our way to Hangzhou which is a little less than a 3 hour ride. By the time we check into the hotel, ate dinner, walked the block to see what's around the hotel, it was already close to nine.

So that was the extent of our excitement today. Tomorrow we will tour Hangzhou and then head to Shanghai for the last part of our trip ... I can't believe it's half over already and I feel like I've only seen a small part of China. It has, so far, exceeded my expectations. And those expectations were pretty high!

Write more tomorrow. Good night ... oh, uh, I mean ... Good morning to you!