Ni Hao Shanghai!

Sorry this is late. I couldn't get an Internet connection for the first two days and when I finally did my blog headers were in Chinese and I hadn't figured out how to post until now. Oh well...do you miss me :)

Day One

We arrived in Shanghai on Saturday afternoon. The flight wasn't terrible, but it was a long one. I tried to sleep for most of it, but then you get to a point where you just can't sleep anymore no matter how much you want to. I did get caught up on some movies though. They served three meals on the flight. It was an American flight, but I guess they were in the China spirit. We had chicken and rice for lunch, noodles for snack, and noodles again for dinner (they ran out of lasagna and turkey sandwiches), but I won't complain, everyone said the noodles were better :) Good thing I brought snacks. We arrived at the airport and things were smooth. I got Yuan ($) from the ATM 7 Yuan = 1 Dollar!!! I'm Rich!!!! Our tour guide Rainy met us at the airport and we road the bus back to the hotel, and what an exciting ride it was....the traffic is CRAZY! I'm not really sure what Red and Green lights mean here, and there is no such thing as pedestrian's right-away....no way. There are lots of bikes and scooters, and traffic moves fast. 10 x worse than New York. Man does this put traffic back home into perspective.

As we ride along on the bus, I notice there is a lot of construction going on. There are lots of tall building and there are very little traces of things that you and I might consider Asian architecture. The city is more modern and you can see the transition from Old Shanghai to New Shanghai. The combination of old and new is astonishing and the government even passed a bill to preserve buildings built prior to 1940s. They are preparing for the big China Expo set for 2010. Apparently there is some political mayhem (what a surprise) going on. The Bush Admin pulled the plug on funding a US pavilion for the expo and mandated that US private companies fund it. They has been no success in raising the 60 million dollars required, and there was some mix up with the RFPs for the job so the US might not have a pavilion at the Expo if we can't get out crap together in time. Go figure......even Luxembourg has a pavilion!

We arrive out our hotel. It's nice and very modern. The goal is not to go to sleep so that we can adjust better to the local time here, so a few of us head out to find local cell phones so we can call back home for a cheaper rate. We get directions from the front desk for the "Cyber Market" . The concierge also told us that there was a market nearby and that there might be cell phones there. She wrote it on our card in Chinese. We start out on foot, and head in the most promising direction. We have no idea where we are going, but it's an adventure and we feel like pioneers, so we just go. We stumbled into the market. Not sure if you have ever been to Mexico or Jamaica where there are open peddlers, but here they are everywhere, and they are worse. I learned very quickly how to say No Thank You in Chinese (boo yao shay shay). Sometimes it works and they move on, but mostly they are persistent and it takes 3-4 times of saying no.

Anyway, we walked around for a bit, but were unsuccessful in finding any cell phones, so we head back to the hotel to catch a cab to go to the cyber market. We get to what we think is the cyber market and we end up in a mall, with still no luck of a cell phone, so with not much left to do and when such a huge language barrier we head back to the hotel for dinner. We figure at this point, dinner trumps phone, and we will try again tomorrow. Stay tuned for Day Two....I know it's already Day four, but I'm just too tired to type anymore right now. Pea

Last Minute Packing Anyone....

I don't know about most of my class, but I haven't started packing yet. I keep thinking it's no big deal. To get me motivated...you guessed it. I searched online for tips to pack for China. Here is what I found from a recent traveler:

When we're packing for a trip far from home, our 'stuff' can act as a comforting security blanket. After many days on the road, though, it turns into an unwanted anchor! (Bricks? Why am I carrying bricks?, you may well ask!)

Let your itinerary pack your bag!
Once you know where you are going and for how long, and which activities and tours are scheduled, your bag will pretty much pack itself. But get involved so it doesn't run amok and try to take everything you own. YOU are the one going on a trip, not your closet.

Be Fussy About Fabrics Choose fabrics that breathe, don't show dirt, don't wrinkle, and are easy to wash and dry. It sounds like a tall order, but with all the great fabrics for travel and sports clothing, there's lot's to choose from. This means no linen, of course. You'll look great and feel great!

Pack Your suitcase To save space, roll clothes into tidy sausages, and only fold clothing, like suit jackets, that do not readily roll. Stuff socks and any small items into the various crevices around larger items. Put a second pair of shoes (you will be wearing the first pair) into a plastic bag (or put each shoe into its own plastic bag) and pack near the top of the clothing. Shoes with heels generally do well in the corners.

Be Ruthless When Choosing Everything must do double or triple duty or it stays home. This is the hardest part of packing, when you begin to second guess your wardrobe choices with thoughts of 'What if . . . ?' Whether you are going for one week or four weeks, you don't need as much as you think you do. Lay out 4-7 tops and 3-4 bottoms, and see how many outfit combinations you can make. Three pairs of pants and seven tops gives you 21 combinations so 21 outfits. Ideally, every top should go with every one of the bottoms, or it stays home.

TIP When you have your travel wardrobe laid out on your bed at home, do a final check. Think about your itinerary, and what activites you have planned. Ask yourself questions like 'What will I wear to fancy restaurant? What will I wear when going from my hotel room through the lobby to the swimming pool? What will I wear for the canopy walk? What will I wear for dinner at the Captain's table? You get the idea. Make any changes now, then get packing!

Beijing in winter can be quite cold, Shanghai a bit warmer than Beijing. Layer, Layer, Layer If you'll be in a hot climate, you can take things off; in a cold climate, you can put things on.

Travel Pants: One to wear, two for spares (or one in the laundry), in neutral colors like khaki, black, or dark denim. For Winter travel pants (Beijing, Shanghai), if you can, find a black fleece pair. They looked dressy enough for restaurants, yet were cozy and warm (and didn't show dirt - Bonus!). For Spring and Autumn trips (all areas), black denim jeans (also dressy and forgiving of dirt, but could be dressed up for a night at the opera).

Travel Skirts: While pants are by far the more practical to wear, if you prefer a skirt, especially then substitute skirts (in either a print that goes with the tops or in a neutral color) for one or two pairs of pants.

Tops -- blouses, shirts, Tshirts, etc: Since tops generally are smaller and less bulky than travel pants, you can easily pack 5-7 or so, depending on bulk. Be sure to lay out your pants, and then the tops you are considering so that you can see if each top goes with each pair of pants. If you have 3 bottoms (pants, skirts) and 7 tops, you have 21 possible combinations, so 21 outfits.
Sleepwear / Jammies One pair Tshirt top (can do double duty as outerwear if needed) and pants, or one nightie are enough. Many hotels in China wil also provide dressing gowns. Even if you prefer no jammies at all, plan for unexpected nightime departures from your room, should a smoke alarm go off.

Shoes Two Pairs -- One pair sneakers / walking shoes (lace up are more forgiving) to wear on plane (they are bulky to pack in suitcase) for wearing on tours or going out shopping, etc., and one pair of dressier shoes -- black leather slides with a medium wedge heel for evening or hotel. Proper sneakers or walking shoes give better support and surer footing, especially on rough pavements. Slip-on's or slides are good for just running down to breakfast in the hotel. Most hotels in China will provide disposable slippers in your room, Bless them!

Jacket: Wear it for the flight (Jackets can take up too much room in your suitcase). If you are coming from a cold climate, wear your preferred winter jacket / coat, or consider buying a jacket or coat from a charity shop to wear while you are in colder parts of China, then leave it behind before you fly home. If you are travelling on business substitute / allow for business suits (pants and jackets) to be part of the overall travel wardrobe.

Rain coat / jacket: (one) plus a small fold up rain poncho. Keep it in your day pack or purse, and even one in your camera bag, so you can get at it in a hurry. Keep one in your carry-on bag so you can get at it easily, and take one just to cover your luggage, in case you have to hike several blocks on a rainy day. Umbrellas, no matter how tiny, require a hand to hold them, and you may have yours full with your bags!

Swimsuits, Work out gear: Take along at least one swimsuit or bathing suit, just in case you need it. Swimsuits take up little room, yet are time consuming to buy when travelling. Take along something to wear over the swimwear for the trip from your hotel room to the pool area. Most large hotels will have a work out room or gym, so if you are planning to use this facility, then roll up something suitable to wear in the gym.

That's all the tips I have for now. Happy packing, maybe I will get started tonight!

China..here we come!

Ni hao ma, meaning how are you doing? The last two weeks have been interesting as our EMBA class prepares for our trip to China. We are learning new things about Chinese way of life and values. In anticipation for our first stop in Beijing, I looked up some interesting facts:

• Beijing is the capital city of People’s Republic of China.


• Beijing is the second largest city in China.


• The Summer Olympics 2008 were held in Beijing.


• Beijing was known as Peking in Imperial China.


• There are 16 districts and 2 counties in Beijing.


• China Rose or Chrysanthemum is the city flower of Beijing.


• The city tree of Beijing is Arborviate or Chinese Scholar Tree.


• Beijing is referred as the one of the ‘Four Great Ancient Capitals of China’.


• Beijing is the major transportation hub of the country, as it houses many roads and railways.


• Beijing is the political, cultural and educational nerve center of China.


• Beijing is one of the four municipalities (equivalent to provinces in China's administrative structure) of the People’s Republic of China.


• The term 'Beijing' literally means ‘Northern Capital’.


• Beijing was renamed Beiping in 1928 (after the success of the Kuomintang (KMT)'s Northern Expedition), but given back its original name in 1937 (during Japanese occupation).


• On an average day, the air pollution levels in Beijing are nearly five times above World Health Organization standards for safety.


• 1406 through 1420 saw the building of Beijing’s Forbidden City, home of Ming Dynasty emperors. Twenty-four emperors ruled from this eminent locale.
  Visitors are welcome to visit the Forbidden City which is located at the rear of Tiananmen Square. This complex holds nearly one thousand rooms.


• Tianamen Square is also the resting place for Chairman Mao’s tomb.


• Beijing was only reinstalled as China’s capital as late as 1421 AD.


• Beijing enjoys four distinct seasons. Most travelers prefer to visit the city in summer and fall.


• Currently there are more than fifteen million people residing in Beijing. Most residents are of Han ethnicity.


• China’s largest wooden Buddha statue is located in Beijing’s Yonghe Lamasery.


• The city is considered to the bicycle capital of the world as has many parking lots dedicated to bikes alone.