I didn't post anything Thursday PM - I actually ate some dinner at PapaJohn's (it's a little bit upscale compared to the US - but they were playing country music over the speakers in the restaurant) and then back to the hotel to work on my presentation for Friday. I was up pretty late putting it together. I had to change it fairly significantly from the planned presentation I was going to make. I think it went well. Several people asked questions during the presentation, which I am supposed to take as a good sign. It doesn't happen often, so I'm told.
Friday PM, I took a taxi with another GM guy that has allowed me to hang out with him to the Puxi (p00-she) side of the city to a really cool little restaurant called 'Arch'. The owner is obviously a design and archtitecture fan as there were architecture magazines laying around from all over the world. Also the interior was very modern. I will tell you all about the meeting and discussion topics when I get back. I got back to the hotel near 11:30 PM. So again, no posting.
Today, I found a Starbucks and had a decaf and a chocolate muffin, as well as some drinkable yogurt from a local 7-11 type place for breakfast. Then I headed over to the Jin Mao tower to go up on the observation deck. It's on the 88th floor. They have an express elevator all the way up to that floor and I think it takes like 45 seconds to make the journey. It's pretty amazing. Here's a couple photos from the top. One thing you can see is the haze from the pollution. I could actually see farther than what is shown on these photos, but the camera just didn't seem to reach as far. It's a 
pretty amazing view of the millions of people around. I then headed over to the friend's apartment (I actually had to run because I didn't expect to have to wait to go down from the tower - but it was a good 10 minute wait). Once I got to street level, I ran to the nearest subway station. Now I've not had any trouble with the subway system in Shanghai. It's easily the most modern subway system I've ever used (not that I've used a whole bunch - but this one runs very efficiently and on schedule). Well, today, two trains that were posted to arrive at the station didn't. I came to find out later that there was some electrical system issues. I'm glad they didn't happen while I was on the train because that probably would have freaked me out just a bit. Our family got very temporarily trapped on a subway in Chicago this summer, and that was no fun - even when you can speak the language.
pretty amazing view of the millions of people around. I then headed over to the friend's apartment (I actually had to run because I didn't expect to have to wait to go down from the tower - but it was a good 10 minute wait). Once I got to street level, I ran to the nearest subway station. Now I've not had any trouble with the subway system in Shanghai. It's easily the most modern subway system I've ever used (not that I've used a whole bunch - but this one runs very efficiently and on schedule). Well, today, two trains that were posted to arrive at the station didn't. I came to find out later that there was some electrical system issues. I'm glad they didn't happen while I was on the train because that probably would have freaked me out just a bit. Our family got very temporarily trapped on a subway in Chicago this summer, and that was no fun - even when you can speak the language.
Once I got to the friend's apartment, we had some pizza - and then we headed to the south side of the city. I can tell you more about what we did down there when I get back. Here are some photos of the trip from the bus. I think I started to see more of the typical China on this bus ride and adventure. I 
think the one photo was of a brick factory. There was no visible smoke coming out of the stack, but there were tons of bricks stacked around this place. It's interesting, it reminded me of the outskirts of Toluca, Mexico, where Rachel and I were in August - and we saw brick makers there as well. The experience of this afternoon and evening were probably life changing for me. Again, I'll tell you about it when I return home.
think the one photo was of a brick factory. There was no visible smoke coming out of the stack, but there were tons of bricks stacked around this place. It's interesting, it reminded me of the outskirts of Toluca, Mexico, where Rachel and I were in August - and we saw brick makers there as well. The experience of this afternoon and evening were probably life changing for me. Again, I'll tell you about it when I return home.
Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers for me while I'm on this trip. Coming home in just a few days!
I'm not sure what I'll do tomorrow. Maybe I will try to get a watch after all.......
No comments:
Post a Comment