Sorry it has taken me so long to post anything. The delay in getting here from Detroit, the lack of sleep on the 15-hour flight, the extreme time change, and non-stop movement since we have been here has really knocked me for a loop. When we got here (on Thursday morning in Shanghai) after the wacky delay in Detroit), many in the group were still wearing the same clothes they started with early Tuesday morning. Nevertheless, we were already on the go -- I am sure Tony already told all about it. We finally managed to beg for 30 minutes to check into the hotel for shower time. We rushed back out for hours more activities, by the end of which most of us were snoozing.
We started again bright and early yesterday -- Friday morning here in Shanghai. Breakfast included things like bacon (which did NOT look like bacon), breakfast intestinal (something more like sausage), frittata (boiled eggs), fried rice, french fries, soups, fried eggs, some fruits, red tea, juice and coffee. Watching the students examine some of the more unusual breakfast offerings was a treat. Then, off again to the Jade Buddha Temple (including a Buddha tea ceremony where many of us bought lots of tea). The Chinese lady demonstrating the different teas at our table spoke no English, but she made very clear to all of us that she thought I needed the tea that helps you lose weight. She kept making motions that indicated this. I bought the tea that helps you wake. She did NOT win me over with her selling technique.
Next, we visited the Shanghai Museum. which houses one of the most important collections of Chinese artifacts in the country. Its 11 galleries contain historic artifacts that range from ancient bronzes and sculpture to Ming and Qing-dynasty furniture and includes exceptional examples of painting and calligraphy. Tony enjoyed looking at the old money and coins, but I really liked looking at the old furniture.
We also visited the Yu Yuan Garden. It was so fantastically beautiful and peaceful. There were lots of tour groups there while we were there, but I asked our tour guide if ordinary Chinese go there often just to enjoy it because it is so fabulous, and he said many go there just to meditate. I hope to find more time later to tell about it.
We spend a lot of time racing from place to place and then lots of time eating. So far, all of our lunches and dinners have been served family-style on lazy-susan type tables. China is not a place for picky eaters or people who are afraid to eat things they do not recognize. Fortunately, we do not have many picky eaters in the group, and I think we are largely over-stuffed. Our tour guide is making sure we all have plenty of fresh water to drink (although I would enjoy a TaB or even a Diet Coke right now), but no one is sick, and we are all well, yet exhausted. We are leaving Shanghai today to head to Suzhou. Once we get to Suzhou, I hope to find some time to tell you more about Friday's activities as well as today's. That said, check-out is looming, and I must run.
Just know we are well, and we are seeing a lot and learning a lot, and the students are really learning how to bargain in the markets. They are going to come home with some interesting items and even more interesting stories.
We started again bright and early yesterday -- Friday morning here in Shanghai. Breakfast included things like bacon (which did NOT look like bacon), breakfast intestinal (something more like sausage), frittata (boiled eggs), fried rice, french fries, soups, fried eggs, some fruits, red tea, juice and coffee. Watching the students examine some of the more unusual breakfast offerings was a treat. Then, off again to the Jade Buddha Temple (including a Buddha tea ceremony where many of us bought lots of tea). The Chinese lady demonstrating the different teas at our table spoke no English, but she made very clear to all of us that she thought I needed the tea that helps you lose weight. She kept making motions that indicated this. I bought the tea that helps you wake. She did NOT win me over with her selling technique.
Next, we visited the Shanghai Museum. which houses one of the most important collections of Chinese artifacts in the country. Its 11 galleries contain historic artifacts that range from ancient bronzes and sculpture to Ming and Qing-dynasty furniture and includes exceptional examples of painting and calligraphy. Tony enjoyed looking at the old money and coins, but I really liked looking at the old furniture.
We also visited the Yu Yuan Garden. It was so fantastically beautiful and peaceful. There were lots of tour groups there while we were there, but I asked our tour guide if ordinary Chinese go there often just to enjoy it because it is so fabulous, and he said many go there just to meditate. I hope to find more time later to tell about it.
We spend a lot of time racing from place to place and then lots of time eating. So far, all of our lunches and dinners have been served family-style on lazy-susan type tables. China is not a place for picky eaters or people who are afraid to eat things they do not recognize. Fortunately, we do not have many picky eaters in the group, and I think we are largely over-stuffed. Our tour guide is making sure we all have plenty of fresh water to drink (although I would enjoy a TaB or even a Diet Coke right now), but no one is sick, and we are all well, yet exhausted. We are leaving Shanghai today to head to Suzhou. Once we get to Suzhou, I hope to find some time to tell you more about Friday's activities as well as today's. That said, check-out is looming, and I must run.
Just know we are well, and we are seeing a lot and learning a lot, and the students are really learning how to bargain in the markets. They are going to come home with some interesting items and even more interesting stories.
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