Jun 17, 2009 - OSHA at The Temple of Heaven

While in Beijing on Tuesday, we went to the Temple of Heaven, one of the most sacred places for the Emperors' families.While in Beijing on Tuesday, we went to the Temple of Heaven, one of the most sacred places for the Emperors' families....

Jun 17, 2009 - Xian, China

It only contains 7 million people, as opposed to 17 million in Beijing (Bay-jing—it’s a hard j sound, not the “jsh” sound we say in English), and 20 million in Shanghai (Shaung-hi). ... I got one in Shanghai last week, and I thought it was the best I had ever had until I got one for an hour with foot reflexology in Xian today for $13 at a place many locals go. ... The Beijing and Xian excursion from Shanghai has been such a pleasure b/c our personal guide tends to all details, while our driver stays with the van and picks us up pronto when we’re ready to move onto the next site. ... We’ll be back in Shanghai tomorrow night, but hopefully I’ll have time to blog tomorrow before foot massages or after our hot pot lunch. ...

Jun 17, 2009 - The Great Haul to the Great Wall

It’s a great haul to the Great Wall.It’s a great haul to the Great Wall....

Jun 15, 2009 - Beijing, China

Amy happened to have a picture on our camera of the Hooters sign in Shanghai that we shared with Stephen to aid in his understanding, in case he is a visual learner. ... It’s very obvious from the food, squatters (a toilet that is fashioned just as the name implies), and the people in Beijing, that this city does not have as much of a Western influence as Shanghai. ... Just as Shanghai is, this city is surprisingly safe. ...

Jun 13, 2009 - Serious Karaoke in Shanghai

After the teacher school bus dropped us at Shannon’s, we took a 40 minute cab ride to Puxi, which is downtown Shanghai. ... When we finally reached Party World by foot, I was surprised by the intricate landscaping as we were riding the escalator down (ok, that’s embellished, I didn’t take the escalator with the other 3 folks in our party—I found a remote set of stairs b/c I’m still afraid of escalators, which are EVERYwhere in Shanghai) below street level. ... Next time you find yourself in Shanghai though, brave the old-school Karaoke at Party World. ...

Jun 13, 2009 - A small slice of Shanghai

So much to say, but there's too much to do to stop and write about it all. We fly to Beijing tomorrow, and I'll take a moment on the plane to catch you up on some of the stories about Shanghai life and travels. ... Click on each pic individually and read the captions to glimpse into the past 3 days of our trip.So much to say, but there's too much to do to stop and write about it all. We fly to Beijing tomorrow, and I'll take a moment on the plane to catch you up on some of the stories about Shanghai life and travels. ... Click on each pic individually and read the captions to glimpse into the past 3 days of our trip....

Jun 11, 2009 - Snakes & Frosted Flakes

Shannon's Ayi (housekeeper, literal translation "aunt"), Qin (Chin), cooked for us yesterday but we went out to dinner last night, so she left the meal in the fridge for our lunch today.Shannon's Ayi (housekeeper, literal translation "aunt"), Qin (Chin), cooked for us yesterday but we went out to dinner last night, so she left the meal in the fridge for our lunch today....

Jun 11, 2009 - Another day in China...or Chicago?

We are about to hop on the teacher school bus to head-out to Shannon's school 45 minutes away for the teachers' last workday, so this will be short. Staying with Shannon in her 2500 square foot German-built apartment, eating steak and mashed potatoes on a balcony at a restaurant called Slice, being surrounded by Shannon's English speaking colleagues from the Shanghai American School, I am reminded that we are in an expatriate (non-native) community bubble. ... I'm looking forward to venturing into downtown Shanghai and having to fend for ourselves with our friends' limited Chinese and our translation guide. ...

Jun 10, 2009 - Pudong, Shanghai--The Quietest Airport Ever

Our 17 hour flight was uneventful, until the Chinese Health Officials (members of the police) boarded the plane in Shanghai before we were even allowed to remove our seatbelts. ... Shannon, and two of her colleagues from the Shanghai American School met us and took us on the Maglev, http://www. ... In no time we were at the Maglev station to jump in a taxi for a 10 minute drive to the apartment compound for the teachers of the Shanghai American School system. ... Although friends and travel books had warned us about the chaotic driving and streets of Shanghai, we couldn't have been prepared for the all-out "I have more guts than you" no turn signal approach to driving. ...

May 16, 2009 - Morning in Shanghai, Evening Train to Xi'an

Started the day in Shanghai, where we were faced with the option of a walking tour with Jenny or going to the aquarium with Marlena, so we took the easy route and went to see the fish. ... The aquarium has extensive tunnels in the bottom of tanks with the fish swimming above – it was really a beautiful place to go.Started the day in Shanghai, where we were faced with the option of a walking tour with Jenny or going to the aquarium with Marlena, so we took the easy route and went to see the fish. ... The aquarium has extensive tunnels in the bottom of tanks with the fish swimming above – it was really a beautiful place to go....

May 15, 2009 - Sightseeing in Shanghai

Started the day by getting breakfast at a street place: soy milk, sticky rice dumplings, meat dumplings, and red bean dumplings. After a quick shower we went for dinner, then off to see the Shanghai acrobats. ... Shanghai was not originally high on our list for this tour but I'm definitely converted to spending time here. ... A few days will probably be enough, but I'm glad we didn't miss it.Started the day by getting breakfast at a street place: soy milk, sticky rice dumplings, meat dumplings, and red bean dumplings. After a quick shower we went for dinner, then off to see the Shanghai acrobats. ... Shanghai was not originally high on our list for this tour but I'm definitely converted to spending time here. ... A few days will probably be enough, but I'm glad we didn't miss it....

May 13, 2009 - Overnight train to Shanghai

Took the bus to the train station and discovered why they are calling this “adventure travel”. We took an overnight (sleeper) train to Shanghai and it was an adventure – six bunks stacked three high in our compartment, with it being rather challenging to get into the upper bunks. ... We arrived in Shanghai and caught a taxi to the hotel. ... Jenny had written out directions for the driver in Chinese so the trip was uneventful, if somewhat chaotic.Took the bus to the train station and discovered why they are calling this “adventure travel”. We took an overnight (sleeper) train to Shanghai and it was an adventure – six bunks stacked three high in our compartment, with it being rather challenging to get into the upper bunks. ... We arrived in Shanghai and caught a taxi to the hotel. ... Jenny had written out directions for the driver in Chinese so the trip was uneventful, if somewhat chaotic....