Venice Holiday Hotel Kunshan

... my itinerary, which included Pingyao, one of the best examples of beautifully preserved ancient architecture in the country. Their response invariably was: "why would you go there?...it's so old!"

Good question. While us Canadians, accostomed to shiny objects, crave exposure to a past we've never had, the Chinese seem to prefer the modernity that reflects their recent success, opting instead for the glimmering cities of Shanghai or Hong Kong.

... particulières à chacun.
J’ai eu un petit cours de chinois car les caractères impliquent non seulement
un sens mais aussi une action ? Ainsi le caractère « thé » est
un toit sur un homme juché sur un arbre. Le toit représente le ciel protecteur,
l’arbre l’enracinement dans la terre et l’homme en son milieu est le cœur, conclusion
le thé touche le sentiment. Le caractère « goût » représente trois
bouches il ...

... at a Chinese university. A college degree in China is equivalent of something in between a high school diploma and an associates degree in the U.S., just to give you an idea. But Steven's job is really cool. He gets to show foreigners around everyday and network with predominantly wealthy business people or fun-loving, adventurous young people. When the tourism industry is slow, he gets that many days off. Sometimes he works for a week and then ...

... out to the post office and to scout for props for the upcoming show. I asked if I could tag along. We had a bit of a miscommunication when we agreed to meet for lunch at a certain time ¡V I went down to the dining hall and ate lunch and Lindsay waited for me in reception so that we could go out. We were both wandering around waiting for each other and I felt terrible. But eventually we got ourselves out the door and finally managed to find our way out of the Ocean Terminal mall ...

... like pens and pencils for the last week of classes and exams. Pens at the ship gift shop are $5! Ridiculous. Even with the TSS logo on them. Seriously. And they're ****. Anyway we got some shopping time, got very nearly lost trying to find a check-out in what I imagined was a very efficient space-management system if you knew what you were doing and/or read Chinese, and it was off to the next thing. Like, I said, not much to report, just that it happened. We also ...

... Ended the day goig to watch the Lights Show on the waterfornt but missed it (oops) so got a ferry over to HK Island (yup I was reeeally packing in the sights!) then just strolled around Ladies Market in Mong Kok (!) in search of a bargain....but was so shopped-out I left empty handed!! Am craving the beach!!! Deffo not finished with HK....will be back one day fo sho!! Malaysia next...without the tour group....scary stuff!!!

... is full of 'Art Deco apartment complexes to neoclassical mansions and villas with quaint balconies and doorways'. It really is a beautiful part of town. To find this lovely part of Shanghai simply walk along Yan'an Road and when you cross Chonqing Nanlu head south. I'm unsure how far up it goes but there is enough of it to bake your bread. We found a great English Bookshop and ...

... of the people were from New Zealand, and they seemed fairly impressed that an American knew what rugby was none the less knew how to play. And, the craziest thing happend on my way over to the rugby part of the fields. I ran into an old teammate from the Princeton rugby team. It is a small world after all. We caught up after practice and had a grand ol' time. On my way home, I stopped at a noodle stand in the metro station for some dinner ...

1st Day of the trip and w've hit Shanghai, Notebook decided to Hang and the Hard drive decided to burn up on the plane, so all in all a good start to the trip. Will post some photos later (when we have taken more than two!). Off for a day in the smog now. Tootlepip.

... of his face. He has an intermediate command of English though he dosn't use it very much, but his intrest in America is advanced. "You teach me to be Mr. America, ok," he says, "And I help you be Miss Shanghai." To be in Mrs. Lu's prescence is to be calmed and relaxed. She askes me simple questions, but they are caring ones, such as, is your jacket warm? is your bus ride comfortable? is your teacup still full? The son has serious eyes, an attitude polished ...