We
were on the train all night. Accomodations were good considering. I
slept with 3 other undergrads and probably was like camp mom. But that
is okay, I keep thinking i've got a bunch of Emily's friends around me
as they are the same age.
We are
doing fine. Right now I am in an internet cafe Chinese style. There
are about 200 pcs setup like a classroom. There is no wireless in our
rooms (we are in a dormitory style accomodation hotel now). The hotel
is probably about the lowest or non rated pension in europe.
I figured we'd get a reality check fairly soon and today is it. I am
so glad I brought my youth hostel sleep sheets. I know at least the
bedding I am sleeping on. The rest I can deal with like camping. It
is very very humid in Wuhan and air pollution is very bad. The people
however are being to gracious. They think that we are professors.
Funny, and in a way I guess we do have a lot that we could teach.
The
classes start tomorrow, and I guess Dr. Levine is splitting up the
MBA's and putting us in to lead discussions in the undergrad groups.
Now this will be an interesting next few days. Some of the undergrads
partied on the train last night and are sort of dragging there heels
today. Too bad as it did not make for a very good impression of
americans. But it is good they can get out and move today, some have
already gone and played basketball. At least it will get the juice out
of there system.
We've
got to get back to our hotel/dorm at 2PM for a campus tour/walk. The
rest of the day is free so I imagine that we will do a little shopping.
Yesterday
we went to the bank are were there exchanging for nearly 2 hours. Then
we had lunch, where the waiters and hostesses had roller skates.
Enormous resturant - one table ordered snake a hunan
specialty. I was at the non snake table. I am getting tired of the
food, so maybe i will lose some weight, it is so very rich, too much in
sauces, lots is fried and oily. And yet all of the chinese are very
thin and most of us look huge next to them. From there I got some
fresh cherries from a vendor, our guide helped us negotiate price.
Then
we went to the jade temple where the largest jade budda is. It was
very special and beautiful in its oriental way. At the temple we were
served traditional tea and taught how to prepare and make tea. I came
away with some wonderful teas. The monks collect the flowers and herbs
for the temples. It was pricey but something I know I will enjoy.
From
the temple we went to the chinese silk factory. All guides are to take
groups there per the gov't. And truly the silk duvets, the silk duvet
covers, rugs, everything silk. I found a very heave silk robe, almost
like a smoking robe to wear in the winter that will feel good. It was
290 yuan or about $40 USD. I exchanged $200 USD for 1547 Yuan. I
think that was about 6.7 or so that morning at the Bank of China.
Well -
I am going to need to sign off and am not sure when I will get back to
this cafe to write more. We really were hoping for internet in our
rooms but i guess you never can assume. So I will have to come to this
cafe to communicate with you guys. But really all is fine and I am so
glad to have my friends along with me as you need a trust and buddy
system to get though all these common adventures. It is a good thing
that the MBA's are close friends after working together on projects and
classes for two years. All of us are missing our spouses and family.
But we realize that this experience will be what we make it as
a project team and get out of it what we want.
Please do be grateful you are in America. But beware and aware of what China is working on achieving. There I am not dissappointed at all and it is coming to fruition
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