I am in Shanghai - part A

I am in Shanghai!
I am currently sitting in my hotel room in Shanghai. It reminds me of Chicago. It is a very modern city, with the exception of Chinese characters everywhere. I have been told that the Old Downtown Shanghai has a more architectural and cultural flare that you might see in Chinatown, back in the States. The major portion of Chinese New Year can come to an end and many Chinese families return back to work Monday. Shanghai does not celebrate Chinese New Year with as much decor or flare as you might see in the city I will be visiting tomorrow. Many of the areas outside the larger cities celebrate Chinese New Year for the entire 15 days. I am hoping to catch a glimpse of that. The ride to Nanjing will be very urban as well, but a more cultural feel.


The flight from Detroit to Shanghai was uneventful and smooth. The service was awesome. I sat next to two nice Shanghai women. Unfortunately, I had a middle seat, so I was unable to sleep on the plane. I was afraid to sleep anyways. The lady behind me was snoring and I was afraid I would talk in my sleep, or start drooling.


I was very impressed with Delta Airlines. They provided plenty of food, snacks and beverages. I enjoyed being able to watch movies. I watched 4 movies in a row: "All About Steve" (very cute); "Four Christmases" (cute), part of "The Hangover", (sorry Scott, not my kind of funny); and The Time Traveler's Wife (so-so).

Getting through customs and claiming baggage was a cinch. Wan, a lady who sat next to me stayed by my side throughout everything. Sandra, my guide, met me and was so sweet. She took me to my hotel and checked me in. Sandra is Adam's niece, and Adam is our agency's China contact. Tomorrow, Sandra or her father, LiPing, will take me to the bus station. I will take the bus to Nanjing, which is not too far. It is another large city.


I don't really feel like I am in China yet, except for the hotel staff speaking in Chinese. A call to Scott took about 30 minutes to make. I didn't know the country code and they wouldn't give it to me. A girl came to my room and keyed it in. It didn't work, so she called the front desk and it sounded like they were arguing and yelling back and forth about how to do it. The girl seemed frustrated, because she was clicking her pen back and forth. It was awkward and unusual, but I thought it was particularly comical. There were probably thinking, "Doesn't this American girl know her own phone number?"

I am ecstatic to have internet access. In China, there are restrictions on certain sites. I cannot post to my blog, but my dear friend Lavonne is updating my blog for me.


I figured out how to operate the odd looking hot pot to make tea, and boy did it boil fast. They also sell some adults things in the rooms so casually, like we sell Fritos or Snickers bars. The streets are packed with honking cars, and I hear nothing but cars nine floors up. It will be interesting to visit Nanjing tomorrow for another interesting experience.

Unfortunately, the orphanage visit is tentative. There is a chance that I may not get to go, because some of the orphanages don't want to risk the children getting H1N1. I really hope that I can see her orphanage. I am going to request it, so please keep that in your prayers. I want to step foot in the place where she grew up and give her a chance to show me and say her goodbyes.

As for me, I am taking everything in stride. I made it here with no problems, and I am just unwinding for the night, and munching on Girl Scott cookies. :) This morning was a little stressful, trying to remember everything. Yes, I did forget a few items, but nothing I can't live without....well, except my coat. :) Yes, go ahead and laugh. It was warm this morning with the sunlight beating down on our car, and I left my coat in the back seat of the car. Now, I need a new coat. Honestly, I am not sad, because I have three coats and they are all over 10 years old. This particular purple one I do love, even though it's missing buttons and the zipper doesn't work half the time. And it truly just smells old. Tomorrow, I get a new cheap coat!

I will write back when I can. Thanks for the prayers! I am so excited!!!
Jill

I am in Shanghai!

Shanghai

The Hotel Extra's