Jetlag Slideshow

I'm Home!!! Well, the website turned out to be quite a bit more difficult to update compared to what I had expected. I would like to say it was solely because I had very little access to the internet, or time, or funds to pay for the internet (which are all true) but I would have to say the real reason was "indigestion". To consume so much with my eyes in two weeks is going to take a while for me to digest. Anytime I would sit to even just journal I would be at a loss for words even though my mind had a million thoughts.

I think what was so different about this trip, other than China being like nothing I have ever seen, was the ability we were given to see aspects away from just tourism. The studying of business & operations in China was the reason for the many thoughts that were provoked and preconceptions dismissed (all of them).

So until I find some words, here is a slideshow with a few pictures from the trip. China was incredible but I am so happy to be home.

L, Annie



If the slideshow does not start refresh the page or Click here .

Shanghai, Anne & Ashley

Xi'an Culture

 

anniegrady.blogspot.com

 

Nee Hao!!

 

    I thought I would be able to update a bit more but time is limited and so is the internet access! I had anticipated internet cafes everywhere but apparently in recent years the government has cracked down on illegal use of the internet and shops (not exactly sure what that means). We arrived in Xi'an, the original capital of China, on Saturday in the afternoon. We checked into a very nice hotel - awesome breakfasts w/ some western continental foods mixed in. The first night here we went to a restaurant near the city wall to have a dumpling banquet (Tim, you were right!). It was sooo good! I have had a little bit of a hard time mustering up courage to try foods here but the dumplings were great. It was family style with the different courses and varieties placed on a lazy susan to share. So great. Yesterday was more cultural than any day we have had yet. We first went to a ceramic building site where we saw the process of how they make porcelain (China) and replicas of the   Terracota warriors. Next we went to see the actual site of the Terracota Warriors. We stopped at the Huaqing hot springs made for Lady Yang. Check out those links to see what I am talking about. The temperature was extremely hot but everyone still seemed to enjoy the sites. Before ending the afternoon we stopped at the Wild Goose Pagoda and climbed to the top to get a bird's eye view of the city of Xi'an. For dinner we went to a production, mostly music and dancing, or the Tang Dynasty. It was really very nice and similar to ballet (but with a more celtic sounding beat to the music). I really loved that. After dinner our tour guide set up foot massages for anyone that wanted them after the long day of walking. It was a perfect ending to a really long day!!

 

    I can not believe how very different Xi'an is from Shanghai. It has a very strong cultural feel to it and has preserved its historical culture. Shanghai has not, i think, due to its very rapid growth and emphasis on industry and corporations. Both were an amazing experience. From what I here Beijing is also another world apart. We are taking off this morning (10 minutes actually!!) and the rest of our trip will be spent in Beijing. I will continue to send updates! I hope everyone is great at home --- please send me some updates (GRADY'S!!!!!!).

 

Lots of love,

Annie

Hello from Shanghai!

 

Well I guess I need to start with wow... it is hard to even begin to articulate words for this experience so far. I am so fortunate to come from a family (especially mom) that encourages traveling and have many experiences to compare this one to. I can say for certain that this country is like no other. I am constantly engaged in my surroundings and taking everything in but I have a feeling it will take much longer than these two weeks to even begin to digest what I am seeing. There is an incredible rate of change here that it is beyond impressive. Every manufacturer (moog - valves, cooper - power systems, krupp - steel) is in an almost brand new buidling surrounding by many many many others. From a business perspective it is becoming more and more clear (other than just low cost) why so many corporations are here. Today's tour of SIP was extraordinary though. SIP, short for Singapore Industrial Park is one of the leading in China. To encourage foreign enterprises to enter the country the government has given Industrial Parks the ability to approve and register and begin business within as short as 2 weeks time. Within the park is customs, human resources for all corps (headhunters, advertising, etc.), and any thing you could ever need. It is virtually an entire city built in only 5 years time. It currently has a population of 1/2 million... before the project began there were only 80,000 farmers. It is a prime example of the greater good vs. the individual. While such a growth produces many jobs --- in the US we would certainly be concerned for every one of those farmers rights.

 

ah. i could write forever....  time is up and no go with uploading pictures. I will write again soon (after finally finding the internet!)

 

Lots of love,

Annie

T minus 12 hours

At this time tomorrow I will be headed out to Detroit, my first of two layovers. Exactly 13 hours later I will be landing for my second layover, Tokyo, Japan. From here I will fly directly to Shanghai arriving Wednesday, May 16th at 8:45pm (8:45am EST). Here is a brief synopsis of my itinerary over the next two weeks:

• May 17 - Visit Cooper Industries, Moog Control Systems Ltd, Shanghai Krupp Stainless
• May 18 - Visit Sipac in Suzhou, Silk study, City God Temple Fair
• May 19 - Fly to Xi'an, Chinese Dumpling Banquet (yum!)
• May 20 - Terracotta Warriors, Huaqing Pool, Big Goose Pagoda, Tang Dynasty Dancers
  
• May 21 - Fly to Beijing
• May 22 - Great Hall of People, Tienanmen Square, Sun-yat-sen Park, Forbidden City
  
• May 23 - Visit Thompson Prometric, Big Bell Museum, Lehman Law Firm, Hard Rock
  
• May 24 - Commercial Attache Office, Meet CNN correspondent, Dresser Rand Rep.
  
• May 25 - Hutong Tour, Temple of Heaven, Hongqiao Market, Beiwei Hotel
• May 26 - Lecture at BIT, Chinese Culture Lecture from Prisoner under Mao
• May 27 - Lecture, How to do business in China
• May 28 - Great Wall & Museum, Golden Palace, Lama Temple
• May 29 - Summer Palace, BIT Certificate
• May 30 - Depart for USA

I'm not sure if anyone will even bother to follow any of that (hopefully my mom) but it is going to be an exciting trip! I will give updates as often as I can. Please post messages to me or send emails (gradyae@gmail.com) so I have updates from home whenever I get online --- especially if you are hoping to get some souvenirs when i return (wink, wink).

lots of love & cheers,
Annie