Yesterday was Saturday workday in Shanghai. Got up super early, made coffee in the room and wrote Entry 6, did some emails, went to breakfast and then got ready for my pick up to go to the office.
As I was packing my computer and notes, I realized that I’d left my purse (including all of my money, credit cards and passport) at the restaurant in the hotel! Are you shitting me? That’s such a rookie traveler move and I couldn’t believe I’d done that. Normally, I just take my room key and a phone with me to breakfast, but this time, for whatever reason I took the whole purse, ate breakfast and simply walked out, bag left in the chair across from me.
Panic ensued and I had to wait and wait at the elevator because it was the busy time of the morning. I started sweating as I rode down to the 3rd floor where the restaurant was. But luckily, my purse was sitting right behind the host desk! They were so nice about my sweaty, concerned face. Don’t know if they understood what I was saying as I babbled a thank you and how I was having a mild heart attack. The guy just smiled and bowed and I felt foolish, but totally relieved.
You don’t think about it, but Shanghai is the most populous city in the world. There are 24 MILLION people in this city, good and bad, and even though I feel totally safe here, I sometimes forget to be cautious and careful. I’m now staying right in the heart of the city and pretty much anything can happen.
It’s funny, I was talking to the factory owner in the car on the way to the office (sitting in an hour’s worth of a traffic jam on a Saturday morning), and he told me that on his last visit to the US, he went to New York City and thought that it was too crowded! Ha!
So yeah, purse and notes and computer in hand, we traveled the short distance but long drive to the office and put in a full day of development. I actually felt like an employee as I worked a bit on my presentation and made approvals and walked back and forth through the office like I belonged there.
We broke for lunch at around 1PM and FO (Factory Owner) took me to lunch in this small shopping area next to the office park. The office is located in a brand new area that’s still under construction that’s on the outskirts of Shanghai. Just like most cities, urban sprawl has moved things further and further out because of the crazy rents closer to the city center. Anyway, the shopping area is a small center with snack shops, restaurants, convenience stores, and of course, a Starbucks.
We went to a lovely brand new restaurant, and they took one look at me and decided to give us the VIP treatment. It was probably the most delicious lunch I’ve ever had on these trips - Shanghainese style beef ribs, some kind of super spicy noodle soup, local vegetables that look a bit like red spinach with stems, the most wonderful fried rice I’ve EVER had…just chock full of colorful chopped vegetables, a mushroom dish, and then an incredibly sculpted fruit plate for dessert. NOT a “simple lunch” at all! I should have taken pictures, but we were deep in conversation and I didn’t really want to be that person with the dumb photos.
Back to the office for a few more hours, and then FO was ready to go at around 4:45. I was fine with that. We shut things down, said goodbye to my colleagues, and got out of there.
He drove me back through traffic (another hour and 1/2) to my hotel where I felt just about as lonely in the midst of 24 million people as I’ve ever felt in my life. Saturday night and I had nothing to do in this wonderful city. Yet, I didn’t feel like making the effort. I didn’t even want to go to the hotel bar! I was so tired. I’m still jet lagged. And I’m clearly depressed thinking about what’s going on with work, my lack of a love life, my poor eating and exercise habits of late, and on and on.
So I simply got undressed, pulled out my granola bars and beef jerky and watched The Voice until I fell asleep. Sad. Sad.
Now it’s Sunday morning, and though I have work to do, I will get out and take a nice walk for sure. I’m looking forward to that. I’ll go to the People’s Park and walk up and down Nanjing Road…perhaps to the Bund area, but maybe not, we’ll see. Maybe to the temple to get my head straight? I loved going there the last time I was here.
Then I’ll get my work done and talk to the hotel staff about the big meeting we are having and then my Pseudo Boss gets in at around dinner time. I’ll have dinner with him and then the bullshit will start all over again.
So I have today, thankfully, to try to get some sense of the rest of the week. My life really is truly wonderful, but it’s absolutely time for change, and not just little things. There are big, big things about to happen and I must prepare! Clearly if you don’t like it, CHANGE IT!
With that, I’ll see you later!
XO
GS
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