Incredible Journey

I found China amazing in every way! Absolutely loved everything about it! The culture, the people, the food, and the cities (especially Shanghai, more on that later!). Once you immerse yourself in the country and forget everything about where you come from, you are at home. I see China as everything the West is not. The comparison is like night and day. China has one culture, while in the U.S., many cultures exist simultaneously. There is no distinct culture here. As Cat stated in a prior post, there is no anger. I spent nearly 2 weeks in China and not once did I see an individual show anger. Just happiness. The Chinese are very placid and happy at the same time. What I found very interesting is that the Chinese people wanted to be photographed with us everywhere we went. When photographed with us, they always showed a peace sign. Not sure if that comes from the Nixon era or they just want to show they adore you. While at the Olympic site, a group of young children ran up to me and held me, laughed and just wanted to be in my presence. It was an incredible feeling!

What is truly amazing is that you are able to visit many sites that are older than our own country. When you consider the craftmanship of these sites built centuries ago, you cannot help but be in awe. We visited the Temple of Heaven on one of our free days. The structure was built with no nails, just interlocking post and beam. I was told that many US architects have tried to replicate this technique without success. Of course, the great wall is remarkable. Built to protect China from the enemy. When looking at the landscape surrounding the great wall, you cannot imagine that an enemy would attempt to conquer the country. Everywhere we went, the architecture was unique and differs from anything I have ever seen at home.

I found the food to be remarkable. The variety, the quantity, the presentation, and the difference in preparation were all absolutely wonderful. I'm not sure what I ate all the time, but I found little that I did not enjoy. I was especially fond of the hot pot lunch. I sampled everything I could, from jellyfish to frogs, and enjoyed it all...even the turtle. No ovens in China meant no baked goods..no breads, cakes, pies, cookies, etc. The diet is more healthy because of more fruits, lean meats, vegetables, and fish; all without flavor enhancements or corn starch. The diet fits my own personal preferences well. When I got home, my first meal of American food did not sit very well.

The cities are crowded beyond anything I have ever experienced in the U.S. or Europe. The air in Beijing was so dirty, we could not even see the sun, but the city streets were clean. There were many workers who continuously swept and cleaned the streets with hand brooms. I never saw any bags of garbage anywhere, unlike NYC where garbage is an ever present part of the landscape. In Beijing I saw few flowers and no birds, probably because of the terrible air quality.

Following the group trip to Beijing, I went on to Shanghai for several days. The cityscape was completely different than the grey concrete that dominates Beijing. Shanghai has an international flavor, and is a city with character, and sunshine! Gardens, trees, flowers, birds, and the cleanest subway that you will ever see, and air conditioned too. (Most of the days on this trip were close to 100 degrees) I felt safe and comfortable in the city, and wandered throughout without fear. I walked miles and miles, my feet did not fail me! People were helpful and friendly. The city had so many interesting things to see and experience, the only regret I have is that I did not stay far longer.

Change is the theme in Chinese cities. Temples, traditional residences (hutongs), and other historic buildings are surrounded and being replaced by modernistic skyscrapers to accomodate the country's rapid urbanization. The contrast between old and new highlights the rapid growth and evolution of China's culture. Several of the speakers we heard on company visits commented on the fact that the upcoming twenty-something generation is the first generation of Chinese to have grown up in the open economy that is modern China. They predict that this new generation will drive future change in the country, and will be responsible for even faster and more expansive future changes to the culture and economy.

My trip to China will be a part of my thoughts and memories forever. It changed many of my ideas and opinions of people, attitudes and the quality of life in US. I will try to be a better person because of my exposure to this fantastic culture and its people. China is a country to be aware of in the future of the world economy as well. We cannot ignore Chinese perseverence, hard working attitude, and lifestyle.

People, people everywhere! You always hear about the amount of people in China, but you truly have to experience it to appreciate it. On our first full day there, we played our role as tourists and took in the sites: Tieneanman Square, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven. I literally have 100s of pictures from that day alone, and each one is like the attached - full of people!

Once you get over the feeling of claustrophobia, though, you have to appreciate the fact that all of these people live and work together. The sense of community is amazing. Yes, you had to watch your purse, and there were beggars asking for money (we were in a big city), but overall people were there to help, and they wanted to make sure we felt welcome. There were groups of people who wanted to take our picture, or get a picture with us, but there was also the young man who helped us find a restaurant (a McDonalds nonetheless) on our first night when we were obviously lost. There we were, six women staring at a map on the corner of the street, and he popped his head in to see what we were looking in. It didn't matter that he didn't speak English, and we didn't speak Chinese, we were able to point at the map and he was able to point us in the right direction. Maybe it isn't so bad having that many people around!

I don't think that many people would work, though, if they didn't have the sense of community that the Chinese do. They truly wanted to make sure we were comfortable while we were there. This was also obvious when we were at restaurants. The food just kept on coming, and they were all eager to tell us why the dishes were special. Although I am not the most adventurous eater, it is hard not

to at least try the fish that you were just told was specially prepared. This picture is of a birthday tradition. There are very few baked goods in China, so a birthday isn't celebrated with cake, but with this noodle dish which represents a long, prosperous life. (I celebrated my birthday while I was there, and our guide arranged me to have this dish, and sang to me in Chinese!)

So what is the business lesson here? For me, it was to remember that you are a guest when travelling to another country, whether you are bringing business there or just being a tourist. The Chinese culture is one that does not involve confrontation, so you need to be extra careful to respect their way of life and to honor their traditions. There are people everywhere, and China is a force to be reckoned with, and we cannot ignore it. Still, if we embrace the culture, and the people, it could be beneficial for everyone involved.

Overall, what an experience! There were times I wasn't comfortable, but I was also totally out of my element, so taht is expected. Travelling with awesome people to a place that I would probably not have gone to on my own, while also learning a lot, made this trip amazing. I'll never forget it - or the people!

Confucius say: SIZE MATTERS!!!

From our very first minute in China, everything seemed GINORMOUS. Beijing's airport is the largest in the world. And Terminal 3 -- where we landed/departed -- is the third-largest building in the world! Tienanmen Square: the world's largest public meeting place. The Forbidden City: 9,999 rooms! The VERY GREAT wall... breathtaking as far as the eyes could see (and beyond). And lastly, the Silk Market (need I say more???) All MADE IN CHINA.



But these superlatives seem almost natural -- if not expected -- in a country with 1.3 billion people (20% of the world's population!) Inasmuch as I personally disagree with the "one-child-per-family" law, how much bigger would China be if they had not enacted such a population-control restriction? Regardless, China is still the fastest-growing population in the world.


Maria-Elena, Mervet and I extended our trip post-Beijing and visited the city of Xi'an (about a two-hour flight southwest of Beijing.) Much to our delight, we discovered this is where they keep the sunshine :) Our Xi'an tour guide said the town was a "medium-sized" city. When asked how large is a medium-sized city, he replied, "9 million."

Wait. What? Medium-sized city??? It's all relative in China. The Terra-Cotta soldiers were absolutely breathtaking. Thousands of life-sized hand-made soldiers standing in form ready to protect the emperor in the after-life.



Today's business leaders and professionals can no longer turn a blind eye to this super-sized country. Ready or not, China has emerged. China is a super power, as we all experienced many times first hand.



With all its grandeur and untapped potential, I couldn't help but be perplexed by some glaring dysfunctions. The average annual family income in China is about $6,000! (How I pitied the laborers at TopNew, although I highly suspect they would not welcome any sympathy for they seemed highly content, focused on their work and barely noticing our presence.) Meanwhile, across town, the Chinese were shopping. They ARE consumers. The shops near our hotel riveled 5th Avenue. Cartier. Gucci. Louis Vuitton. Lamborghini. This materialism will, in time, cause the "masses" to demand higher wages to "keep up with the Jianges." Let's hope China stays ahead of the curve to maintain its current competitive advantage.



China is like a sleeping giant that has just awaken from a centuries-long nap. FEE FIE FOE FUM. I smell the scent of an emerging economic super power that is on the cusp of taking center stage in the world economy -- whether it be "made IN China" or purchased BY China!



All in all, I am grateful for the "good fortune" I had to make this journey with new friends, esteemed academicians and respecteed business professionals and for the opportunity to "orient" myself to a valuable new business perspective!!!

Xie Xie.

Running in Beijing

I spent each morning while in Beijing taking a 4-5 mile run. Yes, the smog was a bit of a challenge and made my lungs feel a bit like they used to feel after a pledge party at Beta Theta Pi back in college—but really a minor inconvenience compared to the surreal adventure of running along the walls and moat that surround the Forbidden City (紫禁城) dating back to the Ming Dynasty in 1406. I saw many of the same local fishermen each morning fishing in the moat often with long cane poles watching their bobbers in anticipation of a bite (I never saw anybody catch a fish—but much of the activity like in the U.S. seemed to focus on the social aspects of fishing with friends where the companionship trumps the actual catching of fish). I also saw many Ti Chi devotees going through their morning exercise rituals, often accompanied by a few practicing what our guide Grace said were “vocal exercises” after I described the hooting I often heard coming from somewhere across the moat. I also saw many of the same canine companions each day as well. I thought that a potential indirect measure of growing prosperity in a country like China may be the number of people who own pampered (often fat, overfed) dogs. For us dogphiles it made for an interesting diversion on the run to see the variety of dog breeds favored by the local population ranging from Huskies to Chow Chows. I had thought I would see more pugs (a Chinese breed dating back to the Shang Dynasty and a breed I am somewhat embarrassed to admit, partial to and in fact own two)—but only saw one the whole time I was in China. I encountered many walkers, but only a handful of runners during my forays each morning. I did however often see soldiers decked out in camo running in groups of 10 or more which I assume was part of a required daily exercise regimen. I spent a lot of time figuring out what I should do in terms of a greeting when I encountered anybody coming the other way while running. Do I give them my best “Ni hao” or “Zao An” or simply mumble a “hi” like I do back in the States? Do I make eye contact? Is it different for men and women? Yikes! Cultural confusion. I remember I was supposed to keep arm gestures to a minimum…but that is difficult for me under the best of circumstances. My default mode was often a quick “hello” or “hi” with minimal eye contact and hand gestures. The old and very young often seemed ready to smile and connect for a brief moment as I went by which was really fun. Grace told me when I explained my predicament of what to do during these encounters during my run that “Chinese girls are shy.” I thought “Oh no” Grace thinks I am trying to pick up woman during my run—Then I felt weird about trying to tell her it was a real cultural dilemma not a request for the best pick-up line….then of course it got weird trying to explain my need to explain—so I just went back to the occasional “Ni hoa” or “hello” which made the kids giggle at least.
One of the best experiences I had during the trip came unexpectedly during my third morning run. I saw a runner up ahead early in my run who was running down the road at a good clip. I made a real effort to catch up to him sucking in unknown (but clearly visible) particulate matter at an alarming rate and once I caught him quickly asked if I could run with him. He looked over and said “No!” Great—now what? I felt like a nerd or the kid that got turned down at the 8th grade dance and just as sweaty. So…we are running along at below an 8:00/mile pace and I am trying to figure out what to do. How do I get out of this with some dignity? Sprint ahead? Pretend to come up lame? Then he looks over and makes a few gestures to indicate for me to join him. I figure out based on these encouraging gestures that he must of thought I asked him “do you speak English?”(or at least I decided to interpret his gestures this way to save face). Regardless, from that point the informal race was on. I did not speak his language and he did not speak mine—but we laughed and ran hard for about 40 minutes together. He would sprint ahead a bit each time we passed a group of soldiers during their morning training runs and I would take the lead at other times just to show him I could and to show my nationalistic pride. It was one of those great experiences you hope to have when you travel. Making a connection- however small- with somebody from another country, getting a window into others lives and in this case using laughter and running as a means to communicate. I am sure we stood out. A tall, bearded, bald headed guy giggling as he ran alongside a short, skinny local guy laughing equally as loud running at 7:20/mile pace. A number of people watched us run by. No time for greetings or cultural confusion now. I was breathing like a pug on a 90 degree day. When we made it back to his car he stooped and simply said “OK.” I stopped to shake his hand and say “thank you” and continued on my run. It underscored the saying of the trip for me “In China everything is possible and nothing is easy.”

The Best of Beijing

It's still hard to believe that, just one week ago, I was on the other side of the planet in the beautiful city of Beijing. I had no idea what to expect, but certainly didn't think that I would be spending my time in a modern city that easily rivaled many others. Imagine my surprise when we walked into the largest airline terminal in the world, an engineering marvel that was a sign of things to come. During our first night, we went into a bazaar that served scorpions on a stick. Just down the road, was a 24-hour McDonald's that delivered. This was typical of the contradictions that we would see all week. Our hotel was beautiful and contemporary with every amenity one would need, while a mile away was the Forbidden City built in 1407, home to emperors and all who served them. Two of the companies that we visited made the latest in clothing (TopNew) and computers (Lenovo), yet instead of being highly mechanized, they were filled with people, doing every job possible as fast as they could. Throughout the week, we saw very few overweight native Chinese, although there didn't seem to be many health clubs in town. Every morning when I ran, I passed many walkers of all different ages and many others just exercising in the street. And, on the flight over, when I got tired of sitting and found a corridor to do a little moving in while listening to my Ipod, I was quickly joined by three Chinese women who said nothing but just followed my moves. Based on what we were served at various restaurants, the Chinese eat a diet heavy in meats and vegetables. Bread and dessert are hardly ever seen, except for fruit at the end of the meal. This combination of sensible diet and regular exercise serves the population well. The skies were interminably gray the whole time that we were there, even on sunny days. The people who we encountered, however, were always ready with a smile and a willingness to help. This highly populated country with its various financial, political, and environmental problems, also has incredible potential in so many arenas. It is what makes it such a compelling place to consider doing business in, and such a wonderful place to visit.

What an experience

Well after being home for a week I think I'm readjusted. I said it many times on the trip and I'll say it again, I am really glad I decided to go on this trip! What an experience!! Saw lots of things and ate lots of things...some good, some not so good. Can honestly say I don't think I'll ever have duck again. Think I gave my muscles the biggest workout ever climbing the stairs of the Great Wall!! Gotta say though, I miss the bargaining while shopping :)

Bon Voyage : )

You are all on the bus headed down to NYC and I am so excited for all of you! I can promise you that you will come back with great stories to share! Have fun and be safe! : )

JFP

Our last company visit is going to be tremendous, JFP holdings. Jack Perkowski, managing partner of the firm will be speaking to our group about his experience with foreign companies "breaking into" the Chinese market. Mr. Perkowski has been doing business in China for over 2 decades. His knowledge and insight will greatly assist all teams in the business plans needed for final assignment. Cannot wait to hear about his experiences!

Site visit to Lenovo... here we go go!

Team 6 eagerly awaits our site visit to Lenovo on July 14. Lenovo is a Chinese-based computer technology company that manufactures and sells PCs, servers, storage drives, and more....

Factoid: Lenovo is the largest seller of PCs in China, and the fourth-largest in the world. Who knew???

Welcome Dinner

Forget the flight, I am a little nervous about the Welcome Ceremony and Peking Duck Dinner. I might just peek in and duck, so nobody notices :)