First Impressions

After a short flight, a long wait, and and even longer flight (13 hours- yes sir!), we arrived yesterday evening in Shanghai. Since I have not realy done anything but have a great sleep (thanks for asking), and a good breakfast, I thought that I would make this post about first impressions.

Because we were flying west yesterday, it was sunny during the entire flight. This forced us to close the window blinds to catch some sleep as well as see the movies on the screen. I opened them about thirty minutes before landing to try and get some idea of the land where we will spend roughly the next year. Because of the extremely foggy conditions, I only saw the ground a few minutes before we landed. I noticed a great many small dirt roads that surrounded the agricutural fields and the ocean.

For one of the largest cities in the world, where it is said that the pollution is phenomenal and people often wonder about the quality of living there, I noticed two surprising things. While the perfunctory words of welcome and instructions of how to proceed once we disembarqued the plane were uttered, I was greeted by a dragonfly who flew gracefully over the wing where I was sitting. The airport was also colorfully framed by the red/orange canna lilies growing in the ditches near the secondary airport buildings and the firemen were shooting hoops behind the fire hall.


After the 40 minute cab ride to the hotel and the brief and very efficient check in process at the hotel, we proceeded to our room on the 32nd floor. Once again, due to the fog, we could barely make out the city lights (we also had some wicked condensation on the window)- so we will have to wait for another day for that scene to be visible. We were welcomed with chocolates, wine and giant fresh grapes.


After a shower, a chocolate and a glass of the wine, and despite the best intentions to stay up until at least 10 to make the transition to Shanghai time a bit easier, we fell asleep around 8:30 (we were up for nearly 24 hours with only about 3-4 hours of sleep the night before, and the last week has sort of disrupted our normal sleep patterns).

Happy to have slept the full night, we had a great breakfast downstairs (the coffee was delicious- I thought that I might only have tea, but if it is going to be that good everywhere, I may have to rethink that idea), and are now charged for the day. C has left for work, and once I am done this post, I will be venturing out, with an umbrella, a cell phone (to call if I get lost), instructions on how to get to the hotel (to use if I get lost), and a map (for not getting lost- are you seeing a theme yet?). I'm looking forward to seeing the city from my eyes and my stomach!!


p.s. the wine was a 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon made in Taigu, Shanxi. The winemaker is Gerard Colin from France. from a "careful selection of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes". Tasting notes: Not spectacular! Tastes a bit like a weak California Cabernet, with no descernable smell (no oak or fruit) or real taste! A bit bitter on the tongue- but that could have been my overtired palate of yesterday. I only had one glass, so I can try again today and see if there is any difference. If this is what the wine will taste like for the coming months, I might switch to beer or just plain Chinese liquor!