It's saturday morning now, but let me recap friday (Photos for the day here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/sets/72157622794282328/). I got up early and went to the office for a quick meeting of my group's designers here with the managers in the states. Good to see the US side (via Telepresence video-conference)! And then I knew we were going out to lunch and so I just went across the street to Starbucks to hang out for a few hours. I sipped a coffee and read from my kindle, a nice relaxing time. I also figured out where the subway stops were for where I wanted to go in the afternoon.
For lunch I met up with the designers in my group plus the developers and QA folks who have been working on one of our big projects (that I had been involved with this year). It was a huge group! We needed two tables in the restaurant. And this time it was Shanghainese food (with a flavor or two from elsewhere mixed in, I think). James and Joyce did the bulk of the ordering, and we had lots of amazing food. Good rolls (spring-rolls, I think of them as), loved the lotus root with rice (they look weird, but they're so good), and duck soup, fish soup, and many other things. I did get lots of photos... Lotus root (had these in Japan, but of course prepared differently): http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4100556710/
And I have to say, yesterday's chicken feet were pretty tasty (if difficult to eat), but today's duck jaw (the bottom bill plus tongue) was extra good, probably because of the sauce :) :http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4100561686/
And a pic with the large group of 'deskers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4100563232/
After a wonderful lunch and visiting with people and learning more about how far away people live from the office (most have 45-90 minute commute each way), and what regions people come from (Joyce is the only one actually from Shanghai), I said goodbye and went to the subway to head over to People's Square. If the weather weren't so foggy and cold, it would have been lovely. It was still nice to see, but rather unpleasant to be out. But I made it to the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall, and that was fun. Persionally, I think the building looks like an upside-down At-At (from Star Wars): http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4099806945/
Within, they have a great display of the planning for the upcoming World Expo 2010 (it's the World's Fair!). And they have small architectural models of everything:http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4100574044/
The main reason to go, though, is to see the model they have of all of Shanghai. It's HUGE. http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4099820915/
That was all very cool, and I enjoyed it, but I think my favorite part was discovering the propaganda poster exhibit featured on the top floor. Mao like you've never seen him, and some really strange stuff, too. A few favs:
Let me show you the way: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4100579564/
Sword through pests? I have NO IDEA what this is supposed to be for: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4100580628/
Children tying Mao's tie. how happy!: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4099825245/
Iron fist:http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4100584680/
After that, I was extra tired and decided to check out the massage place that Itamar recommended. I had a small Chinese woman beat up my back for an hour. It hurt, but hopefully I'm on my way to getting rid of the knots. I think I might go back tomorrow. And maybe later to get a foot massage. The massages are basically $10 here. Love it! Anyway, had a relaxing evening with Itamar and Fabiene and went to bed early.
Today Qiong and I are meeting up for some tourist things and shopping and lunch. Should be fun! But the weather here is rather cold. I got spoiled in Japan, where it was probably too warm. I'm exceedingly looking forward to heading to Brisbane for some real heat!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment