Blog Entry 01/20/2008 - Day 10 to 13

Well you know that my Blackberry Curve was stolen on Thursday.

I didn't have time to post since i didn't have my blackberry so here is a quick recap.

THURSDAY -

After my meeting on Thursday we checked into the Golden Tulip in Shanghai. All I can say is that the hotel is in an OK area. I think it's between Hong Qiao and Pudong, in a part of the city that is not a heavily visited tourist area. The hotel itself is just above dump rating, but I was so pissed about my BB that i didn't care that much.

The meeting on Thursday afternoon was basically worthless. Nothing going to come of it.

We tried to go out for dinner but nothing was open, even though it was only 9:30pm. We ended up at a convenience store to buy some water and snack, just in case. We also found a DVD vendor on the street and I got "I am Legend", "Michael Clayton", and "Saw IV" for RMB20 or around US$2.75.

We ended up having dinner in the hotel, which was really gross. I had garlic bread and tuna from the can, but the chef "prepared" the tuna with some kind of spicy hot oil which made it inedible.

FRIDAY -

The meeting went well. Really nice buyer. Potential is there for something.

Works Done!!! Have two days off and then I fly home. My boy Randall is away so i decided to stay at the hotel near his house (instead of at his house). I got a room at the DongHu Hotel.

The DongHu is really nice and comfortable. It's a more classic Chinese hotel. I really enjoyed it and ended up staying through till Sunday instead of staying at Randall's.

I spent Friday unwinding and pampering myself with a manicure, pedicure, and a 2 hour foot massage at DragonFly. DragonFly is an awesome place for pampering ones self in China. They are professionally run "therapeutic retreats" around China.

All locations are really clean and you get great value for the money you spend. some locations only do massages (Foot and Full Body) while others also offer spa services.

I was supposed to meet up with Montana Matt on Friday Night but he ended up bailing because of his wife's birthday. No worries, Jenny's Blue Bar is right next door. Jenny's is the perfect place to go if you just want to drink and relax. I am not sure who owns/runs this place but there ate four woman behind the bar that handle the pouring. They have a decent beer and hard alcohol selection. So I had a few Corona and Jagers and listen to some good old Rock and Roll. So I'm just chilling at the bar when all of the sudden this big fat cat jumps up on the bar and just starts to chill with me. Only in China!! I think my bill was USD$10 for 4 Corona's and 2 Jagers. Cant beat that.

I then ended up at Shirokiya, the Teppanyaki place a few doors down from Jenny's for dinner. Had an awesome all you can eat/drink dinner for RMB180 or US$25. Food was good and it's always fun to watch being cooked right in front of you.

SATURDAY

Had an awesome night sleep and got out of bed around 12:30pm. Ended up going to Element Fresh for breakfast. Now Element Fresh is owned by some friends of Randall's who have become my friends. "EF" serves some of the best food in all of China. They cover Western, Asian, and Health Conscious food spot on.

When ever I am in Shanghai I eat at EF because I know its good and clean.

I got a kick out of their breakfast menu. The first item on the menu is the "Big American", which for US$8.90, consists of the following:

4 Eggs Any Style
3 Strips of Bacon
2 Sausage Links
2 Pieces of French Toast
Potatoes
Fresh Fruit
Bottomless Cup of Coffee

I don't know anyone one who in their right mind could eat all this food. I settled for two eggs, toast, potatoes, and fresh squeezed juice with carrots, oranges, & ginseng. It was really really good.

I went back to the hotel watched "I am Legend" and passed out.

I spent Saturday Night with Randall, his wife and boys, Matt and his wife, Karim and Becca, Roger and his wife, and a few others within Randall's circle.

I was happy it was an easy night before I left China. I had a few really late nights with these guys where we end up spilling back to Randall's sometime around sunrise. I didn't need that after two weeks flying around the world.

SUNDAY

Flew back to Beijing to catch my flight home.

Flew home on Continental in Business/First. It was awesome. I love Business/First especially when the flight is 13 hours. The food is great and there are a ton of movies to watch.

I landed at Newark and went through Customs and Immigration.

When I got out the Customs area, I immediately saw the fam.

It was so good to see them. They look great. I missed then terribly.

It's great to be home.

Final mileage tally:

Newark to Frankfurt 3,860
Frankfurt to Beijing 4,840
Beijing to Shanghai 663
Shanghai to Beijing 663
Beijing to Shanghai 663
Shanghai to Beijing 663
Beijing to Newark 6,830

Total miles flown: 18,182