In Transit

Ok, we are late, but somehow we got work around the Great Wall of the Internet, and now that blog comes a little late.

As promised, Lisa took a picture of me in the morning, so I can be easier be recognized at the Pudong aiport.

At the train station, I remembered that you bring small presents, when you are for example being invited. And typically it is kitschy stuff. So the only possible solution to this was to get 18 kinder-eggs along with six purple milka chocolate easter rabbits. And at the security gate, I experienced the first small cultural difference. Somebody behind me in the line eructated loudly. I couldn’t resist, turned around and one man looked very contended.

Goodbye

Yeah, I know what you will tell me, but still ... please listen to "Visions of China" by Japan while reading. It's such a beautiful song.



It's very unfortunate, the only thing my kids make a connection with China is poison. Thanks to all the media and teachers. Poisoned toys, poisoned whatever. It's sad.
I have finally packed  at least part of my stuff. And did say goodbye to my kids. It's so hard, I don't know they may get to the age where they realize that you are gone for a week.or it's because they feel it is far away and dangerous. I don't know why but this time it seems really hard. For all of us. I am not even gone but already miss them. Just in case you haven't seen everybody yet, here we are....


Something else I didn't think of before if you are going to a big airport and somebody wants to pick you up who haven't seen you yet you can take a picture of yourself when leaving the house or at the airport and just mail it. And even on Shanghai airport, you will be recognized.
See you tomorrow.
Oh and if you find a little package in Breuningerland, its the birthday present for my father, .... which was today.

This is the start

At home. This is my first blog. Ever. Two days away from travelling to Shanghai. Now I start thinking about the trip. Can  I charge all my devices? Here is the first difference, whereas in the western world you travel with adapters, in China you find a harbour for every power plug. Very convenient.

My peer in Shanghai asks me "Where have you been travelling so far in Asia?" "Japan and India", I answer. "That's it?" A pause, accompagnied by a silent smile on the other end of the phone. Then I am assured that "This will be definetely a different experience then."
This is the first time that I start questioning whether I really need to carry along my running shoes. According to a (Disney!) Web page from March 12:
"The quality of air in Shanghai today will be "very close to 'slightly polluted,'" according to Shanghai Daily."

Well, I'll take them anyway. There will be an opportunity. I can't stop running for a week, the Hamburg Marathon comes up end of April.