China Letter #7

Here is the last in a series of letters I emailed home from my China trip Fall 2006.

Of note, my letters were posted in the Miami Herald.

Letter #7

-----Original Message-----
From: kjscott@bellsouth.net [mailto:kjscott@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 1:00 AM
To: kjscott@bellsouth.net
Subject: China letter #7 Shanghai

>
> From: ? ??
> Date: 2006/11/02 Thu PM 07:17:05 EST
> To: kjscott@bellsouth.net
this was sent from Shanghai airport using someone else’s account because I had problems sending it!
>
Hi Friends
>
Well it’s a sad day. We are on our way back home.
>
We fell in love with Suzhou! Our guide recommended an alternative tour--
of the traditional canal villages. We toured via wooden boat thru the old
section along the canals observing people live the way they have for
hundreds of years: washing clothes in the river, fishing, traveling etc. It was one of the highlights of our tour. In the villages, we watched men playing cards, playing music, singing, and slicing eel and fish.. I found my ideal Kitsch Chairman Mao item: a Mao alarm clock! When the alarm goes off, his arm swings holding up the red book. I also bought a little red Mao book with English translation.
>
Next, we took a 2-hour bus ride back to Shanghai. We had scrumptious Mongolian bar-b-que for lunch.
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Then, we headed to the vast old town for shopping. It is actually called China Town!
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We had our farewell dinner then watched a famous acrobatic show. The show’s finale consisted of six motorcyclists riding inside a brass globe AT THE SAME TIME. Phenomenal!
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We all learned its best to buy a second piece of luggage after the last intra-China flight because within China, only one piece of luggage is permitted for air travel.
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Our hotel was the historic Peace Hotel built by the Sassoon family in 1926. It is perfectly located right on the Bund. It is known for its art deco design; rooftop garden with panoramic view of Shanghai’s lighted skyline that goes on forever; and for its jazz club with 75-year old jazz artists
from New Orleans.
>
Shanghai is so massive with so many high-rises and bright lights, it makes Manhattan look like a small city. They spend 4 million per night just to illuminate the buildings.
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I heard on the news that Beijing just hosted a summit with Africa where they hosted 48 of 52 African national leaders. China is aggressively pursuing trade partnerships with all of Africa, even the controversial Sudan and Zimbabwe. It’s nice to have access to international news!

BTW, there is 2008 Olympics logo paraphernalia everywhere!
>
I am typing fast-as usual!
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What a wonderful vacation, filled with learning, new experiences, and meeting great people. I have walked more on this trip than I have in several years.
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I hope to return!
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Thank you for coming along.
>
Love,
>
Karla
Shanghai to Beijing to JFK to Miami
Arrive 10PM November 3, 2006