I have arrived in the Florida of China
2h south of Shanghai I leave the airplane and a warm and humid wall of air hits my face. Welcome in ShenZhen! On the way to the hotel I discover palm trees, atmosphere is somehow holiday like. A Chinese colleague says: "ohh they have great nightlife". I arrive at my hotel: The door of the taxi is opened and I get assistance with luggage, checking and moving to my room, offering a huge bed! Holidays?
Well well....
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Se sentir comfortable!
Il fait neuf jours maintenant que je suis logée à Shanghai. Au début, pour être honnête j’étais perdue. Vu la taille du truc je ne savais pas où et comment se déplacer, ce qu’il y a voire et à faire.
Ceci a changé. Entretemps je vois bien comment le métro fonctionne (orientation puis s’acheter des tickets), j’ai situé les premiers quartiers de loisir ou de culture sur ma carte puis je suis prête de les découvrir. Et encore plus important dans la vie quotidienne : Je sais trouver la bonne nourriture à prix raisonnable pas loin de mon hôtel, gentiment je commence à me retrouver entre les tours et sais dans quel coin de la ville je me retrouve.
En plus, il y a beaucoup pour le bien-être général : J’ai trouvé un excellent endroit pour se faire masser les pieds, juste à côté de mon hôtel. Généralement les Chinois aiment des services pour la santé et le corps. Ca fait partie de leurs traditions et de la médicine chinoise. Une spécialité, ou ce qui très commun, c’est le massage des pieds.
Du bonheur : Tandis que les pieds prennent un bain dans l’eau chaude avec des herbes, Madame ou Monsieur massent les épaules, le cou et le dos. Après un petit moment les pieds sortent du bain et pendant plus que 45 min ils sont tiré dans les tous les sens, chaque muscle, os, tendon, cartilage sont traité avec des mouvements très spécifiques et dès fois avec beaucoup de force. Comme j’adooore ! Puis, il y a encore les mains, les coudes, les mollets, les genoux. Bref : Il s’agit d’un massage de pied à la base, mais en gros on l’élargit pour rendre le corps entier « frais » et sain.
Cette culture de massage me plaît énormément, dommage qu’elle ne soit pas développée de la même manière en Suisse. Là, il s’agit du luxe, quelque chose qu’on s’offre rarement, vu les prix exorbitants. Ici, ça m’a couté 88RMB, c’est plus ou moins 10EUR, pour 1h5min !
Il fait neuf jours maintenant que je suis logée à Shanghai. Au début, pour être honnête j’étais perdue. Vu la taille du truc je ne savais pas où et comment se déplacer, ce qu’il y a voire et à faire.
Ceci a changé. Entretemps je vois bien comment le métro fonctionne (orientation puis s’acheter des tickets), j’ai situé les premiers quartiers de loisir ou de culture sur ma carte puis je suis prête de les découvrir. Et encore plus important dans la vie quotidienne : Je sais trouver la bonne nourriture à prix raisonnable pas loin de mon hôtel, gentiment je commence à me retrouver entre les tours et sais dans quel coin de la ville je me retrouve.
En plus, il y a beaucoup pour le bien-être général : J’ai trouvé un excellent endroit pour se faire masser les pieds, juste à côté de mon hôtel. Généralement les Chinois aiment des services pour la santé et le corps. Ca fait partie de leurs traditions et de la médicine chinoise. Une spécialité, ou ce qui très commun, c’est le massage des pieds.
Du bonheur : Tandis que les pieds prennent un bain dans l’eau chaude avec des herbes, Madame ou Monsieur massent les épaules, le cou et le dos. Après un petit moment les pieds sortent du bain et pendant plus que 45 min ils sont tiré dans les tous les sens, chaque muscle, os, tendon, cartilage sont traité avec des mouvements très spécifiques et dès fois avec beaucoup de force. Comme j’adooore ! Puis, il y a encore les mains, les coudes, les mollets, les genoux. Bref : Il s’agit d’un massage de pied à la base, mais en gros on l’élargit pour rendre le corps entier « frais » et sain.
Cette culture de massage me plaît énormément, dommage qu’elle ne soit pas développée de la même manière en Suisse. Là, il s’agit du luxe, quelque chose qu’on s’offre rarement, vu les prix exorbitants. Ici, ça m’a couté 88RMB, c’est plus ou moins 10EUR, pour 1h5min !
Friday, February 20, 2009
Le temps passe….
J’ai terminé ma troisième semaine de business trip en Chine. Pas par pas, je realise que d’ici 9 jours je serai en direction de Zurich. C’est trop top pour moi de rentrer. Je n’ai pas eu assez de temps de m’intégrer et découvrir le pays. Cela dit, j’ai déjà passé du temps à Peking, WuHan, Nanjing, Shanghai et ses alentours, mais sans vraiment s’immerser dans l’ambiance. Heureusement, il me reste neuf jours et ce weekend c’est le weekend de découverte! Je veux aller voir le People’s Square, j’ai envie de négocier sur le faux marché, j’ai envie de gouter des trucs j’ai jamais mangé avant – je veux faire partie de la masse chinoise qui essayent de vivre et survivre dans cette métropole énorme.
Sinon, j’ai passé une semaine dure au niveau de voyage et interviews. Deux jours j'étais dans des bureaux sans chauffage, pas avec du thé ou café, mais de l’eau chaude servie. J’ai eu la chance d’être soutenu à 100% par deux collègues magnifiques, qui 1.) ont organisé tout pour moi et 2.) m’ont accompagné du matin jusqu’au soir. Puis mercredi et jeudi j’ai passé chaque jour 5-6h dans un bus pour aller à Wenling – une ville pompe au bord de la mer. Les soirs étaient utilisés de faire le daily business, organiser une conférence par téléphone qui a eu lieu hier soir à 22h Shanghai time.
Ce matin j’ai décide d’aller une vitesse moins vite et plus relaxe pour prendre les choses comme elles sont. Avec cette moto je débute dans un weekend “exploitation Shanghai”. Il manqué pas d’idées ni de moyens: Je passé à la découverte et me réjouis.
J’ai terminé ma troisième semaine de business trip en Chine. Pas par pas, je realise que d’ici 9 jours je serai en direction de Zurich. C’est trop top pour moi de rentrer. Je n’ai pas eu assez de temps de m’intégrer et découvrir le pays. Cela dit, j’ai déjà passé du temps à Peking, WuHan, Nanjing, Shanghai et ses alentours, mais sans vraiment s’immerser dans l’ambiance. Heureusement, il me reste neuf jours et ce weekend c’est le weekend de découverte! Je veux aller voir le People’s Square, j’ai envie de négocier sur le faux marché, j’ai envie de gouter des trucs j’ai jamais mangé avant – je veux faire partie de la masse chinoise qui essayent de vivre et survivre dans cette métropole énorme.
Sinon, j’ai passé une semaine dure au niveau de voyage et interviews. Deux jours j'étais dans des bureaux sans chauffage, pas avec du thé ou café, mais de l’eau chaude servie. J’ai eu la chance d’être soutenu à 100% par deux collègues magnifiques, qui 1.) ont organisé tout pour moi et 2.) m’ont accompagné du matin jusqu’au soir. Puis mercredi et jeudi j’ai passé chaque jour 5-6h dans un bus pour aller à Wenling – une ville pompe au bord de la mer. Les soirs étaient utilisés de faire le daily business, organiser une conférence par téléphone qui a eu lieu hier soir à 22h Shanghai time.
Ce matin j’ai décide d’aller une vitesse moins vite et plus relaxe pour prendre les choses comme elles sont. Avec cette moto je débute dans un weekend “exploitation Shanghai”. Il manqué pas d’idées ni de moyens: Je passé à la découverte et me réjouis.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Haircut made in China
“Made in China” means more than just the origin of a product. Similar to “made in Europe” or “Made in Switzerland” it contains the general understanding of a certain quality. Although, on our fabrics nowadays, “Made in China” is no longer surprising – designations like “Made in Vietnam” or “Made in Cambodia” reveal more thoughts. As far as my experience goes until now, one should start being careful in saying “made in China” is bad quality. Since many industries in China or somewhere else in the rising Asian industrial sphere, European technology within the machines is many times still the driving force and ensuring a certain degree of productivity and quality standard, at least for the products exported.
Yesterday, the time for a new hairstyle came along. I went from shopping mall to shopping mall, alongside the shopping street Huaihai Lu in Shanghai, looking for a hair dresser. Finally I found the HAIRSHOW in a new and trendy shopping mall. I sit down and a list was given with certain options. Within three seconds about five Chinese surrounded me, looking of what I want. I had the choice between different services:
- Junior hairstyle for 80 RMB
- Senior experience hairstyle for 120 RMB
- Fashion hairstyle for 150 RMB
- Artistic hairstyle for 180 RMB
- Absolute Fashion HAIRSHOW for more than 200 RMB
- The ultimate hairstyle for 300 RMB
Then it went on with
- Nail Language
- Make up
- Clothes
- Eyebrow shaping
- Massage
- .....
Isn’t that a totally new concept of selling a haircut? Depending the design and fashion of a certain item, the price is different, this I know from Europe, too. But depending the style provided on your head, they charge you differently. Somehow smart, because haircut can be a question of art and creativity. The idea of a good look and cut matching the person is worth a certain amount of money. However, I had troubles with my image mirror, pending on my decision If I go for a junior hairstyle - do I see any difference, or If I go for the fashion hairstyle - I do not want to look in the mirror again? Of course not, the young stylist says. I can always talk to the stylist and explain what I like and what I do not like. Ok, that is fair and I opt for the fashion hairstyle. However, the stylist recommends to go for the “senior”, since the stylist doing the “fashion” does not speak English. Isn’t that really really honest? A possible explanation of this honesty is the hierarchy. Of course a “fashion stylist” has more to say than a junior stylist and pretending to be on a different level may cause retaliation?
Anyway. I discussed with the senior stylist my future look. Then I got a head massage with shampoo. This task had not much to do with style and fashion and was done by another young Chinese. The hair was washed on a chair so comfortable I almost fell asleep. Not to forget the detail about the mouth protection due to hygiene. Back in front of the mirror the senior stylist starts its “main d’oeuvre”, not without ease I had to admit. He knew what he did, and worked fast. Shortly after, the younger Chinese came again to get my hair dry. A second time the stylist came to give my new cut the final touch. Then it went to the shampooing station again. Then, the stylist started drying my hair with different techniques, twisting, curling, turning and “strubbeling”. Finally, a little wax was used to give the ultimate and final touch to my new style and I looked in the mirror. I was happy:
Although I am a Dog according to the Chinese calendar and what I saw in the mirror was rather a Cat – I was more than content:
For 150RMB, which are about 15 EUR I got two shampoos, two massages, two haircuts and a “new” style that somehow suits me. The stylist worked with dedication and I had the impression he had a certain haircut in mind and pursuit it with commitment. He understands his craft and gave his best. Happily I agreed he takes pictures of his “creation” and with the smile of the entire HAIRSHOW team in front of me, I shock hands with “Seven” – the name of the senior stylist and said Goodbye.
“Made in China” means more than just the origin of a product. Similar to “made in Europe” or “Made in Switzerland” it contains the general understanding of a certain quality. Although, on our fabrics nowadays, “Made in China” is no longer surprising – designations like “Made in Vietnam” or “Made in Cambodia” reveal more thoughts. As far as my experience goes until now, one should start being careful in saying “made in China” is bad quality. Since many industries in China or somewhere else in the rising Asian industrial sphere, European technology within the machines is many times still the driving force and ensuring a certain degree of productivity and quality standard, at least for the products exported.
Yesterday, the time for a new hairstyle came along. I went from shopping mall to shopping mall, alongside the shopping street Huaihai Lu in Shanghai, looking for a hair dresser. Finally I found the HAIRSHOW in a new and trendy shopping mall. I sit down and a list was given with certain options. Within three seconds about five Chinese surrounded me, looking of what I want. I had the choice between different services:
- Junior hairstyle for 80 RMB
- Senior experience hairstyle for 120 RMB
- Fashion hairstyle for 150 RMB
- Artistic hairstyle for 180 RMB
- Absolute Fashion HAIRSHOW for more than 200 RMB
- The ultimate hairstyle for 300 RMB
Then it went on with
- Nail Language
- Make up
- Clothes
- Eyebrow shaping
- Massage
- .....
Isn’t that a totally new concept of selling a haircut? Depending the design and fashion of a certain item, the price is different, this I know from Europe, too. But depending the style provided on your head, they charge you differently. Somehow smart, because haircut can be a question of art and creativity. The idea of a good look and cut matching the person is worth a certain amount of money. However, I had troubles with my image mirror, pending on my decision If I go for a junior hairstyle - do I see any difference, or If I go for the fashion hairstyle - I do not want to look in the mirror again? Of course not, the young stylist says. I can always talk to the stylist and explain what I like and what I do not like. Ok, that is fair and I opt for the fashion hairstyle. However, the stylist recommends to go for the “senior”, since the stylist doing the “fashion” does not speak English. Isn’t that really really honest? A possible explanation of this honesty is the hierarchy. Of course a “fashion stylist” has more to say than a junior stylist and pretending to be on a different level may cause retaliation?
Anyway. I discussed with the senior stylist my future look. Then I got a head massage with shampoo. This task had not much to do with style and fashion and was done by another young Chinese. The hair was washed on a chair so comfortable I almost fell asleep. Not to forget the detail about the mouth protection due to hygiene. Back in front of the mirror the senior stylist starts its “main d’oeuvre”, not without ease I had to admit. He knew what he did, and worked fast. Shortly after, the younger Chinese came again to get my hair dry. A second time the stylist came to give my new cut the final touch. Then it went to the shampooing station again. Then, the stylist started drying my hair with different techniques, twisting, curling, turning and “strubbeling”. Finally, a little wax was used to give the ultimate and final touch to my new style and I looked in the mirror. I was happy:
Although I am a Dog according to the Chinese calendar and what I saw in the mirror was rather a Cat – I was more than content:
For 150RMB, which are about 15 EUR I got two shampoos, two massages, two haircuts and a “new” style that somehow suits me. The stylist worked with dedication and I had the impression he had a certain haircut in mind and pursuit it with commitment. He understands his craft and gave his best. Happily I agreed he takes pictures of his “creation” and with the smile of the entire HAIRSHOW team in front of me, I shock hands with “Seven” – the name of the senior stylist and said Goodbye.
The search for food
I do not like hotel restaurants. They are serving poor food for the price they charge and are mostly deserted. It only happened very few times I did not look for a restaurant around the corner.
But I can tell you: It is not so easy. Past are times in China where you can find food stalls all over the place similar to Indonesia or Cambodia. Certain hygiene standard took up the lead and transferred all the Chinese delicatessen to shopping malls. Sometimes shopping malls have their food court – all the American way. Or the entire mall just has different restaurant – the second option. This is all good and nice – but when walking outside, it sometimes does not tell with pictures what is inside these huge buildings. Mostly, just red Chinese symbols tell….well…
Today I was lucky: About two hundred meters away from my hotel I found by chance a “Food Inn”. This food mall sells tons of sweets, and offers a wide range of restaurants: Papa John’s Pizza, A dumpling specialist, Sushi, A fruit and vegetable juice corner, Mister Cool’s Noodle, Korean restaurant, diverse Chinese restaurants, a bacon specialist, a fried feet seller etc. And all of them somehow busy, although not overloaded. This is the place I feel comfortable and I want to explore. Today I went to Uncle Cool’s Noodle, next time I will go to Aunt Dumpling.
I do not like hotel restaurants. They are serving poor food for the price they charge and are mostly deserted. It only happened very few times I did not look for a restaurant around the corner.
But I can tell you: It is not so easy. Past are times in China where you can find food stalls all over the place similar to Indonesia or Cambodia. Certain hygiene standard took up the lead and transferred all the Chinese delicatessen to shopping malls. Sometimes shopping malls have their food court – all the American way. Or the entire mall just has different restaurant – the second option. This is all good and nice – but when walking outside, it sometimes does not tell with pictures what is inside these huge buildings. Mostly, just red Chinese symbols tell….well…
Today I was lucky: About two hundred meters away from my hotel I found by chance a “Food Inn”. This food mall sells tons of sweets, and offers a wide range of restaurants: Papa John’s Pizza, A dumpling specialist, Sushi, A fruit and vegetable juice corner, Mister Cool’s Noodle, Korean restaurant, diverse Chinese restaurants, a bacon specialist, a fried feet seller etc. And all of them somehow busy, although not overloaded. This is the place I feel comfortable and I want to explore. Today I went to Uncle Cool’s Noodle, next time I will go to Aunt Dumpling.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Picture Show
Chinese omelet as preparation for the day.
Do you see how far it goes all the way back in the picture? About 6700km!
"I climbed the Great Wall"
Beautiful restaurated building in the Forbidden City
Arriving in Beijing! Somewhere on the left side a little bit further is my hotel.
The year of the Cow just has started!
A wall, saying X times LUCK with different symbols, found in a Chinese restaurant which is serving Beijing Hot Pot Mongolian Style, or what we understand: "Fondue Chinoise", just a little different.
Chinese omelet as preparation for the day.
Do you see how far it goes all the way back in the picture? About 6700km!"I climbed the Great Wall"
Beautiful restaurated building in the Forbidden City
Arriving in Beijing! Somewhere on the left side a little bit further is my hotel.
The year of the Cow just has started!
A wall, saying X times LUCK with different symbols, found in a Chinese restaurant which is serving Beijing Hot Pot Mongolian Style, or what we understand: "Fondue Chinoise", just a little different.Friday, February 06, 2009
My Life defined by work!
On Monday morning I arrived in Beijing and was brought to Tianjin. Since, everyday I got up early to catch the company shuttle bus bringing me to the facility outside Tianjin. In the evening, If I did not catch up with the e-mails coming in steadily from Europe I tried to go to sleep early. Yesterday morning I was brought to Beijing Office, in one of those numerous towers and in the evening by taxi I went to the hotel. I was surprised when I realized that I did not even know where I am. I think this is the difference if travelling all by myself, where I needed to plan and see where it is best to be at. My company knows, and company makes the necessary arrangements. All I have to do is to catch the taxi and pay the bills. It is a completely different approach to the usual "tourism" I did so far in Asia and somehow fits to the purpose of my stay.
In the same time I realize that I take not much (or almost no) time to learn about the city and history. However, I am at the front of Chinese-European business life and this experience is very valuable, too.
It is Saturday morning now, I hardly recognize myselve in the mirror but I could not sleep any longer. It is time to go out. The plan is to visit the Forbidden City (see how much time I feel spending there), go to the Summer Palace or the Olympic buildings. In the evening I will eat a Beijing duck and tomorrow I will do trekking on the Great Wall. I am very very excited about that.
On Monday morning I arrived in Beijing and was brought to Tianjin. Since, everyday I got up early to catch the company shuttle bus bringing me to the facility outside Tianjin. In the evening, If I did not catch up with the e-mails coming in steadily from Europe I tried to go to sleep early. Yesterday morning I was brought to Beijing Office, in one of those numerous towers and in the evening by taxi I went to the hotel. I was surprised when I realized that I did not even know where I am. I think this is the difference if travelling all by myself, where I needed to plan and see where it is best to be at. My company knows, and company makes the necessary arrangements. All I have to do is to catch the taxi and pay the bills. It is a completely different approach to the usual "tourism" I did so far in Asia and somehow fits to the purpose of my stay.
In the same time I realize that I take not much (or almost no) time to learn about the city and history. However, I am at the front of Chinese-European business life and this experience is very valuable, too.
It is Saturday morning now, I hardly recognize myselve in the mirror but I could not sleep any longer. It is time to go out. The plan is to visit the Forbidden City (see how much time I feel spending there), go to the Summer Palace or the Olympic buildings. In the evening I will eat a Beijing duck and tomorrow I will do trekking on the Great Wall. I am very very excited about that.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Ready!
The suitcase is ready, the Renminbi has already found a spot in my wallet. I am excited, I am melancolic, I am conident but also a little bit afraid. Overall I am very happy to get this chance, not only to be in China, but to work with Chinese people. I will be at the front of Chinese industry, a very unique and rare opportunity for me with my limited experience, my relatively young age and role within a company. Somehow I can not believe.... Thank you Company for trusting me and giving me this chance!
It is time to leave, next post will be live from China!
The suitcase is ready, the Renminbi has already found a spot in my wallet. I am excited, I am melancolic, I am conident but also a little bit afraid. Overall I am very happy to get this chance, not only to be in China, but to work with Chinese people. I will be at the front of Chinese industry, a very unique and rare opportunity for me with my limited experience, my relatively young age and role within a company. Somehow I can not believe.... Thank you Company for trusting me and giving me this chance!
It is time to leave, next post will be live from China!
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