I had some down time so I went to get a haircut at the local salon. A little different then what I am used to at my barber’s place. Here they invite you in, sit you down, massage your shoulders, arms head and face before they ask you what you want. Then they lovingly wash your hair and massage your scalp. Then back to the massage chair for more shoulder and neck work. By then you feel like a bowl of jello, and they ask if you want a haircut. You can’t resist, Of course, you say, and the girl brings [View Full Entry]

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Hangzhou is known for its fine quality silk, and used to be the summer palace of various Rulers and big honcho’s. So I decided to venture into the “Silk District” and buy something. So I went shopping today with Judith and a woman named Grace, who was provided to us by Mr. Xu. He said that she would help us negotiate and bargain with the shop merchants. The procedure was for me to pick out what I wanted and Grace would gently discuss price with the store owner. Okay, Grace was her name, but her real name (at least in in [View Full Entry]

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Next morning they picked me up promptly and Rose asked if I wanted to go anywhere else? I said to the Linglin Palace Temple. Ok, no problem. Simon invited his friend “Ward” and wife and child (Betty and the Beave, I think) and he drove us all there. Once again the traffic was terrible, but we got there OK. Funny thing happened, on the road to the temple, people on the sidewalk would RUN up to the car jabbering and yelling. Happened once, twice, then on the third time, I asked what they were doing? Rose told me that they try [View Full Entry]

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My interpreter, Judith had to be driven back to Shanghai with David, so he could return to the US. I drove to Hangzhou from the Temple with Mr. Xu and his 17 year old son, Everest. Mrs Xu drove the other Audi with the other guests, including Jackie the tree Volunteer. Turns out He is in the same Yoga organization as mrs. Xu, so she invited him. Many Chinese businessmen have two names, one Chinese given name, and one they created in English. This helps eliminate any confusion. (except for Mr. and Mrs Xu, I never knew their given names). Everest [View Full Entry]

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We left Shanghai and went to a Buddhist Temple and monastary that is being built. 2 hours from Shanghai. Since the Communists are allowing some religion nowadays, wealthy Chinese are donating money to build temples. This one is in the "countryside". Mr. Xu and Leo both have donated money and have bought a dorm room to visit anytime they want. They both invited us to go to the temple for may 1st, the Labor day holiday in China. Most factories are closed. So we drove there and arrived in good shape even though the traffic was crowded. This area is "old [View Full Entry]

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If this is Tuesday, it must be Shanghai. Yea, we took the trip back to Shanghai. There is a factory there that makes fishing accessories and backpacks. Before that, though, we meet with David, an asian american from Flushing Queens, who is in the handbag and jewlery business. David used to live in Taiwan and is engaged with Judith. He is a great guy and is always thinking of ways to improve his business. Comes to China 3X year and arrived from the Canton Business Expo. We first go sightseeing, the Oriental Pearl TV tower,. The tower, surrounded by the Yangpu [View Full Entry]

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Monday morning - I went to vist the main headquarters of South Holding group, a conglomerate of factories. One thing about China, all factories belong to a "conglomerate" Hangzhou is the Fabric production capitol of the world. any of the factory business got there start in fabrics and extended to other things (like motors). I met Mr. Shrie, or Mr. Kant (his other name). He is the boss, the big cheese, of a $100 billion conglomeration. Judith was the interpreter, and we discussed Chinese niceties, and he was very interested about living in the US and about politics, especially the upcoming [View Full Entry]

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Today was a Business day. Yeah, I know, It’s Sunday. But do you think that stops anyone here from business and deals? Nope! Today I met with Mr. Zhou and his engineer and production manager. We discussed some business, and we agreed on some changes to my original design, adding some features. It was very productive. A good part is that they will have a working copy within five days! Then I went to another factory to discuss a comfortable seat for the kayak. We discussed material and fabric. Once again, we will have a working prototype in a few days. [View Full Entry]

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I arrived! After I got off the plane, I followed the crowd to immigration /customs, and my bag was held to be checked for fish, meat or vegetables. (Did my socks smell that bad?) I got my passport stamped, and I then went to find my contact. He sent a driver and translator to pick me up. They were in a crowd of hundreds of people waiting for friends and family arrive from America. But after a quick phone call, I found them. Shanghai is the Real gateway to China, at least in the business world. First thing I noticed was [View Full Entry]

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Leaving in a few hours. (2am limo pick-up) Lets see, did I remember everything? Passport, Visa, Boarding pass, change of clothes in my carry-on? Wait, I realized I packed too much! I focused on what I would really need: Suit, Shirts, Pants...do I really need 4 tee shirts and 10 pairs of socks? The right way to pack when traveling to China is to NOT BRING EVERYTHING YOU OWN! I figure if I forgot anything, I could buy it there! It is the land of necessities! Sneakers? No problem! Gym socks, or an extra belt etc? , I will buy if [View Full Entry]

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