Monday morning. They've offered to come down to the hotel and meet us and walk us to the office. We call them back and tell them that is not necessary. We know where we are going. So about 8:45 we head out on the trek to the office. GPS satellite reception is not the greatest here in Beijing, but the estimate is that it is about 1/2 mile from the hotel to the office. A pleasant morning walk.
We arrive and are greeted by our friends and colleagues. Things have obviously changed. Peter is dressed in a t-shirt. Not the Peter I knew before. Terry, the project leader for my test teeam is dressed as usual...what I'll cal business casual. Soon I get to meet Eric, Lily, Jason, and Tina, the members of the team I had not met before.
The picture today is the view from my office window.
I deliver the gifts of Cackalacky hot sauce, chosen primarily for its unique Southern name, sugar cookies shaped like a Tarheel foot, and M&M's. They are accepted with interest. I take the time to tell the historical story of the Tarheel as well as relate it to basketball fame. These folks are so gracious, they'd never let on if they didn't like the gifts.
I begin the day with an hour long presentation of goals for my trip and an overview of what these two weeks hold in store.
Then we are off to lunch. They no longer eat in the basement 'cafeteria' they were eating in last year. We ride down the elevator to the 13th floor (the office is on the 19th floor) past floor 13A (there is no 14th floor...it is an unlucky number in China) cross over to another elevator, descend to the 7th floor and cross over to the 6th floor of the shopping mall next door. Lo and behold, it is a Food Court!
Today I'll eat Korean. It's a beef dish with vegetables and rice. Quite tasty actually. Mildly spicy. And dang those chopticks. But I eat most of what is set in front of me. My beverage is lemon green tea. That is good. We chat over a wide variety of food at the table for each of the team members.
After lunch, they suggest a walk around the building. I think we're going for a walk around the block. They take me back into the hutongs for a walk that lasts over an hour. Good for the soul. Good for the body. Would have been better for the body if I'd had on good walking shoes. My only other regret is that I didn't have my camera.
The walk takes us down a street called Liu Li Chang If I learned my lessons correctly Liu Li means colored glass. Like a church's stained glass windows. This particular street, or Hutong, is an art area. Lots of stores selling traditonal Chinese art. Jason, one of the team members, gives me a good lesson in art. I thoroughly enjoy the walk.
After the walk I sequester myself with Terry for most of the afternoon. It is a frank discussion and in the two or three hours we're together I learn enough to make the trip 'pay' for itself and immediately begin revising my training schedule. I'm going to be working tonight. It's the only way I can get ready to give these folks what they need.
So I turn down three dinner invitations in lieu of room service at the hotel. A hot dog. They forgot the kraut but I'm not waiting. I eat. It's a hot dog. Good and tasty. The hotel also makes french fries that I like. All in all it's not a bad meal after Koren for lunch.
I work until midnight, conversing with the staff in Cary, trying to keep up with email, writing a couple of blog posts, and revamping my training schedule for Beijing.
It's been a long day.
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