Tastes of Home

Updated 10 Day Weather Forecast from Weather.com for Shenzhen
Wednesday - Scattered Thunderstorms, mid 80's
Thursday - Scattered Thunderstorms, mid 80's
Friday - Scattered Thunderstorms, mid 80's
Saturday - Scattered Thunderstorms, mid 80's
Sunday - Scattered Thunderstorms, mid 80's
Monday - Scattered Thunderstorms, mid 80's
Tuesday - Scattered Thunderstorms, mid 80's
Wednesday - Scattered Thunderstorms, mid 80's
Thursday - Scattered Thunderstorms, mid 80's
Friday - Scattered Thunderstorms, mid 80's

Tuesday was another good day. Breakfast was good and the entertainment was provided by one of the hotel staff members whose job it was to wipe the humidity from the floor to ceiling windows that span the 50 meter wide dining room. Given the climate, the subtropical humidity would easily catch up within 5 or so squeegees. (I think that is the first time I have ever had to write that word.)

(Non-work people please skip to the next paragraph)
More training on Tuesday for the reporting system. We documented out a better data model and reviewed existing reports for reusable code. We then were able to connect to the development environment and create some basic reports. Very positive signs. The afternoon was spent working through a presentation on the justification of functional support and oversight personnel to ensure the proper adoption and quality of the tools.

(Resume)
We had lunch brought in. The concept of "Take out Chinese" is rather redundant. My Dad asked me to see if I could find "General Tso's Chicken" here to see if it was real. This line of interogation was fun. We started by establishing that it was chicken. We could not get the concept of "General Tso" across -- so we dropped that. We then went on to describing the dish -- which, for the uninitiated, you should describe this as chicken with or without bones. This was as far as we got as it became readily apparent that describing the detailed ingredients in the sauce (16 ingredients are used from First Wok in NKY) that this wasn't going to help either as the folks in the office generally do not cook. Sorry Dad -- I don't think it is real.

Oh - take out food is good here. Rice and stuff. All them come with soup, which mine had suggestions of chicken stock and some slightly bitter green. Bad description - good soup. Alas, no fortune cookie (before anyone emails me, yes I knew that fortune cookies are an American thing).

We left late after the training to go back to the hotel. We then made it over to Gypsy's in Sea World (name of the area, no Shamu) which is owned by an Australian couple. We had really good appetizers that significantly cut into our stomach quota for dinner. Beef Fajita Nachos where the chips were Doritos (why hasn't anyone thought of this before!!!!) and fried calimari. I got gnocchi for dinner (excellent) where the other folks got either salmon or ocean perch. I almost climbed over the table to steal some mashed potatoes as I definitely had been craving them. But alas, I will have to wait for home. (Nicole has promised that we are going straight to Ted's from the airport.) We rushed back to the hotel after dinner for a 9-11 call -- that didn't happen after an hour of waiting. Sigh.

Oh, by the way -- it rained today.

A few other random observations:
1) The grocery store here is an experience. On Sunday, we went to the local store in Shekou (Park & Stop) to see what the locals have to choose from. As a "shout out" to my former P&G comrades, I reviewed the choices of Pringles (Regular, Sour Cream & Onion, BBQ, Tomato... Before choosing what I am sure to be a hit in the states, the "Grilled Shrimp & Pepper" Pringles. Tastes just like described. Email me quickly if you want me to bring some home.
2) Other items were of equal interest. Sunkist does not come in just boring old orange, but also in grapefruit, california essence (good) and carrot. I was a little nervous about carbonated carrot, but this is more like Sunny Delight
3) All dairy products are expensive but ice Cream is really expensive -- like $30 US for a quart. Nicole would not survive -- or we would be homeless -- or by writing that I just made a huge mistake and I am now homeless. Eek.
4) You cannot order a diet soft drink here. It is "Coke Light". If you ask, they will say that they do not have diet coke (and do not know what it is). If you say "Coke Light" you will be brought a can reading Diet Coke.
5) No one from OSHA should ever come here without their heart medication. As a respected colleague reminded me to describe, all scaffolding here is made from bamboo poles that are lashed together either with wire ties (like twisties) or electrical tape. You will see dozens of workers at every level for several stories on this scaffolding -- and it is everywhere.
6) We, in America, are not making the best use of travel by scooter or bicycle. Here they have learned from the ants that a man on a bicycle can carry eight times his own body weight (and mass). I have seen loads that would make a pickup truck shudder navigating against traffic on the 8 lane interstate peddled by an eighty year old man. I have also seen, on multiple occasions, women riding side saddle on the back of a bicycle eating their lunch with chopsticks. Color me impressed.
7) As an American man, I must be rare enough here to look famous. On Sunday, at the cultural park, a giggling teenage girl ran up and asked our tour guide if she could get her picture taken with us. Even though I have been so relieved to not have to sign all those autographs like back in the States, I obliged. I am Matt Damon's stunt double afterall.
8) Everyone here is courteous and considerate. Nothing funny to say here -- I am just amazed and appreciative of the genuineness of the Chinese people. It is good for the soul.

7.5 hours sleep -- a new record. I am a new man.