Ankles Away, Update #1

Saturday, May 3, 2008
Beijing

Things in the ankle department aren’t looking good.

The previous “blowfish” reference attributed to my left ankle has since grown into Moby Dick. Both the foot and ankle are now expansive (sounds more lady like than “friggin’ humongous”).

This, of course, makes my now-blowfish-ish right ankle seem diminutive by comparison.

Good thing I brought the slip on Merrells. No way I’m getting into the Timberlands now.

Welcome to My World

Saturday, May 3, 2008
Beijing

Okay. I’m just gonna do it. I’m going to gloat.

Part of what made the Beijing leg of this trip possible was the mountain of Starwood points amassed the past several years—about a quarter of which were traded in for a room at the Westin including an upgrade to a Renewal Room (think: spa suite).

This may have been one of the smartest decisions in my entire life.

Above is a photo of my bedroom, taken from the office area (yes, you read that right). The bathroom is through the open door to the left of the flat panel television; further left of that (beyond the edge of the photo) is the door to my dressing room.

I could have landed aircraft in this room, then used the bath suite for a jet hanger. The views were wide open, since in that part of the city, we were one of the tallest buildings around.

Westin Financial Street

Saturday, May 3, 2008
Beijing

Managed to find my way through immigration, to a taxi, and flashed my little Mandarin map of the Westin location to the driver. Next stop: Heaven on earth.

No hotel ever looked so good.

PEK: Beijing International Airport

Saturday, May 3, 2008
Beijing

Trust me. Nothing causes one’s heart to stop more abruptly than coming out of the public restroom in a Chinese airport (after the place has essentially closed) to find yourself virtually alone in the terminal, the plane load of passengers you came in with having disappeared from view, and not a letter of English in sight.

One does begin to question the wisdom of traveling alone at this juncture.

Step Two: Tokyo > Hong Kong

Flight time: Five hours, 15 minutes

Even though we landed late, and I still had to clear security to connect to my Hong Kong flight, what little of the Tokyo airport I saw (at a running blur to the gate) was beyond impressive. Everyone who works there is beautiful. And smiling. And friendly. And helpful. And the place is so clean you could eat off the floors.

Very cool.

Still on Northwest, and, ironically, on the exact same type of plane, in the exact same seat (hint: 35B on a Boeing 747-400 is the best in coach, period). This time, however, I’m in the minority; 95% of the flight is Asian—lovely, warm, friendly, and for the most part, English speaking (the crew is about 75/25, American, though). Instead of a big hulking linebacker type next to me, tonight’s seat mate a delightful, petite Asian woman who speaks fairly good English.

The moment this all got real for me, however, was during the dinner service. Our food came in bento boxes, which I’ve always thought were kind of cool. It didn’t hit me until half way through my sticky rice that everyone else (read: the locals) were picking up the boxes, then eating with them close to their mouths, just like on the Travel Channel. Also, only a rare few were using the western fork—the majority were opting for their knife—another thing seen on t.v. Thank goodness I’m adept at chopsticks (translated: I refuse to eat Chinese food without them).

What really made me smile, though, was the beverage service. One of the American attendants did the standard walk-through—”Coffee? Coffee, anyone?“

Then a moment later, was back again (so soon?), this time asking “Green tea? Green tea, anyone?”

We’re not in Kansas anymore. This is going to one amazing trip.

Off to the other side of the world

For those of you who don’t know (which is a surprisingly large number, given how hunkered down I’ve been with numerous projects and road trips lately) I’m headed to Hong Kong on Friday. Long story, short: the HK Trade Development Council contacted the magazine I write for, who then contacted me, with an invitation to speak during the Hong Kong Gifts and Premiums Fair about marketing trends in the U.S. gift industry.

Yes, I’m just a tad bit excited.

After a week in Hong Kong (only half of which will be work related), I’ll jet to Beijing for several more days of exploring...and to stand atop the Great Wall on my 48th birthday. Decided to throw in a few stockpiled Starwood points and upgrade to a Renewal Room at the Beijing Westin, where, according to the hotel “a fresh orchid and personal bathologist await to tailor your bath ritual from four regions around the globe; India, Orient, Mediterranean and Arabia to restore your inner calm.”

My inner calm is very much looking forward to this trip.

The laptop will be in tow, with the intention of continuing to post from both cities. While Hong Kong doesn’t concern me, I’m not sure what to expect in Beijing; the mainland is rather passionate about internet censorship. It doesn’t seem like something that should factor in, but my current experience with China is pretty much limited to dinner at First Wok or Leann Chin, so who knows.

The big issue right now is how I’m gonna fit two weeks’ worth of work attire and casual attire into a single suitcase.

We won’t even discuss the fact China Southern limits each passenger to one carry-on. Yikes.