Reflections at the southbound border
We're all in the shuttle now, leaving the Shenzhen Hilton for the border. I have a new set of pictures that I'll have up soon.
Even though at first, Shenzhen looked a lot like Hong Kong, living here for a week illustrated the differences. This part of China is very technological and modern, but everything is still "Made in China", with all the connotations that Americans have come to expect. Expensive looking but ultimately thin, artificial feeling materials, poor build quality, low price and high quantity. Chinese customer service and logistics are generally the same-- slightly creepy copies of actual quality practices. A great example is the forced English that the hotel staff uses. It sounds very sweet when they say "Good morning, sir". But if you ask them a simple question that hotel staff should know, you get a blank stare. I don't mind that they don't speak English, it's more that they try so hard to make it seem that they do.
Whimsical interlude: Automatic urinals in China also give a mini-flush when you approach. I guess the little tinkle is expected to act as an encouragement for guys with stage fright.
It was sort of sad leaving the factory yesterday. The Foxconn team was really great to work with and everyone was very friendly.
We're at the border now. This is the madhouse of madhouses. We were in a line a minute ago with all the cars waiting. All of a sudden hundreds of horns started blaring, and all the cars and busses started moving in random directions. Moments later and it has calmed down again. I have no idea what just happened or why.
Health has been a day to day affair here. Monday I was struck with a crazy flu with fever and chills and serious stomach cramps. The flu subsided after a good rest on Monday night, but Tuesday and Wednesday still brought major digestive distress. Wednesday night, we found a really nice Indian restaurant and I looked to the spicy non-Chinese food for help. It seemed to do the job, Thursday I felt just fine-- as if my adjustment to Chinese water and food and pathogens had completed. Yesterday though, serious fatigue and headache hit me hard, all day I was on the verge of falling asleep. Finally back at the hotel, I ate in my room and passed out by 8:30. Feeling better today, but the headache has been persistent. Hopefully the Advil will kick in by the time we get back to Hong Kong.
Elena and I have plans to go to HK Island this afternoon to find the Ohel Leah. It's Shabbat of course, but it will still be interesting to just walk by if we can. We'll try to get as close as possible and still be respectful.
Even though at first, Shenzhen looked a lot like Hong Kong, living here for a week illustrated the differences. This part of China is very technological and modern, but everything is still "Made in China", with all the connotations that Americans have come to expect. Expensive looking but ultimately thin, artificial feeling materials, poor build quality, low price and high quantity. Chinese customer service and logistics are generally the same-- slightly creepy copies of actual quality practices. A great example is the forced English that the hotel staff uses. It sounds very sweet when they say "Good morning, sir". But if you ask them a simple question that hotel staff should know, you get a blank stare. I don't mind that they don't speak English, it's more that they try so hard to make it seem that they do.
Whimsical interlude: Automatic urinals in China also give a mini-flush when you approach. I guess the little tinkle is expected to act as an encouragement for guys with stage fright.
It was sort of sad leaving the factory yesterday. The Foxconn team was really great to work with and everyone was very friendly.
We're at the border now. This is the madhouse of madhouses. We were in a line a minute ago with all the cars waiting. All of a sudden hundreds of horns started blaring, and all the cars and busses started moving in random directions. Moments later and it has calmed down again. I have no idea what just happened or why.
Health has been a day to day affair here. Monday I was struck with a crazy flu with fever and chills and serious stomach cramps. The flu subsided after a good rest on Monday night, but Tuesday and Wednesday still brought major digestive distress. Wednesday night, we found a really nice Indian restaurant and I looked to the spicy non-Chinese food for help. It seemed to do the job, Thursday I felt just fine-- as if my adjustment to Chinese water and food and pathogens had completed. Yesterday though, serious fatigue and headache hit me hard, all day I was on the verge of falling asleep. Finally back at the hotel, I ate in my room and passed out by 8:30. Feeling better today, but the headache has been persistent. Hopefully the Advil will kick in by the time we get back to Hong Kong.
Elena and I have plans to go to HK Island this afternoon to find the Ohel Leah. It's Shabbat of course, but it will still be interesting to just walk by if we can. We'll try to get as close as possible and still be respectful.
posted by Scottley at 8:32 PM
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