first full day in beijing
So, we did about half a day of work yesterday and a full day today. Were farther along than my boss wanted but not as far ahead as I'd like to be. If everything works out, I might be able to have everything built in four and a half days, instead of the two weeks that I was given. It might allow me home in time to grill dead things on the 4th of July.
Speaking of dead things, dinner was quite good for the past two nights. It has been a meat festival. Lunch was also pretty tasty. Monday's lunch was a veritable pork festival. It was oinktastic. Tonight, we had a really good Tibetan beer. When I find the link to it again, I'll post it.
It has ben very discombobulating to be in a situation in which I have no hope of fending for myself. At least most of the menus in the restaurants have pictures on them. Otherwise, I have to rely on the people on which I work with to tell me what's going on. Fortunately, I've been able to draw pictures to communicate with the technology vendors that they've got working with us. Not so much fun.
On another note, I could never drive here. I've driven in plenty of major US cities: Boston, San Francisco, Washington and of course, New York. The drivers here are completely psychotic. Seriously. They have no regard for anything and a complete lack of fear for their own mortality. One of the cabs we were in made a u-turn on a highway, in front of a 24 foot box truck. I think the truck missed us by about 6 inches. The driver didn't even blink. Not to mention, it seems like everyone starts from a stop by grinding through second gear - there's no pickup, whatsoever. I've often said that I could drive anywhere, but the people behind the wheel here are of a totally different breed. They are, apparently, the hard core of the hard core. I was told, though, that the drivers in Shanghai make those in Beijing look like total pussies. I can't imagine how these people walk with the set of balls that they must have. Quite impressive.
Oh...pictures here. Not a lot, so far. mostly stuff from the plane from a little before landing and a few shots from the car or the office. Behold, the Colonel's influence is truly global.
Hopefully, I'll be able to get some better pictures, tomorrow. Perhaps, on Saturday, I'll take a trip to the forbidden city and get some decent shots around there. For now, it's off to bed for me.
Speaking of dead things, dinner was quite good for the past two nights. It has been a meat festival. Lunch was also pretty tasty. Monday's lunch was a veritable pork festival. It was oinktastic. Tonight, we had a really good Tibetan beer. When I find the link to it again, I'll post it.
It has ben very discombobulating to be in a situation in which I have no hope of fending for myself. At least most of the menus in the restaurants have pictures on them. Otherwise, I have to rely on the people on which I work with to tell me what's going on. Fortunately, I've been able to draw pictures to communicate with the technology vendors that they've got working with us. Not so much fun.
On another note, I could never drive here. I've driven in plenty of major US cities: Boston, San Francisco, Washington and of course, New York. The drivers here are completely psychotic. Seriously. They have no regard for anything and a complete lack of fear for their own mortality. One of the cabs we were in made a u-turn on a highway, in front of a 24 foot box truck. I think the truck missed us by about 6 inches. The driver didn't even blink. Not to mention, it seems like everyone starts from a stop by grinding through second gear - there's no pickup, whatsoever. I've often said that I could drive anywhere, but the people behind the wheel here are of a totally different breed. They are, apparently, the hard core of the hard core. I was told, though, that the drivers in Shanghai make those in Beijing look like total pussies. I can't imagine how these people walk with the set of balls that they must have. Quite impressive.
Oh...pictures here. Not a lot, so far. mostly stuff from the plane from a little before landing and a few shots from the car or the office. Behold, the Colonel's influence is truly global.
Hopefully, I'll be able to get some better pictures, tomorrow. Perhaps, on Saturday, I'll take a trip to the forbidden city and get some decent shots around there. For now, it's off to bed for me.