Trip South...

This past week I was in southern China. Each time I am in southern China, I can't believe how much more the cities in the south are developed than the north. This time I was in Nanjing and Shanghai. The first part of the week I was in Nanjing for the China Tour. This year, we will go to each site to help out with the players. Next stop... Qingdao. Can't wait :) Nanjing reminded me of the Southeast in the US. Natural rolling hills and lots of trees. Left is a picture of downtown Nanjing on the river. Sometimes I wonder, why do I live in Beijing? But, I know I am suppose to be here. I have come to love Beijing. Almost a 180 turn by now... when I first came, I remember not liking living here. I am feeling much more connected and familiar with my surroundings. With the Olympics on the forefront, it is an exciting place to be :) Come visit... I know you will like it!

I always love visiting Shanghai. I had about a day and half in Shanghai. I was at Tong Ji University... a very green campus. I was there trying to find a professor and I had an experience I often have here. One cultural tidbit for those friends in the US is that the matter of "face" is very important in China. Oftentimes if people don't know an answer they will not let you know. That may be a "loss of face." So, I went to Tong Ji looking for a small office hiddin an old building. I wanted to meet a golf professor. I finally did but I must have asked at least ten people who all in a very helpful way offered advice. I could have been upset by looking for almost forty minutes but the campus was so peaceful that I took it in stride. Something I have been learning since coming to China... take things in stride.

I love the old alleyways of Shanghai's old city (below):

Lastly, I was in Pudong... the new city... Shanghai is constructing the world's largest building (bottom).