02 Dec. 2011: HOHOHOJO

We're on the move again on a Friday night. We both have hacking coughs, either from the polluted air or the sudden cold snap. Pat finished her teaching on Thursday with the traditional class pictures, then spent all afternoon marking and submitting grades. In between was a hastily arranged official lunch, NOT banquet ---- they thought we were staying til Saturday. Our handlers are miffed because we have been too independent, arranging flights and hotel on our own (i.e., online like most people do these days). I have never liked middlemen in any situation, I like to DIY.

We had another scary drive across Shanghai. Near collisions every mile, and at one toll both the barrier-arm came down on top of the Buick! We had expected Mr. Johnson's hotel to be modest if not orange-roofed. But it's a lavish palace with the works for about $80. Right away the staff was very helpful, including the desk clerk (English name "Rejoice"), the concierge (Simon), and the "engineer" who came up to our room 1719 to turn the heat down from 25C to 19...we like coolish.

The room is over 500 sq. ft. and has 3 phones, one beside the toilet for those must-take calls. The closet is big enough to stage a Chinese Opera. But we leave early Saturday morning for Hanoi, Vietnam so we won't even be able to sample the World's Biggest Christmas Cake, right here in town. In fact, Christmas decor has sprung up everywhere since yesterday. Is Santa in the Business Lounge??

Next Blog, what else?? ------ Good Morning Vietnam!!