Greetings from Shanghai! Day 2 began with a hearty greeting from a Western-style breakfast. “Western” meant bread, cereal, juice, and yogurt along with a plethora of other Chinese options to partake in. After a nice meal, we departed the hotel for a tour at Tekelec Shanghai Ltd. Co.
As one of the two students interning at Tekelec after the exchange trip ends, I was very nervous about what kind of place I would be working at for two weeks. Unfortunately, my fears would have ample time to increase on the way to the company. In addition to its rural location, Tekelec sits in the middle of a technology park that is in the middle of a series of technology parks. Needless to say, we got lost. After asking directions many times, we finally found the location.
Tekelec is an American-based corporation that specializes in telecommunications. The Shanghai branch of the company focuses on research and development. Upon arrival, we were whisked into a conference room to meet with several heads of the corporation. This was also the first time I was able to meet my host, Helen Huang. She was very nice, incredibly polite, and spoke English impeccably (SCORE!!!). We also had the privilege of meeting with the vice-president of the company, Ping. Ping, along with Peter, head of the hardware group, held up the Chinese stereotype that parents take immense pride in the success of their children. This extended to the point that Peter’s four year-old daughter is taught to say she “is born to attend Harvard University.” Afterward, we took a tour of the facility, learning about how server farms work, how their IP network worked, what each department did, as well as admiring the view from the top of the building.
Following our time at Tekelec, we enjoyed a deep conversation with our local tour guide, Lisa, about the history of Shanghai while on route to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The tower is the tallest TV tower in Asia and third tallest in the world. Once at the observation sphere, we were able to enjoy views of Shanghai from 269 meters above the ground. “Enjoy” is used very loosely here, as the city was perpetually covered in a thick haze for most of our stay. While at the observation deck, a group of Chinese soldiers from the nei wei division (like our National Guard) flooded the room. Kim, Camryn, and Julie wasted no time in asked the soldiers to take a picture with them. The soldiers with them looked so scared while our three girls could barely contain their laughter. After the tower, we ate lunch on a dragon boat parked in the harbor. IMPORTANT: Everyone is not only eating well while in China, we also are enjoying everything we eat. Following the meal, we went to the jade shop.
Going to the jade shop isn’t just a place to buy pretty stones; we also took a tour about the history and significance of jade in China. Afterward, we were led into a room filled with jade to purchase. We were subsequently mobbed by salespeople offering us “special student discounts” on everything from bangles to pendants to a “dragon ball,” a smooth ball that will glow in the dark. Mr. Kilmer was stalked by a sales representative, who continually offered the largest dragon ball to our beloved teacher. The dragon ball was originally priced at 9,800 RMB or $1,272. Mr. Kilmer’s desire to not sacrifice his children’s college fund forced the salesman to lower his asking price to $450 before we left the store. While Mr. Kilmer was fending off his salesman, we were all making our own purchases and enjoy a couple of cups of lychee tea. Finally, when we departed, Mr. Kilmer was yet again chased down and offered the dragon ball for $300 plus a case to carry the ball in and a present to keep his wife calm when he came home. He still refused, but his bargaining skills are still unmatched by the rest of us.
After the jade shop, we went to the Yu Yuan Gardens. This was a major tourist destination. The gardens, built by a man for his parents who lived in Shanghai, are very peaceful. However, outside the garden walls lie corridors filled with little shops and restaurants. We spent a little time in the shops, but most of us were happier to explore our first Chinese Starbucks. Now, we can all order espresso in Chinese (though, I still prefer tea).
Finally, we went to another restaurant on the top floor of a department store. This meal was quite good, but we were quite tired at this point, and looked forward to returning to our rock-hard beds at the hotel. Tomorrow, we will all wake up at 5 am our time to prepare for our flight to Xi’an. We have thoroughly enjoyed “the Paris of the East,” though it should probably be called the dig of the East; there is construction everywhere. Shanghai is a truly unique city where traditional Chinese culture melds seamlessly with Western culture. Tomorrow, we’ll have to see how we react to a city formed by 2,000 years of Chinese rule.
- John
As one of the two students interning at Tekelec after the exchange trip ends, I was very nervous about what kind of place I would be working at for two weeks. Unfortunately, my fears would have ample time to increase on the way to the company. In addition to its rural location, Tekelec sits in the middle of a technology park that is in the middle of a series of technology parks. Needless to say, we got lost. After asking directions many times, we finally found the location.
Tekelec is an American-based corporation that specializes in telecommunications. The Shanghai branch of the company focuses on research and development. Upon arrival, we were whisked into a conference room to meet with several heads of the corporation. This was also the first time I was able to meet my host, Helen Huang. She was very nice, incredibly polite, and spoke English impeccably (SCORE!!!). We also had the privilege of meeting with the vice-president of the company, Ping. Ping, along with Peter, head of the hardware group, held up the Chinese stereotype that parents take immense pride in the success of their children. This extended to the point that Peter’s four year-old daughter is taught to say she “is born to attend Harvard University.” Afterward, we took a tour of the facility, learning about how server farms work, how their IP network worked, what each department did, as well as admiring the view from the top of the building.
Following our time at Tekelec, we enjoyed a deep conversation with our local tour guide, Lisa, about the history of Shanghai while on route to the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. The tower is the tallest TV tower in Asia and third tallest in the world. Once at the observation sphere, we were able to enjoy views of Shanghai from 269 meters above the ground. “Enjoy” is used very loosely here, as the city was perpetually covered in a thick haze for most of our stay. While at the observation deck, a group of Chinese soldiers from the nei wei division (like our National Guard) flooded the room. Kim, Camryn, and Julie wasted no time in asked the soldiers to take a picture with them. The soldiers with them looked so scared while our three girls could barely contain their laughter. After the tower, we ate lunch on a dragon boat parked in the harbor. IMPORTANT: Everyone is not only eating well while in China, we also are enjoying everything we eat. Following the meal, we went to the jade shop.
Going to the jade shop isn’t just a place to buy pretty stones; we also took a tour about the history and significance of jade in China. Afterward, we were led into a room filled with jade to purchase. We were subsequently mobbed by salespeople offering us “special student discounts” on everything from bangles to pendants to a “dragon ball,” a smooth ball that will glow in the dark. Mr. Kilmer was stalked by a sales representative, who continually offered the largest dragon ball to our beloved teacher. The dragon ball was originally priced at 9,800 RMB or $1,272. Mr. Kilmer’s desire to not sacrifice his children’s college fund forced the salesman to lower his asking price to $450 before we left the store. While Mr. Kilmer was fending off his salesman, we were all making our own purchases and enjoy a couple of cups of lychee tea. Finally, when we departed, Mr. Kilmer was yet again chased down and offered the dragon ball for $300 plus a case to carry the ball in and a present to keep his wife calm when he came home. He still refused, but his bargaining skills are still unmatched by the rest of us.
After the jade shop, we went to the Yu Yuan Gardens. This was a major tourist destination. The gardens, built by a man for his parents who lived in Shanghai, are very peaceful. However, outside the garden walls lie corridors filled with little shops and restaurants. We spent a little time in the shops, but most of us were happier to explore our first Chinese Starbucks. Now, we can all order espresso in Chinese (though, I still prefer tea).
Finally, we went to another restaurant on the top floor of a department store. This meal was quite good, but we were quite tired at this point, and looked forward to returning to our rock-hard beds at the hotel. Tomorrow, we will all wake up at 5 am our time to prepare for our flight to Xi’an. We have thoroughly enjoyed “the Paris of the East,” though it should probably be called the dig of the East; there is construction everywhere. Shanghai is a truly unique city where traditional Chinese culture melds seamlessly with Western culture. Tomorrow, we’ll have to see how we react to a city formed by 2,000 years of Chinese rule.
- John
1 comment:
mr killmer, i say buy the dragon ball. it could have magical powers... :) sounds like you guys are having fun!
Post a Comment