July 5th, 2007
So we finally arrived to Dalian after a two day delay. What we had to go through will get to in the book but just some clues….Volcano in Russia, Embassy Suites in LAX, PKD @ PKD (anyone needs explanation has not been there..it’s worth it..ask Udi) , overnight bench sleep * 2 nights. Just a great way to start our trip. We left SD on Sunday morning and now it is Thursday. Where did the week go?
Yesterday we ‘visited’ Wal-mart. It is a sense of the West that comes with a culture shock. It is like the whole the city of Dalian (just under 3M as of last week- I counted myself) came to see Sam. He is gone already for a few good years but they really need to see him. It is like the famous joke how to get 10 people into a car…here it is how to get 10000 people into a Wal mart (wo-Ma in Chinese). What a scene.
I got up this morning for my first taste of the early morning Dalian jog. I really wanted to use the hotel spa which was closed of course. Well, how many people get up at 5AM to use the spa??? So I decided to brave it. I got outside the ‘facility’. To those who know me this is BIG! (I AM BRAVE!) I found a street market like in Gaza just around the corner. . People are very friendly. The barber shop is in the middle of the street. vegetable stands are ‘standing’ on the … ground. I will get our trip Photographer to take some pictures to show how this market looks if she can brave it….. I guess we do not have pictures you know why. If anyone saw movies about Vietnam from the 1950’s it looks much better. I did jog!
To those who previously laughed at my Chinese- it ain’t bad….I am actually using it to get around… but it is not very good either.
Just a few words about Dalian. It is off the eastern coast of China just across the sea from North Korea. It is a big village in Chinese standards. Should have the climate of San Diego… or at least this is how I thought it was going to be…REALTY – it is not bad but more like Tel Aviv in summer humid and hot. Very humid and Very hot!
Udi and I went shopping. We went to a street with 10 phenomenal malls with stores such as Hugo Boss Armani Dunhill Versace. I will get the ‘accompanied photographer’ to come with us next week to take pictures, I will bet anyone this time it will get done. No need to brave the elements. Surprisingly many items are more expensive than in SD. We will send full report with prices next week. I guess we will not be buying here.
A treat – surprise – the first kosher restaurant just open in Dalian and it is not in Chabad Center. It is in our place. For $80 a month we got a cook every day. The mashgiach is our one and only SCY High Team player.
See you tomorrow. Our chinese classes are starting. The first shul in Dalian is opening this weekend.
