Terry Heifetz
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Posts by Terry Heifetz
Food, food and more food!
70So far, a common theme of our visit to China is the food! In fact, one member of our BSU group said “it seems like all we’re doing is walking and eating!” And there’s a reason for it. Amazing food is everywhere! There are so many varieties to choose from that you want to try them all. Sometimes we don’t know what we’re eating, but we know it’s good.
After the first, week, some of us got a craving for American food. And we can find it almost anywhere in Shanghai. Yesterday, we dined on KFC, Burger King and Papa John’s. But even these American standards have a Chinese spin. I enjoyed a shrimp sandwich from KFC along with spicy fish. It was delicious. I only wish that Colonel Sanders would bring those exports home to the USA.
Food was a central part of our day on Monday. We spent all day Monday with our friends from Hong Kong Baptist University. It included tours of a silk factory, gardens, temples, a boat trip and a gourmet dinner. We definitely had quality time with the students and faculty members from HKBU.
Tuesday, we spent an amazing day at the World Expo and got a VIP look at the USA Pavilion. The day ended with an adventure on the subway. Someone else promised to write about that so I’ll leave it there.
Best food, best friends of Ball State
1Simon Pan, the founder of “Best Food in China,” and his colleague, Summer Xia, gave the Ball State crew a real treat today. Over a tasty lunch at Wagas in downtown Shanghai, they shared stories about their business venture, a website and production company that produces English-language restaurant reviews for visitors to China. These are busy guys, but yet, they took three hours to spend with us. Not only did they talk about their business, they wanted to hear about our students and what they want to do. And we all brainstormed ideas about how to help their business grow. The conversation truly created food for thought, please pardon the pun (and cliche).
Simon Pan and Summer Xia of "Best food in China" discuss their business with Ball State students.
Also today, we ventured onto the subway for the first time. Even though we took a wrong turn or two, we got where we needed to go. And at the top of the subway station, it was all worth it. We discovered one more bit of America, Dunkin Donuts. A little taste of home is always a nice treat.
No matter what continent you're on, Dunkin Donuts is a treat for BSU students and faculty.
Hotel #3
1We have finally arrived at our “home” in Shanghai. But it wasn’t easy getting here. We learned that it’s almost impossible to get a taxi on a rainy Saturday in Shanghai. But we got one, eventually. And it was worth the wait.
The SISU Guest House is the nicest place we’ve stayed yet. Thanks to Professor Huang Yu from Hong Kong Baptist University, we got a great rate. We’re on the 10th floor, overlooking the lovely, but smoggy city of Shanghai, at the campus of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). The professor also took us out for a fabulous art exhibit a few miles from the hotel. Then, we enjoyed one of the simple pleasures of home, coffee from Starbucks.
This hotel is a subway ride away from the World Expo and downtown, places we’ll be visiting a lot over the next two weeks. No Wal-Mart near here; but there are plenty of shops and restaurants right outside. Location, location, location! Next stop, dinner with some of our neighbors.
Field trip to Wal-Mart
2Now that we’ve settled into our new hotel (which we leave tomorrow), we needed some supplies. Luckily, down the street there’s a Wal-Mart. Yes, you have to beware of falling prices, even in China. So as good Amercans, we had to visit it. And I must give Wal-Mart some credit. The store was quite nice. There was a good variety of merchandise, very fresh produce and meat, and just like in the U.S., low prices. The place was crowded, too. My proof is just anecdotal, but it appears that Wal-Mart is just as popular here as at home.
Today, we visited the Expo for the first time. I’m sure others will comment on that. Tomorrow, we check into our final home in Shanghai, the SISU Guest House. We’re looking forward to finally unpacking.
What a day!
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Terry gives up on his U.S. cell phone and buys a Chinese phone. It's already paid for itself.