Tina April 1

Nikki and I had a bit of a scare, we overslept because our alarms did not go off, but we were able to make it relatively on time. We were able to tour the Shanghai office of Li & Fung today. We learned about the differences required to operate in China vs. Hong Kong. I found it epsecially interesting to learn about the income disparaites between Easter and Western China and how that impacts their strategies. We were able to see a factory where they make ladies clothing for Kohl's and other American stores. This was perhaps my favorite part of the whole trip. The factory was shockingly clean with shiny floors and the workers dressed up. There were even women wearing heels to work on the factory line! The owner took us around, he was a great resource to ask questions of. We had a little time to wander before we went to the acrobat show. I had seen Chinese acrobat shows before, but this one went above and beyond. It seemed to be a popular tourist attraction because there were several cruise ships of senior citizens sitting with us. Dinner was several courses in a cute little district of shops.

 People working in the cutting room at the factory.

My favorite act at the show.

Tina March 31

We had some free time to wrap up our visit to Hong Kong before we flew to Shanghai. The two hour flight seemed quick compared to our long flight from Chicago. We flew on Dragon Air which, unlike most American flights, still provides meals on short trips. Most of us had already eaten at the airport, but we did enjoy mini Haagen dazs ice cream cups. When we got off the plane we met a woman from Middleton, WI who also studied at the UW- such a small world! Our hotel in Shanghai had amazing rooms, with great views of the city. We were on the 32nd floor and enjoyed the picturesque scenery from our bathroom. We had a nice buffet dinner at the hotel.

 Our fellow UW Alumni.

 The dinner spread at our hotel.

Friday April 2nd- Gina and Jessica's Room

Today is all about really exploring the culture of China and inner Shanghai.















First off we went to the Jade Buddha Temple were we got to see men dressed up in full costume and even went to their tea house to try out some of their healing tea flavors.

Then we went off to the Yen Gardens and markets surrounding it. The architecture was great to see and really reminded us of the China we have learned about in school. At the markets we got a last quick amount of shopping in and also got to get some gifts for our families back home. Here Gina is finally getting her dumpling which is filled with meat soup and is drank out of a straw that she saw on the travel channel a few months back. 

Here is the tallest building in China, the Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC), and we are climbing to the top of it. Actually we are taking the elevator but still its like over 100 stories up! The view from the top was truly amazing though!!! Everything inside was very space like too, like we were about to board Space mountain at Disney land.

Here is a sign for our event with the Chancellor! Biddy and some other alumni and professors all got together and invited us to attend a dinner with them. Jerry even got to give a great speech to represent our presence in china and what we have all done! Last night in China :( what a vacation, Ive never been on such a amazing adventure.

Wed. May 31st- Gina and Jessica's room

Today we say bye to Hong Kong :( and leave for mainland China. Im so excited and yet nervous for the next step of immersing us in their culture and I feel like Hong Kong was a nice stepping stone to seeing the real deal.

Here Gina is on the last day in Hong Kong! Saying goodbye to our lovely rooms and breakfast buffet. It definitely was a feat to pack up all our stuff again with all our new purchases.

Here is our Dragonair plane that we took to Shanghai. The flight was really nice with fleece blankets and even ice cream!! :) Soon we were there and the flight seemed like nothing compared to our other 16 hour flight to Hong Kong days before.

We are in awe of how nice our hotel rooms are in Shanghai. Truly Ive never stayed in a room like this and I dont know if my parents have either!!! We even have a love seat in the window in the corner and wrap around windows throughout the rest of the corner room. Absolutely amazing, we feel so lucky to be here. After checking in we go down to eat dinner at 8:15 with the rest of the group in the restaurant.

Monday March 29th- Gina and Jessica's room update

Here we are at our morning presentation about retail landscapes and sustainability at Li and Fung! Deborah also talked to us about the new training program for design they have for staff members (called Building Skills for Growth- Investing In Your Imagination).

Here is Bruce Bergstrom talking about the sustainability advancements at Li and Fung.

Here is some of the delicious desserts we had at our lunch buffet at the Sheraton hotel in Shenzen!!! :) yum yum chocolate moose!

Here we are in Shenzen at the Li and Fung offices for QA (quality assurance) there.

Blueberry and Cucumber Lays?!?! I have to say the Blueberry were real good but cucumber is not my thing.

Here we are at dinner at Peking Garden Restaurant. We had a 12 course meal which was full of traditional Chinese foods. The meal even consisted of a chicken that is wrapped in leaves and buried in the mud and cooked there. From there its dug up and we have to break it with a metal mallet! I was one of the lucky ones to actually try and crack it open. So hilarious. Overall a very cultural experience. Above is also the chef making noodles from a big piece of dough right in front of us!