Berlin, Shanghai, whatever next?

26/03/2008 by Russell.

Hectic comes to mind when thinking about the year so far.

January passed by without too much effort, a highlight being United beating Arsenal 4-0.

But come February, Berlin was on the agenda. I have been here before, but the visits to KPM porcelain factory and BMW were worth the time taken to visit these factories. KPM procelain is so exclusive, they export to the new found wealth in China - coals to Newcastle and all that. The students werereasonably behaved, late nights are the norm, but all participated well in the organised events. The hotel was next door to a sex shop, aswell as three others in the vicinity, all students paid them a visit, and came out more wiser. Stayed on an extra night with my colleague David, we were so naughty we thought we’d go to a strip club ( never been to one before) for the experience, well there were three girls and us two….yup, nothing happened, no strip, only girls on the game - can’t be bothered with that rubbish, so after one drink we departed..however compared to Shanghai, our hotel had girls on the game in the bar area and in the massage area, now that wasn’t expected.

Shanghai, long flight, and a lot to do on our schedule. the Bund was (river light show) only lit up at the weekends, because of an energy shortage in China. this was incrdible to imagine beforehand, projections at least 300feet high on to the sides of buildings (skyscrapers).

The old market (refurbished) was pleasant until you saw Starbucks on the scene.

The Silk factory was excellent, fashion show wasn’t much cop, but the silk bedding was excellent, so much so, Nick my colleague and i are thinking about importing them, the mark-up is excellent.

The trip on the river beforehand was not particularly scenic, but the smells coming from the water were interesting to say the least, now who’d wash their clothes in that? not I, but the chinese do.

Everywhere we went, we were always seen as easy prey for fake goods, beggers or dealing in the cheap street trading which is commonplace.

Ah fake goods…the students enjoyed the wheeler dealing of haggling with the traders. Yours truly also found the dealing part interesting and part realisation that you were being taken for a ride.

Are my Ray Bans fake? who knows, everythng looked legitimate even down to the after care booklet, but my Patek Philipe watch is fake..

Our next vist was to Bosideng a factory known for its raincoats, although we saw only dresses being made, 900 machinists on one floor, 6 to a room in their accommodation, we brits wouldn’t cope with that, all this shift work for around 150-200 pounds a month (accomodation and food included)

All our visits were accompanied by Sammi - who was on duty with us from9-11pm at night, she made it all very worthwhile, the food she ordered was superb, all for around £4 pp, even went withNick and myself for a foot massage…wow - you should try it.

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