This was another MBA adventure. I was invited as an alumni to participate with the graduating cohort in the consortium exchange to China. I took the opportunity to go to Beijing beforehand by myself. This was quite an experience. I failed to realize it was Golden Week. All I can say is China is crowded. Went to the Wall, Heavenly Palace and Tienanmen Square. I felt safe and stayed safe by avoiding the street food throughout the trip.
From Beijing I decided to take a train which I tried to book before my trip started. What a mistake! I ended up with the last hard chair. Twenty-four hours later crammed in with the Billion Chinese people I arrived at the school in Chongqing.
Some people suggested that the younger generation in China speak English and that would be helpful during my trip. I did not find that to be accurate.
One breakfast it took me four mimes to get a spoon. Primarily, I used my phone to communicate and showed it to people because the vocabulary was not phonetically written.
I must admit the people where very hospitable everywhere I went. We had a guide who brought her two nephews to help us in our day excursions. They entertained us and we ate at some excellent restaurants. We went to enjoy ‘hot pot’ which you cook your own food in a simmering soup stock. We went to a tea ceremony which made me reconsider how I poor my hot water for my tea. I was surprised how good the food was albeit spicy. Although I tried a lot of different plates I did not eat the cow blood or chicken feet. I reached my limit. I like pushing my boundaries and experiencing new things and this trip did not disappoint.