The Journey Begins

 

My journey began on March 21st Air Canada Flight 087 from Toronto direct to Shanghai, 15 hours. I sat beside an elderly couple of what I assumed to be Chinese, we only could smile at each other the whole way to Shanghai. It sure beat the alternative of having to sit beside someone wanting to know your whole life story and have to pretend to be interested in their story. When I arrived I was greeted by a man holding a sign that said “Cosma China”, I knew he was my ride. To my surprise the taxi was a full size Buick mini-van. The roads are immaculate, there was very little traffic for the 40min ride from the airport to the hotel “The Great Tang Hotel”. The hotel is 30 floors high, every floor is lit up like a Christmas tree at night on the outside, the inside is all marble. The rooms are very comfortable and clean. There seems to be a person for every imaginable job, people just to clean the ashtrays etc.. The buffet every morning is as lavish as Golf Steak house on a Sunday morning…..minus the roast beef. I get picked up every day from the hotel by the company bus, I certainly can get used to this. When you arrive to the plant you are greeted by a security officer that stands on a raised platform, he stands motionless as if he was guarding Buckingham Palace, quite impressive. The people at the plant are very friendly and helpful. The weather is around 12 to 15 degrees Celsius every day, the pollution is not that noticeable. The F1 race track is right beside the hotel, as well as a nice golf course. I am looking forward for Kerry to come and experience this with me. It is going to be great here for the Girls and I.

Chris

Security Officer at Work