Getting into my groove....

So I think I have finally started to get adjusted to my new life in China (for the next two months).  The reality of where I am has finally started to set in which I am grateful for.   The original luster of waking up to Shanghai is beginning to become the norm!

My company had a big ceremony today for the launch of our second China store.  The ceremony was focused for Chinese government officials....that is how stuff works here.  There was a stage with music and cheerleaders, quite a set up for some government folk.  The president's of BBY China and BBY International both gave speeches as well as the Chinese Consolate official.  It was a nice kickoff for the store which officially grand open's Friday.

As for the China experience; I moved into my apartment yesterday morning.  It is a nice place!  It is in a high rise right in the middle of Shanghai.....we are on the 27th floor.  I moved in with another international GM who has lived here for seven months.  He is from MN....a cool guy!  We get along well.  The apartment is great......nice wood floors, balcony, two full bathrooms, nice kitchen, maid service, free laundry and dry cleaning.  My only complaint is the mattress!  It is as hard as a rock!  I can't fault the apartment, it is Chinese standard to sleep on concrete apparently!  Other than that, I am happy to move out of the hotel.....now this experience will feel more authentic!

I have had some interesting food experiences the last two days.  

Yesterday I went to lunch at a Korean BBQ.  There was a table with a hole in it; at the beginning of the meal they loaded it with smoldering charcoal.  They put a metal griddle over the top and brought out a bunch of raw meat.  I am not sure what the meat was (better not to ask questions) but it tasted good.  Then they brought out squid and cooked it which also tasted quite good as well!  I have been working at the chopsticks....I am OK with the wood ones....unfortunately the Koreans use these tiny metal chopsticks which are even harder to use.....trial by fire I guess!

My other food experience last night was at a Napoleese restaurant.  It was tasty curry food.  It was pretty funny getting to the restaurant....we had to go off the main road down a dark alley (past some street meat carts and some poker games) and into a little hole in the wall.  They make their own beer there too which I thought was really strange....  All and all,  the food was pretty good.

That is about all for now.  I hope to post some new pictures in the next couple of days.

Take care all!