Wow, time flies when you are having fun. I can't believe it's the third week already. This last week, we presented our itinerary to our client and they seem pleased with our timeline. We are working on putting together a comprehensive marketing plan. We met with the Vice General Manager and we got some additional insight on the company. He let us know that the company was formed by a group of investors and now each investor is a manager of each department. It sounds like the company is growing faster than anticipated and they need to really have some management training and create a strategic direction. In addition, they need to be able to make decisions as a team. We were surprised that he was so open and honest with us about the weaknesses of his company. We decided that in addition to our marketing plan we should assist the management with some training on creating a strategic direction, goal setting, motivating their people, and decision making. An overall feeling of negativity was there, we wanted to make sure to focus on positive things that they are doing. Our training is on Wednesday, I will report back and let you know if it sinks in or not!
This last weekend we went to Xi'an, the old capital of China. It was very interesting because the history dates back to 1046 BC, there were 12 dynasties that ruled China from Xi'an. We were able to go to the Terra Cotta warrior tombs, Emperor Qin had over 700,000 people over 40 years to create terra cotta warriors and horses that were buried with him to protect him in the after life. We stayed in the ancient city and took a bike ride around the top of the wall that was build to protect the city, the total length of the wall was 13 kilometers. We were definitely worn out after our ride since it turned cold and was sprinkling a little bit. We also enjoyed a crumbed bread lunch which you crumble your own bread in a bowl and they fill it with noodles, broth, and meat, it was well needed during the cold day.
I managed to hurt my foot while I was here, but it has actually turned into a bit of a neat experience with Chinese medical massage. I learned some Chinese medicine tips: 1) do not get the injured foot hot 2) if your lower back is tense you have caught a cold in your back, make sure to keep it covered. 3) always keep your feet covered 4) keep your feet covered, you can catch a cold in your feet as well. 5)don't sit in one spot for longer than 40 minutes, it tightens up your shoulders and back. 6) running is good to loosen up you shoulders.
Here are some other things that I think are extremely different here:
-After March 15, the government turns off the central heating system, so it is cold in a lot of the restaurants, we are lucky to have personal heating machines in our rooms!
-The beds are very hard, I think it has to do with a belief that it is better for your back, but not good for sleeping!
-Clearing your throat in public apparently isn't considered rude, people are doing it all the time and very loudly.
-The lines on the road are just a guide for where you might want to drive and the horn is also a means to clear people out of your way while you are driving. I thought I was going to die last night on our taxi ride home, we were on the freeway going against on coming traffic, our driver was flashing his lights and honking his horn to alert people to move. We were driving on the center line on a 2 lane road for a while, with people passing on the right and left. We were all very quite until we got into the city! Thank God, I live to see another day! :)
-Construction and dirt is everywhere, they are growing so fast. We witnessed a bunch of electrical lines all tied together and hanging from tree to tree and a building being torn down with very little distance from the observers, just didn't feel safe.
-Negotiating for trinkets is FUN, we were amazed at Fillipo's ability to get the lowest price in the group, he's an inspiration. In my guidebook it says to expect to pay 60% of the cost, but I think we were getting closer to an 80% discount, maybe they were marking it up extra for the Westerners!
-Vegetarian options aren't very common, there is meat in everything. I don't think I have ever eaten so much pork. Unfortunately/fortunately, I have discovered that I like pork.... haha!
Well back to the work, hoping for some warmer weather soon!
Sara
-The lines on the road are just a guide for where you might want to drive and the horn is also a means to clear people out of your way while you are driving. I thought I was going to die last night on our taxi ride home, we were on the freeway going against on coming traffic, our driver was flashing his lights and honking his horn to alert people to move. We were driving on the center line on a 2 lane road for a while, with people passing on the right and left. We were all very quite until we got into the city! Thank God, I live to see another day! :)
-Construction and dirt is everywhere, they are growing so fast. We witnessed a bunch of electrical lines all tied together and hanging from tree to tree and a building being torn down with very little distance from the observers, just didn't feel safe.
-Negotiating for trinkets is FUN, we were amazed at Fillipo's ability to get the lowest price in the group, he's an inspiration. In my guidebook it says to expect to pay 60% of the cost, but I think we were getting closer to an 80% discount, maybe they were marking it up extra for the Westerners!
-Vegetarian options aren't very common, there is meat in everything. I don't think I have ever eaten so much pork. Unfortunately/fortunately, I have discovered that I like pork.... haha!
Well back to the work, hoping for some warmer weather soon!
Sara
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