The Diet Coke Can

Aiy! I can't believe I left out one of the crazier parts of yesterday's fishing excursion!

So Made is on the boat drinking a Diet Coke, he then passes the can to the fisherman to finish off. The fisherman than proceeds to chuck the DC can into the Indian Ocean, yes folks into the frigging ocean. I flipped out "I was like Noooooooooooo" as the can floated away into the wild blue yonder. I started yelling "that's bad. You are going to kill the fish. No no. Bad!" I was like Made tell him what I said but he wouldn't so I proceeded to rant and rave for a few more minutes hoping he'd get the gist. The fisherman just laughed.

Yesterday I went snorkeling at first by myself, but I freaked out after about 5 minutes and came back in. I wasn't really digging on the fact that I was kicking around and could be eaten by shark and no one would ever know.

So I asked our little German family if I could go with them when they go. Rolf-the dad and Erik the son and I headed down to the beach and jumped in. The coral was amazing and there were tons of fish. It was so cool. Now our Dutch friends pointed out this morning that as soon as the 3 of us got in the water I swam the furthest away and I was the one who didn't want to be by myself. I explained that I didn't need someone arms length from me in the water, I just like knowing that someone was in the vicinity in the water.

This morning I noticed a pain in my back at first I thought it was the bed I've been sleeping in, but then I realized its the knot in my bikini that has been pressing into my back for the past three days as I lounge around the pool. Good thing I'm going to get a massage today!!

I am a Balinese Fisherwoman!

My wake up call came early today 4:45am to be exact. You ask "You're on vacation, right? Why in the world would you get up that early while on holiday?" And I would reply "to go fishing of course". Yes that's right to go fishing of course.

So we head down to the beach, it's a long walk, about 20 feet to the black sand. And negotiate with the fisherman on how much they will charge us to take us out on the boat. A whopping 150,000 rupiah or about 13 dollars. There is three of us- myself, Silvia and Made (pronounced Mah day) so we have to take two boats. Sarah wasn't feeling well so she stayed behind. We hop into the boats and onto the dark water. Remember its 5am and its DARK! Like the stars are still out and the moon is nowhere to be found DARK! I'd be lying if I didn't say it wasn't a little scary. I mean its a boat, with no lights, no lifepreservers and driven by a man who speaks no English. The boat is like a sailboat/catamaran and small with a ginormous sail and we are moving. Hauling ass across the Indian Ocean. Along with thousands and I do mean thousands of other boats very similar to the one I'm in.

In the meantime while the sail is flapping and I'm trying to stay in the boat, the fisherman is dropping a long line of fishing wire with a hook about every foot or so into the water. Then the sun starts to peek over the horizon and the sails of the other boats appear and it is gorgeous!

The fisherman starts reeling in his line and there are 10 inch mackerel coming in off the line and he's dropping them into the bottom of the boat. 30 minutes go by, I look down and realize my flip flops are floating in fish blood and guts. Mmmmmm yummy.

After an hour and a half we head back with all the other boats, to our respective shores.

It was quite the experience, I did take many photos with my point and shoot. It's probably good my slr is broken, because it would have gotten soaking wet.

More tomorrow or later on today, I must get back to my book or maybe I'll take a nap first.

I'm not going and You can't make me!

If I was a small child and my mom was giving me that age old trick of saying "okay have fun stay here- I'm leaving" in order to freak me out so I too would want to leave. It would not work here. I would happily wave goodbye and tell her to come visit on her holiday. Apa Kabar villas in Amed is my Shangri-La.

On the 8th we three girls part ways, Sil to Lombok, Sarah to the airport and I will stay here for one extra night. The cottage we are currently staying in, is booked for the 8th so they are moving me into a smaller cottage with my own courtyard and Balinese outdoor shower. The shower has no hot water but when you are living life in a swimsuit, sarong and flipflops, who needs to shower with hot water?!?!

I'm trying to figure out how I could stay longer. I don't actually think I can, I mean I could but really I should go home get things in order and then comeback. That sounds like a plan to me.

Have I mentioned lately how life is good?

Today I will take a motorbike into the small village and get more batteries for my point and shoot. More photos to be taken.

Fishing or snorkeling tomorrow.

I will be "as brown as a berry" by the time I return to the states!

ahhhhh Bali!

Hello! Greeting from Amed Bali- a remote fishing village on the Northwest side of the island. Life is good!

Upon arrival into Denpasar I didn't think I would have internet access and I actually went the first 4 days thinking I had no access. Well I was wrong I'm sitting on the front porch of my cottage, drinking a glass of sauvignon blanc, listening to the Indian Ocean crash against the beach.

Those of you who don't have facebook don't know but my digital slr broke while I was overnighting in Japan. I almost had a heart attack. I have now decided this situation is teaching me a lesson. Luckily my point and shoot is still good to go.

I have decided that my slr situation is a sign from God that I need to focus on other aspects of my life instead of always looking through a lens.
I've started creating a list of things that I need to do in order to make my next change. I feel it is imminent, but being a TD for life is not one of them.

I love traveling and I love being in foreign countries. It is my passion.

The food here has been fantastic. The people amazing. The artwork here is tremendous.

For the first 4 days I was in Bali we stayed in Ubud. We were pretty much the only 3 staying at this resort. They brought us breakfast to our balcony everyday and gave us a free lift into town. We were in the jungle. With the exception of today we've had spa treatments everyday and we will be going tomorrow while in Amed. There will be snorkeling and fishing in our future as well. Sarah leaves on the 8th, Sil goes to Lombok that day and I haven't decided what I'm doing until the 9th. I may stay here or I may go to Lombok with Sil.

Who knows?! I hate commitment!

Is it Really over!?!?

I'm sitting at the JAL (Japan Airlines) Business Lounge in Shock.....I can't believe it's over....Wow this past month went fast! I have so much to tell you all and don't know when I'll get the chance to write about it.

I know I've mentioned it before but the past month was very very special. It's amazing how well our Clients, the hotel staff, and our team all got along so well. We will all be suffering from Post Olympics Blues. We had 3 parties this week. On Monday night we took our 22 local staff out for a HOT POT dinner and then Karoake. For those of you that don't know what Hot Pot is, it's like Chinese Fondue...a big boiling bowl one half is a spicy broth and the other side is a mild broth. The servers then bring in all sorts of rare meat to be boiled and then you pull it out with your chopsticks.....items we had for dinner included and I'm not kidding you: Mutton (which is Lamb...yummy), Ox Stomach, Pig air pipe, and Duck Guts...yes that's right Duck Guts...I was sitting next to my new buddy Jan (she's from San Diego) and we were laughing our asses off and drinking a lot of beer to choke down our new entrees. Nothing was BAD it just wasn't GOOD. But I tried it all! JD another Senior Staff (from Australia) had made an awesome "yearbook" (photos compliled from the month) and put together for all of us to sign and keep. What a treasure!! He did an amazing job on it!!

Tuesday night was the final party for all of the staff who worked for the company I was hired by, there were like 400 people there. Team H (my team) was the only team that had everyone we worked with along with our client on the dance floor until 2:00am.

I have so many photographs to share as well. I'm cutting this short because I need to go grab a bite before I board the plane.

I'm heading to Narita, Japan for the night and then to Bali tomorrow. Looking very forward to the beaches and the rice paddies of Bali.

Sorry this posting is short and choppy but I feel like I haven't written forever.

Zaijan! April

NiHao from the Bird's Nest

Hi! I'm blogging from the Bird's Nest! It is an absolutely gorgeous day in Beijing! The temperature is perfect and there is hardly a cloud in the sky.

I'm with our group in a suite watching Athletics. 400m, 200m, hammer throw, triple jump and hurdles.

So much has happened in the past week since I last wrote. I'll be sure to add an entry on the "glamorous" side of my job, later on tonight.

I will say though the program I am on has been great. I'm very fortunate, as I know othe people have been on some hellish programs.

Michael Phelps arrived at our hotel last night, the security that has been put in place is insane. I'm like he's just a 23 year old swimmer-bfd. Who happened to break a few world records and has 8 gold medals!

Its fun to be in the stadium when a Chinese athlete competes, the crowd goes wild! Screaming China China China.

Pictures and more stories to come.

Opening Ceremonies, etc. etc.

By now you have all seen Opening Ceremonies! Wow! What a performance. I didn't get the chance to go to Opening Ceremonies and I know it's a once in a lifetime experience, but I will get to go to Closing Ceremonies.

I thought the drums at the beginning were amazing! I had a friend tivo it and I can't wait to watch it again.

I haven't been out of the hotel a ton because I've been working quite a bit. So I’ll give you a quick update on a few things:

Traffic in Beijing is insane, it truly is like playing a game of frogger….first there are the buses and big vehicles that have the right away and then it’s taxis and private cars and then it’s motorized bikes and then regular bikes and then people…..they tend to turn right from the 2nd to left hand lane yes that’s right turning right out of the left hand lane. People turn right in front of cabs, do u-turns in the middle of the street, bikes cut in front of buses and people stand in the middle of oncoming traffic like it’s no big thing. So the other day this guy and I decide to try it out like the locals. The next thing I know I’m standing in the middle of cross traffic….all of the sudden realizing that my butt and boobs are much bigger than the average Chinese and sticking out way further into on coming traffic than Ling Ling’s standing next to me. Clearly, I survived the trip across the street.

My colleague and I are starting a list of Chinese puns, the catch is we have to use it in a sentence: such as I’m on it like white on rice or What does that have to do with the price of tea in China? By the time I leave I’ll have a list and post it on my blog.

Yesterday I managed to get out of the hotel with our guests and accompany them on a trip to the Summer Palace. Basically some Emperor a couple of centuries ago built this amazing retreat outside of the city where he hung out with his concubines. That’s pretty much all I understood from our Chinese local tour guide. It was absolutely FABULOUS!
Gorgeous, such a wonderful place.

I believe I’ve mentioned how awesome our hotel staff is, but the head chef, main F&B guy and the Director of Ops are great! Today Jason (the head chef) with whom I’ve actually worked with before in Singapore was sitting in our office. Debbie- a colleague of mine was telling Jason to read something and he was holding it arms length and Debbie said “do you need glasses, it looks like you’re squinting”. I said “nah he’s just Chinese”. We all laughed our asses. It was soooo totally wrong and inappropriate, but that’s how comfortable we are with each other that it just came out.

More to come…..

The Donut-CCTV, Blue Skies in Beijing, Forbidden City from a Taxi

Week in Review

Week In Review-

I’ve been here a week in Beijing and I’m close to becoming a “Beijinger”….okay so I have a lot to work on to become an official “Beijinger”. But here’s the latest-

I now know how to say:

Good Morning
Good Afternoon
Good Night
How are you?
Cookie
April (though I’m still working on that one)
Excuse Me
Beer 

Everyone I have met so far in China has been so smiley and accommodating. The hotel staff is amazing and always willing to help. We have local college students we are using at the Hospitality Desk and on the buses. They are so willing to learn

I’ve tried to get out of the hotel as much as I can but it’s mostly been at night. The other night 6 of us on the team headed out to the Hoa Hai district for a little drinking, dinner and dancing. It’s a great area there are a ton of restaurants and clubs lining a small lake, great atmosphere. We ate at this restaurant tucked away off the main drag called the “No Name Restaurant”. The food was fantastic, a bit spicy, but really good. We then stopped at a club and shook our tail feather! It was a blast it was like the 6 of us and maybe 4 other “foreigners”, the rest were all Chinese. They had a stripper pole on the dance floor so myself and another girl were demonstrating our skills and the Chinese girls loved it, so we convinced them to do the same thing. We were dancing with them and laughing it was so much fun!!

The other day we had to go back up to the Wall to do another site inspection of the venue we are using on our way back we stopped at restaurant along the way. There they fish out a fish for you, beat it to death and then fry it up…it was SOOOO yummy! Some of the best traditional Chinese food I’ve ever had and yes Paula the head was still attached, but it was good. I’ll post photos of lunch soon! As we were driving back into the city, we came across 4 cyclists with helmets (which in China no one where’s helmets) I jokingly said “look the Cycling team” as I’m saying that I turn to look closely and it was in fact TEAM USA. I didn’t get a shot because we drove by too fast and I didn’t have my camera out. I know I know..

However, during the games we will be having these Olympics eating off the buffets in my client’s hospitality suite:
Paul and Morgan Hamm
Wallace Spearman
The Lopezes
Some guy named Michael Phelps 
The US women’s tennis team….yes Venus, Serena, etc.

In general as a staff person it is inappropriate to approach any of these athletes other than to make sure they have everything they need. I personally would not ask for autographs, but maybe photographs…..but it will be on a case by case basis.

I’m sure I’ll have some good stories along the way.

Today I actually got out of the hotel during the day. I ran a few errands with another TD and I drove past Tianamen Square and Forbidden City. I’ll be sure to hit up both of those places.

Tomorrow the Games begin!

GreatWalldelayedblog

Nihao!

Last night I arrived to Beijing (which would be your Tuesday Morning) safe and sound. I met the team for a late dinner and was prepared to turn in for the night. When somebody mentioned “massage”, boy did my ears perk up. As some of you know I’m a bit of a massage whore, so I jumped at the chance. We headed to Dragonfly at 9:45pm to get foot massages it was a nice treat after a long day of flying!

This morning we all piled into a mini coach and headed to Mutinayu (a section of the Great Wall). I snapped some great photos. The whole time I kept thinking “I can’t believe I’m standing on the frigging Great Wall of China”. It totally did not sink in! It’s a really big wall. We got dropped off in a parking lot and then you walk up a path to the Gondola ride. It’s kinda like walking up to Tulum, Doi Suthep or any other landmark where people can sell you trinkets. They were selling hats, t-shirts, bags, magnets, statues of Mao, Buddha, your photo in front of the great wall on a mug, postcards, fruits and nuts etc. I heard a lot of “Hey Lady-you buy banana”. I didn’t have the heart to tell them bananas would be the LAST thing I’d be buying at the Great Wall. We rode the Gondola up to the top and then traipsed around the Wall for about an hour. It was a heck of a workout. We then rode the Great Wall Slide back down the side of the mountain. That thing was AWESOME! And it only made it better since it wasn’t in the US! That thing would be so regulated, helmets, waivers, blah blah blah. I think one of my friends shot video on my camera so I’ll post the video at some point.

We then did a quick site visit of this village area we will be doing an event at, headed to lunch and then back to the hotel. We have a lot to do before all the PAX (attendees) arrive onsite next week.

May get another massage tonight and then lights out, I hope to sleep through the night tonight!

Cheers!

Beijing So Far

Nihao!

I started to post a blog from my laptop yesterday and it insisted o doing it in Chinese, so here I am on my blackberry. Once I figure out the dealio, you can read about the great wall experience. I still can't believe I was on the friggin great wall! I might have to walk the whole thing for it to really sink in.

The highlights so far:

My eyeball exploded, yes as in the one you look out of specifically the right one. It doesn't hurt and I can still see but its a bloody mess.ok its not THAT bad, but I woke up yesterday, looked in the mirror and was like "ew gross" I'm pretty sure it was from the 50 hour flight and I'm pretty sure I'll be able to convince people I'm cursing them with my eye and they will give me great deals on many things:)

The people I'm working with are super cool and we have a great team!

The hotel is very nice and the service is great! So far everyone in China has been very friendly!

We are learning one word a day today was "cookie" or Bing-an in Chinese.

I had dinner with my friend Sil, whose hotel is literally 3 blocks from mine. We wandered around her block, had a yummy bite, dropped into this club for a beer and now I'm home and going to bed.

Sil had pulled out these postcards of the "cartoon mascots" for the games at dinner. They kinda look hello kittyish and about 4 servers (girls) were standing around looking at the postcards, giggling and I imagine discussing how cool the cards were. Sil only needed 3 so she left the other 3 as part of our tip, I'm sure the girls were stoked! It was super cute!!

Alright off to bed! Zaijan!

Shanghai Airport

Nihao! Well I've officially made it into China. I don't know why but I always get nervous going through Customs in any country, even the US. The funny thing is, I'm not doing anything wrong. I guess its because one time I was flying to Vancouver and I made the mistake of saying I was working. That didn't go over to well with immigration, luckily I talked my way out it and they let me in.

Upon landing in Shanghai I didn't notice too much of a difference from any other airport. Except for the fact that everything is in Chinese and English. The other thing that become quickly apparent was how freakin quiet the airport is! I was waiting for my bags reading email on my blackberry and didn't even notice the bags were coming off the belt. In the States its like a Chucky Cheese game, bells, whistles and lights letting you know your bags are coming down the belt.

The ac wasn't on either I started sweating as soon as I got off the plane and let me tell you, it's humid!

I made my way from T1 to T2 to check in for my flight to Beijing and I'm now sitting at the gate. Again I feel like I'm in a library, you could hear a pin drop. Its actually very nice.

Alright more later from Beijing!

I'm leaving on a jet plane

I'm sitting here at O'Hare at my gate and I'm finally starting to get excited. I cut it sort of close getting here this morning. I was starting to get nervous that the agent wasn't going to let me check my bags because he kept looking at his watch. But it's all good away they went down the belt with newly minted "Platinum" stickers.

I'm hoping to learn some Chinese by listening here at the gate. There are about 50 teen and pre teen kids flying with me back to Shanghai. So far I haven't picked up on anything:) I'll let you know how my lessons go!

You'll here from me soon!

Cheers! April

Am I Nervous? Excited? A little bit of both.

I leave in less than 24 hours and I'm ready to go! I have both of my suitcases zipped and by the door....yes I said "both". I really wanted to only pack one bag, but I was asked by a few people to bring some things over to Beijing and then I added somethings to the mix and now I have 2 bags. However, the 2nd bag has stuff that will be consumed along the way and will leave be used for souvenirs to bring back. Or I can leave the bag, it originally was purchased when I was in Thailand two years ago when I shopped my head off. I can only imagine Beijing and Bali aren't going to be any better.

I'm both excited and nervous. Looking forward to landing in Shanghai and making my way to my flight to Beijing. I'm the last of our team to arrive and they are all going to dinner at 8:00, so I'll be looking forward to getting to the hotel asap, so I can meet everyone.

Today when I was finishing up my errands I saw the perfect quote on a church reader board "All People Smile in the Same Language". I thought that was an appropriate reminder as I head to China tomorrow- when in doubt just "smile and nod".

hahaha.

3 Days and Counting

3 days from now I'll be sitting on a plane at O'Hare waiting for everyone in Coach to get on the bus :) I used miles and a little bit of cash to get upgraded to business. Thank God since the flight to Shanghai is 14.5 hours. 

I'm almost ready to go. I need to run to the store and pick up a few things and I still need to pack. My friend Jen and her Moldovan daughter- Galina are here visiting today and tomorrow. Galina was on a mission trip to Chicago, so Jen came up and the three of us are hanging out.

It'll be a fun two days. We are headed to the Hancock building, Chinatown, Millennium Park and of course Garrett's Popcorn. Much to Jen's dismay Galina isn't a fan of Chicago style pizza, so we may or may not hit up Giordano's.

I have a feeling I may be running around like a mad woman on Sunday..oh well that's how I roll.

Tell Me

Exactly what am I supposed to think when three people whom I sent my blog out to, quickly reply and say "hey I know people in China, if you need to get bailed out while you're over there-shoot me an email".

I have no intentions of misbehaving....yeah yeah yeah I know that sentence is even hard for me to believe. As much as I like causing trouble I don't really like the thought of being sent to a slammer in any country.

So I'll behave in both China and Bali...okay fine I'll try and get in a little trouble just to keep the blog exciting, but for the most part I'll be keeping my nose clean!

My horns do hold up my halo!

Let me get this right, did you say there is a SLIDE at the Great Wall of China?

Last night I was on a conference call with the people I'll be working with in China and it was mentioned that our signature event will be at the Mutinayu section of the Great Wall. Mutinayu is about 90 minutes from Beijing and is supposed to be a less touristy area of the Great Wall. 

On the 30th of July our team is headed up there to check out the wall and get a lay of the land for our signature event that we will do 4 times during the course of the Olympics. Our Account Manager says yes you can take the Gondola or the Slide down the Wall...I'm sorry what did you say a "SLIDE?". Tell me exactly how LONG is this SLIDE? Having the nickname "nancy drew" for excellent internet research I google "Slide Great Wall" and this is what I found:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDX2IIg3kmQ

Yes that's right folks a friggin toboggan like metal slide that appears to run for miles and miles and miles. Which route do think I'll take back down the Great Wall!?!?  :) And yes I do have travel medical insurance....

Later.

Ni Hao!

Greetings! Welcome to my 2008 Travel Blog...in 12 days I will be departing for the 2008 Summer Olympics. I will be working in Beijing for a month and then plan on traveling for 2 weeks afterwards. As you can imagine I'm very excited...I still have lots to do, but in true AGulley fashion I will pull it off in the last few days before I go. I do have some things started...like a pile of clothes, a few books, a list of all the consumables I plan on taking with me, a short list of things to do before my plane pulls away from the gate of Terminal 3 at O'Hare.

I'm trying to pack reasonable, as I know I'll be shopping a little...yeah yeah yeah put your request in now cuz I'm capping who I buy for at 20 people and my personal trainer already has his request in! 

I keep hearing you can buy anything you need in Beijing so yes I can buy shampoo but is it Suave, Paul Mitchell or Rhino Poop!?!? I do hear Rhino poop really makes your hair shine...

Now most of you know I'm far from a prima donna, but if I'm going to be working my butt off for a month in a business setting I would like a few comforts from home... if I wasn't at the Beijing Hilton I'd wash my hair with Rhino Poop and wear the same underwear for 4 days....but since I sorta have to look presentable, I do plan on packing some of my favorite toiletries. I'm doing my best to pack a small backpack, one medium size suitcase and possibly one smaller bag but that's it!

I am super duper psyched for this trip!! It hasn't quite set in yet that I'll be in China soon. I can't wait to experience all the stuff I've read about: the food markets, the people, me not understanding them and them not understanding me, getting lost, making new friends, people staring and laughing (that's nothing new:), even the pollution...I mean "how bad can it be?". 

Stay tuned for more updates before I leave and during my travels!!

Cheers!