Final thoughts on Shanghai

So it turns out that Blogspot is blocked in China . . . oh well, I guess I won't be able to update . . . NOT!  I found a way.  But the vpn pass expires in a few minutes, so I just copy/pasted the email I wrote to my family.  Here it goes:

We just spent the last four days in Shanghai, where, despite my best efforts, I was not able to access the WiFi. However, I am in Wuxi now, and Kyle (my roomate for the next two days) was able to use the room's ethernet on his laptop and create a wifi access point for me. Anyway:

Shanghai was AWESOME! Seriously, I have never been so disoriented in my LIFE, yet I was LOVING IT. We were able to do exchanges at two high schools, an elementary school, and had a large exchange concert in the Shanghai Finance University's library (seriously, what is it with UVU music groups having to perform in libraries?!?!?!) We also got to visit the Shanghai Music Conservatory, where we did a benefit concert for the victims of the earthquake two weeks ago in China (Gouzhou Province, I think?). These have been amazing performances, and I feel that they have been personal bests for me. This is great, as we have performed Chan-Chan, a cuban song that I improvise a solo over, at almost all of these performances and exchanges. The crowds seem to really like it, and after one in particular (at the elementary school), I was pulled aside for a picture by one of the school faculty, who did not speak very much english. She referred to me as 'Chan-Chan', so that has apparently become my new Chinese name.

The city itself is . . . expansive, to say the least. The city just seems to go on FOREVER, and it is almost impossible to look for landmarks because high-rise apartment buildings dominate the skyline, and they all look just similar enough to throw you for a loop. However, we are not responsible for the driving, which is nice, because the roads are CRAZY. Concepts like 'right of way', 'designated lanes', and 'stop lights' are more like guidelines here. Crossing the road is always an adventure, let alone taxis (OH MY GOSH WE'RE GOING TO DIE!!!).

Everyone we have met have been extremely friendly, ESPECIALLY the students. It is rare to see so much raw ENTHUSIASM in the States. This goes even to the college level. To see a college audience actively engaged in our performance, on a Saturday, no less, is inspiring.

But, alas, our time in Shanghai came to an end this morning, as we caught the train to Wuxi. One hour long trip, SMOOTHEST RIDE EVER. And today, it started to rain. Then it continued to rain. The whole day. Which was awesome, because most of the day we spent outside at the Mountain Ling Temple area, which was, for lack of better terms, TRANSCENDENT. But it's hard for me to put it into words without the help of the many pictures I took, so you all will just have to wait until I get back.

GRANDPA: I have NO idea what you mean by 'Chinese food in America is better than chinese food in China,' unless you were unlucky enough to go to places like the one we went to two nights ago after the benefit concert. Yes, it is 'different'. But the flavors I have experienced here are GENUINE, and not packed with MSG like what you get at Panda. (Now admittedly, there are probably some REALLY GOOD non-chain Chinese food places in Provo-Orem that I haven't tried, but the stuff I've had here has left me very satisfied, for now).

However, my favorite part about this trip is that I get to share in it with some of the weirdest and coolest people I've ever been able to meet. Last night, we rented a KTV (Karaoke) room just three blocks from our hotel, where we celebrated Dr. Criddle's 32nd birthday. That party was more party than ANY singles-ward or school dance I've EVER been to, and there were less than 30 people there.

This is all I can really think to say for now, but I will try to send updates as frequently as I can. Until then, I love you all (yes, EVEN YOU), and I am thinking of you from halfway around the world.

Sincerely,

Logan "Chan-Chan" Voorhis

The RED SCARE

So we are still here in the Icheon Airport, and I decided 'What the heck, I may not be able to experience South Korea at this time around, but I can at least try the food.  So, I decided to pick something from the cafeteria-style restaurant in the Terminal:  Dumpling and Soft Bean Curd Stew.  I deliberately went for what I assumed was the least spicy thing on the menu . . . but apparently the camera they used to capture the essence of this delicious meal doesn't handle the color Red very well.  But no matter!  As soon as I got my stew, my keen powers of observation provided me a valuable hint into what I was in for.  I'm not sure if it was the rich red color, or the fact that all of the contents of the bowl were still boiling, but something prompted me to ask a very important question of myself:  Where is the water?

Luckily, they provided 6oz (or whatever the metric equivalent to my estimation of their yield) metal cups and a water cooler that I almost (but didn't) cause to spill over, I was able to prepare myself for the oncoming enslaught of spice . . .

Which turned out to be WONDERFUL.  It was not just ANY type of spicy:  It was ETERNAL FIRE spicy.  As in, the heat distributes itself evenly from the lips to the back of the throat, gradually rising in intensity the more you eat.  the Dumplings were savory, the bean curd (tofu) was well-seasoned and stayed relatively firm, and the egg yolk (they drop an egg in the stew just as it begins to boil) was perfect!   Also, one of the side condiments, a sweet tofu skin-type thing whose name I do not yet know, served as a delightful contrast to the burning.

Also, rice.  Always rice.  Which is wonderful, because I love rice.

I think we're about to board.  But, before I go, feel free to enjoy the shameless western-style cartoon branding!

Korean Sunrise

I AM IN ASIA!  Seriously, I started to geek out as soon as I stepped out of the gate into Incheon International Airport in Korea.  The only thing that was missing was a gong crash to  underscore my glorious arrival.

The flight from LAX (where Lemonade seems to be a pretty big deal) to here was not NEARLY as bad as I thought it would be, but I am so glad to be on solid ground again (for a little bit, since we've got another 2 hour flight before we finally arrive in SHANGHAI.  We got through yet ANOTHER security checkpoint and to our terminal just as the sun started to rise, which was (and is, at this point that I'm writing this post) a very welcome sight, considering that we haven't seen the sun in 18 hours or so.

I'm going to explore this airport now.  Hopefully I won't cause an international incident.  I'M IN ASIA!!!

Travel lessons I have learned so far (I will

*button suspenders are NOT the best choice in trouser support when going through the airport.  Clasp suspenders, however, are the best.  I will have to pick up a pair while I am in China.
*DO NOT TAKE PICTURES OF SECURITY CHECKPOINTS.  Luckily, this was not a lesson I had to learn first-hand.
*Machu  Pichu (I am spelling that wrong, I know) is a VERY popular tourist destination for Canadians.

Onboard Wifi . . . not bad

So I'm using GoGo, the in-flight internet service provider that Delta contracts with.  And I have to say; I'm impressed.  I paid 4 bucks for 30 minutes of wifi (they also have a 6 dollar option that lasts the whole flight, but that didn't seem worth it).  It is sufficiently fast and stable.  So, in honor of this momentous achievement, here is another glorious self-photo.  You are welcome.

update:  I'm actually sending this later, because apparently the GoGo pass expired right as I was trying to post this update.  Now I am in the Seoul airport.

And now we wait . . .

In the airport!  SLC Airport.  We're sharing the upcoming flight Delta SLC-LAX flight with a gaggle (I think that's the correct term) of LDS missionaries connecting to a flight to Guatemala to enter the Missionary Training Center there.  KC and I were able to assist one of the sisters in her learning of the spanish language by teaching her the word 'Pagano'.  I figured that this would be an important word to know when serving the Lord in a spanish-speaking country.

Also, I learned that I take AMAZING self-portraits.

So here I go . . .

My name is Logan Voorhis, and I sometimes find myself in interesting places.  Lately, I have been provided an opportunity as a member of the Utah Valley University Chamber Choir to embark on a 2 1/2 week tour of the People's Republic of China, a trip that I will be leaving on in about . . . 3 hours!!!

So, in honor of this departure, I have started a new blog:  Turista Grosso!!!

I found a site that claims to check domain names to see if they work in China, and as far as it told me, Blogger works just fine, so I'm going to go for it.  If everything goes well, I will be able to update this blog frequently wherever I can find WiFi in the Middle Kingdom.  If not, I'll just have to make updates after the fact after I return.  I guess we'll find out.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment on the blog or pop me an email at logan.voorhis@gmail.com