tracking the days

just got back from china and cannot believe eiw starts in just two days. and more importantly i can't believe that i won't be there. i still have to get used to the idea and figure out exactly what i'm going to do with the next year. i can be sure of one thing: i'm going to travel a lot!
china was a fascinating experience. thankfully the combined effect of not eating very much and sweating in the humid weather helped me lose a couple of pounds (which after my gran's cooking for the last two months was absolutely necessary). going from dubai to shanghai felt like a totally surreal experience. dubai, the desert city that barely existed half a century ago is the hub of economic activity and home to some of the world's top class architecture (and let's not forget the world's only 7 star hotel). and as for shanghai, it was certainly different from what i had imagined. a mega city that has emerged from the depths of communism to become a giant in the international market. the skyline was filled with shiny new buildings, the streets filled with tons of well dressed chinese going abt their business, and the roads filled with the latest car models.
travelling around china was a testament that the chinese model of opening up markets seems to be working. but the traveling was also a treat cos we got to see some the most beautiful scenery in the world. houngzhou and beijing were absolutely gorgeous. the pictures have turned out pretty well and i have to find a way to upload them so you know exactly what i'm talking abt...
anyway, must get back to work. things have seriously pilled up over the last two weeks.