On my buying trips, we get up really early and stay up really late. Not to mention that this trip our flights were incredibly early as well.
I’ve compiled a few clips from our delirious breakfast chit-chats over green and the Shanghai Daily-as we struggle to wake up and be ready for a full day.
Ashley
Segment #2 of a series of short clips highlighting my recent trip to China is now on Youtube! This segment features the surprising scenerios that we encounter with food in China.
Ashley
Ashley
Shanonon, riding shotgun in the cab-after we realize that the newspaper in the backseat is covering a sopping wet seat!
My sister Shannon and I videotaped our trip to China! We are currently compiling the footage and creating a few, short clips to give you a good idea of what the trip was like!
The first segment is complete, and can be found on Youtube. Titled “Cinemataxi”, it documents the often time unnerving cab rides that are a part of getting around in China.
It’s our last full day in China and that means it’s time to skim the fat-cut the pieces that are just OK… and at the same time I’m falling head over heals for the pieces I know I’ll be getting lots of one-on-one time with in the near future.
I’ve attached a few snap shots of some of those that “made it”. This of course is just the begining… we have over 50 sets of brand-new, gotta have it, how’d you DO that? styles… but enjoy these sneak peaks!
Braided pearl bracelet! LOVE it.
Perhaps the most fabulous piece of our entire collection... tooth pearls, potato pearls... a labor of love for my vendors!
These huge egg pearls will be getting lots of wear! Order quantity? "Plus one", for ME!
The perfect formal piece for any dress-up occassion... though I'll probably wear it to the post office.
This massive choker will be perfect for dolma brides tying the knot this fall!
Day 4 in China was almost completely ours. Our vendors needed time to make samples for me to see, so Shannon and I spent the morning going over our orders and deciding what pieces we needed to add to fill in a few gaps. This season I really wanted to bump up our Baby line and our Oola line for the tweens-so we focused on making sure we had plenty of new options.
Look at the cute uniforms at Pizza Hut in Shanghai!
Next on the agenda: get some clothes made! We both had a few ideas of some pieces we wanted to create-and after ooh-ing and ahh-ing over hundreds of fabric options were able to narrow our choices down to a few, must-have swatches. We then began the creation portion, with measuring, tweaking, and changing our minds. Then, the bargaining-which is so annoying when you really have no idea what you should be paying … but I think I did OK, though I did have to walk away twice.
Then, we stopped in to check on some pieces with one of my vendors… and suddenly realized it was 9:00pm, and we were starving and tired. We gave our cab driver the address to a restaurant, but he dropped us off at the wrong spot-after walking 8 blocks in the wind and rain we gave up and dashed into a Pizza Hut.
Me, in all my hotel-gifted gear... out of the rain and into the Pizza Hut!
Me, sporting one of my favorite new earrings!
Day 3 started around 6:30 am. I woke up, anxious to read the Shanghai Daily. This may sound odd, but starting my day with copious amounts of green tea and reading the entire English newspaper is a part of my day here that I just can’t skip. It is written by Chinese people in British English, with titles like: “Granny DJ Spins Hits”; “Teacher Pricked Pupils”; ”Freak Wave kills 2″; ”She saved a burn victim, but at a cost”; and, the title that is so fabulous it trumps any title I could ever create for this blog, so I’ve given in and copy-pasted: “Help will arrive within 5 minutes if anyone falls into the HuangPu River”. In other News, the Daily reported on Mao’s grandson’s self promotion due to “the people’s love of his grandfather”. Also, in attempts to clean the HuangPu River for the World Expo, “[the government] has asked 82 of the 280 businesses producing dangerous chemical products to relocate [their pollutants] to an industrial park across the city”.
I can’t get enough. The Daily is like a good movie-funny, informative, and controversial enough to make you blush.
I have to try everything on!
Shannon enjoying some green tea before our foot massage!
After 8 hours, Shannon is ready to go! But she's hanging in there.
Li Ming Ming, pricing our designs!
After lunch, and an eight-hour design and creation session with one of my vendors, we head to a Mexican place we found in the City Weekend Magazine-a publication for foreigners with tons of recommendations for food, nightlife, entertainment, etc. It’s packed, and we have no reservation, so Shannon and I order Passion Fruit Margaritas and sit at the bar until they can squeeze us in. The Margaritas were recommended to us by 2 women we met from Chicago and Paris, who are here in Shanghai looking for teaching jobs. We were seated next to a Scottish woman and Italian man on a 2nd date, who were quite friendly and recommended the Macho Nachos. We had great fun with the woman, who was obviously elated to not be alone on this date-she even commented that she thought he was only dating her to learn English, and told him she charged 600 RMB an hour for her services.
One of many earrings that we ARE NOT using! This one is just terrible! My mission: to design a custom earring for a bride... mission not accomplished, yet!
She gave us her card to keep in touch, and we grabbed a cab and headed to the hotel.
Ashley
Shanghai: At Night, in the Rain!
When I booked tickets for my sister and myself about 2 weeks ago, I was quite constrained by price and availability, as I’m sure you can imagine. The only flight I could find under $1700 (a coach ticket is typically $800-$1200) was at a slightly inconvenient time, with slightly inconvenient seating.
It all seems fine when you order the ticket, until you actually have to DO what you’ve signed up for. And keep in mind, when you’re bargain-hunting for international plane flights at the last minute, you’ve looked at about 10,000 different lay-overs, connections, fees, seating assignments… and at the moment you click “confirm”, you’re so confused and exhausted you could have a 1o hour, overnight layover in Buenos Aires and not even notice.
So, yesterday morning, our flight from Atlanta to Newark left at 6:45am, which meant we had to leave the house at 4:45. My sister, Shannon, and I elected to stay up the entire night-not because we wanted to sleep on the plane but because we didn’t start packing until 11pm the night before.
So, we make it to Newark just fine. I slept the entire way, which is great.
We have a 2 hour layover in Newark, and I’m on the phone handling last-minute business items, and making sure my phone is set for international use, that my Credit Card companies know I’ll be out of town… the normal, layover procedure.
Our Meal at my Favorite Restaurant: Mei Long Zhen!
Then it happens. My phone starts beeping. Which means it is low on batteries.
I scan the entire gate area, and find a plug next to an unused desk. The next thing I know I’m on the plane, helping fellow passengers put up their luggage, settling into my middle seat, and I hear “The doors to the plane have now been closed, please discontinue use of your cell phones…”
OH NO. My cell phone is still plugged into the wall.
I hop out of my seat, run to a flight attendant and tell her what I’ve done. I may have over-exaggerated the necessity of the phone for my survival in China… but desperate times call for desperate measures; and before I know it, there are 2 other flight attendants and one very attractive pilot ready to open the door, radio Control, and let me run in to grab my phone.
But Control makes a call to the gate, and my phone is no longer there. So I have to go back to my middle seat, in the middle row. Shannon and I had tried unsuccessfully to guilt all our surrounding, aisle and window seat passengers into switching with one of us, but when it comes to 15 hours in a small space-chivalry is dead. Understandably.
One poor guy got roped into switching his emergency exit, aisle seat for a middle seat behind me because he had the seat next to 2 parents who strategically placed their child in the middle seat ticket 10 rows back. The man had no choice. He had to let the baby have his seat. Talk about devastation.
I've never seen this before! The Chinese LOCK UP their umbrellas!
The flight is for some reason incredibly comfortable and I’m able to sleep a good 8 of the 15 hours. Shannon mentioned (because she did not sleep a wink the entire flight) that I was dead asleep, probably snoring, and my head was flopping from the shoulder of the girl on my right to the arm of the older man on the left. All I can say is: maybe they’ll think twice next time about not switching seats. I should mention that for the 7 hours I was awake Shannon and I were talking over the people in between us and passing food back and forth.
At some point in the flight I wake up, and meet a man in line for the bathroom and tell him my phone predicament. He proceeds to convince me that my entire identity is somehow on that phone-bank accounts, credit card information, social security number… he says I can consider my identity stolen; my accounts at best will be frozen, and that means I’ll have no money to get out of the airport, much less buy pearls.
Upon arrival in China, Shannon and I have no information to offer as to our return flight, the address of our hotel, or any of the questions they ask on the arrival card.
We hop into a cab that has newspapers suspiciously covering the back seat, and about 5 minutes into the 45 minute ride realize that it’s sopping wet underneath the newspaper. I ask the cab driver why it’s so wet, and he says he left his windows down during a recent downpour.
So… wet, cold and pretty disoriented, Shannon and I fall out of the cab at the hotel.
But my familiar bellhop greets us with a smile, the check-in counter remembers my reservation, and we are lead to our fabulous room with bottled water and chocolates on the pillow. I check Shannon’s voicemail and my phone is safe and sound in security at Newark.
We unpack, rest a few minutes, and head to my very favorite restaurant in all of China, MeiLong Zhen, for a feast of braised eggplant, fried noodles, tofu, bean curd pancakes, and Tsing Tao.
Shannon at MeiLong Zhen Restaurant
Delicious Beancued Pancakes
We head back to the hotel, showered… and I am now waking up at 5am in my robe, with my hair in a towel- I must have fallen asleep walking from the shower to my bed.
I can’t wait to receive our edition of Shanghai Daily, sit at breakfast and drink green tea, and then head out to start designing dolma’s new collection!
Zai jian, for now!
Ashley
Well, I’m ready for new jewelry, and in a few weeks I’ll be back in China designing new pieces. At one point I was thinking of taking a group of clients with me for a tour-but never could pull myself away from the day-to-day needs of my growing company to get it all together.
However, I did prepare an itinerary that weeds out the cliched tourist stuff that I wish I’d skipped; and I included some of my favorite restaurants and hotels-the key to picking a hotel in China is two-fold: 1: cleanliness is important: you don’t want anything 3 star or below; and 2. you really want to get a place with a fabulous buffet breakfast-unless you want to eat dumplings and cucumbers every morning… and instant coffee.
I thought: Why not post my recommended itinerary for any of our interested readers? If you are thinking about going to China, here’s exactly what I’d recommend.
Remember: It is recommended that you purchase travel insurance for your trip, as most plans do not cover you while traveling abroad!
Day 1 - Depart USA
Board our overnight flight to Shanghai.
Day 2 - Arrive Shanghai
Upon arrival we are transferred to the New World Radisson Hotel by private coach. After checking in, we’ll walk Nanjing Road and the Bund. Dinner is at a traditional Chinese Restaurant serving family-style cuisine. Meals (D)
Day 3 - Shanghai
This morning, we’ll tour the Yuyuan gardens and shop in the Yuyuan markets. Private coach services will pick us up at 1:00pm and escort us to lunch, the Shanghai History Museum and then to dinner at South Beauty-a fabulous Chinese restaurant with excellent Catoneese and Sichuan delights and specialty teas! Meals (B, D)
Day 4 - Shanghai
We’ll start with a half day guided tour to the water town Zhujiajiao-with a boat ride! We’ll have the afternoon free to rest, or walk around the city. We’ll have an evening coach ride to Xin Tian Di- a modern hub for great restaurants and bars! Meals (B)
Day 5 - Shanghai / Xi’an
This morning we’ll enjoy a half day guided tour to Jade Buddha Temple and then transfer to the airport for our flight to Xi’an. Upon arrival, we’ll have a coach transfer us to Gloria Plaza Hotel. That evening, we’ll enjoy a typical Dumpling dinner. Meals (B,D)
Day 6 - Xi’an
Full day guided tour to Terra Cotta Warriors, Bell Tower, and Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Boxed lunch is served on the tour. Evening night market at Muslim Quarter Meals (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Xi’an / Beijing
This morning, we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to Beijing. Upon arrival, we’ll have a coach transfer us to the Courtyard by Marriott. After checking in, we’ll walk around WanFuJing shopping street (with the infamous Chinese snack-scorpions on a stick!). That evening, we’ll enjoy a Peking Duck dinner and a reflexology foot massage. Meals (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Beijing
Today, we’ll have a guide take us to Tian’ amen Square and the Forbidden City, followed by an afternoon Hutong tour including lunch with a local family. Then, we’ll enjoy an acrobatics show and dinner. Meals (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Beijing
7am: Full day coach and driver service to Simatai Great Wall. Boxed lunch included. Meals (B, L)
Day 10 - Beijing
We’ll have a coach and driver service to the Olympic Park, and then head to the The Summer Palace. Meals (B)
Day 11 - Depart Beijing
At the appointed time, we’ll transfer to the airport to board our departing flight home. Meals (B)
I stood in line to check in for my flight at the airport. With one carry-on and a small purse, I looked around to see if any other passengers had packed as light as I. I didn’t see one person without at least one bag to check, and I smiled to myself as I recalled my second buying trip-my mother was with me, and we… over packed. We thought we were prepared… until the last bag circled the baggage claim unit in Shanghai, and it wasn’t ours. Ever since, I’ve carried on. The woman at the counter was so impressed with my packing skills that she gave me three drink tickets for the plane ride!
While in line at security, a man behind me struck up a conversation, “Where are you going?”
I had just watched the movie Taken a week before-the one where the Albanian Mob coerces young girls into telling them where they are staying while abroad, kidnaps them, drugs them and forces them to be sex slaves-and there was no way that guy was going to get me to reveal even my destination’s continent.
On the plane, I slept the whole way to LA, but the 12 hour flight to Tokyo thereafter was a different story. My carry on was under my feet , and the seat in front of me seemed to go much further back than every other seat on the plane. I did not sleep a wink.
In Tokyo, I met up with a great friend named Caroline who happened to be in Japan with her family. She had never been to China before, and we decided that after I finished all my business, we’d have some fun! So, we spent the first 6 days with my vendors: I was designing, redesigning, approving samples, scratching designs, emailing clients, sending pictures for approval-and Caroline patiently watched the entire season of Lie to Me on her Iphone, plus a few dozen movies.
Every night we had a foot massage, ate good Chinese food, and slept until 10am! It was a true vacation. After Shanghai, we headed to Beijing to see Tian’amen Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Tian’amen Square and The Forbidden City are across the street from one another, and we decided to walk from the hotel. The walk was longer than the concierge had estimated, and it had lots of left and right turns. Thank goodness the attraction is so famous-I feel like all of Beijing worked together to point us in the right direction. Finally, I noticed a memorable building and knew we were close. But nothing else was the same. We were standing across from Tian’amen Square… in a new walking street with a tram, an ice cream shop, and high-end shopping. I told Caroline, “I’m sorry to report that China has demolished the Forbidden City and replaced it with this walking street”. After about 30 minutes of meandering, we ran into an Australian women, and when I mentioned what a shame it was that Caroline never got to see the Forbidden City, she told us that we were on the wrong side of Tian’amen Square-the Forbidden City was on the other side…
As we approached the Forbidden City, we had a few minutes to take photographs before the first Chinese person asked to take his photo with us. We obliged, and just as he walked away, another Chinese person asked to take a photo. Then another, and another, and another, and another, until it started to rain-we hoped in a rickshaw and headed to the hotel to get ready for an Acrobatics show that night.
The next afternoon we hired a driver to take us to Simatai, an untouched portion of the Great Wall that I had never been to but had heard was a great place to go. After the drive, Caroline and I rode the lift, the tram, and hiked another quarter mile before reaching this mountain-top area of the Great Wall. Caroline was so funny about the occasional vendors: when they approached her selling something (like postcards, books and paintings) she would give them a taste of their own medicine and try to sell the vendor her things. She tried to sell her scarf, her sunglasses, and even her camera. Typically, the vendor would be very confused and just walk away, but she got an offer on her camera!
After Beijing, we headed to Qingdao, (or Tsing Tao, in the old spelling), the area of China settled by the Germans. You may be familiar with Tsing Tao beer-it comes from this city! Two of our college friends were living and working there, and we hoped on a plane and spent two days with them at the beach, the night markets, and enjoying Tsing Tao beer!
It was a fabulous trip. And in a few days I will receive all the fabulous new pieces that my words fail to describe. Stay glued to www.dolmaperl.com, and refresh the webpage frequently… because you don’t want to miss the big, bold, colorful styles we’ll be launching in just a few days. This line is like nothing you’ve seen before! Moreover, each piece will hold a special place in my heart, as this last buying trip was so memorable and fun.
Ashley
After much anxious anticipation, I’ve finally bought my ticket to China! I’ll be heading back in just a few days, and even as I write this my heart is pounding! I cannot wait.
I can see in my mind the view from the top of my hotel that overlooks the city. At night, the view is mottled with bright lights blinking quickly-and dark dots in the crowded streets that move slowly and sleepily it seems… and then, in the morning, the rush I feel-hustling through the swarms of people, cars and bikes-en route to a pearl palace full of jewels and gems as far as the eye can see. Sitting for days and days in the same, backless chair and selecting armfuls of pearl strands. Communicating my design ideas through rudimentary pictures and charades when my Chinese fails me. Laughing at the designs that don’t turn out the way I’d imagined; and marveling at the pieces that come alive after they’re made. Trying on each piece in the mirror (twice). Wondering when the vendor might consider installing an air conditioning unit.
Peeling a pomelo. Having to request that my Coke is “bing de” (cold), instead of the standard, unrefrigerated option. Reflexology foot massages. Yogurt that comes with a straw that you can jab through the top and drink. Green tea. Flower tea. Instant coffee. Dumplings from street vendors. Cab rides that may or may not take “the most direct route”. Ordering a club sandwich and removing the fried egg. Trying to see just how lightly I can pack. Receiving a fortune cookie on the plane with my meal-and smiling because I don’t think the airlines know that fortune cookies are American… and then wondering if the airline has a sense of humor. Eating the cookie anyway, and peeking at the meatloaf for the shock affect. Looking around to see who is actually eating their meatloaf. Trying the meatloaf. Feeling guilty for trying the meatloaf. Vowing to never try the meatloaf again.
I haven’t been to China in almost a year, and as you can see I am desperately awaiting my trip. I’ll return in early September; with new jewelry, new stories, and yet another countdown… to my next trip!