Two days out and I’m already getting emails from classmates that are either getting ready to head to China or are in the process. Sixteen months ago when we started this program, China was just a far-off concept. Intuitively you knew the departure date for China would show up, but like an out-of-town guest, you catch yourself not quite ready for the arrival.
The last few days have been filled with silly minutia. Do I have enough audio books for the 14 hour plane ride? How long do iPod batteries last? How do you dial China from the U.S.? What is the time difference again? The details are endless but intuitively you just get closer to capitulating. After all why worry? Traveling to China is JUST like going to California only it’s twice as far, nobody speaks English and they like to eat insects skewered on sticks sold by street vendors. Can’t wait. I wonder how many boxes of Pop-Tarts I should bring?
I’ve taken the advice of last years class to heart. My mission: travel light. I don’t need a lot of stuff and what I end up needing but don’t yet realize, I’ll buy there. Also I’m not going to by a lot of shit there that I don’t need. The contradictory advice I’ve gotten has struck me as extremely funny. Not the advice it’s self, but how it falls on gender lines. A guy from the ’08 EMBA class: “I bought a lot of crap that I didn’t need just because it was cheap. Now it’s sitting in my closet doing nothing but taking up space. Don’t buy a lot of shit.” A female friend of my wife: “Wait to buy stuff at the airport. It’s cheap. Bring an extra bag”. Hummm…? I’m goin’ with the dude on this one. To the family: Set gift expectations low. I would think sun-dried scorpion on a stick would be light and not take up much room? Mmmmmm.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Pete. See ya in a couple days.
thinking of you as i roll into my regular day; can’t wait to hear all about it,
i know that experiences like these make up the fabric of who we are.
love you,
mom