I am currently sitting in the Shanghai airport awaiting my connecting flight to Dalian, China where I will attend the 2008 Interphex China Show Monday-Wednesday.
I had honestly thought I would be all set for the 15-hour flight over here, having never spent more than eight consecutive hours in the air. I had my generic sleeping pills (the CVS pharmacist actually used the phrase "generics are all the rage" in assuring me that regular Ambien was overpriced and the knock-offs would surely knock me out, which is a whole other can of worms I had no time for in my last-minute packing), I had loads of books, magazines, my IPod, neck pillow, snacks - all the things one might need to keep themselves entertained/alive for months....
Regardless, that long in a plane is still intense. All the magazines and neck pillows in the world cannot save you from being stuck in the middle seat directly across from the cabin's main lavatory. I know we've all been there.
HOWEVER, I am extremely excited to be here and am currently googling "common Chinese phrases" so I will not be lost in translation. I just asked a woman in the airport snack shop if they accepted credit card and she repeatedly brought me a can of coca-cola.
Check in on the blog this week to follow my adventures at Interphex China. I will be reporting on the show, sharing my interviews and gathering product information from the global exhibitors. If there is anything you want me to check out there, let me know! Stay tuned!
Oh, one more thing, if you do, in fact, attempt to bring a trade show banner stand carry-on overseas you may or may not be flagged and have all of your belongings sniffed down by drug dogs...I'm just saying...
MV
