12/30/2008 - From East to West

I made it back from Shanghai last night and finally got a chance to write down my reflections. I probably could of written on the plane since the memory was fresher to me back then. But I had to force myself to sleep so I can adjust my body clock back to the way it was. Upon my return back, I realize that I am very glad that I took this trip to Shanghai. Many things happen that I didn't get a chance to log, but I hope I remember them forever. There are some things that are worth to mention though. The last day before my return home, I had lunch with my step-dad at an international buffet his friend manages. Apparently it is pretty famous among China major cities and I could easily see why. This was not your ordinary buffet. It had all sorts of food with its focus on seafood from all the major countries that we identify with. They were well prepared with the fresh ingredients and above average flavoring that you would not expect from a buffet. Some of the example dishes included fresh cut sushi, shark fin soup, giant king crab from coast of Japan, assortment of Indian dish, an extensive dessert bar, and much more. The staff for the place was about 300 people according to the head captain. That was one meal worth remembering and of course our 3 hours lunch-to-dinner may broke the buffet sitting record. Latter that day, my dad and his friend insisted on taking me to a spa that they claim to be an experience worth having while in China. I was not sure what to expect, but apparently this is pretty prevalent across Asia and of course China has its own rendition. The spa offers many a la cart spa services and the bracelet you wear help you track which you purchase. You pay an entrance fee that includes the right to eat at the all you can eat buffet. Instead I started by going to get a table massage and a salt scrub that exfoliated my skin. They kept the salt on my skin and ask me to go to a toaster like heater that dries the salt onto the skin. Essentially the residue from the salt scrub is on your skin for about 5 minutes and then they ask me to rinse off the salt with a warm shower. Afterwards, they instructed me to sit in the hot tub that surprised me with fish swimming in them. Apparently the idea is that the fish would eat off the bad skin or any residue and by doing so would improve your skin. I've heard this before but never experience it until now. It tickles and extremely relaxing at the same time. Amazing how the fish can stay in a hot spa for so long. That was just the introduction. Then we had to leave the spa because they also offered a show that you have the option to attend. I must say the show was really good as well. The have performances that were equivalent to cirque du soleil and singer that were way above your typical stage singers. They packed the two hours show with none stop acts that you would have to pay well over $100 for here in the states. After the show, we went up to the next floor where they offer massage and a sleep room where you have the option to rest overnight with you own TV and butler upon request. Food can be order anytime. I decided to get another massage that lasted 90 minutes. Rested on my personal couch, watch a little TV, while I wait for my dad to complete his treatment or using fire bottles. We didn't stay overnight since I have a plane to catch the next morning, but I left that evening extremely relaxed and wondering why we don't have one at the states.

One of the last memorable moments before I left Shanghai was right before I arrive at the airport. My dad decided to accompany me to the airport and he decides to buy me a bag of tiny orange that were about the size of three grapes. They were extremely sweet and he peeled it for me before when I went to his house. He liked them and he figure I would need the oranges for the long plane ride back. Actually that touched me greatly, because as I mentioned before he is not a wealthy man and he struggles month to month I'm sure. I offered each time to pay for things and yet he refused even though he knew that I have enough to take care of all that is need for him and I. I know about his string of bad luck with the restaurant business and of course other financial troubles that he got himself into. Aside from all those shortcomings that he needed to deal with, during this trip he paid for the 3 hour massage at his place, the drivers that took me to places, the fabulous buffet lunch, bought me a wallet, gave me a note book, treated me to the most amazing spa experience, and made the time to stop by the market to buy me this bag of oranges that he knew I liked. I had a lump in my throat when he gave the oranges to me. He did something that I usually don't expect from a man let along an Asian man. He peeled the oranges for me the other day while I was at his place. That says a lot since in Asia being the most male dominant society you can find. To have him do what he did showed tremendous amount of love and set aside the status quo that often many people would not do. He did not have much, but while I was there he gave what he could. I had never found fruit to be that precious before. Sadly I had to eat them all before I got back to the states, but I wished I would of brought them back with me.

To look back, I think the most rewarding and blessing thing about this trip was the time I spent with my step-dad. To be honest I didn't really know what I would expect before this trip began. I was concerned I would be somehow be sad or disappointed. But instead I left Shanghai moved and fortunate to be able to do what I did and be able to spend time the holidays with him. Life brings you unexpected moments that sometime accompany with heart ache and if you are lucky sometime life give you oranges.