After a 20 hour flight from New York City, I landed in Shanghai last night at 6:00pm. There is a 13 hour time difference. I was determined to stay awake the entire flight so I could get to sleep immediately without too much jet lag. It seems to have worked, since I’ve been able to function all day.

I took the MagLev in from the airport… top speed: 301 KPH! A trip that takes a car one and a half hours took all of seven minutes. After switching over to the subway, I was within a five minute walk of the St. Regis Hotel.

The SharePoint workshop went well on the opening day. Most participants were interested in learning what SharePoint is as much as what it can do. Most of them will be taking the Power User session later in the week. We’re moving the Thursday afternoon session to Friday morning since there are parties to celebrate the beginning of Chinese New Year. I told them as long as I was invited, there was no problem with moving the session.

Some of the guys took me to lunch. It was quite an experience. After walking through ice and slush to get to the restaurant, I passed on the boiled dog, but had a good bowl of noodles and broth with chicken won ton, followed by mushrooms and chicken. The price was incredibly inexpensive, about $3.25 a person.

All in all, other than the weather, it was a good start to my first week in Shanghai.

Justin, Mark and Michael