A description of my visit to the Shanghai EXPO and the last days in Beijing
On Satuday it was time to visit the EXPO in Shanghai. I was really looking forward to visit the EXPO, partly because it was the first time I visited such an event, and partly because it is impossible to escape the EXPO-enthusiasm in China. Even better was that NEA arranged ‘Easy Acces’ Tickets for the Dutch, Italian, Spanish and Saudi-Arabian pavilion. This meant that we enter the pavilion straight away, instead of waiting in line for up to 4(!) hours to enter the pavilion.
The surface area of the Shanghai EXPO is huge. It consists of an immense area for (mainly) country pavilions at the East side of the Huangpu river, and a slightly smaller area for other pavilions like city pavilions, corporate pavilions etc. on the west side of the Huangpu river. As EXPO are quite affordable to Chinese standards, many Chinese out-of-towners take this opportunity to get a glimpse of the foreign countries and of course, the Chinese pavilion.
Of the four pavilions I visited, I was the most impressed by Saudi-Arabia. They used a 3D panoramic cinema to promote the beauties of their country. The result was a very impressive show. The Dutch pavilion was of a totally different style; more open, colorful, less serious. The pavilion had no roof and a path in the form of an eight, the lucky number of China. Along this path, the visitor could look into Dutch-style houses to see Dutch inventions, famous products etc. One of the most innovative aspects of the Dutch Pavilion was that EXPO visitors could rest under the Dutch pavilion on artificial grass and artificial sheep. A lot of Chinese visitors used this place to get some rest and order a Dutch dish at the snack bar.
The day after the EXPO, it was time to see goodbye to the Dutch people which I accompanied for a week. They all would fly back to The Netherlands, and on Monday I would head back to Beijing, to handle the last affairs, and finish the concept of my thesis.
As the Dragon Boat Festival Holiday lasted till Wednesday and I had to extend my visa on Thursday, I had my last discussion at the WTI on Friday. Next week on Tuesday I have a meeting at the Embassy to discuss the results of the Fact Finding Mission I participated in. On Wednesday, I already fly back to The Netherlands. Also on that day, I need to hand in the concept of my thesis. You can imagine I am very busy finishing this concept.
