Think i fit in?

I'd like to start with my new friend.. I asked if him if i could job shadow him.. I think that just scared him. I gave him my email address, hope to hear back soon.

So Friday was a very busy day. We visited two Cummins facilities - Cummins Turbo Technologies and Cummins Generator Technologeis and one supplier (Dana) all located in Wuxi (Wooooooooo - she).

Here are some pics from the CMI locations.

Jerry - Looking good at CGT!!!

CGT sign - Wuxi.

Cummins Turbo Technologies - beautiful facility.


Where's the two fingers?




Crew at CTT!










We were able to squeeze in a supplier visit to Dana Corporation. Dana supplies sealing components and plastic parts to CMI. We were lucky to have a US representative at the facility as well as the Plant Manager coming from Detroit MI. Always refereshing to have some english speaking counterparts to cleanse the pallet.

There was one thing that struck me as odd... here it is. I was the first to point it out.. and it WILL be shown at our next B level review meeting... C'mon Dana... I mean... C'mon.

It's spelled cUmmins. Xie Xie.

We ended our busy Friday with a great dinner very close to our hotel. It was a western restaurant.. so Marsha and I got a cheeseburger and fries. Refreshing. It was right on the lake. On fridays and saturdays they have a light show. We sat outside so we could watch.

Here's a taste.

Great Friday. Now onto Saturday. Some time to Play.

Jerry had a great plan for us. We (Me, Marsha, Dunee (Traveling for CGT), Jerry, and Bella (Jerry's Wife)) planned to go to a waterside town south of the Yangtze River. It enjoys the title of "Oriental Venice". I have to admit.. I was a little worried about the smell of a water town.. I've heard stories of venice having a particular stench. I'm happy to say the water smell was fine, it was the smell of cooking tofu that had Marsha and I struggling to breathe. Jerry said it smelled great and tastes even better. When Jerry asked Marsha what it smelled like.. she replied with "toilet". Maybe our nerves are wired slightly differently... anywho - onward we go.

Before we "dive" in... Jerry took us in his car. The Chinese have a passion for luck. This was given to Jerry by Bella's mom to keep them safe while driving. Based on my experience as a traveler.. for anyone driving in China, a lot of luck is needed!!! Thanks Bella's mom!!

We stood in line for about 30 minutes upon arrival and then off we went on an extended golf cart to get to the town. Here's a piece of the trip. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Here's a flavor of the waterside town.

Time for a boat ride!!!!!

Jerry - you ready?? Let's do this!



Check this out.. the birds on the boat catch fish.

Fly away - you're free!!!

Guess what he's eating..

Take care of your head.

Jordyn - job security.



He let me drive!!!



After the boat ride it was time to eat. I did all of the ordering.

Menu

Here's what came out... eeeek

Fish head

Snails

My bad. At least we didn't get this. Good boy... stay away from the kitchen!

Dinner

Moving on. After our water taxi ride and lunch we walked around all of the little shops and museums. I was able to find something to bring home for the birtday boy - I figured since he's 1 now, he should have his very own drum. I think he really enjoys toys that make noise.. and so do his parents.

Ethan - coming your way buddy!!

over under - lasts 2 days...

We ended our visit to the water town by taking in a local concert.



As we were watching the concert, I noticed this little boy and couldn't help but notice his little butt cheeks hanging out. Thought he may be growing outward a little to quickly instead of upward and bent over too fast splitting his pants.. but we came up with a different explanation. Chinese diaper!! Who needs to catch it.. let it fly baby.

That's all for now. Hope you enjoyed Wuxi and Suzhou. We came back to our oasis of a hotel. Here's a view from a reception lounge we have access to. Beautiful view.

Tomorrow we take a taxi to the train station where we'll take the high speed train to Shanghai and then catch a flight to Nanchang where we'll visit our sealing supplier Federal Mogul and then a flight to Beijing on Tuesday, fly out to Changchun on Tuesday evening.. then back to Shanghai on Wednesday.

Finally Ali comes and we spend some time with Billy and his bird. Can't wait!!

Cheeeeeeeese!!