Goodbye Chengdu, Hello Chongqing

Today was our last performance in Chengdu. We did 8 while here.

Many cast members chose to give gifts to our dressers (who are all local), but somehow they found out and bought US gifts, which is not what we wanted. It was not a buy a gift to buy a gift thing, it was us wanting to thank them for their work. But it was ok. My dresser gave me a small, but beautiful scarf, 100% silk.

There was no send-off or anything, which is odd considering how hands-on the presenter has been with us during the performance week here.

Tomorrow we have the day off. Some cast members are going on a mountain retreat, but honestly, i want to relax. i need to pack and want to do some shopping (both of which kind of go hand in hand as i am getting thigs to help pack and that need to be packed)...

I also hope to do some more souvenir shopping. I had wanted to go back to the historic district, but we have not been able to locate it on a map thus far. so i may not end up being able to go back, which is really sad. maybe there's something in my video that can help me get there.

Then tuesday at noon we take off for Chongqing (chong-ching).

We have all been cyberstalking the hotel. We are staying at a MArriott. It has a pool, jacuzzi, wireless internet (but it;s wired in the room), and shold be nice. We know nothing of the theatre or presenter.

I heard a story about this hotel. These rooms aren't horrible, they could definitely be worse. But they aren't great. Apparently, when the troika scouts came out to look at the hotel and the theatres, they were shown business-class rooms and quoted a business class rate. but not one production member was put in a business-class room, including the director and producing staff. most of the cast was put in non-renovated rooms too (us included). apparently the higher-ups were very angry (heck, they were in the non-business class rooms too!).

but this necxt hotel is an american brand, so we should be ok! hopefully they have a decent breakfast! and starworld (the english tv channel).

btw, i would like to voice my complaints about starworld. today i was home and they were playing shows like Cops, Brutal Attacks Caught on Tape, silly stupid stuff, during "awake hours." After midnight, they started playing shows like Greys Anatomy (tonight was that 2 hr crossover episode where they introduced addison's spin-off) and Law and Order SVU. how unfair!

Anyway, it's 230am, and i'm off to bed. vivian is out with the crowd getting massages (i'll save that for another blog).

G'night!