Shenzhen...Again...

Well, it is that time again...Shenzhen time. For those of you who have not had the pleasure to cross the border (in Hong Kong) and travel over to the PRC's closest city...I will give you a rundown on what Shenzhen is and is not. Shenzhen is a bustling city...it is relatively new as a lot of business and commerce has exploded in the last few years. You can probably get anything and everything manufactured here and you can probably buy anything that you want (real or fake). It is definitely an eclectic city as it is a migratory city with tons of "workers" from the rest of the country working in the thousands of factories that dot Shenzhen and the surrounding cities. If it is made in China...a safe bet is that part of it was made in Shenzhen. What it is not is a vacation destination or a relaxing place. This is the home of hustle and bustle. This is the one place where a local "driver" can actually get lost...can you imagine that. Can you imagine me directing a local Chinese person in China...it has happened. Shenzhen is also a place where you can see the transformation of an economy and the beginning of a middle class. If you think China you probably are not thinking of Mercedes and Lexus cars filling the roads. Well, come to Shenzhen and that is what you will see...here China's newly rich are not afraid to spend. You can head to the luxury stores...Zegna, Dunhill, etc. and get the latest designer offerings. You can also head to one of the many "fake goods markets" and get nearly the identical thing at a fraction of the price...I myself am not a large fan of fake goods...but...to each their own. So, we are here on a project for the next few weeks; which means that I have to travel across the border a few times a week...also an interesting experience. The contrast between Hong Kong and China is apparent as you cross the border. I do have to say though Shenzhen is not a bad place. The Intercontinental Hotel is a great hotel and I have to say it ranks up there. Shenzhen...not a bad place to spend a week but...not a great place either.