Landing in Shanghai!

After more than half a day travelling... SHANGHAI!


I arrived around 9am January 21st and it has been quite hard to get a decent internet connection (there was an earthquake in Taiwan some weeks ago which affected the internet connections), and I haven't really had the time to be online enough time to write a post.

Well the journey was an odissey... I travelled with Madalena, João Alves, Paulo, Luis & João Gago (they are also doing an internship in Shanghai) . It was long flight but we got here. Waiting for us was Manuel Couto de Miranda the representative of Portuguese Commerce Agency in Shanghai and his assistant Paulo! We were very well treated; maps, mobile cards for everyone and a minibus trip to our first home, the Magnificent Hotel! Thank you Manuel!

Most of us didn't sleep much during the flight and I didn't even sleep in the last night in Portugal. Despite of this we went to visit some apartments right away. António, who had arrived Shanghai before us, had already arranged some meetings with some agents and I went with him. In the evening we had dinner at Manuel's place with some of his friends and other portuguese people that are living in Shanghai. It was a great idea once we started to meet some new people.

We were exhausted when we got to the hotel, so exhausted that not even that hard bed kept me awake! The days after were spent visiting apartments with Madalena who, along with Chico (arriving on the 28th), will be my roommates for 9 months. We already got an apartment (more like a mansion!! :P) but I will only talk about it in the next post! I'm not homeless anymore!!! :)

Cya Portugal

Less than 24 hours to go and still a whole bunch of things to prepare! Amazingly I don't feel the pressure... YET! I guess this situation tells a bit how I am when I'm travelling. Without pressure it seems like nothing is happening until someone warns me about the time. :) I guess it is more exciting that way!

Anyway, after my last evening at LUX (club in Lisbon) with my good friends that are also going to work abroad (Ricos - London, Ricardo - Krakow (a.k.a. The Bandits), Coutinho - London & Miguel - Prague) it is time to pack. I can only take 23kg and I'm trying not to exceed it cause it feels stupid to pay extra for luggage when you can buy anything quite cheap in Shanghai.

Tonight I'm meeting my childhood friends and hopefully they won't keep me partying all night long. I need to be at the airport around 7am. It is time to say Goodbye Portugal... Hello China!

Countdown Started

One week to Go!

Time starts to run under my feet. After one whole day travelling from Stockholm to Porto and having to wait 7 longgggg hours in London I got back to Portugal. On Wednesday I took care of the visa and on Thursday I got the good news... Leaving to Shanghai on January 20th!!!

Suddenly there are thousands of stuff to do and a lot of friends to meet... And only one week left. As a good Portuguese that I am, I know most stuff will be done in the last minute but I am trying to avoid that as much as I can.

I will fly with BA first to London and then directly to Shanghai. I have no idea how many hours I will sit on a plane, but I know it will be boring as hell... Fortunately I will fly with 3 more friends that will be in working in Shanghai as well. In the end it might be fun!!

Goodbye Sweden

...not until tomorrow! :)

Anyway... Mixed feelings. Home is where I am but Stockholm is, to me, that special place that just pulls me back all the time. Yes, I know... It's cold, and dark but how is it possible to resist it? It's a cosy city which gives you a very warm feeling. Ok, ok... I'm not a hypocrit! Swedish girls also help a bit but it´s not the main thing! :)

My dear Family & Friends made my stay great (as always) and, despite the fact that I'm still here, I already miss everything. Hopefully I'll get some pics from the parties to post later on!

Well, tomorrow, a new adventure with Ryanair waits for me. After almost missing the plane in London on my way here due to extra super mega tight security procedures that took ages, I am now hoping for little less emotions (other than the natural rough landings Ryanair Pilots love to offer all passengers!). I'll land in Porto and I'll leave to Lisbon on Wednesday. Hopefully I'll be able to say goodbye to Family & Friends there.

Day 1!

Oh well...

It is official. I am Man of the Year (Times Magazine published it). They gave this award to everyone who posts stuff over the Internet. I needed something to improve my Ego so here it is! :) Now seriously, as some of you know, I´m starting a new chapter in my life. Moving to Shanghai, China will be a huge challenge and it should be fun to keep a track on what´s happening as well as keep family and friends updated about my adventures. I hope I can keep it updated and fun to read and I count on you to give me some feedback!

I chose to name this blog in transit cause, honestly, is how I like to be. I love travelling and airports have a special atmosphere. If I had to sum it up... "I love to walk around and keep changing place." Always looking forward to the next plane, train, bus (well I don´t like buses so much!) or taxi! :)

So far the departure date is not defined yet. I came to Sweden for some days so I won´t be able to take care of my visa so soon. I just hope I won´t be the last one to go and having to sit alone 15 hours in a plane.

I´m having a great time here with my host family & friends... Somehow i feel nostalgic! I guess I´ll have to come back again and live here for a couple of years more. I am home!