Mr. Hughes' Blog - Day 4

Day four:

It is 11.00 a.m. Both teams have spent the morning preparing the robots and practising their dances. We are now packing the robots and sorting out the logistics of getting them to the venue in one piece. I have been to the venue to book the practise times for both teams on the dance stage ands to pick up the security passes. The adult passes were not ready so we will have to pick these up this afternoon. The rest of the passes were ready, but it was a bit of a melee to sort them out with various Chinese helpers busily sorting out the slips we gave them to find the right pass. The Chinese are very keen to help, but the language barrier is quite a big issue, however I muddled through.

Language is a real problem for me. I have O level French and German (only just), but the Chinese language and speech cadence is so very different that I cannot understand a word. English is understood by few and spoken by even fewer. Under these circumstances I usually resort to mime and basic charades which gets me through. Unfortunately in China this gets me nowhere. The hotel we are staying at has a spa which I wanted to have a look at to see if I would make use of it. I spoke to the receptionists in the hotel who didn’t understand me, but they asked a door attendant to walk me across. I spoke to several people in the spa trying to get them to understand that all I wanted to do was look. I made lots of signs with my fingers to indicate waking and pointed to my eyes to show that I wanted to see the spa. Eventually they took pity on and gave me a locker tag. I was asked to take my shoes off and given leather slippers and shown the changing room. There I was given a towel and expected to change out of my clothing. When I didn’t they finally understood and were very accommodating in giving me the tour.

The pool was small and irregular in shape, designed for relaxation and conversation rather than swimming. There was also a smaller Jacuzzi shaped pool where you could relax while hundreds of tiny (minnow sized) fish swam around you. There were very modern power showers, a sauna, shaving area and a massage area. I could spend the whole day there with a massage for under £20, although working out the tariff took several conversations and one phone call.

The Chinese are very keen to understand and to please. In fact they will happily nod their heads in understanding and bring you their interpretation of what you have asked for because they don’t want to embarrass you by not understanding what you have said. As I re-read this it sounds complicated, but I think that it is true. I have found this when ordering meals, and when talking to hotel staff.

In the hotel the Reception staff do not really understand English. When I talk to them they often call over one of the door attendants who has good English. Interestingly his name is Stephen, although he is native Chinese. He is a college student who is doing holiday work in the hotel; he is a very useful person to know.

It is now 7.45 p.m. We have just got back from the venue. Today was setup day where we took all of the robots to the venue, set them up, tested them and had a run through on the main stage. All of the girls worked very well throughout the day preparing their robots and practising their dance routine.

It was a logistical challenge to get all of the teams’ kit to the venue, and it took four taxis to get us there. Our taxi cost 14 Yuan, or about £1. It was a little disconcerting to see our taxi driving on the wrong side of the road to avoid the potholes, and to be greeted by team members at the venue who had left after us, but it was quick.

We were quickly unpacked and assembling the robots. Each team had been allocated a small space to work in among the rest of the teams. It was quite an experience working next to teams from China, Slovakia, and Israel among others. There was a real buzz in the room with everyone working on their robots with conversations in many different languages. We noted that younger Chinese children had a little sleep when they had nothing to do. They folded their arms on the table and rested their heads on them. My lack of sleep was starting to catch up on me at the time and I was quite jealous.

There were issues of space for the posters and getting the music right, but everything was resolved and both teams had successful practices. Rock ‘n’ Roar were so keen that they had 4 run-throughs on the day.

We had a late lunch with a take-out from Starbucks which refreshed everyone, and spent the afternoon watching other teams, doing our practises and getting ready for the real thing. There is a lot for the teams to think about in terms of checking equipment and getting everything to the main stage without damage. We discussed who should carry what, and how to carry everything while also having someone looking after equipment so that it did not get interfered with. Sabotage is a real issue in this competition and I heard tales from previous years of robot parts being tied up with cable tidies so they could not function properly and infrared interference. The whole spirit of the competition is one of meeting different teams and sharing ideas, so the notion of winning at all costs is a strange one.

As the darkness grew we left the venue and caught the 28 bus. The lights on the Science and Cultural Centre were starting to glow in the gathering dusk, a myriad of lights continually changing colours: it was beautiful and spectacular. Back in the hotel everyone collapsed after the effort of the day. There was a competition reception at a local school, but no-one felt up to it. We had a small DIY meal in our rooms before getting to bed. I fell asleep after trawling through the offerings of Chinese TV. It seems very similar to our own in many respects: news, soaps, reality TV, competitions, etc. I watched some incredible acrobatics on a circus performance and tried to watch Chinese opera; but as with European opera I found it difficult going.

Mr. Hughes' Blog - Day 3

Katie Melua sang about there being “5 million bicycles in Beijing”. There may well be that number in Beijing, but I think that I can count the number of basic bicycles that I have seen on the fingers of my hands. Yesterday was Monday, and I presume a normal business day. There were quite a few cars, many of which you could buy on forecourts in the UK: a mixture of Japanese, German and American. Buses were a popular option, and many people used scooters or electric bicycles. However, there did not appear to be many people around. Given the fact that there are very many very tall apartment buildings and that you have very wide roads capable of taking lots of vehicles there very few people about. I cannot remember seeing many commercial vehicles at all, apart from a few small lorries involved in local business.

We had a simple lunch bought from a local supermarket: bread, cheese, cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, etc. Before lunch the teams sorted out the robots as far as they were able and practiced their dance routines.

Following lunch we set out for the Expo centre where the Robocup 2008 competition was being held. We found successfully the route of the number 28 bus which quickly took us to the centre. This bus did not have the snowflake symbol indicating air-conditioning, but with open windows and a short ride it was not a problem. We observed that whenever the bus stopped the engine cut out. The more cynical among us (myself included) thought that it was probably due to the age of the buses and that the engines were starting to fail; however a far more likely conclusion is that it is an anti pollution measure. Pollution is a problem with a fairly permanent light haze / smog reducing visibility a little, and I have seen 2 people with anti pollution masks. This is disappointing for an aspiring photographer such as myself. One innovation that is was interested to see was a timed countdown at the traffic lights to indicate how much longer you had to wait before they changed.

The Expo centre is huge with massive halls; I hope that the photographs give some indication of the scale. We registered after lunch having gone through airport type security checks on our belongings as we entered. We then had a good look around the main Hall where all of the competitions were being held. The different competitions include robotic football played at a variety of scales from something the size of a pool table to a tennis court. Particularly endearing are the IBOs (no-one can tell me what this means by the way). These are cute robot dogs which are programmed to play football. They track a small orange ball, move towards it and capture the ball between their front paws, then orient themselves towards the goal and with a flick of their head send the ball towards the goal. Other IBOs are programmed as goal keepers. I am told that these robots can be sent off for aggressive behaviour. Another competition involves robot rescue where a robot has to act autonomously to navigate itself through a ruined building to find and rescue people. There are also competitions involving humanoid robots as well as computer simulations based entirely on screens.

After a good look around we investigated the food hall on the Ground Floor. This is a massive hangar-scaled room with a large eating area. The menu include sit-down and buffet Western and Chinese meals.

Following this we walked across to nearby Cultural Centre. This looks amazing from the outside appearing to be built from a regular pattern of large metal strips beautifully interwoven. A feature of its lake-side aspect is a number of colourful parts of the building which look fantastic. We stepped inside the building and were swallowed up into a blissfully cool and spacious marbled environment. The atrium area was vast and fronted by a spectacular and massive coloured glass façade. We walked up the huge marbled staircase to explore the building and to find out about the iMax cinema found there. We decided to see a film at another time then tried to find the outlet of Starbucks which we knew was there. After a number of forays in the lift and unsuccessful explorations we did find someone who understood a little English and was able to help us find the café. We followed a Chinese attendant across wide stretches of marble before being ushered outside and shown how to get to Starbucks. The air-conditioning was so cold that it was a real shock to be outside again, but we regained similarly icy conditions in Starbucks where we found staff who understood English: a most welcome change. After free samples of cheesecake and frappacinoes (a new experience for me) we each settled for a variety of refreshments. The food and drink were excellent and may very well provide a more palatable alternative for our teams during the competition.

At about 5.00 p.m. we returned to the hotel on the bus. After some time to relax we went to dinner. We had planned a much simpler meal in the main restaurant rather than a formal Chinese meal in a private dining room. However we were directed to the private dining area again, although we were reassured that we were dining from the more simple menu. I don’t know whether our hosts are being extremely polite in doing this, or whether they are just trying to keep those crazy English people (who wash their fingers in our tea) away from the rest of the guests in the hotel. Once again the meal was delicious, and although the food still kept on coming, we managed to get to the end without feeling too overwhelmed. One thing that I did notice is that the hostess seemed keen that we finish each individual dish as it arrived before serving the next one; very different from our convention of having everything on the table at once.

Following the meal the majority of the group went out to investigate the night time city. I didn’t go, but I gather the heat and humidity, both still very high, and the local supermarket defeated their night-time stroll.

John Hughes

Abi & Lily in the park, where it was already extremely hot at 9:30 am!

Abi... deep in conversation!

The hotel lobby ceiling mirror, which reflects everything below - including us!

Suzhou Science & Cultural Arts Centre (Which has a Starbucks :] )

























Hotel Garden

Mr. Hughes' Blog Entry

From the start:

We left promptly from Amberfield and had an easy trip to Heathrow with Gilpatrick’s. As we left the comfort of the minibus we complained about the cold. We would be unprepared for the heat and humidity of Shanghai. Our flight to Paris was uneventful, albeit delayed. This put pressure on our transfer to the Shanghai flight, however Air France personnel whisked us from our plane to the Shanghai flight by car: very efficient and helpful. Unfortunately although we made the flight very comfortably not all of entire luggage did. On arrival at Pudong we were told that 2 suitcases had not made the trip with us. Unfortunately this included Genna’s clothes and critical parts of the robots! We were nevertheless still impressed with the speed at which the error had been identified and as I type (now midday) the suitcases are being delivered to the hotel.

Our passage through customs, passport control, etc. were a formality and everyone was very helpful and friendly. Our journey to the hotel was uneventful, but everyone was glad to arrive and settled in. We visited the Robocup venue which is a splendid building less than 10 minutes by bus and 25 minutes to walk, although the humidity and heat are an obstacle. The number 28 bus goes from almost outside our hotel directly to the venue; It is air-conditioned and costs a massive 7p a ride.

I cannot end without mentioning the meal we had last night. We wanted something quite simple to introduce our palates to China. We had ordered a mixture of Chinese and Western food. We got back from the venue and we ushered into a private room. I was a little in awe of the formality, but quickly settled to the meal. The waitress was meticulous in the way she started to lay the dishes on the lazy susan on the table. We were each given a bowl of yellow liquid at the begging which we assumed was for washing our fingers in. We were later asked why we didn’t like our tea! We all helped ourselves to plates of food that just kept on coming. Not only were there too many dishes for the table, but every so often everyone was served with soup, or a meat dish or something else. There was a massive selection of food to suit everyone’s tastes. After everyone was full and satisfied they then brought a whole fish to the table followed by a mountain of broccoli, peppers and other vegetables. Then we were served with pork fritters (which were delicious). It was a superb meal and quite unlike anything I have experienced before.


To continue . .

It is now midmorning on Monday (I think). We have been for a short walk around the hotel; founds a supermarket (bought a simple lunch) and walked back through a small park. In the process we have found a Starbucks and an ice cream parlour: good work everyone. Breakfast consisted of the familiar and the unfamiliar. We had cereals, tea, coffee, toast, sausages, bacon, baked beans, fruit, etc. as well as noodles, deep fried doughnuts, mysterious vegetables and things that were only labelled in Chinese: fantastic!


Day Two: morning

Well, what can I say? A thousand thoughts swim through my mind as I try to organise how to begin. I look around my hotel room which is typical of many of the business hotels I have used in Britain. It has a comfortable, if firm (good for my back), double bed. It has an ensuite bathroom I would like to take home and a huge television with 57 channels, 50 of which are in Chinese, with no Sky Sports I note so I cannot find out the Test cricket score against South Africa. The room also has plenty of storage, although curiously few drawers; most of it is is wardrobe hanging space.

I am sitting at my desk as I type, noting the blue cable for my Internet connection in my room and drinking the bitter green leaved Chinese tea. All of my carefully held preconceptions about China are fast eroding. I should say that as a Geography teacher in my past I know a little bit about China; or at least I thought I knew . . .

As a “Less Economically Developed Country” (more PC than “Third World”) China faces huge problems of poverty, disease, population growth, etc. I saw none of these on my first day in this country. I tell a lie as I saw 2 men hawking melons outside our hotel. Apart from this all I saw was a modern industrial nation showing signs of great economic power and growth. Pudong (Shanghai) airport is huge, modern, shows strong elements of modern architectural design and is very clean. To be honest it put Heathrow to shame, although it is not half as busy as Heathrow.

On the 2 hour journey (air-conditioned thankfully) from the airport to the hotel almost all I saw were modern transport routes (including the high speed maglev railway) modern high-rise flats, and modern industrial developments. One building stretched to almost 1 kilometre in length! To continue . . It is now midmorning on Monday (I think). We have been for a short walk around the hotel; founds a supermarket (bought a simple lunch) and walked back through a small park. In the process we have found a Starbucks and an ice cream parlour: good work everyone. Breakfast consisted of the familiar and the unfamiliar. We had cereals, tea, coffee, toast, sausages, bacon, baked beans, fruit, etc. as well as noodles, deep fried doughnuts, mysterious vegetables and things that were only labelled in Chinese: fantastic!

China!

Well, arriving in China, after a 30 hour day of travelling, we arrived at our hotel - minus two bags, which didn't manage to get on our flight, oh well...only robots?!

So at the hotel we explored a bit and then I fell asleep, and then got forced to wake up :( We then went to register our teams, but couldn't because we have to wait until tomorrow. We then returned to the hotel, after nearly being run over at least 100 times, cars and lorries tend not to stop at crossings, regardless of red lights. Once returning to the hotel, it was dinner time; and, as most of you know, I am awkward and have a nut allergy, communicating this was great fun! But the food we had was amazing, more and more kept coming out, we had no idea what was what, but most of it tasted good.

Now we have come back to our rooms and sorted out our stuff and hopefully the missing bags are returning tomorrow!

Hope you're all missing us!
Lizzy & the rest of the St Trinians lot :)

At the Airport

We were off to a good start, except for the fact that Nicky Hughes was not allowed to go through customs with a pair of scissors, a pair of wire cutters and a metal skewer! Lily (being her usual self) had to throw away a bottle of PowerAde and a bottle of water, which again was not allowed through customs. We waited for our flight for about 2 to 3 hours in this time everyone went off to look around some shops that were there, but most of us were entertained by the flying pigs in the Hamley’s shop!Thankfully the wine shop was not so popular.When the gates for our flight finally opened, everyone gathered together their belongings (flying pigs included) and headed to the waiting area. Abi and Lily managed to clamber over the chairs and got onto a ledge near the windows and stayed there for the duration, watching planes.

At the airport!

It is now 11:30, and we have managed to make it through security reasonably successfully apart from the metal skewer, wire clippers, scissors and bottled water (& the gun, aka. water pistol) that some seemed determined to take through!

We are now waiting in the departure lounge, waiting for our first flight to CDG.

6 days to go....

With only 6 days left the tigers are chasing the ducks, who are eating the flowers...

Now the tigers are restrained and the ducks returned to their ultra-sound pond, normality is returned and we can finally concentrate on getting everything working :-D.

7 days to go.....

With only 7 days left, nothing is working...

But it will work by next weekend.