So here is a quick (haha) breakdown on my 10 day trip to Nanchang (Nanjing). Being an American the first thing I noticed when arriving in Shanghai after 15 hours of plane rides is I am now the minority. Not a problem as everyone from the customs and immigration people at the airport to the counter people at the Westin were very nice. The accommodations in the hotel were also very nice (just like the US) though I and my friend only slept there one evening as we headed off to the airport first thing in the morning to fly to Nanchang.

The smaller airport was more local than Pudong International and it showed. Everyone in the airport looked at me and I mean everyone, to the point I almost felt I was walking around naked (which would have scared most everyone, lol). Again, everyone was nice but having her with me was an asset since she spoke the language and I didn't.

Once we landed in Nanchang I got my first taste of Chinese taxi cab drivers. This in its self is an experience anyone not from China should try once in there life. Coming from Chicago (originally) I have dealt with crazy traffic but not crazy taxi cab drivers. I could talk about this for an hour but lets just say for me at some points it was like being on a scary amusement park ride, LOL.

I stayed at a 4+ star hotel in downtown (old downtown) Nanchang. Very nice but older accommodations, everyone there (waitress, concierge, maid service) were all very nice but spoke some limited English. Again being with someone who spoke the language made it simple. Before my next trips I will learn more Mandarin and what would have helped this time.

So some of my concerns which I mentioned in the last thread I will address now.

First off I had little to no jet lag. I did have some for the first couple days I returned but nothing while there. I did set my phone (which only wi fi worked on) to local time along with my watches and slept at night there so I think this helped.

Money wasn't an issue as I exchanged $500 US at the airport so I had plenty RMB's while there. Other items which needed a card I used my Visa with no problems.

I had no issue with toilet paper or toilets but really never went to the bathroom while we were out.

As far as the food went, I enjoyed so many things I cant even remember them all. I ate everything (no Mc Donalds, KFC or Pizza Hut for me) and while experiencing Hot Pot I wasn't overwhelmed with spicy food at all. I did find the food very rich and could not eat as much as I do in the US but was just as full. I have been back a week now and really miss the Chinese food and even using chopsticks at every meal.

I was rather shocked at the generality of the clothes as it compared to the US. I didn't really feel like I was in another country when it came to that, pretty much everything we have here is the same there but with Chinese price tags instead of US ones.

There habit of drinking warm water and the portion and glass sizes I had to get used too but overall I didn't feel this was that much different than the US. I plan on returning for Christmas and New Years as the K1 Visa process does take almost a year and what could be better than celebrating the holidays with my future wife and her family.

I want to again thank those who provided advise and answers to my questions in my last thread, it was appreciated.