Posted 6:59 AM by Andy
Visitors. Shanghai is a magnet for everyone with the continual influx of FDI coming unabated. Even Rule 11 in the recent circular distributed by the Chinese government can't stem the enthusiasm by VC investors. Intel's $200 million fund earmarked for China is a prime example. I've met up with a long litany of folks in recent months. In roughly chronological order of when I saw them: Hanron, Steve Y and their Kellogg classmates from Evanston at L16 and Guandii. Gloria from Vancouver the same weekend my parents were here. I took her to eat in Jinqiao, sing karaoke with some local friends, and dessert at Hsu Liu Shan on the Bund waterfront. Dave Y from Cleveland. We met at a barbecue and watched Episode 3 that night at Super Brand Mall. Now I have someone to take me to a Cavs game in the future. Tom R and his HBS classmates from Boston at Shanghai Uncle for dinner and then Zapata's for dancing and drinks. Tom's friend Jacqueline is a spitfire, having worked in microfinance in Peru and published a book before the age of 25. I only talked to her for 10 minutes but when we parted ways she gave me a peck on the cheek. I'm not used to meeting accomplished, outgoing and fun women. Thomas C and his friends from SF and Toronto at Raffle City for dinner. Dave S and Jen D from SF at Guyi for Hunan cuisine. I ran into Barbara from SF and the Perspectives class I volunteered at having dinner with Angelia so I joined them. Frank W down from Beijing for a PESI conference. We hung out over dessert on the Bund. We traded a few stories on models, but he struck home the importance of mentoring and having a network to support you especially as a single guy out here in the wild wild East. Now I'm waiting for Tina from Berkeley/LA to give me a call.