One of my favorite things is to sit in a hotel room drinking tea before I start my day. Because I'm never in a hotel unless I'm at a conference or doing some heavy sightseeing, these may well be the only relaxed moments I get. I'm doing that right now, in an astounding hotel room -- courtesy the Literary Festival, pictures coming -- drinking actually delicious tea, overlooking the Huangpu River in downtown Shanghai. I have a Festival lecture to attend soon, my own gig later and a dinner date, but right now, I'm watching the river and about to write this week's haiku. In the meantime, because I seem to have good internet access (spotty in China) I thought you'd enjoy these. They're all taken from my room. If you're seeing this on Facebook, by the way, it's because a friend is posting for me. Facebook's still blocked in China.



huangpu river, blue sky day



the bund from my room



shadow of my hotel on construction site



view from my room at night



old ship, new ship