about 2 months ago, i got an email from one of my ft friends (who i won't name without his consent) who had booked me a prepaid room ($1) at the shenyang trader's for tonight and tonight only.

up until yesterday, i was pretty much intent on writing the trip off and sending my apologies to the said fter. however, i ended up getting roped into a meeting yesterday with some shenyang government people who invited me to visit so i thought "serendipity" and bought myself a plane ticket.

i didn't bring any sort of travel guide with me so my stay thus far has pretty much been limited to massage, sauna, expensive hamburger, bath, nap, second sauna, and brief trip to the local babyface (which was pretty cool, i have to admit).

all that said, this place beats the pants off my last two short trips (zhengzhou [yuck] and wuhan [yuck++]).

the only downside is that it is far colder than i ever could have envisioned. (right now, i'm thinking of all you romantics that pine to check out the harbin ice festival; pack heavy!)

i'll try to take some pics tomorrow and the next day. my primary objective there will be to capture images of what may be the saddest trees on the planet (you can't see them from the plane because they're so frail!).

in any event, i am greatful to my ft friend for giving me a new experience.