Wednesday 22 October 2014

I was on a Shanghai.....the Asia trip continues

A city of 25 million people, probably even more scooters ((watch out) and the energy to match.



Day One:  Ok, I have no sense of direction. Actually less than that, a negative sense of direction.  I am the person who got lost while using not one but two GPS systems in a city I had lived in for several years.  


So exploring Shanghai by myself was a scary thought! However, I was not going to sit by and do nothing.So after talking to the concierge (because Google maps does not work in China and I needed a paper map for navigation) I was off.  I am proud to let you know that I not only navigated the subway but I used my map to find an area that I had read about and wanted to check out.  There were shops that I had read about in Shanhgai Style File (www.shanghaistylefile.com).  Check it out if you are ever going there! Her blog is full of stylish tips about Shanghai.

As I proudly approached my first destination, my heart full of pride and joy that I found it without any catastrophes....only to see a store under construction. 😃 hilarious (now), ironic (always). 

That afternoon I met a new friend Sophia for lunch at K11. This is a shopping center where shopping and art are combined seamlessly. It is an amazing place.  There were even baby pigs outside the farm to table restaurant that we got to "uh" and "ah" over.  We spent the afternoon walking and shopping around the city.  The shopping in Asia is ENDLESS....and I am not complaining. I especially like the Xiantiandi area.














 

As the sun (and the credit card) were cooling off we met our husbands and their co-workers for a drink. It was a bar in the middle of one of Shanghai's many parks.  This park has a very interesting event that takes place every weekend.  Parents with daughters who have been deemed spinsters bring these girls to the park and parade them around.  Single men show up at the same time to see if they can make a love connection. Talk about a Sunday Funday!! It started raining so we moved indoors and smoked a hookah (cause that what you do when it rains).  

 


















Everybody Wan Xiang, everybody have fun!!

Dumplings, dumplings and more dumplings!!!!!  Who does this the best will be a forever debate.  But Wan Xiang is definitely up there. I am not alone in this opinion as the line of people waiting testify to when we arrive. They are so yummy and you just want those bamboo baskets of joy to keep coming to your table! Delicious!!

                                              




Dumplings are definitely a good time.....a little party in your mouth!

This is how I feel today, how are you?








To live is so startling it leaves little room for other occupations

Emily Dickinson