2 April, 2012
I have 5 free days before I start working so I've decided i must make the most of exploring the city. Shanghai has a good metro system and I know I can make it around without worry that I don't understand characters. My host Ren was on her way to go swimming Saturday so she took me to the bus stop to go up to Lujiazui. Lujiazui is the financial 'Manhatten' of Shanghai. Once we got there we parted ways and I was off on my own to explore.
The Oriental Pearl TV tower is a major landmark in the Shanghai city skyline. Although it is an expensive tourist attraction I decided to go up to the viewing platforms because I know from other cities I've been to that it is a great orientaion to the city from birds eye view. Books had warned that it is best to go up the tower near dusk or risk smog covered views but the day seemed gorgeous. Nonetheless, there was a smog covered horizon but the immediate city was visible. A glass bottom on the outside viewing deck provided thrilling entertainment that was enough to flip your stomach and make you smile.
The weather was gorgeous at 29C so I took a stroll along the river and enjoyed the breeze and sun. Passing The Super Brand Mall that contains 100s of internationally recognized brand stores I decided a walk through was necessary. Among the many stores I recognized including English brands that I saw last year in London there were many that I had not heard of before.
Sunday, Ren and I had a brunch at a Xi'an noodle shop that she frequents. Ren is from Xi'an. It took them less than 2 minutes to get the food to our table and it looked like a simple bowl of rice noodles. Looks to be deceiving and quick mix with my chopsticks they were spicy and delicious. We then took the metro to meet Ren's friend Ya Ya at Peoples Square which is considered the center or the city. A nice park view was surrounded by City Hall to the North and Shanghai Museum to the south. The three of us went in Shanghai museum which proved to be a great introduction to ancient Chinese culture including bronze casting, pottery, sculpture, calligraphy, currency, minority art, jade, and paintings.
After the museum we started walking the 8 blocks or so down Fuzhou Rd. to the riverside. Opposite from where I was yesterday this area along the river in famously known as The Bund. Ren bought me a fried treat known as nan gou bei which I later found out was made of pumpkin and zucchini. I'll leave it at interesting and gooey. The Bund is the symbol of Shanghai with a line of buildings that are harmonious in skyline reputed as "world architecture fair". It is spectacularly illuminated with some of the best nocturnal views of Pudong(big new skyline across the river).
Headed home we took the ferry across the river and proceeded to walk riverside down one of the weathiest living areas in Shanghai known as Bingshang Rd. It was a very pretty boardwalk.
Monday proved to be a ideal Holiday. April 2-4 is known as Qing Ming festival in which Chinese remember their ancestors and is considered Chinese holiday. After sleeping in and a couple hours loungeing in the sun on the patio it was time for lunch. Ren's son Fan Fan a.k.a.'Jimmy' who is 10 years old was visiting which he does once a week. He and I walked to walmart to get drinks and a leash for Me Me(cat)who was to come to the park with us. Needless to say, the 10 year old schools me with English better than I can learn any Chinese. He became his mothers translater for the day. After a noodle and shrimp(xia)lunch we went to Nanpu Square Park. There is not a better Chinese day in the park with kites, jumpropes, badminton and cat. It's April and trees are in full bloom with flowers(yue lan) which are particularly beautiful.
Two days left before work starts on Thursday (xing qi si) and lots more to see. I'm thinking about the Shanghai Zoo tomorrow. Weather is suppose to cool down to 50sF so that might be just fine.
-Nicole
