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Don't worry, I haven't surccumbed to bird flu, panic not, despite the fact that I am in Shanghai at the height of bird flu panic time :)
On the 4th we spent the day cafe hopping and escaping the chaos of grave sweeping day in china where everyone has 3 days holiday to pay respects to their ancestors and burn paper versions of their favourite things so their dead relatives will receive them..strange I know! Beijing was madness with families using the holiday to visit Mao etc and we were very happy to jump on our first overnight train that evening. Travelling by train is actually waay more stressful than it is in SE Asia as you have to have your passport checked every 5 seconds and the Chinese are so crazy and go-getting that they'll be camped outside the platform door for hours in advance and all rush at the door the minute it's open..eek! Once safely in our 6 berth cabin (pretty squished) Vivian hauled our bags up to the top and we all settled in for a noisy night. There are no doors to the cabin so it's pretty noisy and open and everyone kept coming to look at the all western cabin..joy! That night we enjoyed playing a bit of poker and being shown various crazy Chinese iPad games!
We pulled into shanghai at the surprisingly luxurious time of 10:30 and jumped in taxis (ones that this time understood English) to go to our hotel. Shanghai doesn't quite have the quaint cultural side to it that we enjoyed in Beijing but is still a cool city filled with skyscrapers, shopping centres and grand buildings. We went for lunch at a sweet family restaurant where we shared a yummy selection of veg, meat dishes and rice and tried a bit of the local liqueur. We then went on a walk around the city to see the bund (street by the river) and business centre on the other side. Vivian insisted that we take the jam-packed ferry across which was an experience in itself but when we got over we had the chance to take yet more photos of the hazy waterfront (you can't see the top of any of the buildings, the clouds are so low) and to pop into hooters for a drink..with 1 guy and 8 girls we looked a little strange! We then headed back to the hotel for a pitstop before some of us went to grab a bite to eat and then see a show. The show was basically the best bits if the circus with plate spinners, ribbon dancers, hoop jumping, foot juggling which was incredible with some tiny girls of about 10 being thrown all over the place, a woman balancing a jillion glasses on her forehead, a tightrope walker and loads more including an amazing 'ball of death' motorbike group where 5 motorcyclists all go around a tiny metal ball in patterns which was incredible but petrifying! Even more petrifying when one if their seats fell off too..something which apparently hardly even happens..and two of them fell!! We hope they're ok but the all left rather down which was sad.
This morning we took the tube to the French concession area which is a very pretty collection of streets with really cool artsy shops in it and every type of scarf, jewellery and phone case you can imagine! This afternoon we went to the Shanghai museum to look at the artwork and ancient bronzes etc which were interesting but quite difficult to appreciate considering we didn't understand much of it! The billions of coins in the coin collection were equally baffling but I really enjoyed the furniture collection through the ages and looking at all the jade.
I'm still shocked by how rude everyone is here as they're still pushing you every 5 seconds, don't care if they shove past you or knock you over and push to the front of the queues if they feel like it! One little boy was pushed to the front of a queue by his mum and when I got in first (I practically sprinted and blocked him out the way..lax training comes in handy), he stuck his arm in the door to demand he should go in!! The children are all pretty spoilt and doted on as obviously they're the only child in most cases but its still pretty shocking to see such a blatant disrespect for everyone from a nationality who are supposed to be so respectful and considerate! We will see how it is in the countryside.
We're now having a rest before getting some dinner and going out to a nightclub recommended by Vivian..should be interesting! 2nd night train tomorrow afternoon so trying to swot up on card games too, hope you're all well!
Lots of love, Flo x x x
- comments
Partner in crime Sounds like an experience and a half!!! Hope alls going well out there, I'll send you an email and the vid when I'm back on home ground :) xx
YKW Sleep well my dear!