helloooo shanghai

Amazing! I just found out that I can access facebook, youtube and blogger! All the sites that this country's government has restricted. It only works on my blackberry though. Or I'd like to think that I outsmarted those mofos. Anyway, we got here late Saturday night! It was a long 15 hour flight that went by fast, surprisingly. It's so much better to sit on an overseas flight with someone you know, that's for sure.


Last night:
After arriving, we dropped off our things at jen's place and went straight to dinner and a club called Mint. It was a crazy club with huge shark tanks and all things fancy. Downside- the strobe lights and jungle house music practically made me lose consciousness! Was it the plum mojito and strange henny? Perhaps it was the lack of sleep, food, water, and jet lag that did it, but it was one of those nights when I woke up thinking WTF. Way to start off the trip.

Today was spent bargaining at the markets, eating fine Chinese food and strolling along the streets. Everyone on the road made me nervous as they don't abide by the rules. Anyway, today the 4 of u went to some markets. We wore ourselves out by bargaining for all sorts of goodies. I walked away with some Chinese commodities, earrings, scarves, gloves, and souvenirs. It's unbelievable how much these people jack up the prices. They'll tell you that an item is 300 yuan, but you can easily walk away with it for just 30 yuan ($5).




By afternoon we were on a rooftop restaurant called Kathleen 5, sipping on drinks. We were truly blessed with the warm sunny weather. It's cold at night though! The rooftop cafe overlooked People's square and gave us a panoramic view of the skyscrapers. After, we went to People's Square where parents gather to display profiles of their children in hopes that they will find a match for their kids. It's like online dating! But at the park. Basically, parents come here to post bios and sometimes pictures of their children in hopes of finding them a perfect match! Their ages for these prospective are usually 20-30 years old. It's an odd thing for us to see, but totally appropriate for the people in Shanghai. Parents or even grandparents would gather together to talk to each other about their children and who would be most suitable for them. I'd be so angry if my mom did this! or incredibly sad if I had to resort to this.


By night time we went to the very top of a hotel and took in gorgeous views of "The Bund"- shanghai's lit up skyline. Dinner was Yunnan food at Lost Heaven and then headed up to a swanky lounge. Oi. Clubs and bars here open 7 days a week until 4am! Good night.