Bumped up a class

What an adventure so far!

When I arrived at SFO to transfer planes I asked if I could switch to a window seat. They took my ticket and when it was time to board called me forward and issued a new ticket, bumping me up to Economy Plus! Yay! I managed to sleep most of the way aside from a girl who kept clearing her throat who was sitting behind me. Loud enough to startle me awake, very gutteral!

The food was good, they fed us 3 meals and a few snacks, I watched Marie Attoinette, fell asleep, woke up to watch Idiocracy on my iPod, then began to watch Stranger Than Fiction on the plane screen, but I think they drug the food, and I was back to sleep.

Kelley met me at the airport, didn't take too long to get through customs, but the taxi ride to his place took forever! The drivers here have no rules what-so-ever. It was like a crazy version of Mr. Toads Wild Ride, swerving in and out of traffic, flashing his brights, nearly plowing into the back of a delivery truck, EXCITEMENT! Have to give him the benefit of the doubt since he did get us to Kelley's safely.

After taking my luggage up to his apartment, which is in the outskirts of Shanghai, but in a super nice complex, we walked to the Supermarket. I asked Kelley what the smell was, that it smelt like ass - he said that was China. Damn, it smells like Fisherman's Warf ... the really stinky part. Anyway, at the market they have tanks of live fish, eel, crabs, etc. Take "fresh" to the extreme. He purchased some water for me to brush my teeth with since he says the water is just not drinkable - today I saw why. The river is digusting, full of crap, chemicals ... enough to kill an entire species of dolphins and 450 species of fish, the 40 or so species of fish that remain have 5 eyes. Lovely.

We woke up early this morning and took the subway into town then walked and walked and walked until we got to a bank, but after waiting for out number to be called (nice convenience, you don't have to wait in line, you sit, like at the DMV) we were bluntly told "Bank of China". Hunger had set in, Kelley bought us a steamed dumpling thing from the street vendor. I'll post photos later, it's late, I'm tired.

Then we went to the fabric market where I totally scored! I am having an entire suit - skirt, slacks, and jacket - a blouse, 2 spring skirts, a spring dress, and a rain coat custom made for about $100! After that we walked more, past what Kelley called "real China". Piles of garbage with houses on top. I was still getting used to be stared at.

Okay I'm exhausted, Kelley needs to get up early for work and I can't think straight so I'm going to end this abruptly and go to bed. More tomorrow about my day today!

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