So I ventured to Nanjing E Rd today and visited some book stores. I wanted to read up on social issues in China, and get a book on Chinese minority groups. At the book store I was asking the sales person where I could find books on Chinese minority ethnic groups. You can imagine how painful it was to explain that in my broken Mandarin! Anyway, he asked where I was from and he asked if it's worth it to go to America and if he could really learn English in one year living in America. I told him he certainly [View Full Entry]

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I'm going to go get a foot and body massage. There are so so many massage places here (legit and illegit ones). I guess the people here really believe in massage therapy. Anyway, it's hard to chose, and find one that is good, clean and cheap. The places catered to Westerners are naturally more expensive. I'm in the market for the ones around 100 RMB an hour! Anyway, here in China it's common for the blind to become massage therapists. I find the concept a bit creepy, but I'm quite curious. I'll see if I like it. Anyway, my first massage [View Full Entry]

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I've been doing research about China and trying to decide on some travel plans. It is so fascinating to me how diverse China really is. Throughout China there are all kinds of terrain and climates, cultures, historical monuments, etc. Each city seems so different to me... The more reading I do, the more places I want to visit! At this rate, it'll take me a year to travel China. Since I only have a few months, I'll either have to be a more efficent traveler or maybe just pick and choose. I feel that China is so far... some day I'll [View Full Entry]

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Woke up and walked 40 minutes to an English club to check out volunteering opportunity. I thought I was going to die from exhaustion by the time I got there. I wore jeans today, thinking that it might rain. Bad decision. At least I bought the most delicious fresh baked seaweed cookies/cracker en route... melt in your mouth texture (butter!). Volunteers (like me) from Hands On Shanghai teach English to disabled adults and children. The class is held at this cafe/communitycenter called Talk Da Talk. Apparently, you need to buy a membership to go to the events at this place. Hands [View Full Entry]

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So I decided that since I have a little free time before my class starts, I should try to learn Mandarin on my own. I reminded myself when M asked me what I was doing for money while I'm in Shanghai, and I told him that this is a very expensive trip for me. That said, I better make sure I have some native born sounding Mandarin in 5 months! :) 1) I went to find an electronic translator. They have these blackberry sized gadgets where you can type the english or pinyin AND it will pronounce the word for you! [View Full Entry]

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So M hired a car and we got out of Shanghai today! I like the city, but craved some fresh air, greenery and sky. The car was like a Toyota Sienna or something... much more comfortable than a taxi or bus. Anyway, first we stopped at Sheshan, Shanghai's only mountain. Not super exciting, but managed to walk to the top for 30 RMB in the heat. A beggar at the church wouldn't stop hassling us for $. After M gave her some change to make her away, but she kept bugging me to give in too. Coming from SF, I'm numb [View Full Entry]

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There's an area in Shanghai known as "little Paris". Hmm... it doesn't quite compare, but the streets are all lined with trees and there are some cute stone alleys and villas. I guess the area had a French presence after the Opium war, and hence this neighborhood has a French influence. There are many "walking tours" of the French Concession and I joined one of M's acquaintences who is visiting Shanghai from the UK for the week. We started out at Sun Yetsen's old residence, which has turned into a museum and historic destination. Sun Yetsen was the forerunner of [View Full Entry]

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Last night I met up with M, whom my old coworker re-introduced to me. M also left work/job to come to Shanghai to learn Mandarin and travel. His Chinese is so good! Anyway, he took me to a restaurant in Jing An - Shanghainese food. It was quite nice and truly a pleasure hanging out with him! He then introduced me to some of his friends at a wine bar. Everyone I've met seems so nice and so happy/excited to be abroad. They have all been so helpful, warm and polite. I actually don't feel lonely! Tomorrow I'm going to meet [View Full Entry]

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It's so uncomfortable outside. I am back in the comfort of my air conditioning. I hope my electricity bill isn't too high! I have to sleep with it on. So I have a little bit of buyer's remorse on the Ikea bedding. It is a little... rough/crunchy. Yes, I know, this is China. It would be fine if I had some fabric softener and a good clothes dryer.... but I don't! I'll just live with it. I'll take some pictures of my new furnishings later. This morning I couldn't find a Starbuck's or equivalent in my new neighborhood. :( I settled [View Full Entry]

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The apartment is furnished, but doesn't come with stuff like: wastebasket, towel, bath mat, pots/pans, chopsticks, paring knife.... etc. I went to the cheapie supermarket and everything wasn't even that cheap, nor what I wanted, so I went to Ikea, which is a 10 min cab ride away. I bought: duvet, pillow cases, comforter, pillow, bedroom rug, bathroom rug (s), shower curtain, wastebasket, towel, kitchen rug, kitchen towel, tea kettle, drinking glass/plates, knife. Guess how much? I still need a matress pad, some better sheets, a pot or pan. I forgot to mention in my hotel posts: the be [View Full Entry]

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