Apologies for leaving my adoring fans for a month (just kidding). Seriously though, it's been a crazy month. Between my twin 24 hour travels I reconnected with my love of the south, friends, blue skies, my family, and the beach. And there was a perfect amount of time to have my sleep schedule readjust before screwing it all up again. But I have officially been in China 10 full days. The splendor of returning has worn off and I am back in the routine of sleep, mopeding everywhere, having zero privacy, and a million and one obligations. But I love it. I had some initial moping, but I have attributed it to weather adjustment. We were spoiled first semester with uncommonly low levels of smog and then winter break was life-saving in the air quality department. But it's worth it!! I can't explain the sensations that come with exploring this city. Or even realizing that all the things you used to point frantically at first semester you can now say with ease. Beyond cool.
Ok the mental tirade is over! Here's a look at some amazing things I've seen/eaten/experienced over the past 10 days that will hopefully excuse my virtual silence :)
1. Delicious Food! - Korean chicken and rice noodles, Chinese fresh squeezed juice, and the White-Chocolate Oreo Cronut from Woody Baker. So different but show the great diversity of foods in this amazing city that we love seeking out!
2. Starting off the Shanghai 33 for the spring semester with these awesome Indiana bros. Chris on the left and Gus on the right. Gus already did 17 of the 33 before the semester even started! But sorry about the Colts.... Moving on!
4. Momi Cafe (aka The Time Travel Cafe): purchase a postcard and address it to anyone, in any country, at any time. Seriously! The slots behind us are just dates for this year and the white boxes in the distance (over Rhett's shoulder) are for years in the future - going all the way up to 2026!
5. The 1933. Previously a slaughterhouse, this warehouse (and the blocks around it) have transformed in recent years to hold a variety of shops and art exhibits even though the true star is the architecture of the building itself! Awesome to walk through!
6. The Cool Docks - Right by the warf of the Bund, the cool docks are a series of small warehouses converted to high end shopping and retail. Cool to walk around, but we suggest walking a block north to Buba's Texas Barbecue. Never thought there would be BBQ as delicious as this in China!
7. The Avocado Lady - Crowded at all hours of the day, this little hole in the wall offers a variety of products westerners love but have been disappointed with when purchasing form other "foreign markets." And as you can probably guess from the name, her speciality is avocados.
8. Nanjing Lu Pedestrian Street - you could spend DAYS exploring each cafe, store, and restaurant tucked in the multilevel shopping complexes an hotels lining this street but I think the true value of this area is the people watching. Hard to explain, but my personal favorites were the endless crowds of locals dancing (with and without props) to all sorts of music! Adorable.
9 and 10. Buddhist Xiahai Temple and Tilanqiao Prison. Right around the corner from one another, these marvels of Chinese architecture greatly juxtapose each other as well as the sectors of society that they represent.
11. Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center - Behold! The entire city of Shanghai in miniatures! Crazy seeing your home fits into the massive puzzle that is a thriving metropolitan city. I could have stayed for hours pinpointing all the amazing facets that make up Shanghai.
11. Table-Tennis Class at Pepperdine Shanghai - this is their classroom! So jealous that I don't have enough units available to take the class, but this is where they get to battle it out. Pretty impressive isn't it? Apparently their professor is UNREAL. Can't wait to go watch!
12. Ye Garden - Surrounded by a lake perfect for skipping rocks, gazebos positioned for relaxation, and tunnels egging you to explore every little hideaway, I can see how wonderful it would be to be treated at a hospital that allows you to take a stroll in this tranquil, un-crowded garden. I would suggest a visit when the vegetation has grown out a little! Very nice stop!
until next time!
love,
kpk
