First proper day in Shanghai

Today was my first proper day in Shanghai. I seem to be more jet lagged this time around and didn't get up until 1pm. I needed to find the police station to register because if you aren't staying in a hotel then you need to fill in a temporary resident form.

I got a bit lost so popped into a hotel to ask for directions. The lady didn't speak English so she asked one of three guys who all then couldn't decide which way I was meant to go, shouted over one another and hand gestures everywhere before I could work out the rough direction. (and this was at a Crowne Plaza, ladies and gentlemen).

I managed to find it in the end, checking my guidebook for the characters for "police station". Inside were some chairs with numbers and some people behind glass. You sat in the chair number as your indication in the queue.

As I went up and tried to explain why I was there and the lady thrust some paper under the slot of the window and she opened a folder pointing at some paper I need from the university. I tried to get an answer that did it matter I wasn't registered at the uni until Thursday and can they wait til then but she kept speaking in Mandarin that I needed this paper from the uni... Yeah..... Helpful.

I decided to take a walk towards Zhong Shan Park where my housemate told me is where Carrefour is. I went to a Carrefour last time I was here (but in the Japanese district) and knew it had everything including phones. I thought if I get horribly lost I can take a taxi but then I don't wanna be stupid if the store is nearby. So I kept walking.

I asked for directions a few times and was relieved when I reached Dingxi Road as that was where I stayed last time so knew it was nearby. I then saw the hairdresser I went into last time. My idea was to get a card with the number and come by another time but when I went inside someone there recognised me and tried to get hold of the director who did my hair last time. He was off today so they called the helpline where someone asks what you want and then speaks to the shop people to translate for them. Helpful to have actually.

So I'm then whisked away upstairs to a private room where the young guy is giving me a head massage. We manage to have a little conversation and exchanged names which was nice. He was very patient and we spoke more than I did with the other guy who came to do my hair too. I had it nicely straightened but although it was way more expensive then in Hong Kong, it's cheaper than in UK at 1200rmb including a treatment (guess also included the massage and tea).

So after a few hours I went to find the Carrefour and always along Changning Road I'm bombarded by people offering English classes which I tell them in my London accent that I don't need it. Carrefour is downstairs of the Cloud Nine mall and it's quite a trek just finding a downstairs escalator. But downstairs is like a food market lots of small stalls selling various foods, teas etc.

I could spend a great deal of time in Carrefour, just looking at the different kinds of food and packaging they have. I was a bit surprised at seeing 5 (yes, 5!) racks of shelves just for tissues..... Now talk about choice!

After shopping I went to grab a bite to eat at KFC since it wasn't too busy and I knew I could point at things. I guess after all day of learning the language I was tired and needed a break. I then got to the main road and got a taxi which I managed to give my address in Mandarin (I was so proud). Trying to pay was another matter and I finally worked out he was saying he didn't have change for me so I managed to find the exact amount out of change. I find when I'm travelling I get shy to handle change and feel easier to hand over notes.

I have to say I'm having a habit of breaking out in Cantonese when English isn't working and if anything it makes things more confusing for people so I really need to get a grip on that. I feel quite helpful that I know basic characters in Chinese and help my housemate with some.

Being here is like being back at uni and is taking some adjusting and going with the flow of things. However, a massive hate of mine here has to be the spitting! I walked past a rather posh hairdresser where the guy opened the door and hacked up and spat outside it was so disgusting. Also a word of advice is to keep distance from anyone waking in front of you (if you can) because the old guy just decided to spit....

Today I learnt to try and sandwich yourself between people crossing the road and cross when they cross. Also don't attempt to cross when there is no green man....and don't attempt to cross diagonally - seeing people doing that is scary!

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