7 day working week coming to an end.....

It surely has been an experience going into classes on the weekend - I feel so bad for those who are working all day too.

Yesterday I met with Lee and we were trying to get out of the rain thinking we could use the tunnels at Xujiahui station. We didn't realise that there were 2 stations that didn't interconnect and we were forced to go back into the rain to get to Metro City. Downstairs from the Pacific Plaza is a food court area and they have this brand called Bee Cheng Hiang which is a Singaporean brand but I used to get it in Hong Kong. They do barbequed meat which is so tasty but expensive for China at 10RMB per slice.

Lee and I went to Chamate since she really wanted some fruit tea. I decided to try some chicken noodles although I realised my mistake when I found chicken gizzards floating around - ick.....! After lunch we went to the bookshop and got approached by a member of the Wall Street English company. I don't think Lee knew who they were so I quickly told her we already speak English, she looked a bit wide-eyed, apologised, then went to find some other poor sucker.

Not long after a man tried to offer us English classes and this time Lee told him we didn't need them - we did see him again but I think he wasnt like the other goldfish there who have a 5 second memory and left us alone after remembering he spoke to us.

We then went to our favourite cafe place in the basement and had strawberry and banana milkshakes which was really good! As we left they said goodbye in Japanese and I thought it was odd seeing as the cafe had a French name but was actually a Japanese cafe apparently.... I then decided to have a taiyaki since I was beside there and then we left trying to get a taxi which wasn't as difficult as I thought seeing as it was raining so badly. I was surprised that even though he had to take me another way back it only cost 14RMB.

When I got back I decided to book my trip to Chengdu seeing as the prices on English and Chinese websites were the same. I booked via Ctrip who seem quite efficient and 30 mins after booking my hotel they called me up to explain they have to book for me with the hotel the next morning. The following morning I received no less than 8 SMS at 9am when I finally had an afternoon class and could lie in! So frustrating and the messages keep breaking off into 3-6 word messages......

So I'm booked to go to Chengdu for 3 days, 1 day spent volunteering with the pandas! I'm so excited I always dreamed of it, pandas are so special to me ^^

In the evening I met Hannah at Zhongshan Park and we had dinner at Secret Recipe. It wasn't bad for 2 of us it came to 88RMB. I had a mac and cheese with prawns which was unusual - kinda reminded me of the mac and cheese with lobster I had in Boston ^^

We then went to Carrefour and its always great fun in there seeing the unsual products!

Today

I went to afternoon class (yes, on a Saturday!), which seemed to drag on perhaps because it was such a lovely day today - sunny and warm with a gentle breeze. Finally when class was over and I went to Starbucks to study. It was so strange this time I went and ordered as always in English and they had no problem with it but then the lady treats me like an idiot and "directs" me to stand at the end table to pick up my drink. The guy there then speaks to me in Chinese and realises I can't speak he continues to anyway (I don't know if this was some kind of joke). They must have thought I was leaving and said goodbye in Chinese but I sat down and I think they gave me the wrong drink but I wasn't too sure and didn't know how I'd even say it to them. Then they each took it in turns to lean over and stare at me, then laugh loudly and tell another who would do the same and I endured this with 5 different staff members!

I was just really upset by the end of it and I got up and left. I was too upset to go out to eat anything so ordered a take away which was a bit expensive but a nice proper American burger with bacon and fries which certainly cheered me up.

To be in China you really need to have thick skin and I think I am overly sensitive. I really need to try harder and ignore such people as I know not everyone is like that. But sometimes the stares and the comments are hard to deal with, at times they think I do it on purpose and speak English instead of Chinese. I'm trying so hard to study better and am starting to consider studying in the living room where the table isn't as high and the sun sets on that side so there is more light in the afternoons. I got to see a really nice sunset today as I was studying and hadn't seen the sun set that fast apart from in Barcelona.

Tomorrow I have class at 8.30am and then I'm trying a yoga class in the afternoon. Pilates isn't for me I realised....

First trip to a Chinese cinema

After class I decided to go to the cinema to watch A Simple Life. I had seen the posters around and it had won lots of awards. Cinema tickets here vary in price depending on the day and the time. I went at 1pm and tickets cost 45RMB. In the evening it jumps to 90RMB.

I had about 45 minutes to wait so I went to Subway to grab a sandwich. Even though the menu is in English, trying to speak in English was so difficult and they didn't understand very well. In the end another member of staff came to help out.

I was surprised how big the Shanghai Film Center actually is as I'd been there many times to eat or shop. The screen was on the 6th floor and nearly everyone who was there was very old.

The movie itself is actually Cantonese but it has been dubbed into Mandarin. There were subtitles but only in Chinese. I think I understood the movie and knew a little about it before. It is based on a true story about a maid/servant (Tiao Jie) who had worked for this family for most of her life, raising this man Roger (Andy Lau). He doesn't seem to appreciate her and takes her for granted until one day she has a stroke and ends up in the hospital. She lost movement in one side of her body and couldn't work anymore. She ends up in an old people's home and she has to adjust. I felt she was so brave and never cries or complains and is very admirable.

Roger soon finds out how difficult it is to adjust and how much she helped in his life and the roles seem reversed and he is looking after her now. It was really touching.

Later in the evening I met my friend Amelia and we went to Chamate for dinner which was nice and filling as always ^^

Wednesday

A rather long day and the weather is so hot I keep drifting off in class..... After class I went to have Vietnamese noodles at lunch before going to my calligraphy class. I find it quite difficult now. In the evening I went to Pilates and am exhausted but not as bad as my first class so whether it is I'm getting used to it or I'm not doing it right I have no idea!

My friends came to visit in Shanghai ^^

Phew! Long time I haven't updated..... I had been super busy with my friends coming to visit me. I had such a great time and it was much more fun exploring with other people.

On Friday, Charlie and Mona arrived and after my class I met them at Yuyuan where their hotel was based. We walked around Yuyuan for a bit although it was a pretty rainy day. We went to a little restaurant place and I tried xiao long bao ^^ We then went to get a massage but the place in the guidebook didn't seem to exist and after calling the Shanghai Call Center we were informed it wasn't near South Shanxi Lu but back in Laoximen. In the end the lady on the phone directed us to a nearby parlour.

I haven't had a massage before in Shanghai so it was a whole new experience. It was in some basement which I'd be too scared to go alone so luckily I had company. We decided on a foot massage which was 80RMB for one with oils and we also had a neck/shoulder massage. We were led into a room with 3 armchairs and 3 ladies came in with basins of water for us to soak our feet.

Afterwards they dried our feet and started massaging and then turned out the light so we could relax. After that they brought in some big wooden barrels which hooked to a machine that gave out steam. Whilst doing this they gave us a shoulder massage which felt more like murder.... the whole thing lasted 60 minutes.

Jon and Casey's flight was delayed so they'd arrived and already eaten so we went to Duck King for some pancake duck ^^ After dinner we took a taxi to East Nanjing Lu to meet with Jon and Casey for some dessert and coffee. I do like East Nanjing Lu at night ^^ I had tea and brownie which was nice and filling.

Saturday

We all met in Yuyuan and went to have the xiao long bao in the restaurant where it is meant to be number 1. There are 3 "layers" to the restaurant, outside is the take away part, the next floor up you have to pay first and are given tokens where you then hang around and dive into an available table where ladies are pushing trollies with soups and dumplings in them. The next floor up there were 3 queues - one for 50RMB, 80RMB and 150RMB set menus. We waited at the 50RMB queue and were so surprised when inside it was much bigger than it seemed and not even completely full up as it were made to believe!

We had many types of xiao long bao, some with prawns, some spicy, some with crab. My friends had I think it is a "tang bao" which is a giant dumpling with soup in it that you eat with a straw! Lunch came to 90RMB a head.

We then paid 30RMB to go into Yuyuan Gardens itself which was really nice in such beautiful weather. There was lots of walking but definately worth it. When we left it was already 4pm! We wanted to take a taxi but they wouldn't let 5 of us in so me and Jon waited for another taxi. The others arrived at the restaurant in Xujiahui which was meant to have big steamed dumplings with soup but found it was closed so in the end we all met up in Xujiahui where all the shops were.

I showed them the food court place downstairs of Metro City and bought Taiyaki (fish shaped pastry with fillings). I had a chocolate one which was really nice so I might have to go back more often after class! We popped next door to the electronics plaza - I still find it hard to go in there the people are very pushy.

Afterwards I had to go back to my place to grab a coat and Charlie and Mona wanted to find another massage place, and Jon and Casey went back to their hotel. Later on in the evening we met at East Nanjing Lu again to find a crab restaurant.

The restaurant was really nicely decorated and the food was tasty. I hadn't had hairy crab before so it was something new ^^ We had the set menu for 388RMB each and Charlie had the slightly more expensive menu. After dinner we wanted to go to Bar Rouge at The Bund but we soon found out after 10.30pm there was a dress code so we couldn't go. In the end we went nearby to the Captains Bar which is based on the 6th floor of a hostel. We sat outside with drinks and had a nice view of the The Bund ^^

Sunday

I met Charlie and Mona at People's Square and we went to a small stand to have something like xiao long bao but not in dumpling skin but in bread. It was really nice ^^ We ate in the park and then took Line 2 to Longyang Road, hopped in a taxi and went to the animation and comic museum.

Had some fun with the gacha machines and it cost 30RMB to get in. There was 2 floors to see and a cinema upstairs. The museum was good fun and not at all busy which made it nice. I liked the giant Cat Bus from Totoro ^^

We went to Decathlon nearby after. I think its normal in China to treat such places as a day out! People were sitting around in the tents outside and people were using the exercise machines, playing badminton etc. 

Charlie and Mona wanted to go to see the China Pavillion but we soon found out it was closed until November so they went to take photos outside and I went to take my things back to my place. I didn't fancy carriyng a yoga mat around with me all day. Then we all met up at Lujiazui and to the SWFC (Shanghai World Fincancial Center). It was 150RMB to get in and we get to go to the 100th floor. The view was amazing I think much better than being in the Oriental Pearl. Last year I was the the Pearl so I couldn't see it! I just need to go to the Jin Mao observatory and I'd have been in all 3 ^^

We then went to Jin Mao for dinner on the 56th floor before parting ways. I think 3 days isn't long enough in Shanghai but hopefully my friends want to visit again ^^

Zhongshan Park

On Sunday I met Hannah at Zhongshan station and we went to Happy Lemon for a drink. For 10RMB she had coffee with Oreo and I had tea with Oreo which was something different to try. We then walked around Zhongshan Park. It was much bigger than it appeared and the weather was lovely and sunny. There were so many people and so many things going on.

There were several different groups of people who were singing from big karaoke machines, people flying and selling kites, there was a girl posing against a tree with lots of male photographs taking her photo. We then saw a huge crowd of people doing ballroom dancing! Was so interesting to see.

The park itself has many gardens and bridges and even a lake where you can hire boats. There is a restaurant, a few stands, people selling popcorn and candy floss. We saw people doing tai chi, some playing badminton, and some playing scoop ball. There is also a museum inside. Lots of people were crowding around flowers all taking photos. There were quite a few stray cats around and a very old tree. As we left we saw a man using water to write characters on the floor.

We then went to the bookshop and looked at some travel books and then went to Carrefour. I do love going there to see the different kinds of food available. We found a branch of Secret Recipe there so hope to visit at some point!

On Monday I went to see a friend near South Shanxi Road then afterwards I ended up in Pizza Hut before going back to the flat. It must be the time of year because a few restaurants I've found have changed their menus in the last two weeks. It was great I had a small pizza, a drink and a strawberry ice cream cake for 60RMB.

Today I found out that because the Qing Ming Festival is over 3 days we have to go into uni on the weekend to have make-up classes. Very annoying to think I'll have to get up at 7am during my weekends. After class I went to Jing'an to the hairdresser to ask them about my hair. I had it straightened but I found at times it isn't straight. I explained that after I washed my hair it was straight but afterwards it wasn't. Then they laughed at me and said it was normal. I have to say it isnt normal because last year I didn't have this problem. They then made it seem like it was because of my hairstyle. So I'm stuck like this I guess.

As I left I saw a sign to the Jade Buddha Temple so I thought I'd walk by. I found some strange people which was quite scary. This old lady yelled something then grabbed my arm so I pulled away and refused to turn around and kept walking. Then an old man stood next to me as I was crossing the road. Then he began following me and grabbed my arm trying to give me a business card. I refused and kept saying "bu yao" and walked faster and he kept following so in the end I ran! That was so scary I'm avoiding there from now on.

In the end I called a taxi and headed back to the flat. By late evening I realised I needed some change for the ayi so I popped down to City Shop and then Starbucks. I think drinking coffee at night isn't the best idea and I'll end up awake all night..... I also just ate a huge chocolate cake with layers of puff pastry.....

I'm getting so fat.....

Knackered from pilates to even think of a title......

On Thursday I went back to the pharmacy to get something for my cough. I brought my phrasebook in case I had difficulties but didn't have a problem and they gave me some tablets and some medicine. I had asked just for the medicine but somehow ended up buying tablets too. Again, as I was leaving the lady called me back and tried to sell me some cough sweets that I managed to say loudly "bu yao" (don't want) and left.

I took the metro to Shanghai Indoor Stadium where there is an outlet mall where things are supposedly cheaper. I had read online about this place called FoxTown which is just outside of Shanghai and you can take a shuttle bus there. However, the one at Shanghai Indoor Stadium was called FoxCity and was a huge indoor mall. Downstairs were lots of restaurants and then about 5 floors worth of brand stores selling slightly cheaper. I bought some sportswear as I'm taking up Pilates.

I then went to have some lunch at an Italian restaurant which was pretty big and had a self service drinks bar. For 11RMB I had a bowl of pasta and 6RMB unlimited drinks. The food was ok for what it was and there was lots of choices. It was also very busy and waiters come out the kitchen with dishes up their arms to deliver to maybe 5 different tables so its very organised for what it is.

I then found the cutest panda bag I just had to have and I'm finding any excuse when I can carry it ^^

Just my luck coming back on the metro and found it was pouring with rain so my 10 minute walk back ended with me soaked to my skin.

Friday

Class wasn't too bad but I got the dates for my listening mid-term exam so I have some serious work to do. Afterwards I went to Manabe to have some food - ordering a French breakfast came out more like an English breakfast..... for 40RMB it came with a glass of juice. It was so strange as in the morning it was raining but by lunchtime it was hot and sunny and here I was in my boots and coat! I wanted to go out shopping since I didn't have too much homework.

Right as I was about to leave my language swap partner called and said he was on his way so I waited around for him and we went to Subway to have a swap class thing. We did end up speaking more English than Chinese which is annoying, I really have to get out of that habit. 3pm we finished and I dropped my things off at the flat before grabbing my jeans to take to the tailor at South Shaanxi Road.

As I left the metro I was a bit surprised how these people knew I wasn't local and about 5 different men approached me to try and get me to buy some fake watches and designer handbags. I just ignored them and walked fast. The tailor (or seamstress??) didn't speak any English but I managed enough Chinese to explain what I needed done. I was expecting to have to come back later and pick them up but she told me I could sit on the sofa and wait. In 10-15 minutes she was done with 3 of my jeans and charged me 10RMB for each! Couldn't believe how cheap it was I was expecting at least 30RMB for each pair. 

Then I went to the wool shop at 2nd Ruijin Street which took a while to find but I was so glad when I did. I couldn't believe how cheap this wool is 10RMB for a pack of 8 and this is fluffy wool suitable for making scarves! I also bought some circular knitting needles for 5RMB. I'm trying to make some blankets for the cat shelter after seeing they don't have many blankets etc and it is freezing in that garage.

I then stopped by KFC for something quick to eat before getting a taxi back to mine. I got into the taxi before I worked out the driver was telling me I was on the wrong side of the road so I quickly had to run across the road and avoid waving down a red taxi and managed to get into a blue one. I have to say, in all the time I've been in Shanghai this is the first time I've been given a reciept! The driver was so efficient and had white gloves on.

I got back and rested a little bit before my friend text me to ask me if I wanted to have dinner. I like to go to dinner with Chinese friends because they know the good things to eat and where to eat. I met him near the metro at the university and walked to a restaurant that specialises in North-Eastern Chinese cuisine. It was quite full inside and we had to wait for a table. We ordered some fish which was good, I love to eat fish but usually it is very expensive and not suitable to eat alone.

It was annoying that the restaurant had a "no smoking" sign but most people were smoking and even the waiter's provided them with ash trays. However, the food was nice and the rice had sweetcorn mixed into it which was unusual I have to say. Two of us with 2 dishes and 3 bowls of rice we paid 60RMB which was so cheap for a good full meal.

The medicine must be working because 2nd day of taking it I already barely cough! As gross as it is, Chinese medicine does work!

Saturday

I didn't sleep until very late last night and had to get up early to go to Shanghai Library metro to go to my pilates class. It took me a while and wandered up the road before I found it. There was a bird cage with two green birds chirping away it was quite sweet. As I headed to the building where the yoga centre is I was stopped by security before I managed to explain in Chinese I have a class here. I think my Chinese skills are getting better and I can communicate enough to get by.

It was 200RMB for 2 taster classes and this is the first time I've done pilates so wasn't sure what to expect. It was so intense! I haven't done exercise in so long let alone something as hardcore as this. I thought I'd pass out at how much the instructor kept pushing me but didn't seem to accept when I said I couldn't do it and I wasn't that flexible!

I will have to find Decathlon to get a yoga mat as they charge 350RMB for one but I've heard you can get them for as cheap as 50RMB at Decathlon! I'm not sure I'd keep up with the classes but learn enough of the basics to get me started and practice at home before thinking of doing more classes. I wonder if yoga is just as intense.....

I was so tired after an hours worth I took a taxi back and ended up calling Sherpa for some take away. Now I'm thinking about taking a nap......

Sickness sucks.....

I think after experiencing the cold on Sunday looking after the cats it made my cold worse and by Monday my head was so sore and I was coughing so much I didn't go to uni. This Chinese medicine is disguised in a capsule but the taste and smell is just of Chinese medicine. Although I can't fault it really, I've taken it about 5 times now and feeling much better!

So yesterday as I couldn't go out anywhere I discovered this website called Sherpa.com.cn which delivers food for 15-20RMB from many different places - including Mr Pancakes where I went with Hannah on Saturday! And also Burger King and what I found out to be a Taiwanese chain; Chamate. So I decided to order some food that was said to deliver in 45 minutes. The guy was 5 minutes late but I was starving. Its so great to be able to order all kinds of food, from pasta to Japanese food! So I'll definately be bookmarking this website ^^

Today I managed to go to class and managed to not cough up my lungs. I think I'm getting a bit better at my listening class and understand more phrases. Then I went to the Marco Polo cafe where I thought there would be more food choices but I was wrong so just had an extremely milky tea with toast. I then went to the Chinese supermarket and bought more noodles and snacks. Stupidly I thought the road I needed was further down the street but it took me right around the block so by the time I reached the flat I was exhausted carrying all my shopping. I'm just glad it was such a beautiful day, it actually felt like summer but without the extreme heat! The sunset was much later which made it feel nicer.

In the evening I went out with Anna, my flatmate, and she took me to the noodle stand she buys from. Its kind of amazing this man rides a bike with an attachment at the back that he uses as a table, he has a wok set up on a portable stove, several containers of different kinds of noodles, rice, spices, vegetables etc and he takes your order of which noodles/rice and he cracks an egg into some oil in the pan, fries the food adds the spices and sells it for 80p!

Next to him is another cart where they have a bbq set up and they grill different kinds of skewers. We bought 4 skewers for 80p and then came back to the flat to eat. It was really nice experience and the feeling in China in the night is very different to the day.

Busy weekend

Friday

After my class I met with my Korean friend, Lee, and we went to Xujiahui to get some lunch. We ended up in Cha-mate which has such a wide selection of food to choose from and a lovely fruit tea that I had tried last time I was in Shanghai. I had a set meal of pork chop with mushroom sauce, it came with rice and a bowl of salad, a bowl of mushrooms and a bowl of minced pork for 45RMB ^^ We shared the fruit tea and then went to Saint Marc cafe downstairs where we both had a Royal Chocolate to drink. Whilst we were drinking and the waiter came up to us to fill in a feedback form. It felt like a Chinese lesson where I was guessing what the question said and Lee would tell me if I was right or not.

It was quite surprising what questions were asked - things such as how the waiters greeted you as you entered, if they spoke in a soft tone, if they were well presented and if they smiled enough! So I gave them all high scores and then we left.

Saturday

In the morning I went to Jing'an Temple station and met Hannah. We then walked to Julu Lu to Mr Pancake which is an American pancake place that had good reviews on these Shanghai websites. Even being early (well before 11am) and it was so packed! But luckily for 2 people we were easily seated. It was very squishy and a lot of foreigners. I had a breakfast special pancake and an English tea which was refilled for free whilst there. The pancakes were fluffy and sweet but butter in China doesn't taste nice - nor does milk....

After breakfast/brunch and being so stuffed we went for a walk and went shopping. We walked for hours and had the strangest experience twice in one day - a car actually stopped for us to cross the road! That NEVER happens in Shanghai. Even if the green man is lit and people are crossing, cars will still go as will bikes. So far in the month I have been here I've seen a car hit a cyclist twice and a cyclist hit a pedestrian and knocked her over.

It is taking a lot of getting used to being greeted as soon as you walk into a shop, and being followed around a shop being hassled into buying things. I get so put off I sometimes walk out - especially because they are speaking in Mandarin and I still don't know what they mean or what discounts they are talking about! Then they look at me as I'm Chinese that I surely must have understood so I smile sheepishly and nod and walk around. I think it is the wrong response and the salesperson will then have this secret smirk (knowing I'm foreign) and then walk away.

We walked to South Shaanxi Station and along the way, near the Four Seasons hotel, there is building work. I swear the builders were posing for each other taking photos with those construction cameras! He had his hand on his behind and his other hand holding a pole, looking over his right shoulder and smiling at the camera! Then further along this stretch we saw another man who also seemed to be posing with a pole.... Also this is where the Want Want headquarters are (I know this brand from rice crackers!).

We went to a department store and had a soft drink before we parted and I came to realise that the line 1 and line 10 at South Shaanxi are not linked and that you have to travel across the road and down a side road to reach line 10.

Sunday

This morning I woke up quite early and decided to head out and try and grab some breakfast on my way to Jing'an. I stopped by a pharmacy because I'm starting to feel a cold coming on. I've come to learn that the older the people are, the less likely they will know English, so this pharmacy has 3 old ladies working there. I brought my phrasebook this time in case there were complicated medical words I needed to know. Luckily they understood me well enough to give me some flu/cold tablets and I managed to ask how many times and how many tablets I needed to take. They then recommended me some Vitamin C tablets and as I was leaving they made sure I knew to dissolve these in cold water.

I got to Jing'an and walked to the hotel where we were meant to meet the Bean Volunteer group for the event. There were 9 of us in total and we were told we were going to a place just outside of Shanghai (40 minute drive) to interact with some cats.

It is said that this old man loves cats and over time people donated cats to him. Mostly the people couldn't look after them anymore and the man couldn't say no to a cat. He has had to move 3 times and further out of the city because nobody would rent a flat to him as he had over 200 cats! So this charity got involved as the man had health problems and didn't have the money to look after the cats nor would he get rid of them so the charity pay for all the litter, food, and someone to come each day to clean up after them. However, the cats don't get much attention so Bean volunteer every 2 weeks for people to come and groom them and play with them etc.

So we got into a van that took us to this place which was such a different place to Shanghai. It was a lot of concrete buildings, some warehouses, and lots of winding back streets with kids playing outside and the whole area is so run down. The cats are kept in a place like a garage and it is so cold! They huddled together in giant cat beds but when they heard us coming came running up, purring and wanting attention.

There were also 5 dogs kept in the other room but they are so aggressive we weren't allowed near them. They constantly barked, I wonder how the cats coped with that. I was a little scared at first, especially seeing some cats climbing up on people. Sometimes I had a cat trying to climb up my leg which was painful. I brushed some cats and played with them and eventually got to hold one. He kept on kneading my lap and even wearing jeans my legs are covered in tiny cuts from his claws! I was told kneading is a sign of affection but it hurts a lot!

After about 90 minutes we had to go and we got back to Jing'an and Hannah and I went to Pizza Hut which was so filling and such a comfort (gosh how I miss cheese).

Learning to be more social ^^

Today after class some of my Korean classmates invited me out to dinner so we went to a restaurant near the university. I'm not entirely sure the region of the cuisine but in the front of the restaurant (outside) there were huge urns and now and then waiters would come out and use a long stick to pull dishes out of them!

The place was quite small and they seemed to have a lot of variety of roasted dishes. We shared dishes amongst us and all of them were spicy so I'm trying my very best to enjoy spicy food! For 5 people we paid about 30RMB each ^^

Since it was a clear day today (finally no rain!) I thought I'd cool off from the spicy food and went to buy an ice cream and some bread for tomorrow morning - I still can't believe it came to the equivalent of 50p!

Homework is intense on a Thursday as we have afternoon classes and with 3 exercises and 2 chapters worth of words for dictation it is quite a lot to take in. I'm thinking of staying here another semester and it has been playing up on my mind (along with a few other things) that I've been unable to sleep lately and wake up at 5am. I have no idea what is so magical about this hour but I seem to keep waking up at that exact time.....

Tomorrow I have my dreaded listening class and dictation in my reading class then I'm meeting my language swap partner for a bit to try and get used to conversational Chinese. Nobody can fault me for not trying or not being proactive in my stay here in Shanghai!

Tree chopping day

In China there is no health and safety rules like in the UK and so trees were being cut down in the middle of the pavement to which people were forced to wade through sharp branches and nobody really blinked about it. I was just thankful to be wearing my boots and jeans - I wondered how those girls were walking through in leggings and tights....

It's been raining again in Shanghai. Yesterday was a clear day, there was even some sun.... but sods law dictates that once class is over the sun is gone and the rain is back (oh yes). For over a week now EVERY morning (bar yesterday) it has been raining, and I mean POURING. I get to class totally wet and in a horrible mood and want to crawl back into bed.....

My reading teacher made the comment that this much rain in Shanghai is unusual, which makes me wonder if I bought the English weather with me or if I'm just that "lucky"...! My teacher says it could be because it is the year of the Dragon and in China, Dragon's are in the sky and control the rain......

I spent a great deal of time conversing in Chinese with my Korean friend (this is how we communicate) which was nice and a good way to learn Chinese. Its amusing because we were studying the chapter on how is the best way to learn Chinese - which methods one should use and I have to say I do agree - you should talk more Chinese, listen to more Chinese, and not be scared to make mistakes. My teacher adds to that by saying making mistakes is the best way to make progress because you learn from mistakes and remember them.

I then went to the study room and did some homework which works out better because I remember more from class being in a similar environment as opposed to my room where I'm easily distracted by having an internet connection! I then went to calligraphy class where my teacher helped me write my name in nice strokes ^^

I came back and started working on a cross stitch and then my flatmates came back and we went out to a restaurant. It was a small place where you really need to know it because as a foreigner you'd not think to go into such a place. We had dishes that are from the area in China called Congming and it was very spicy. The fish was so fresh it was still alive, they only kill it when you order it. It was some kind of catfish. You then order other food to add to the hot pot. The fish is roasted and added into a spicy soup base and then you add vegetables and meat into it. Its a very social thing to do and we were there for hours! The fish was so delicious and fresh and I tried some kind of noodles made from sweet potato.

We each paid 54RMB! Amazing deal and since it is so close to our flat we plan to go every Wednesday ^^

Argh! No credit in my phone!

Today I got to experience topping up my mobile phone. I received a SMS at around 6.30am which scared the life out of me! (note to self not to leave my phone on vibrate on a hard surface). I'd received so many SMS in Chinese which had all been junk which is surprisingly common even when the phone number is brand new.... advertising huh. I wasn't too sure what the message was so I asked my listening teacher who confirmed I was down to 10RMB.

I always find listening class so difficult but I've been trying harder and listen to the recordings at night to try and catch up and familiarise myself with the next lesson. My teacher says that its normal to find listening class difficult and that the more we listen and practice the better we will be (at least I think that's what she said seeing as she said that entirely in Chinese...)

After class I went to search for a shop to top up my phone. My housemate told me the store "Alldays" topped up her phone and she is on the same network as me. So I headed to one of these stores and asked in Chinese if they could help me top up my phone. The lady in the shop understood what I meant but said she couldn't do it, I need to try a different store.

The next store I tried was a Family Mart, and they looked at me like I was an alien and refused to help. The next one I went to was a Lawsons and the guy there did speak English but told me he could only top up a China Mobile, not Unicom which is the one I have. When I asked where I could, he wouldn't say and so I left. I walked another 15 minutes and went into 3 more shops, one of which told me to go next door to get a card and come back to him. I went next door but they wouldn't give me a card so I left. I was so close to tears. Its a nightmare when you have no phone credit to even call for help and nobody is helpful!

I went to the Crowne Plaza which is like my haven, I know someone there must speak English as it is a hotel. The man there spoke English and said he had some phone cards he could do it for me. I was so thankful and so grateful for someone to help me!

I then went to Starbucks and grabbed a coffee and a croissant (a giant ass croissant!) which is a little expensive but guess not compared to the UK Starbucks. I had a medium coffee and croissant came to 45RMB. I have decided to try and spend more time out of my room to study so I can interact more with Chinese people and just generally hear more spoken Chinese. I desperately want to improve.

I did some work and then headed to the bakery and I bumped into a classmate so we had a chat. I bought some cakes for tomorrow breakfast since I have an early start and came home and did some work.

Yesterday

Yesterday I found a notice on the bulletin board at uni, a Chinese guy was advertising a language swap so I thought I'd try that out. We arranged to meet after class and we went to a small canteen place and he bought me a drink. It was the first time I tried Suanmeitang which is a plum juice drink here in China. I was expecting it to be quite sour as it was described in class but it wasn't really. We arranged to meet again on Friday and I explained I'd rather he kept speaking to me in China to get me used to hearing it. I get so nervous speaking Chinese I get the giggles a lot!

Afterwards we left and I went back to the cafe place near me and had some noodles with Japanese style beef which was quite good. I went to City Shop and bought some more noodles and I'm enjoying these seaweed crisps a lot. ^^

Xujiahui and Gubei

On Thursday I decided to get some dinner at the Shanghai Film Center. I thought I'd be more adventurous and try something other than beef noodles so I chose the curry. I wouldn't ever normally order it but it didn't have little icons of chilli peppers so I assumed it would be ok - wow I was wrong! It looked pretty and was spicy and I actually enjoyed it. It was so filling and cost about 35RMB. As I walked out it was raining a little and then turned into a downpour! By the time I reached my room it was pouring and a storm broke out. I was really scared but drowned it out with DVDs.

Yesterday by chance I met up with one of my friends and we went to the bookstores in Xujiahui. We also visited the Udon restaurant. It was such an experience! You took a tray and a side plate and could help yourself to the fried snacks such as chicken skewers, prawn tempura, fried tofu and other various bits. Then at the window you order what kind of udon you would like, then you pay at the till and help yourself to spoons, sesame seeds and chilli oil etc. The food was really nice and it was really quick and cheap, the cheapest udon you can get is 18RMB.

We then went to a place next door for drinks and I had a really rich hot chocolate. The place was called Saint Marc's and they also serve sandwiches and donuts etc.

I still find it amusing when I'm approached by people who work for the Wall Street English company based in the Metro City asking me if I want English lessons when I'm either in the English book section or at the HSK section. The HSK is the exam foreigners take to prove their proficiency in the Chinese language.

Gubei

I took the Metro to meet my friend in Gubei and we went to a place called Secret Recipe. The menu is in English and I had the fish with lobster sauce and fries for only 38RMB! Fish in the UK is so expensive.  It tasted really good and afterwards we struggled to get a taxi to the market.

When we got to the market and were looking at some boots. My friend had bought some for 80RMB before but this woman was selling it for 220RMB! When we made the point it was too expensive and we were heading to the other store on that floor that sold the same boots. She RAN ahead of us to that store and told the woman there not to sell it to us for less than she was offering. She also claimed my friend who had bought from there for 80RMB had ripped her off and that they never sold it for less than 220RMB. We were so angry at their behaviour we walked out.

This market is full of foreigners which makes me think they are less likely to bargain lower prices. We went to another store, saw the same boots and the woman told me 330RMB! As I walked out she then offered it for 120RMB. Its amazing the difference.....

We went to the City Shop which is the biggest of its kind. It was so packed inside but we bought a few things. People are so rude and push and shove and jump queues. You really have to be aggressive to get anywhere.

We managed to get a taxi back to Carrefour and did a bit more shopping. I bought some bedsheets for 75RMB which isn't bad at all. Then we went back to Secret Recipe and had some cake and tea - it was so good to have English tea although I find here they don't serve it with milk. I think by the time I get back to the UK I'll be drinking my tea black.

I've come to realise I have exams coming soon and I really need to get my head into gear and study! So trying to go out less and focus more and perhaps pay regular visits to Shanghai Library ^^