Arrived back in Shanghai

I have arrived back in Shanghai and finding things to be familiar. The flight was 10.5 hours on Virgin Atlantic. The flight itself wasn't as good as previous flights - usually there would be midnight snacks handed out to those who were still awake like cookies or ice cream but this time there wasn't any and also not many drinks handed out.

I took a taxi from the airport - a good tip is to head to the arrivals instead of the designated taxi rank (which I believe is located on the ground floor so instead head to the 3rd floor). Many taxis are dropping people off and are pretty keen to drive back to Puxi. Taxi ride can take about an hour and on average costs 200RMB.

The taxi driver guessed I was from Hong Kong - something about my accent when I speak Chinese. The security guard to the flat thought I was Japanese. Its rather fun people guessing where I'm from and when I say "England" they raise their eyebrows at me. 

Being back in my flat has been comforting. Even being back in this area - when the taxi drove past the Grand Gateway shopping centre I felt happy inside thinking of all the memories I have. I feel safe in Shanghai and despite what other people have told me about other cities in China, I find people here to be friendly and helpful most of the time.

I had a random encounter with a neighbour this evening when she asked for my flatmate but I wasn't sure which one as I don't know their last names! She basically was telling me she got a call about a fruit basket for collection and she wasn't sure who it was from or if it was for my flatemate. She was kind of asking permission to eat the fruit if nobody claimed it! I'm also unsure why she wanted to exchange phone numbers and I don't even know her name as she wrote it all in Chinese!

I have such trouble sleeping on the plane - I slept about 30 minutes so when I got settled in I slept about 4 hours. My class tomorrow will begin at 9am and I'm thinking I should sleep again soon. I have been offered a ticket to the premiere of Shanghai Calling and to the after party tomorrow - I'm really hoping I can go although I'm worried how jet-lagged I'll be! But what an amazing experience to be on the red carpet with all the stars!