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@shanghairaura
Only I and the cast of Towie could wake up to a personal video message from Rylan Clarke on a Sunday morning.
No blog longtime.....
Hey everyone,
It’s been weeks since I've updated my blog. Plus, I haven’t actually sent it out to anyone either….little blogging point if only I’m to read it! So I am officially today launching the Shanghairaura blog. I shall endeavor to update on a regular basis from now on! When you scroll through you’ll find the start of our journey is at the end of the blog. (Excuse the typos and smelling* mistakes). *joke
Life has been busy! It’s surprising what you can fill your days with when your unemployed! Debbie (my sister) has been and gone! We did Hong Kong and F1. Debbie also bought a lot of genuine Chinese fakes at the markets and had to borrow a case to take it all home. It was great to see her and very sad to say goodbye. My sister is no end of fun and made us laugh everyday!
My mandarin is coming along nicely. My Mandarin teacher is Wendy. I have lessons 3 times a week. She's really funny, very patient and speaks excellent English. I've been teaching her some cockney rhyming slang. She makes learning a giggle and me say things like "I have a fat, black, old, dog" (she doesn't like dogs). Role playing 'real-life' day to day situations prepares me for when I am out and about. I am not sure what she's heard but there is a lot of role playing in bars and ordering glasses of wine! I'll have a chat with her about that! :-)
Mandarin has been really useful shopping, my negotiation skills in the markets has come on leaps and bounds! ..I have a total grasp on the going rates for everything and am now on first name terms with some of the girls. We will be coming home in September for a couple of weeks, so if you have a wish list of any electrical items, bags, shoes or clothes let us know asap. I have a feeling we may have quite a few orders to fulfill.
Lance has been very busy travelling all over Asia and definitely deserves a break. We've booked a little holiday to the Philippines Island hopping in the Visayans plus a night in Manila. Then a friend told me that Manila was kidnap central and to stay in the hotel. Damn! Despite this little warning we’re looking forward to visiting a new country and relaxing on beautiful beaches. I’ve also been told the Visayans attracts a blend if yoga loving hippies and old western men with their very young Filipino gf’s…..not sure where me and Lancino will slot in but I'm sure the people watching will be fun.
Speaking of beaches, our compound has an outdoor pool and man made beach. The pools also got a wave machine like Cocksmoor in Kings Heath! Wheeeey!!! :-) The weather has hit the 30’s now and it’s bloomin hot….so we can both be regularly found riding the waves on his lilo. The Germans are still getting down to the sunbeds early which is annoying. The Chinese residents don’t use it at all which is probably due to them wanting to keep their skin whiter than white!
Whilst the temperature has increased we’re also in a rainy season or ‘plum season’ as its also known. This is the wet bit before the humidity comes. Its very unpredictable, one day sunny….the next non stop downpours. We are due 3 months of humidity that will hit 100%. The humidity in Hong Kong was 100% last month and was unbearable, we were only there for 3 days….I’m not sure how we will cope for 3 months. We've been strongly advised by the Chinese to buy dehumidifiers...."or our clothes will turn green".
Our sea shipment arrived 2 weeks ago after 3 months at sea. 64 boxes! It was like Christmas Day! However, in hindsight we packed so much crap we really don't need. The Ayi had gotten used to a bare apartment, but when our personals arrived complete with a giant Buddha, Crucifixes, Union jack doormat, Sex Pistol and Banksy artwork - she became confused on our political agenda's and religious beliefs. Then I said were atheists and it all got even more confusing, so then I said we were Buddhists. She was happy with that.
I was most pleased to see my shoes. Lance was most pleased to be reunited with his Mountain bike. Unfortunately for Lance, there is just one problem there are no mountains in Shanghai! In fact it’s flat……across 6300 square kilometres the highest elevation above sea level is 4m. FORTUNATELY he has found a couple of bike clubs that tour outside of shanghai most weekends which he has joined. I’m so pleased because if he didn't have this he would not be a happy man!
Other updates bits and bobs:
Lance was told he looked like 'Seen Cooner' (Sean Connery).
I got told I was a 'Concubine'
Toddlers have purpose built splits in gusset on trousers for pooping Toddlers do the pooping in the street
Parents leave it in the street
Chinese look at westerners in disgust if they clean up after their pet dog in the street
McDonalds do dial a home delivery....tested, works in 8 minutes flat
Still a vegetarian, eating bits of fish here and there...then we see the food news....
5000 dead pigs found in the river rose to 12,500 dead pigs in the river
Bird flu arrived, all the poultry markets closed
Foxes and rats being passed off as fake pork seeped into the food chain
....I've become a vegan
You can get a good Indian Curry
Public Toilets.....ok this deserves it's own section, update coming soon
New word "Chinglish" - Chinese direct translations to English (see photo of opening times below)
The Ayi (cleaner) makes really good dumplings, have requested lessons
Local park has a wedding fair each weekend - parents advertising their single offspring to parents of other singles, complete with distributing of leaflets detailing offspring descriptions
Taxi drivers drive like nutters, no seat-belts
Discovered Red Taxi's are driven by ex convicts - avoid the red taxi's
Casually saw Robert de Niro walking along the river...my hero!
Everyday brings something new. I really do love China and am so glad we had the opportunity to come here. i hope you enjoy reading the updates.
Still missing home, family and friends.
Love to you all x
Opening times in China, answers on a post card please.
Every so often when you walk down the street you'll see a push bike carrying a load that is several times larger than the bike itself. This day it was wicker chairs. I promise you there is a bike underneath that. Incredible.
Shout out to my bad ass chicks this week. KimmyG and Aunt Sally....birthday celebrations for KG and clever Sally got a top new job! Congratulations girls x
View from the lounge.....beautiful sunsets and functional cranes!
Ignoring Audrey Hepburn.
…When Debbie came to stay. Dressed by Genuine Fake Tom Ford, Celine, tailor made Donna Karen. Maya doesn’t give a sh*t.
Just chillin, never illin! #naptime #haveabreakhaveakitkat
Chinese sleep anywhere, any table, any chair....the police are at it, road sweepers, taxi drivers! They work all the hours god sends so I don't blame them!
Love the lack of acknowledgment from his friend. #croptops
Little red riding hood, every girl needs functional couture for rainy season. #kagoolsRus
Phew! 64 boxes shipped from UK and unpacked in China! Slight shoe hoarding situation going on, but quite accepting of my issues in this area. :-)
Maya is now one of the family! We love her so much! Last week i took her to visit to the Vets we had a full run down of medical problems.....teeth removed (due to being poorly looked after) more removals due next year, cataracts, ongoing ear infections, tumour on her neck and tumours on her tummy, curved spine and arthritis.....apart from that she's in good nick! LOL! I did tell the vet I'm really concerned that her tail won't stop wagging non-stop, even in her sleep. They assured me its nothing to worry about and she is an extremely happy girl!
Formula 1, thank you very much! £40 for a weekend ticket! Love it!
Hy-Tai!
The good thing about meeting other ex-pat women - especially those that have been here for a while is to share tips on where to shop, beauticians, cocktails and where to get your hair done....all shared over a coffee, lunch or glass of wine! :-)
Today, I learned I have joined a new breed of woman. Affectionately (or possible sarcastically) called by the Chinese a 'Tai Tai'.....definition of which I had to look up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_tai
I've decided I am going to be a Hy-Tai...a hybrid Tai Tai and enjoy the best of both worlds! Enjoy my own monetary independence (until it lasts), work and enjoy gossiping over lunch at the weekend!
Valentines, day of love and teddy bear bouquets!
I'm really hoping Lance doesn't get these next year!
Censored News
We have found that the news available inside China is a little different to the news available outside China! The intention is always to save face to the rest of the world.
Last week we heard that the Hangpu River (running through the centre of Shanghai into China) had over 5000 dead pig carcuss’s floating in the river. Although they were found a couple of hours away from where we live, the water is a drinking source to locals! Yummy. Anyway, the reports outside of China quoted around 100! Allegedly, the source is still unknown.
Fear not if you are thinking of visiting us. We buy mineral water and luckily have a water dispenser sat in the kitchen….you know like the ones you get in your office?!
Anyway, the other news that’s managed to reach us is the awful weather there's been in the UK! I can’t say we’re disappointed not to be sharing it with you!
Snow does hit Shanghai, but very rarely. We saw some in the first week of February but Spring is now firmly in the air. The temperature is starting to warm up and last Saturday it was 25 degrees. Hot, yes?! Not to the Shanghainese….i donned my summer maxi dress and hopped on the tube. I may as well of stepped out in a Bikini, the Chinese looked at us like we were mental! On the contrary to our summer clothing, the Chinese were still in coats and warm clothing - they thought we were mad. This was not hot, the hot weather is yet to come. June, July August hits the 40’s and with all the smog in the city is really humid. Can’t wait!
The direct translation, still non the wiser.