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
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.
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