National Day

The other day, I had dinner at the Tang Dynasty Restaurant, a place on the 36th floor of a building that afforded a lovely view of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Just as it had been on previous days, it was lit up to celebrate China's National Day. To picture the atmosphere around the city center, you need to imagine the state of Times Square on New Year's Eve. Now imagine they're all Chinese tourists trying to get somewhere. It was absolutely ridiculous. I've been informed that Shanghai is flooded with tourists around the country during this time of year. According to one source, it's much better to come during Chinese New Year, when everyone returns home to their villages and the only people left in the city are native Shanghainese.

Yes, I'm a creep.

This man played music on his speakers during the bus ride. Here you see him placing an open beer into the trash can. Once he was situated, he pulled it back out and chugged it. I didn't realize drinking was allowed on China's public transit! At nine in the morning, no less! However, I suppose he was celebrating the National Day.

Speaking of public transit, trying to hold the doors open on a Shanghainese train is much more difficult than it is in New York. First off, there are two doors: one for the train and one to ensure you don't throw yourself in front of an oncoming train, Anna Karenina style. So both doors just close on your arm. Secondly, they don't really open and close like New York trains do, they're just kind of there.

Another thing about the Shanghai metro is that I once spotted a woman steering her blind daughter as she passed through the train, begging for money. It was astounding. I was astounded.

Finally, I become increasingly convinced that older Chinese people do not know how telephones work.

“HELLO? HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME? I—WANT—TO—TALK—TO—HARRY—POTTER!” Ron was yelling so loudly that Uncle Vernon jumped and held the receiver a foot away from his ear staring at it with an expression of mingled fury and alarm. “WHO IS THIS?” he roared in the direction of the mouthpiece. “WHO ARE YOU?” “RON—WEASLEY!” Ron bellowed back, as though he and Uncle Vernon were speaking from opposite ends of a football field.

Or maybe that's mostly my parents. 

Suzhou

I spent two days in Suzhou, a lovely city that is two hours away by bus, yet a mere twenty minutes away by train! The bus was a very interesting experience though; there was a man sitting in the aisle because apparently that’s allowed in this country! I was very surprised to see this, especially for a country that seems to have fire extinguishers everywhere—isn’t this some sort of fire hazard? People need to be able to evacuate quickly, right?

I started off at the Baosheng Temple, where I encountered a thousand year old ginkgo tree!

Does anyone else have fond memories of accidentally stepping on those stinky berries on campus? Just me? Okay, then.

I followed this up by a trip to...I believe it was Shantang Street, where there were several shops full of lovely, traditional-looking Chinese gowns. They weren’t for sale, unfortunately, but you were allowed to wear them for photo shoots! Naturally, I had to. The (laminated!) pictures that ensued are probably some of the best souvenirs I could have gotten from this trip. I posed on a swing, near a tree, in front of a traditional musical instrument, with a bright pink parasol…it was wonderful.

I also spent a few hours strolling the Humble Administrator’s Garden, as well as the nearby Lion Forest Garden. Of course, I took frequent breaks to sit and appreciate my surroundings. These gardens were not only filled with tourists, but also with loads of places to sit, especially if you’re not picky. During one of my moments of silent contemplation, a strange young man asked for permission to take my picture. Several days later, this still baffles me.

While in Suzhou, I discovered that I could amuse myself for hours in a Chinese supermarket, like I found red wine and chocolate...it's like reverse Pocky!

I also found these packaged meats in the impulse buys by the cash register.

See, that's chicken feet on the left and duck legs on the right. Endlessly entertained.

I quite enjoyed Suzhou, although I didn’t actually get to see very much of it. Some call it the Venice of the east. Probably primarily the makers of Suzhou postcards, but still, I could see where they got that idea.

Gulangyu

Gulangyu is an island just off of Xiamen; you hop on a little ferry and you're there before you have time to get seasick! It's an adorable little place where there are no motor vehicles aside from the little shuttle/trolleys that tote around tourists. Something about how they don't want pollution, I believe.

During my first hour on the island, I saw no less than five blushing brides, having photo shoots. Apparently it's the place to get married, especially given the holiday! I stopped counting brides after I hit two dozen, mostly because I was starting to think that I was re-counting some of them as they were moving around a lot. There’s also the fact that Chinese women often have three wedding dresses, changing throughout the day. I’ve been fascinated by this ever since my cousin got married a few years back, in her three dresses.

Two brides in one shot! Not actually a difficult accomplishment.

I was really disappointed when I couldn't find postcards on the island of Xaimen, but the abundance of them in Gulangyu made up for it! There were shops everywhere; the center of the island is basically tourist central.

They sell passion fruits with straws in them all along the street and delicious mango ice creams with sliced mango, condensed milk, and some sort of mango syrup drizzled on top. On my second day in Gulangyu, I had two scoops of watermelon ice cream accompanied by a scoop of passion fruit (I always forget that I don't really enjoy passion fruit flavored things; sorry, Lorenzo). Twenty minutes later, I followed with coconut soft-serve.

I think the cone, if you can call it that, was made of some sort of corn chip. Regardless, the limited capacity of my stomach did not allow me to finish it.

And still later, I had another of those mango concoctions, this time without the shaved ice at the bottom. And that was my lunch for the day! Try not to judge too much.

I also purchased the most adorable little straw hat that I have ever had the fortune of seeing. It started falling apart a few hours later, but it only cost about $3.50 American, so I didn't expect too much. Not to mention that old stereotype about items made in China.

I kept trying to find a cute journal for Sandy, but every time I opened a book that looked like a journal, it turned out to be a memory book. It appears that they don't actually sell journals, or at least, I didn't see any. However, about half the street vendors sell memory books full of all the businesses in the area. So when you go to a cafe or shop, you can get a stamp in your memory book on your way out.

I saw loads of people stamping their books outside random shops. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.

From afar, I thought these people were sitting around some sort of campfire on the beach, but it turns out they’re actually fishermen selling their catches. So you buy your seafood from these fishermen, take it over to a boat to have it steamed, and then eat it over on those little plastic tables and chairs. 

Final note: Shandong Airline's safety video is one of the silliest I have ever seen; there was a joke about arbitrarily parachuting out of the plane and it was weirdly affectionate ("dear, don't do this"). Or maybe it didn't translate well.

Xiamen

I woke up before sunrise today to fly to Xiamen, home of the Nanputuo Temple. It was extremely hot (about 90° F; of course I still don't use Celsius, come on) and teeming with Chinese tourists. I love it.

At the temple, there was this great sign that forbids you from leaving your own turtles or birds in their ponds. It really makes you wonder how many people have left random animals, that they need to put up a sign. Two signs, even.

Yes, that's my finger in the picture. The full-size picture is of me, pointing to the sign and looking mournful. I thought it best to crop it.

I had lunch at a restaurant where the plates were wrapped in plastic, like new. Apparently they wash them and repackage them after every use.

Not really much else to say about this place...there were loads of people selling delicious mangos in trucks on the street. And when I say trucks, I don't mean your typical food trucks, no, that would be silly!
Here's a picture.

I saw about five of these trucks all on one block. I can't for the life of me figure out why they're all clustered in one area, but I won't concern myself.

On the second day of this little trip, I went to the Hudong Mountain and saw the Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster (a group of buildings nearby the mountain). It was a three hour cab ride from Xiamen, which is probably infinitely more convenient than traveling by bus. As the cab pulled into the ticket office parking lot, I watched as tour guides desperately chased after us to try to drum up business. Tip: if you're trying to get rid of an unsolicited tour guide, instead of shooing them away like you normally would, try shushing them. Shuts them right up! (kidding, kidding)

The cluster was full of vendors selling cigarettes and loose tea; it was quite interesting. And this was basically the last I saw of Xiamen Island (although I suppose this mountain isn't technically part of Xiamen) before heading over to Gulangyu Island.

Hong Kong

Funny story. I’m writing this from the plane, as my flight from Hong Kong has been delayed for two and a half hours. Something about a typhoon in Shanghai, I think? My only regret is not removing my contacts before checking in my contact lens case.

Anyway, I spent the past few days exploring Hong Kong. I visited loads of tourist attractions, such as the Hong Kong Times Square, the Avenue of Stars, and the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple (I know, it's a mouthful).

The food was wonderful and reminded me of childhood. I had dim sum at a fairly nice restaurant, where it is customary to rinse your dishes with hot water prior to your meal.

I've been craving chicken feet for at least a month.

Tastes like childhood; my sister will back me up on this.

I also had a meal at Yung Kee, a restaurant famous for its roast goose. Its beef chow fun was one of the best I’ve ever had. The crab, however, was not particularly noteworthy.

One of the highlights of the trip was the trip to see the Big Buddha (yes, I believe that’s the official name), which primarily entailed hopping on a cable car. I made it my mission to wave to as many passing cable cars as possible. I estimate that I had about a 5% success rate. I’d like to note how much I appreciate cable cars; I certainly could not have managed the trek to or from the Big Buddha.

Wendy, if you're reading this, I know you would have waved with me.

At the top, there were sleepy, fluffy dogs everywhere. It kind of reminded me of my trip to Athens a few years back. Here's where I would link to my post about Athens if I had written one. Oops...

I feel you, sleepy dog, I truly do.

Since the locals speak Cantonese, I was afforded the opportunity to eavesdrop on people's conversations! Sort of. I really only understood bits and pieces, but that’s definitely more than what I get in Shanghai.

Ocean Park is Hong Kong’s aquarium. But it also happens to be a theme park and a zoo, all wrapped up in one! Why they need another theme park when they have a Disneyland is beyond me, but it’s undeniably unique. The Hair Raiser and the Abyss were quite fun.

The view from the top of the Flash is amazing. For some strange reason, Hong Kong is prettier upside down.

However, one of the downsides to this park is how annoying it is to navigate. The paths are rather circuitous and the road signs aren't always helpful.

Take this photo as proof that I didn't spend the entirety of my time at Ocean Park on sub-par rides.

Overall, I loved Hong Kong. Would definitely go again, although it might have been slightly better to go with someone who spoke Cantonese.

P.S. This update is several days late because I was trying to figure out how to add pictures. It just refused to load.

I like fluffy things

Today, even though it was raining for the third day in a row, I went to the zoo! The red panda was the cutest thing and the giant pandas spent the entire time eating bamboo leaves; it was so adorable I wanted to explode)

But can we talk about how lax they are concerning certain rules? Like no smoking in a temple, when I saw more than one person smoking at one I visited earlier. And the more relevant rule: no feeding the animals at the zoo. There were so many people throwing bread and carrots at the animals.

See, this bear is sitting here, waiting for more bread.

Moving on. Afterwards, I went to this Bavarian restaurant, Drei Kronen 1308 Brauhaus, and befriended approximately twenty people. Everyone was so friendly! There actually seems to be quite a large population of Germans in Shanghai. At least more than you would necessarily expect.

Good morning

I know I promised to complain less, but this isn’t a Shanghai-specific complaint, so it hardly counts. Here goes: the new iOS 8 update is the bane of my existence. That is all.

This was meant to be posted about 15 hours ago, but for some reason, blogger wouldn't load.