Remembering Shanghai...

This was Bao-er's first trip to Shanghai, her second to China. She was surprised to find this city modern, and "rich", unlike the city of Cheng-du she visited years, and years ago.

She had some friends in Shanghai, and most of them spoke fluent English. They all held jobs that were demanding, and challenging. Bao-er's friends took her to a wholesale market place, called "Yu Yuan" which sold stuff Bao-er had seen sold at China Town in Singapore. The items were triple the price found at "Yu Yuan"! Bao-er loved "Yu Yuan". She got some lovely Chinese silk purses, table cloths, and table runners from one store. She also bought a number of jade bracelets for her friends back home.

The food in Shanghai was incredibly delicious! Perhaps, her friends were good hosts, and took her to all the good restaurants. However, she did venture out on her own sometimes, and the restaurants she picked served good food too! She especially liked the "Dou Jiang" (soy bean milk) and "You Tiao" (made of flour - bread like "sticks") she got from one small restaurant.

My Friend, A "Shanghai Tong"

Check out this aritcle written by hifidel, obviously another "Shanghai Tong", like Shooby!

Shanghai Delight

Shooby had been to Shanghai numerous times. This time, she had invited Bao-er, and Bao-yi to come with her. So Shooby, the American, was acting as tour-guide to her Asian-Chinese friends!

When Shooby visited Shanghai alone, she would usually stay with her good friend, Lilith. Bao-er and Bao-yi were Lilith's friends too. However, the three girls thought three would certainly make too much of a crowd, so they looked up some hotels in Shanghai on the net, and found an ideal hotel, before flying over . They chose one close to Lilith's place, of course!

Shooby had been to the same area so many times, her friends in Shanghai called her "Shanghai-tong"(someone who knows Shanghai thoroughly)! From the airport, Shooby, Bao-er, and Bao-yi, took a cab to their hotel. The cab driver had to take a second look through his rear-view mirror, to make sure it was Shooby who spoke, when she gave clear directions to the hotel, in Shanghai-accented-Chinese! The cab driver chuckled, "Wah! You speak like a Shanghainese!"

With Shooby's precise directions, the trio arrived at their hotel within minutes. After they had freshened up, Shooby showed Bao-er, and Bao-yi where they could get some lunch. Within walking distance from the hotel, were lots of shops, and eating places. Shooby really knew the area like a local. Bao-er, and Bao-yi were impressed as they followed Shooby, weaving in and out of traffic, through different streets that looked alike to them.

With Shooby as their guide, Bao-er and Bao-yi savoured some great Shanghai food, did some great shopping at a whole-sale market, and saw some great sights - both modern, and traditional!