New Beginnings

So here are some highlights from my last couple weeks in Shanghai, China.

Nanjing Dong Lu

My roommate and I met up with a friend of hers at a place called Mr. Pancake House. This is the place to go for a delicious breakfast. It was a tiny place but well worth a repeat visit whenever I am craving some french toast or crepes. Also found a store called Fresh Mart where you can find some imported Western goods like cheese and baking items. It is definitely nice to live in a city like Shanghai where it is possible to find some things from home as long as you are willing to pay for it.

Mr. Pancake House is awesome!

Jing'An Temple is right down the street from Mr. Pancake

Crazy fountains we found on our walk back to the apartment

We paid rent & bills for first time which was relatively painless. Our apartment is pretty much set for everyday living. I still want to find a few pictures for the walls but we did finally get our water dispenser and water delivery set up. The water here in Shanghai is not safe to drink so we have to have it delivered whenever we start to run low. Just one of those things you learn to live with in a different country.

One bedroom wall decorated with pictures from home

We have agua!!

I continue to have interesting interactions with locals here. I was walking back to my center after a break and a man stopped to have a conversation with me. It went like this:

Man: Hello. 

Me: Hello.

Man: Where are you from? 

Me: California. 

Man: Welcome! 

Me: Thank you!

And then he walked away and I went back to work. I did have a couple of young girls point and stare at me on the Metro last week but they were harmless. Then, three guys said ‘Hello‘ as I got on the Metro the other day and then got a kick out of how they talked to the foreigner. I’m starting to get used to being so different but it still feels strange. What’s even stranger is that it seems strange to me now when I see a foreigner here. Crazy!

Public Transportation

Inner Workings of the Metro

Spring has officially arrived in Shanghai. The days are getting warmer but it still cools down at night. Trees and flowers are blooming. There is still the occasional spring shower and we actually had our first thunderstorm the other night. At first I wasn’t sure if it was a storm or just a big public event going on downtown, but it was definitely raining with thunder and lightning.

Everyone is out and enjoying the nice weather!

Would be hard to keep the coat clean but he's so beautiful!

 

I taught my first 3 classes last Wednesday night. The learners are so cute especially the ones who are excited to be at Disney English. As long as I make learning fun but structured, they behave well. They look up at you with those big dark eyes and your heart melts. I was told to expect lots of upset little kids who are experiencing a bit of separation anxiety but we only had one crier in the whole group. 

Also experienced my first holiday in China which completely messes with the teaching schedule but gave us an extra day so I can’t complain. It was a Tomb Sweeping holiday which means the locals pay their respects to their ancestors and “sweep the tombs.” I don’t know much but I do know I had an extra day off yesterday which meant I could meet up with some friends at a Mexican restaurant to catch up with people I haven’t seen in a while. Then My roomie Liz and I did a little shopping and came home to chill. It was a nice, relaxing holiday!

View of the river from the opposite side of our building

Another highlight is that my AT (Assistant Trainer) Coco treated me to some street food which had some noodles made from peas apparently. It was pretty good especially since she made it not spicy for me. She had the spicy kind which made her cry it was so hot so I am very grateful I had the mild kind!

Had a night out for dinner with my roommate a couple days ago at a restaurant called the Blue Frog. It was quite good food and company. We traveled under the river to get to the Pudong side of Shanghai which is the newer part of the city and has some spectacular new buildings to admire against the night sky.

Blue Frog Bar and Grill

Jin Mao Tower

Oriental Pearl Tower

World Financial Center

I am just getting over the on again, off again battle I have had over the last month or so with a cold that kept circling around a sore throat, sinus congestion and a cough. Apparently hot water cures everything in China, so I have been drinking that while at work and it does help me be able to speak for longer periods of time. Who knew!

All in all, still doing well in China. I am subbing for some classes tonight and will be seeing my own students again on Saturday afternoon and evening. Easter is coming up on Sunday and I am going to check out a community to celebrate with that afternoon. Until next time!

Art pieces decorating the outside of the mall where I work - pretty darn awesome :)