Never a dull moment

Even after more than a year in Shanghai I’m still finding new and exciting places to explore within the city. Over recent weeks, I’ve taken trips to the PowerStation of Art, Old Slaughterhouse, and a replica of the Central Perk coffee house that features in TVs ‘Friends’. M50 art district is an area of galleries, sculptures and graffiti walls – an amalgamation of arty visual treats. Revisiting much loved Shanghai attractions such as Yu Garden can also offer up new surprises depending upon the time of year and festivals being celebrated.

The recent warm, sunny weather has provided the perfect opportunity to spent time sauntering around Shanghai Botanical Gardens. This vast open space of rockeries, bamboo, magnolias and maples provides a peaceful spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. The imposing structure named Conservatory 1 was home to some of the most brilliantly vibrant orchids I’ve ever seen and the scenic lift to the top gave us a stunning view from 6 floors above the gardens, as well as making us feel a little warmer than upon entry. The Penjing garden was home to hundreds of bonsai trees, all neatly lined up to be individually admired. There are also a tea houses, a boating lake and temple in its grounds.

There are so many things on my to-do list here. I have yet to see Shanghai Circus World and gaze in awe at the spectacular skills of the Chinese acrobats; I long to visit Longhua temple; and still need to scream like a banshee at Happy Valley theme park. Having recently learnt of Happy Chocolate Land & Napoleon Chocolate Bar I also know the girls & I will have many moreish outings.

Add to that the Andy Warhol exhibition, Red Town sculpture park, Korean Bath House & Mr X Mystery House (where visitors are locked in themed rooms with clues and props and have exactly an hour to work out how to escape) and I can see myself being kept busy over the next few months. Further reasons why I love this city.

 

A xx

Goodbye Dragon, Hello Snake

2013 still brings firsts for me in Shanghai, such as my first Chinese New Year in China.  Although I have been in China for over a year now, I had yet to ring in the lunar New Year here.  The date of this changes every year according to the lunar calendar, and was celebrated at the end of January last year, prior to my arrival.  Having celebrated the Vietnamese equivalent, Tet, during 2011, I was interested to see how Chinese celebrations differ.  I’d been told it’s an amazing time to be in Shanghai, despite the abundance of fireworks at all hours of the day and night throughout the festivities, so I decided to stay in the city, rather than venturing further afield.

As previously mentioned (see ‘Expat Festive Season’ post – Wednesday, 2 January 2013), Chinese New Year is the big holiday in these parts, when National holidays and time off are a given.  As such I could look forward to a week off work and time to relax, socialise and move to my new apartment.  I’ve never been busier – sightseeing, catching up with friends and many more things to boot.

Lunar New Year’s Eve brought with it, as you would imagine, vast numbers of fireworks.  Opting to avoid the crowds congregating at The Bund for the firework and light show, my apartment on the 25th floor, provided spectacular views of the colourful explosions all around the area, whilst also keeping us snug as bugs in rugs.

 

During the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, I was surprised to hear yet more fireworks and bangers, continuously throughout the day & night. I’d been burning the candle at both ends a little and was keen to get an early night while the social scene had quietened a tad, but tonight’s celebrations from my Chinese neighbours were certainly not going to permit that. Having jabbed in some earplugs, completely in vain, I had a mediocre night’s sleep to say the least, only to be woken by the sound of yet more bangers & fireworks. The reason for all this – welcoming the good old God of Fortune, of course! Apparently during these 24 hours, you set off as many fireworks as possible – the louder the bang, the wealthier you will be in the coming year.

Anyhow, I had a great week: fabulous fun in wonderful company and many memories made – the only major downside: none of the street food vendors were working so I had to go without tasty cheap eats for a week!
 

 

Happy Chinese New Year! 新年快乐! Chúc mừng năm mới!

A xx

Chinaverssary

Today marks my first year in China.  I have had a thoroughly enjoyable past 12 months here and can see myself being very happy for a few more years to come in this wonderful country.  As someone who has travelled to a fair few places in search of a sense of belonging, career and travel opportunities, I can say that the past year has exceeded any expectations I may have had upon my arrival.  There are so many variables that all need to come together: the country, city, climate, company: both professionally and personally.  I feel very lucky that this year everything has fallen into place so well.

 

I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making the past year so amazing - some who have flown in to visit, others who are still in Shanghai, whilst a fair few are now dotted around the world.  You’ve all enriched my experience here greatly.  Roll on the next 12 months – let’s see what it will bring…

 

A xx

Expat festive season

Working in the EFL world in an Asian country means it is little surprise that we get only a few days off work to enjoy the festive period.  Unsurprisingly, Chinese New Year is the big holiday in these parts, when National holidays and time off are a given.

 

In Vietnam I celebrated Christmas in a swanky Saigon hotel, sharing a beautiful buffet with friends, before sipping cocktails at a rooftop bar overlooking the city.  This year could not have been more different, but equally enjoyable.  Friends of mine kindly invited approximately 20 of us to spend Christmas Day at their apartment.  Bringing food, drinks and Secret Santa gifts, this would be as traditional as any expat Christmas could be.  A very expensive turkey dinner was prepared and devoured before the fruit cake was consumed and alcohol started to flow.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable gathering which made us all feel very thankful to have such great friends around us whilst being so far from home.

 

New Year’s Eve was again cause for celebration, good company and merriment.  Living in a busy, densely populated city means you’re always surrounded by people.  This is something I quickly got used to in Vietnam, to the point when returning to the UK I felt distinctly ‘lonely’ in sparsely populated British public spaces.  On New Year’s Eve, however, I had my first experience of feeling like I was in a crowd.  The Bund was packed; everyone having the same idea – get to the waterfront to see the firework show at midnight.  It brought back memories of many an afternoon spent walking up Utting Avenue in Liverpool towards Anfield stadium.  You don’t consciously walk per say, you more ‘float’ on a wave of the movement around you.  After watching the fireworks we retreated to a nearby bar to continue the celebrations in expat style.

 

Thumbs up for festivities in Shangers – a mix of traditional and alternative, which suits me just fine.

A xx