Elizabeth and Rakesh celebrate their 21st anniversary Aug 26, 2010

Here we are, all dressed up, with DEFINITELY somewhere to go, namely a fabulous, chic restaurant called "M on the Bund". Check out their website for photos http://www.m-restaurantgroup.com/mbund/

Proof that Rakesh is still alive... no alibi needed...yet

Elizabeth's first self-guided walking tour Aug 22, 2010

Especially amusing as this is in a city park


And this shall be a sign unto you... No enjoyment here or now or ever!! 
Get back to work!!

There's a magazine here called "Time Out Shanghai" which is like "Toronto Life", but free (my favourite price). In the July issue of this publication, they laid out six walks, all in unique areas of  Shanghai. I decided to take on the longest, furthest-from-my-house, self-guided walking tour as my first adventure. Typical, I know.

After being directionally-challenged twice on Shanghai's massive 12-line subway system, and once after I  surfaced to the sidewalk, I finally found Hongqiao Park, the starting point for my tour.

I found this sign at one of the several fountains, essentially telling people to keep out of the water. It did look tempting though, even the scummy, stagnant shallow end. Temperatures in the high 30s and  humidity in the 90s will do that to a relatively sane woman.

Anyway, I continued on from the sculpture-filled park to the residential area, peeking down laneways, taking in the garden homes built in the 1930s and the local people going about their daily lives. There was one street in particular, Amherst Road, constructed in 1925, that was outstanding in its tree-shaded splendour. The leaves were so thick, the sun barely penetrated,  a welcome relief for someone like me, unaccustomed to the heat of a sub-tropical city.

Then look what I came upon....

Helloooooo Kittay!

Rising up like a sugar cube confection, this two-storey ode to Japanese marketing genius and everything that is pink and girly and sparkly and cute. Too bad Vivian isn't younger...too bad I'm not younger, by about 40 years. You'll be glad to know I did not go in for a portrait. That would just be too odd on my own. See how much self-restraint I'm learning in Shanghai?

After tromping around for a good two hours, I was ready for a pit-stop. This place, Cotton's, came highly recommended. I concur with the write-up in "Time Out Shanghai" ..."a beautiful terrace with decent drinks and service." 

The only thing missing are my Canadian friends and family....

After I recuperated, I headed back home. I have five more walks to do. Wish me luck!

Friday Funny

Yep, it's Friday here already. I have seen the future and it's 12 hours ahead of Toronto in Shanghai...(Rakesh's quote).


Here's the screen pop-up, or whatever you call it, that I got when I was computer shopping. Was it trying to give me a hint?

What a difference a vowel makes

First Day of School Aug 19, 2010

It's a waterproof mascara day. The kids are out the door at 7:30 a.m. to WALK to school after a grudging photo op.


Let the bonbon eating begin! Maybe I should say "tangguo"(candy) now that I'm in Shanghai.

Off they go into the sunrise for another year of intellectual development and meaningful interaction with their peers in multi-cultural environment (or so says the school brochure).

Elizabeth goes to Expo Aug 19, 2010

I figure I had to do it. The last time I went to Expo was in 1967 when it was in Montreal.

  Still looking relatively fresh.
Not completely drenched in my own perspiration yet.
If only I had worn those sponge pants that Bob wears.
So much easier to wring out.

The China Pavilion

Let me be completely frank, for a change. I was totally underwhelmed. Any of you Torontonians remember Caravan? Well, Expo seemed to be like that, only sweatier and more crowded. I honestly don't know what all the hoopla is about.  Maybe I didn't visit the right pavilions. I did enjoy myself, but I would have also enjoyed having my legs waxed. I did learn about Brunei and their displays did pique my curiosity about their country and possibly going there while we're overseas.

Part of the Expo experience is the line-ups. Let's say the Chinese have a very different sense of personal space, especially in line-ups. It's neither right nor wrong, it just is. There is a lot of "encouraging" the person in front of you, man, woman or child, to move up in the line. The good news is that I felt absolutely no qualms about staking my own personal space. If you are looking for lots of jostling and sweaty contact with fellow human beings, then head on out to Expo.

Sign posted on the awning covering the line-up.
The first part of the sentence is directed at the local Chinese.
The second part of the sentence is directed at me.
I tell you, managing my attitude is a full-time 24/7 job.

Of course, I had to visit the Canada Pavilion. So sad, so lame. Really. I mean really. The organizers could have a much better job at showcasing our fabulous country. The displays consisted of a few backlit shots of Toronto and some virtual animated bike ride through a "typical" Canadian city. The push-free line-up and Moosehead beer were the most quintessentially Canadian aspects of the pavilion. Oh, well, there's always the next Expo.

Enough of my whinging, here are the more pleasant and amusing sights.

The Thailand Pavilion. Too bad all the pavilions will be torn done after Expo.

Pretending I'm in Havana at the Cuba Pavilion which was basically a seatless bar the size of a large Starbucks.  Refreshing mojitos though!

Very cool mural on the Belarus Pavilion. The person on the left gives you an idea of the mural's size.


And finally.....

Sign at one of Expo's public drinking fountains. I'd love to know what "beasting a faucet" looks like!

First Combat Class Aug 13, 2010

Coolest surprise to date...the "Mega-Fight" class at my new local gym. I almost cried when I recognized the music, but that wouldn't have been very tough of me. Tears and boxing wraps do not mix! My new gym does the same routines as my GoodLIfe gym in Toronto-the butt killer move, the crocodile push-up, (which I finally got! Sandy, Claudia and Oliver,  you would be proud!), the chute, the roundhouse kick. If this class is an example of a Chinese knock-off, I say bring it on.  I NEEEED to go to this class. I am afraid to find out what would happen if I didn't get my aggression out there.  Of course, I brought up the level of the class , she modestly comments, but it's true! I'm a Combatter from Manulife! In this class, we actually get to hit the instructor. Yes, you know I did. Several times. He wanted me to! Really! I warned him first! I still think he was a little surprised. He knows now! The most challenging part of this class is not blacking out in the 38 degree heat and 10000% humidity. O.K., so that's the outside weather, but it's not that much fresher inside. Still, I'm not complaining. I am thrilled to have this class. I just need more of them. Lele, the instructor. He's a gooood instructor.

Arrival in Shanghai, China Aug 6, 2010

I don't know about anyone else, but just looking at that photo makes me choke up all over again. Uch! Time for a mood change! 

The flight over was the requisite 14 hours of sleepless discomfort, screaming little emperors and empresses, and, as a special bonus,  also included a retching 10 year old, who, while he made all the indicative sounds (lovely), did not actually upchuck on descent. Thank God for small mercies. All our luggage arrived the same day and time we did.  A first for me in a long time. Seriously. Yeehaw!! Ride 'em, Hare! One fantastic feature of the Chinese Immigration and Customs procedure is that you can rate the service of the agent immediately after you're finished with him (and yes, I think they were all men).  Oddly, they wouldn't let me take a picture of that.    Rakesh was waiting for us (can you imagine he hadn't been?!?) with flowers for Vivian and me. A sweet touch. Welcome bouquet on my dressing table.  I have a dressing table!!! Ooooohh! Fancy!

Departure from Toronto Aug 5, 2010

"I grieve to leave my native land,
I grieve to leave my comrades all,
And my parents whom I love so dear
And the bonny, bonny laddy that I do adore."