Marija's visit Jan 2 and 3, 2011

My friend Marija, her husband Paul and their two sons, had a stopover in Shanghai as part of their family Christmas vacation. How excited was I to see a friend from home? If you said "very", you'd be right!
The timing couldn't have been better. They arrived just as Jay left, so I had their presence to fill the Jay-sized hole.

You all need to know this about Marija, my dear readers. She is the woman who nagged encouraged me to write this blog. When she heard I was moving to Shanghai, she would say to me every time she saw me, "Elizabeth, you need to do a blog, you need to do a blog." As you can see, I took her words to heart and I am very glad I did. Thank you, Marija.

Dinner at a Xintiandi restaurant

Good food, great company

After, we headed to a local bar to listen to live music.

Getting silly

The next day, Marija, Paul and their sons and I 

went to the Tianzifang area off Tai Kang Lu.

Yes, you've seen this neighbourhood before. 

We puttered around and then went for a lunch at a charming, tiny Italian restaurant.

After, they had to make a beeline for the airport.

Their stay in Shanghai was short, but sweet.

Thank you, Paul, for being the "official photographer" of our time together. 

I can hardly wait to see you both again in Toronto.