Elizabeth straps on the lunch feed bag again March 21, 2011

I know. What can I say? Somebody has to do it and I am willing to make that sacrifice. If it makes you feel any better, there was a lecture before the lunch. The lecture was "Chinese Customs" and the speaker outlined all the different traditions surrounding birth, death and marriage. I took notes. Really. I am that kind of nerd.

Proof that I'm not just all about the food.

With thanks to my cousin, Jenni, who gave me this great notebook before I left Toronto.

In it I write the Mandarin expressions and vocabulary I've learnt, the names of people I've met, the places I've been and the buses I should take. Yeah, I'm one of the few expats to take the bus in Pudong. I digress...

We waigouren (foreigners) had a lot of questions about Chinese traditions. I could have listened to the speaker all day, but then I would have missed lunch!

The talk and lunch were held at the URBN Hotel, a very cool boutique hotel and China's first carbon-neutral hotel. It is a renovated factory warehouse whose interiors are made of 100% locally sourced or recycled materials, whether reclaimed brick or antique suitcases. There. I feel virtuous now about having lunch. It really was a neat place.

The entrance

Part of the restaurant area

Where we ate, with the bar reflected, and yours truly.

Maybe I am improving at this photo taking thing.

My lunch, fish cakes

More importantly, my dessert, rhubarb crisp. Yum!

I really thought this hotel was cool. I will have to drag take Rakesh here some time.