tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66463841157219248762024-02-19T18:02:55.472-08:00Very ShanghaiPoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-4452760199785102112011-04-17T06:46:00.000-07:002011-04-17T06:46:59.639-07:00House PartyThree weeks since my last post. So much has happened, and yet, I've done so little. Seems almost a recurring theme.<br />
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The weather is starting to warm up. Good and bad, I suppose. Good because it will no longer be the cold that keeps me from going out. Bad because I hate the heat, and I can just tell it's going to be hot real soon.<br />
<br />
- House Party<br />
<br />
I went to my first "house party" in Shanghai last night. It's not really a house party... Well, it does take place at someone's house, but it's not really a party. It's where someone turns their house into a bar/restaurant. It operates without a license, and marketing is pretty much through word-of-mouth and evites. An incredible concept, really.<br />
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On Nanjing West Road, there's a district known as Jingan (Villa) Bieshu. It's an upscale neighborhood filled with old architectural 3-stories. Mostly old people live there, but increasingly, young people are renting out the ground floors and opening flower shops, souvenir/memorabilia stores, and bars/restaurants.<br />
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The one I went to was called Felix; run by a dude named Felix. Happens to be a middle school friend of a girl I met out here. He's an interior decorator by trade, and owns an antique furniture shop. Rent for 4 bedrooms is roughly 10,000RMB. It's a dinky place, but has really got it's own style. I suppose I had a similar feeling the first time I saw TianZiFang.<br />
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He serves noodles for lunch, and says business is good. At night, he turns his living room into a hangout. Small tables with benches; candlelit; a projector showing Love & Other Drugs against his white wall. There's an outdoor patio area with more tables, a dartboard, and a small fridge stocked with beer.<br />
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Without a doubt the coolest place I've been to in Shanghai so far.PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-34564569152462924942011-03-27T07:22:00.000-07:002011-03-27T07:22:25.297-07:00I Hate Sunday NightsIt's getting to the point where I can no longer tell people I'm new to Shanghai. Though most people I talk to still consider me a newbie, I feel like I'm fitting in pretty well. Speaking the language definitely helps. Getting decent at haggling. I know the streets around my part of town, pretty familiar with the subway system, and anywhere I can't get, I tell it to the cabbies.<br />
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Work is hectic. I hate conference calls. I used to think it was cool to be able to work remote. That it was cool when the company gave you a laptop and a cell phone... But now I see how all those things do is enslave you. The hours are fine: 9AM to 6PM. It's the 9PM - 11PM conference calls that really bugs me. Gets in the way of my drinking...<br />
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Just a rambling of random thoughts to follow: <br />
<br />
The weather here is starting to warm up. As predicted, the stench is starting to pick up as well. I don't even want to begin to imagine what the summer here is going to be like. For now, I'll just try and enjoy the Spring, short as it is. <br />
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Time really goes by fast here. I can't believe it's already been three weeks since my sister and cousin visited. <br />
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The 生煎包 is still my favorite food in Shanghai, though I've recently discovered the wonder of poached eggs.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1950/1214453152_wzeEN-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1950/1214453152_wzeEN-L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This is from Maya, on 562 Julu Lu. It's a contemporary/fusion Mexican restaurant. The Maya Mary (their version of the bloody Mary) is pretty good. Mojitos there suck, surprisingly. <br />
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Had a family friend, Gene, visit from Singapore last weekend. He just started a job with Ikea (in their food department), and was in town briefly. Took him to a XinJiang restaurant for some lamb skewers.<br />
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Apparently, XinJiang is known for being dangerous. Most of China's thieves originate from that province. But they make one helluva lamp skewer.<br />
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My weight loss has kind of inverse-plateaued. Haven't gained anything back, but no longer dropping like it used to. I guess walking only does so much if I'm still eating my heart out every meal.<br />
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I bet this guy is getting a workout... <br />
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Oh, and to tie out with the title of this post, I HATE SUNDAY NIGHTS!!!PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-61006604991415868422011-03-04T07:41:00.000-08:002011-03-04T07:41:01.277-08:00Buns and BunsI have two favorite foods in Shanghai. They are the 生煎包 and the 籠包. Basically, pork buns and pork steamed dumplings. For those who know what I'm talking about, you'll know that 籠包 is usually known as 小 (little) 龍包. But you'll see why I decided to omit the 小. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1862/1197227207_x4qww-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1862/1197227207_x4qww-L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This is 小陽生煎. It's my all-time favorite chain in Shanghai. These amazing pork buns are packed with juice. If you're not careful, biting into one could render your tongue scalded and your shirt soaked with pork bun juice. The proper way to eat one of these is to bite a little hole off the top and let the inside cool off before sucking out the juice. Then you eat the bun like any regular bun. Under normal circumstances, I'm not a big fan of sesame. But in this case, it's really the icing on the cake!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1869/1197227665_wRCxs-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1869/1197227665_wRCxs-L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Now on to the 籠包. I don't call these 小龍包 because there's nothing 小 about them. See the green, yellow, and red things off to the side there? Those are straws. These 籠包 are are packed with juice, or soup, or whatever you want to call them because sucking juice sounds kind of nasty.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1868/1197227658_Xt89H-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1868/1197227658_Xt89H-L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Anyway, you know how, normally, it would take two full steamed racks of 小龍包 to fill you up. Well, it just takes 3 of these!<br />
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And here's yours truly taking a literal stab at one of them!PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-77331459223372838272011-02-27T02:20:00.000-08:002011-02-27T02:20:41.040-08:00The Rat Race in ShanghaiI've been here for a month. Shanghai is so big and so small all at once. One one hand, it's such a huge city that the chances of running into people you know are slim to none. On the other hand, if you're an out-of-towner like me and a patron to a select handful of venues, you're bound to run into the same people over and over again. And what makes Shanghai even smaller is that these people will know your friends and your friends' friends, and eventually your family, so that you become inextricably tied.<br />
<br />
There's a giant rat race going on in Shanghai. My feeling is that not many people are willing to admit it because they're active participants. It's not necessarily even a race to the finish, because people hardly ever finish the race. It's about how many days a week you go partying. How expensive your watch is. What part of town your apartment is in. How many girls you slept with. The funny thing about this race is that there's no clear goal to the finish. And regardless of what category you're leading in, or how many categories you're leading in, there's always someone you know, or a friend of yours knows, who is ahead by a mile. <br />
<br />
Most people burn out... <br />
<br />
In order to survive in this city, you need to treat it as a final destination rather than a stop. Then again, if it is a stop, make sure you get out before it's too late; before the booze, the girls, the other temptations which I won't venture to utter, the nights, the days, the everything grab hold of you and never let you go.<br />
<br />
Some give up before it's too late and go back to where they came from. Others die, and their remains turn to the contagious dust we breathe walking down the streets every day.PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-25291341103685548672011-02-24T03:04:00.000-08:002011-02-24T03:05:24.181-08:00TianZiFangWow! I can't believe it's been nearly two weeks since I last posted! Coincidentally, I starting working two weeks ago. A lot has happened since then. In fact, so much has happened that one post won't suffice.<br />
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Work is good. My direct manager is still abroad on business (and has been ever since I started), so work has been pretty chill. That said, I have been busy. The hours are flexible, which is definitely a plus. But having to deal with people in the US and Europe all the time mean really early and really late conference calls, which I'm not a big fan of.<br />
<br />
So my sister was right in telling me that "there's more to Shanghai than food." But only partially...<br />
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Over the weekend, I did get a chance to visit TianZiFang (田子方) again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1846/1195252273_v8LiY-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1846/1195252273_v8LiY-L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And rather than just walk around talking pictures like I did last time, I actually had dinner in one of the restaurants, looked around some of the shops, and bought a painting!<br />
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</a></div>Here's a steak I had. Doesn't look that good, didn't taste that good either. TianZiFang is definitely a tourist trap. A good place to take a date and all that, but the prices are jacked pretty high up there.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1851/1195252581_NDgmg-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1851/1195252581_NDgmg-L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The tiramisu cheesecake was a different story. Looked a lot better, and tasted a lot better, but still really pricey.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1853/1195252776_yssYd-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1853/1195252776_yssYd-L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Contrary to popular opinion, you cannot bargain everywhere in Shanghai. I dare say this shop that sold random communist memorabilia is not very Shanghai...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1854/1195252812_AHZSD-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1854/1195252812_AHZSD-L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
One thing I did notice was that the shop was pretty much empty and the shelves were very well stocked. Know why? Cuz 90 RMB (that's about $13.50 USD) for a leather bound journal is NOT a steal... Especially if you can't bargain.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1861/1195253100_AsHs9-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai-2/IMG1861/1195253100_AsHs9-X3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So this is the painting I got. I didn't know this when I got it, but it's actually a very famous painting by a very famous Chinese artist. As it happens, the original one has a blue background. But I think this one is much nicer.<br />
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And a funny thing about the price. Originally 500 RMB, I talked it down to 400 RMB and paid a 100 RMB deposit. On the day I went to go pick it up, I gave the guy 200 RMB and took the painting and left. Who needs haggling when you know how to swindle?!?PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-39176253774105328312011-02-13T08:24:00.000-08:002011-02-13T08:26:43.830-08:00Vacation is overBut all is not lost. Sort of like flipping to a new mini-chapter in my life. A 'mini-chapter' because I flipped a 'real' chapter about two weeks ago when I got to Shanghai. Anyway, after dicking around for a while, I'm ready to get workin'.<br />
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And what better way to start than spending some quality time with family, meeting some new friends, getting a massage after dinner, and capping it off with some baijiu before calling it a night?!<br />
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A couple of new and old dishes to introduce... Lunch was with yet another big group of relatives at 海合滙, a decent joint out on TangShan Road. It's a seafood place, but really, just about everything was good.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai/IMG1826/1186112753_apLkt-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai/IMG1826/1186112753_apLkt-L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Sliced pork. It looks really fatty, but didn't taste like that at all. The skin is crunchy, yet the meat was melt-in-your-mouth...<br />
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Sweet rice stuffed lotus roots soaked in honey. I figured out that this is a pretty common appetizer in Shanghai restaurants. Just about every place I've been to has had it.<br />
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Shrimp in salt. Not sure why they do it like this, actually. You take the shrimp and dab it in a bowl of water before eating so the salt washes off. My grand-aunt is semi-senile and just ate it straight, then complained about how salty it was. We had a good laugh around the table at that one.<br />
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This one's pretty special. The name of this dish is "seeds of the ocean." They're just miniature clams, but really do look like seeds. You kind of put them in your mouth like you would sunflower seeds and use your tongue to get the clam out. <br />
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And last, but not least...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai/IMG1828/1186112965_XYQes-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai/IMG1828/1186112965_XYQes-L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Pho!!! From Pho Asia on 85 FuMin Road. Sort of an expat place, but without the exorbitant prices. The noodles are a bit wider than the ones I'm used to in SoCal; good nonetheless.<br />
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I'm going to bed. Full day tomorrow. Goodnight Shanghai!PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-48794339501088342692011-02-11T07:18:00.000-08:002011-02-11T07:18:16.482-08:00Short and sweetI am enamored of this sprawling city, with its millions of inhabitants, its forest of modern skyscrapers, its dense traffic, its bustling life and nocturnal energy.<br />
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--Chol-Hwan Kang<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai/IMG1748/1179752158_CHaPJ-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai/IMG1748/1179752158_CHaPJ-X3.jpg" /></a></div>PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-1169311273630144432011-02-10T07:07:00.000-08:002011-02-10T07:07:52.165-08:00Hot and cold in ShanghaiNo, not the weather. Just a list of things I love and hate about this city...<br />
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I love: <br />
<ol><li>the public transportation here. The subway is by far my favorite, followed closely by walking. I won't take a cab if I can help it, and even they are relatively inexpensive. Maybe when it gets really hot I'll opt for taxis more often, but for now, the subway is just fine. I haven't gotten around to riding the bus yet, but I hear they're even more convenient. </li>
<li>how it's winter and the girls are wearing leggings or stockings with miniskirts. Although every once in a while, I'll see some girl with nice legs and find out her face looks like she's pushing 50. *Shudders* UGH! </li>
<li>that DVDs of movies still in theaters are $0.70 cents; to own! Great quality, and you can pass them on to your friends afterward. No late fees either. Beat that, Redbox! </li>
<li>to haggle! Although I still need to hone my skills. I bought a router, at a department store no less, and asked the saleslady what else I can get. 20% off? I want more. An ethernet cord? I want more. A pair of headphones? That's more like it! </li>
<li>the energy this place has, especially at night. Also something I need to work on. Got laughed at by a cabbie for leaving XinTianDi at 9:30PM... "I'm jetlagged, goddamnit!" I told him.</li>
</ol><br />
I hate:<br />
<ol><li> that there are hardly any bookstores around! Don't the Shanghainese read?!? Or does everyone just read online? The "bookstore" culture is pretty different from that of Taiwan with its Eslites and the US with Borders and Barnes & Noble. </li>
<li>it when I'm about to get on the subway and people cut in front of me. And the people behind me push and shove to get ahead. And once the doors open, it's like musical chairs and everyone rushes to get a seat. Concepts of graciousness, courtesy, and consideration are clearly absent...</li>
<li>the abominable customer service at certain restaurants. It can literally take 15 minutes before a waiter finally notices your crazily waving hand, and another 10 minutes before he brings you some more tea. </li>
<li>that Facebook and Twitter and YouTube are blocked, sites that aren't blocked are slow, and that I can't check-in anywhere! </li>
<li>how public restrooms charge for toilet paper. And most restaurants charge you for napkins, and some even for water! It's <i>tap</i> water! </li>
</ol><br />
Anyway, I leave you with two photos I took at the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium. Completely unrelated, I know. Just thought I'd share. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai/IMG1799/1183359717_ynf9y-L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai/IMG1799/1183359717_ynf9y-L.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai/IMG1804/1183359750_WwEvj-X3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai/IMG1804/1183359750_WwEvj-X3.jpg" /></a></div>PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-63440426746179188272011-02-06T18:35:00.000-08:002011-02-06T18:35:34.628-08:00Where people gatherChina is the most populous country in the world with 1.3 billion people. And Shanghai, it's most populous city, has roughly 18 million people! So yeah, Shanghai's a big place! But really, where do all these people go?<br />
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Observation: Aside from every shop and every street corner and every subway stop and everywhere else, there are four places where there are, literally, people mountain people sea. In no particular order, because it really depends on what's going on and what time of the day or night it is, I present the four places where I've seen the most people gather.<br />
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<b>1. Shanghai Railway Station</b><br />
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Grand Central Terminal in New York pretty much dwarfs this place. So just imagine, I dunno, 10 times the amount of people crammed into a place that has 1/7th the number of platforms as Grand Central. <br />
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It's also connected to the subway lines via an underground tunnel lined with shops. People hustling to get from one place to the next; a very common scene in Shanghai.<br />
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I've always been a big fan of trains. This was taken on the way to a restaurant to meet some relatives for lunch. Shot through a cruddy window, so excuse the quality.<br />
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<b>2. People's Square</b><br />
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On a consistent basis, People's Square is probably <i>the</i> most crowded place in Shanghai. Again, several subways feed into it. The following is one of the many hideous mascots Chinese artists have rendered, this one representing the subway.<br />
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The Square is where most of Shanghai's government buildings are housed. Many prominent Shanghai landmarks can be found here, including People's Park, Tomorrow Square, the Shanghai Art Museum, and the Shanghai Grand Theater (pictured), just to name a few.<br />
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I caught a show at the Grand Theater back in December of 2003. Can't remember anything about it except the place was HUGE.<br />
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For foreigners, apparently, there's a popular joint called Barbarosa right around from People's Park. Look Em, I found it!<br />
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<b>3. Nanjing Road</b><br />
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Third on my list is Nanjing Road, sort of the Times Square of Shanghai. It's one of the busiest shopping streets and is often mentioned in songs and films. It also serves as the main artery connecting People's Square and The Bund (#4 on my list). It's rumored that there are over <i>one million</i> visitors per day! <br />
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A large part of the road is pedestrian only. The place really lights up at night. And there are even small trolleys that haul visitors along the main shopping areas. <br />
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Which takes us to...<br />
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<b>4. The Bund</b><br />
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Probably one of the most photographed places in Shanghai, it's also one of the most famous tourist destinations in China. I vividly remember some of the architecture from my previous visit to Shanghai nearly 9 years ago.<br />
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It's a strip along the HuangPu River where one side you'll have old buildings that used to house international settlement trading houses dating back to the late-1800s, and the other with the more modern high-rises, some as recent as a few years ago. <br />
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Much like the Star Ferry that crosses Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, a great many locals ferry from PuDong to PuXi everyday. Of course, tourists are part of the crowds as well. <br />
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What used to be 0.50RMB cent ride is now 2RMB. Comparably, a taxi would run about 15RMB, and the subway 3RMB-4RMB.<br />
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The Bund is also a popular hangout for Shanghai beauties.<br />
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This was taken on the ferry. Ask nicely, and they shall oblige.PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-65290578576355837172011-02-05T05:40:00.000-08:002011-02-05T05:40:53.213-08:00AssimilatingI've been in Shanghai for about a week now, but it feels like it's been much longer than that. The weather has already changed from frigid to where a light sweater is enough. I've made some new friends, saw some old ones, and have even been hit on a few times at clubs, pubs, and whatnot. Just about all of my relatives have graciously taken me out to lunch or dinner. I've walked, taxied, or taken the subway to so many places around town that I can't even remember. I've eaten egg tarts from four different places, and yes, have the stomach to show for it.<br />
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Most of the administrative stuff has been taken care of as well. Got my physical exam results, temporary residence permit, bank account, and cell phone. I just have to wait for Chinese New Year to end so that I can get my work permit processed before starting my new job. <br />
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All this in the first week! <br />
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A couple of things I noticed so far... The standard of living in Shanghai is <i>not</i> cheap. Sure, I can consume local, and that would be cheap. But if I want to use or eat the things I did back home, it can add up pretty fast. For example: Steak here is really expensive. If China had more cows and less people, it probably wouldn't be. But as it is, I'll be consuming a lot less red meat here. Sensodyne is really expensive. I'm not going to use some domestic brand toothpaste, so that's just something I'll have to live with. Anything with a foreign brand (eg. Gap, DKNY, Coach, Canon, Starbucks), and you can expect it to cost 2X - 3X more than in the US. <br />
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Regardless, I think it's a place I'm going to grow to love.<br />
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This is MaoMing South Road, otherwise known as Bar Street, two minutes from where I live. I haven't gone yet, except to ask one of the bars with a big flat screen TV if they will be showing the Superbowl. To my delight, they will be.<br />
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Guess where I'll be Monday morning at 7:30AM Shanghai time?PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-11555847706723876832011-02-03T16:57:00.000-08:002011-02-03T16:57:13.252-08:00Jardin de JadeIt pretty much goes without saying that people from Shanghai have all heard of Jardin de Jade (蘇折匯). It's one of the higher-end restaurants that serves Shanghai cuisine. Sort of the Sam Woo of Shanghai. The food was great, but they're really about the presentation. My pictures don't nearly do them enough justice.<br />
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I think these are anchovies, but I'm not sure. Either way, they're deep fried to the point that the fins and bones are edible, and quite delicious.<br />
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A little something to whet the appetite before the "real" dishes start coming. Lotus with vinegar, and very sweet kumquat with a special sour sauce.<br />
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Slow roasted duck. I know... Just <i>one</i> leg, and I bet it was really expensive. The meat was unbelievably tender. You're supposed to dip it in sweet and sour sauce and wrap it with a bun. I think that would have ruined the texture of the crunchy skin against the soft meat, so I just ate it straight.<br />
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Veggies. The stuff in the middle is mushroom. Cathy used to make a dish like this. It just didn't look as good as this.<br />
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These noodles were pretty amazing. When the waiter first brought it to our table and set it next to me, I could still smell the dough!<br />
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And, of course, 小籠包. I got a scald on my tongue from eating one of these, but it was worth it. The skin on these things are so thin, it's basically see-through. My only complaint is that I wish they put it over cabbage leaves instead of the baking sheet it's on here. Just looks so unauthentic!PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-6889975972389067282011-02-02T07:58:00.000-08:002011-02-02T08:15:39.917-08:00Slummin' round town during CNYThe World Expo 2010 held in Shanghai officially ended back in October of last year, but some of the permanent structures still remain. In fact, the Chinese exhibit will continue to run all the way until May of this year. I took the subway out to Pudong and got off at YaoHua Road station just to walk around and take some pictures.<br />
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I didn't actually go in that day because I'd only brought my sunglasses. From what I'm told, it was crazy crowded with lines up to 8 hours for a single exhibit. As you can see, it's pretty much cleared out now.<br />
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Here's a dude hawking yams on a street corner. I've been warned to stay way from the street-side vendors. <br />
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He's got a tough job. The entire country of China basically shuts down for an entire week during Chinese New Year. That means cabs are hard to hail, less people walking the streets, shops close early or don't open at all, and the cost of massages, haircuts, and just about anything you can think of basically doubles.<br />
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And, Betty, I've got one of these too.<br />
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Know what does stay open though, is coffee shops. This 85˚C is 24-hours. The business is a far cry from the one in Irvine, but the iced sea-salt coffee is just as good!<br />
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I'm a big fan of bamboo. Something very graceful about them, and soothing for me to look at. Sort of the Central Park of Shanghai, Century Park is home to various British, Japanese, and Chinese gardening styles. Normal ticket prices are 10RMB, but of course 20RMB this week due to CNY.<br />
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The park is well known for three very different reasons: 1) Lovers go there to make out, 2) families take kids there for bike and boat riding, and 3) businessmen go there to close deals. Go figure...<br />
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It's Chinese New Years Eve tonight. I got to have dinner with my 2nd aunt (on my father's side) and her family. A good bunch of people. Many people in my family consider this aunt to be an evil witch. Fact is, she kind of looks like one. But she's not bad, just kind of likes to pry and gossip a bit too much.<br />
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The food was decent, but the service sucked. The restaurant was packed to the roof, and there weren't nearly enough waiters around.<br />
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Sesame oil soaked pork skin appetizers.<br />
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River shrimp with vinegar.<br />
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Monster clams with rice noodles and garlic. HEAVY garlic.<br />
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Midnight is nearing, and it sounds like a cannon going off every millisecond here in Shanghai. The sky is just as bright, if not brighter than, Vegas.<br />
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Here's a view from my balcony of what's going on.<br />
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Oh yeah, got myself a little Chinese New Years present. Oh yeahhhhhhhhh!<br />
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HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR EVERYONE!PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-74413614555355393432011-02-01T08:36:00.000-08:002011-02-01T16:23:15.657-08:00"Outta my way!" foodOne of the things that will take me a while to get used to... It's hard to explain. In the US, you go to a restaurant, you wait to get seated. If there's no wait, the receptionist at the counter takes you to your table. If there <i>is</i> a wait, you're likely told how long it's probably going to take, or you're given a pager that vibrates when your table is ready. You can throw all that out the window when you're in Shanghai!<br />
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If you want a table here and it requires waiting, you look around the restaurant for people who are about done with their food, and you stand next to them waiting for them to finish so you can grab their seat as soon as they stand up. More likely than not, especially if it's a popular local eatery, you'll be jostling for position with other people who are after the same seat. And you better be on the ready like hitting that button in Jeopardy! As soon as those guys even look like they're ready to get going, you either gotta put your hand on the table, throw something of yours down on that table, or give the guy standing next to you a fierce glare as if to say, "You're dead meat if you think you're sittin' down before me!" Basically, anything to mark your territory. <br />
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I haven't quite perfected my glare yet, so I've pretty much been the chump every time I've had to wait to get a table. Nonetheless, if an establishment warrants this kind of behavior, it probably means it's got decent food at economical cost.<br />
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Alas...<br />
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Numbingly spicy beef noodle soup at YongHeDaWang. This place is down the street from where I live at the corner of YongJia Road and RuiJing Road. It's actually best known for its soy milk and baked sesame seed coated cake and deep-fried breadstick combos.<br />
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The name of this place escapes me, but it's basically Chinese fast food. This simmer-fried pork lunch combo comes with veggies, rice, steamed egg, and chicken wings; all for less than $3.00 USD.<br />
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I LOOOOVE egg tarts! And this place, Lillian Cake Shop, under a pedestrian bridge in the central shopping district of XuJiaHui makes the best egg tarts and cheese tarts (left) that I've ever had. They're roughly $0.50 cents each, so not <i>that</i> cheap. But absolutely mouthwatering! <br />
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Think steamed pork dumplings at DinTaiFung are the best? You're probably right. But this place at 1500 ZhongShan South Road is just as good and cost one-tenth as much. They also do a pretty crazy spicy stir-fried threaded pork noodle!<br />
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I finally got a chance to savor a bona fide Shanghai home-cooked meal, courtesy of my late-grandfather's third cousin's son-in-law. <br />
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Does that look good or what?! No pushing or shoving here, but definitely food worth fighting over.PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-12593814600773522292011-01-31T06:41:00.000-08:002011-01-31T06:41:59.506-08:00French Concession at nightIn 1849, French diplomat Charles de Montigny got this proclamation from the governor of Shanghai to cede over a piece of land for French settlement. Most of the architecture remaining there is from the 1920s, when it was considered the premier residential area of Shanghai. Today, it's sort of a tourist trap.<br />
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Nestled in a normal-looking Shanghai neighborhood is an intricate maze of alleyways festooned with bright lanterns and elaborate decor. Small shops hawking memorabilia, small gifts, photographs line the corridors. <br />
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Throughout the Concession are various nooks featuring restaurants and bars with prices rivaling those of XinTianDi. It's a tourist trap, alright. But these establishments attracted foreigners and locals alike. <br />
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I actually prefer the atmosphere here over that of XinTianDi. If you're looking for a rowdy bar, this really isn't the place. The tune here is far more moderate and relaxed. The way I see it is, you go to XinTianDi to meet Shanghai girls. And you take them to the French Concession for a first or second date. <br />
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Chinese New Year is only a day or two away, depending on what part of the world you live in. It's the year of the rabbit, so these freaky-looking bunnies are on sale...<br />
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This place has a completely different feel during the daytime. One of these days, I'll show ya.PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-42071971553041201042011-01-30T04:32:00.000-08:002011-01-30T04:33:07.826-08:00Out and aboutRather than risk a short circuit by using the dryer, I hang my freshly-laundered clothes on the balcony. I'm on YongJia Road, right where MaoMing South Road intersects. It's a pretty decent location. Subway lines 1 and 10 are about a ten minute walk away. The French Concession is roughly 5 minutes. And XinTianDi is about 15. A decent view to match too. They're building a new performing arts center right across the street. <br />
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The streets out in front are usually pretty packed with pedestrians, bikers, and drivers. It looks slightly deserted now because of Chinese new year. Most out-of-town folks have gone home to spend it with their families. <br />
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I'd mentioned the cold before. Case in points: 1) Gathering my dried clothes this morning, I nearly slipped due to the icy balcony floor. 2) I wear a sweater and a vest (with the heater on) inside the house. And 3) For those who can't bear it, motorbikes come with optional wool mittens! Woot! Woot!<br />
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A taxi to work would run me about $4.00. Comparatively, it's $0.50 cents to take the subway. The closest stop is South ShanXi Road Station. One stop west is the Shanghai Library station. I ventured out there today to get some exercise and got lost walking home. This ugly brick of a building is the Shanghai Public Library. <br />
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And this is where people get their cars fixed. The red words say "auto repair shop," but really, it's just a black sign leaning against a telephone pole in some alley. Innovative advertising?<br />
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After that long walk, I treated myself to some pork and corn dumplings with hot sauce. This is my little nook of a kitchen. The gas stove doesn't light itself, so I light a match and hold it to the gas hoping I don't end up a pile of ashes each time I have to cook. <br />
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Until next time!PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-19055357477177739482011-01-29T17:02:00.000-08:002011-01-29T17:09:19.249-08:00Testing the taste buds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This is my setup. Really basic, but looks really cluttered. It's the only place in the house with enough table space for me to spread, access to a decently stable internet connection, and within reach of the heater! <br />
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Some relatives took me to Carrefour yesterday afternoon, and I went on a shopping spree buying things like shampoo, toothpaste, frozen dumplings, snacks, etc. This bag of hot and sour fish soup flavor Lay's potato chips came highly recommended, but it's actually not that good. Guess my taste buds have yet to adapt to some of the local flavors. I heard that in China, KFC outperforms every other foreign fast food chain, McDonald's included. Wonder what the Chinese would do after watching Food, Inc. Probably just shrug and continue living their lives...<br />
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"Intense & Stimulating?" I think not...<br />
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Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Shin Ramyun at the market. My favorite brand, but in shrimp flavor! Actually, not as good as the spicy one that I normally have. <br />
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I've reached a conclusion with regards to food. Eat out more often. It's cheap, it's probably not that healthy, but it's definitely delicious! I don't even know what to call these in English, but they're 生煎包 and they're great. I used to think the ones at Bird's Nest on Norwalk in Cerritos were pretty good, but these (from 小陽生煎) pretty much blow them out of the water. And they're about $0.20 cents each. $2.00 fills you up real good. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai/IMG0844/1171458549_wPEtW-XL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://poochyb.smugmug.com/Street-Scenes/Life-in-Shanghai/IMG0844/1171458549_wPEtW-XL.jpg" /></a></div>PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-49608547362217531382011-01-28T07:14:00.000-08:002011-01-28T07:14:35.425-08:00The awakeningI think I'll start out with this: Dinner was... 5 pints of Guinness. That's it. Apparently that's what goes on in Shanghai on Friday nights. In truth, it was a rather productive day. Jet lag had me up at 5:00AM in the morning. I got my physical exam taken care of (results to come out on February 9th). The majority of Chinese tend to be on "vacation-mode" the week <i>before</i> Chinese New Year. I met, and had lunch, with a couple of my future coworkers. They're all cool, at least with first impressions. Stopped by the office, met the team, and really eager to really get to know each and every one of them.<br />
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After lunch, a fellow future coworker took me shopping... for a wireless router. Gotta say, one of the key cultural differentiations between China and the USA is haggling. Basically, what I would have done was picked out the router that I wanted and paid for it. This guy, on the other hand, <i>really</i> pressed the sales representative on "how much of a discount can I get for this router," and "what else can I get for shopping in your store?" Turns out, it worked. I was able to "procure" a marked 339RMB router for 299RMB, and a pair of headsets! Gotta learn from this dude!<br />
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Came home pretty winded. Must have walked at least 5 miles thus far, and it was only 2:30PM. I tried setting the wireless router up, but got hit with problems galore. Still not working right now. I'm hardwired, in more ways than one.<br />
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Got a dinky cell phone. "Miro," or some shit like that. You ever heard of it, Andrew? It's made by Lenovo. I was like, "Hey man, I've never heard of Miro," to the sales lady at China Mobile, "Are you sure it's legit?" She was like, "Yeah, it's by Lenovo." Basically, it's a prepaid phone. But the structure of the deal is completely different from that of the US. 900RMB paid. 450RMB gets credited back to me over 18 months (that's 25RMB a month). If I go over, I can add minutes to it from just about any convenience store. If I don't, there's no rollover. The first minute is 20cents RMB, the second minute is free, and from then on, it's 10cents RMB. I straight told the lady they need better pricing analysts.<br />
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Then there's dinner. The 5 Guinnesses. My future boss texts me to meet him at Kabb in XinTianDi. It's this joint that a bunch of expats hang out. Met a couple of people from Amsterdam, the UK, and of course, local Shanghai girls. Something about those girls, man... Didn't eat anything partially because no one else ate, and partially because food there would have been crazy expensive. I'm not going to be able to save anything if I keep going to places like that. Gotta find myself some 狗不理包子 around the corner instead. Hey Em, I know it's only been a day, but I really need to find that "go-to take-out" place. <br />
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I'm trying to keep tabs on what I'm spending on. Got a pretty delicate Excel sheet going taking into account the current rate of exchange and stuff. And, oh yeah, Shanghai drivers need to keep their horns in check. Sick of hearing the unending honks. I nearly died, <i>FIVE TIMES</i>,<i> </i>today! When the light turns RED, it means STOP! YES! Even for the first ten seconds! <br />
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I am sorry about the lack of pictures, Darkwing Duck, though I did lug my camera around all day. It's enough effort exerted on my part trying not to make logical, grammatical, and spellatical errors.PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-16799812734434823892011-01-25T16:54:00.000-08:002011-01-25T16:54:01.000-08:00Bags are packedThe time has come. I'm ready, but not emotionally. You know how I know that? Because I haven't teared up saying my goodbyes to people. Actually, I think that only happens with my immediate family.<br />
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Anyway, packing didn't take long, as expected. While I was gone in New York, my parents bought me two brand new suitcases. After I got back, I unloaded everything from my closet, shelves, and shoe rack, and my sister helped me fold, roll, and stuff everything into a big corrugated box, my two brand new suitcases, and a small carry-on.<br />
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Aside from the usual effects, I now have in my suitcases floss and vitamins. I've heard from various family throughout Asia that floss and vitamins are very expensive there. In the shipping box, I have an assortment of pens and pencils, post-it notes, my stapler, tripod, alarm clock, and an assortment of cables and wires that might come in handy once I'm settled in. For the box, I'm using XSbaggage.com, the aptly named company that ships your excess baggage. <br />
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Tonight, I'm having dinner with my grandparents (whom I won't be seeing for a while), and then heading out to a bar to catch the Lakers game (which I won't be able to watch for a while) with some high school friends (whom I also won't be seeing for a while). <br />
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Next post to be from the Motherland.PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-23584915094658374312011-01-17T23:11:00.000-08:002011-01-17T23:11:19.528-08:00BumpedOriginally, I was going to spend a couple of weeks in Texas before heading out to Shanghai sometime late-February. That's scratched. Instead, I'm flying out of Los Angeles on the morning of January 26th, and arriving in Shanghai on the evening of January 27th.<br />
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How do I feel about having my schedule bumped by a month? It kind of makes things a little more hectic. I'm still taking a trip out to New York. But upon returning, instead of having a week's time to move to a different state, I now have a day's time to move to a different continent! Guess I should start packing, considering...<br />
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I went to the hospital earlier this afternoon to visit my grandmother, who checked in last night due to irregular respiration. She was asleep when I got there, but awoke soon enough and began talking. I see her pretty regularly, but not like we talk on a daily basis. As I'd just found out myself about the schedule bump, I hadn't had a chance to tell her yet. She gave me a nice, long lecture on what I should expect when I got to Shanghai, what her expectations for me and my future were, and so on, and so on.<br />
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No tearful goodbye or anything like that, but a pretty interesting realization as I was about to leave that it would be a while before I saw my grandmother again. She joked that she would come to Shanghai to visit me. Actually, I'm not sure if she was joking or not, but I don't think she's going to make that trip. I can only hope that her health, and my grandfather's for that matter, hold up so that I may see them many times again in the future.PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-7166432572446592012011-01-11T14:49:00.000-08:002011-01-18T13:30:15.819-08:00Pre check-inThe <a href="http://losangeles.china-consulate.org/">Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Los Angeles</a> is located at 443 Shatto Place. The Passport & Visa Office is on the 3rd floor at 500 Shatto Place. I sat through late-morning traffic on the more-oft-congested-than-not Southern California freeways to go and apply for the Employment (Z) visa today.<br />
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A couple of Falun Gong members were peacefully protesting outside the building, while others were handing out pamphlets to passersby. Funny how there's a <a href="http://www.facts.org.cn/">Truth on Falun Gong</a> link on the Consulate General's website. <br />
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Here's me checking in at the Consulate...<br />
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In a big room with one wall lined with service windows and plenty of seating space, I took a ticket and sat down waiting to get called. The night before, I got everything ready: My passport, filled out application form, color photos, visa notification form, and both original and photocopied Alien Work Permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.<br />
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There's no appointment necessary, which is swell if the wait isn't too bad. If time and money are no object, you can actually have a travel agent drop off your application and pick it up a few days later with receipt. From what I hear, travel agents charge about $10 for the service. Regular processing time is 4 business days. I chose to have my application expedited (for an extra $20), so I'll be heading back there tomorrow to pick it up. <br />
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Back in the day, there were a couple of entry choices you could select: Single Entry, Double Entries, Multiple Entries for 6, 12, and 24 Months. As far as I know, they've gotten rid of the rest except for Multiple Entries for 12 Months, even though it says otherwise on the visa application form. All application fees are $140 for US citizens, but vary for citizens of other countries. The rest of the <a href="http://losangeles.china-consulate.org/chn/visa/forms/P020100928333642037026.pdf">application</a> is pretty self-explanatory... Personal information, your reason for visiting China, health information, and contact information. <br />
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Seems the entire visa application process is akin to obtaining a drivers license. It's not hard, just tedious, frustrating, obtuse, and obscure.PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-67802535938533892072011-01-09T18:01:00.000-08:002011-01-09T18:22:53.897-08:00I'm an alien<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An alien in the sense that I'm a foreign national seeking employment in China. Got my Alien Employment License of the People's Republic of China via UPS today. Very official-looking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_tMNq2x9wNGGPtTsR94gsVLc89pN-xwBDGiVZKYVrXbNPoHnSRpYzwuAHZVy-hB7de-WVxuVOM1Rk4fCL7BxkhyphenhyphenTxLWAwX1hoGYhPgt08Ms_S3xlw4wNGzVefKuR2I5Yya93HglaDEX3/s1600/Employment_License_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_tMNq2x9wNGGPtTsR94gsVLc89pN-xwBDGiVZKYVrXbNPoHnSRpYzwuAHZVy-hB7de-WVxuVOM1Rk4fCL7BxkhyphenhyphenTxLWAwX1hoGYhPgt08Ms_S3xlw4wNGzVefKuR2I5Yya93HglaDEX3/s1600/Employment_License_Web.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just like the international students in my MBA class who were seeking employment in the US and needed a company's visa sponsorship; I'm in their boat now. Of course, this is just one of many steps. I also got my photo taken at FedexKinko's today, and will drive down to my local Chinese embassy next week to apply for the Employment (Z) visa. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Over the last few weeks, I've been e-mailing people I know in Shanghai just letting them know that I'm going to be joining them pretty soon. One of my contacts offered to "lend me his personal assistant to assist me with anything" I need. Interesting, no? </div>PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-80074672742434719862011-01-06T15:10:00.000-08:002011-01-18T13:29:53.278-08:00The air over yonderOne of the concerns that a lot of people have been bringing to my attention lately is the air quality in Shanghai. There's an air pollution index used by the <a href="http://www.envir.gov.cn/eng/airep/index.asp">Shanghai Environment Monitoring Center</a> where readings of below 50 are considered "excellent," 50-100 are "good," and 100+ is "polluted."<br />
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<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" bgcolor="#d0d0ff" width="100">Date</td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#d0d0ff" width="50">PM<sub>10</sub></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#d0d0ff" width="50">SO<sub>2</sub></td> <td align="center" bgcolor="#d0d0ff" width="50">NO<sub>2</sub></td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td align="center">2011-1-6 </td> <td align="center">98 </td> <td align="center">80 </td> <td align="center">47 </td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td align="center">2011-1-5 </td> <td align="center">99 </td> <td align="center">73 </td> <td align="center">63 </td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td align="center">2011-1-4 </td> <td align="center">75 </td> <td align="center">59 </td> <td align="center">38 </td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td align="center">2011-1-3 </td> <td align="center">32 </td> <td align="center">21 </td> <td align="center">24 </td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td align="center">2011-1-2 </td> <td align="center">61 </td> <td align="center">37 </td> <td align="center">31 </td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td align="center">2011-1-1 </td> <td align="center">70 </td> <td align="center">58 </td> <td align="center">36 </td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td align="center">2010-12-31 </td> <td align="center">117 </td> <td align="center">50 </td> <td align="center">27 </td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td align="center">2010-12-30 </td> <td align="center">115 </td> <td align="center">54 </td> <td align="center">45 </td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td align="center">2010-12-29 </td> <td align="center">92 </td> <td align="center">52 </td> <td align="center">43 </td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td align="center">2010-12-28 </td> <td align="center">88 </td> <td align="center">57 </td> <td align="center">57 </td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td align="center">2010-12-27 </td> <td align="center">85 </td> <td align="center">52 </td> <td align="center">43 </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
According to this chart, over the last week and a half, there's been one day of "excellent," and two days of "polluted." A report from <a href="http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/">China Daily</a> mentioned that on November 13, 2010, the index hit 370! The highest level reached in the last decade. That's nuts! <br />
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Though the bad air quality in Shanghai is something I already knew about, it's disappointing nonetheless. I mean, one of the things I was looking forward to was getting my fair share of exercise walking around the city. In fact, I was having lunch with a friend yesterday when he told me he thought Shanghai was one of the more depressing cities he'd ever been to because he could never see the sky. I've been to Shanghai twice before: once in the winter when it was freezing cold, and once in the summer when it was crazy hot. Funny I remember thinking the high-rise skyscrapers looked stunning against the cloud-spotted blue skies. Of course, that was over four years ago, and we all know how fast things change in China.<br />
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Who knows? Maye they'll have those oxygen bars like the ones they have in Las Vegas. According to the United Nations, the terrible air quality is the result of heavy dependence on coal as a source of fuel for both industrial energy and residential heating. Shanghai also has the highest cancer mortality rate in China. Whoopee!PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-66440877671411202992011-01-06T00:58:00.000-08:002011-01-06T00:58:35.478-08:00Administrative hasslesI've been working with this HR lady based out of Shanghai for the last couple of weeks trying to figure out relocation and visa-related issues. My sister has been urging me to make a list of things I need and need to get done. I've resisted up until now. It's getting a little hairy...<br />
<ol><li>Get a haircut</li>
<li>Go to Kinko's and get four 2-inch color photos (hence the haircut) </li>
<li>Go to the DMV and get my Pennsylvania drivers license changed back to a California drivers license</li>
<li>Wait for HR in Shanghai to UPS me my alien work permit and Z work notification letter</li>
<li>Take color photos, California drivers license, alien work permit, and Z work notification letter to Chinese embassy in Los Angeles to apply for the Z work visa</li>
<li>Arrive in Shanghai</li>
<li> Go to the local police station to get the registration form for a temporary residence permit</li>
<li>Make an appointment for and take a medical exam</li>
</ol>Like I said... Hairy.PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-89172706337843826802011-01-05T04:01:00.000-08:002011-01-18T13:30:28.546-08:00My Shanghai bucketlistThere are a few things I'd like to do while in Shanghai, in no particular order. Some are touristy, some aren't. Here goes:<br />
<ul><li>Learn to speak Shanghainese</li>
<li>Have a personal relationship with a good suit tailor</li>
<li>Find a go-to takeout place</li>
<li>Become a worthy haggler</li>
<li>Do early-morning taichi at Fuxing Park</li>
<li>Get a foot massage</li>
<li>See the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe</li>
<li>Obtain quality counterfeit Rolex, Patek Philippe, Breitling, Tag Heuer, Omega, and Piaget watches</li>
<li>Take the 4-hour HuangPu River cruise</li>
<li>Know the city like the back of my hand</li>
</ul>PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646384115721924876.post-76543367131783632762011-01-04T11:07:00.000-08:002011-01-05T11:19:37.283-08:00In the beginningThat's a lame blog title. Four days after closing the door on 2010, I've decided to begin yet another blog. But unlike my previous "Ahh, it's the new year and I might as well get a new blog" blogs, this one actually serves a purpose. Sort of...<br />
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I'm still about a month and a half removed from actually relocating to Shanghai. Yet the realities of moving away from everything I know and am used to still haven't quite hit me. In fact, in the peak and trough sense of things, I'm still very much in the 'beginning to get excited' phase.<br />
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Back to the purpose.<br />
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My one new years resolution for 2011 is to live consciously. As such, I've given serious consideration to closing down my Facebook and Twitter accounts, which have morphed from daily dallies into serious drains on my TLC (time, life, and consciousness), but haven't gotten around to even summoning the gumption to actually do so.<br />
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Anyway, as I shutter out these virtual distractions and remove myself from the physical realm of family and friends, I still need a way to keep in touch with those I love and care about. VeryShanghai will accomplish that, and more. At least that's my hope. Aside from serving as a medium through which my parents can see just what the hell I'm up to halfway around the world, it's also an outlet for me to display what I'll be seeing, eating, feeling, eating, doing, and oh yeah, eating, in Shanghai!PoochyBrownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16354096141642516424noreply@blogger.com0