After returning from Tibet, we looked forward to spending the week in Shanghai and taking a break from travel the following weekend. I have found that it is best to travel one week and then to stay local the next week in order to maintain some level of balance. We have also really enjoyed breathing normally in Shanghai again after living at such a high elevation while in Tibet last week. This week was all about getting back into the rhythm of classes and enjoying spending time with friends on the weekend. We were really blessed to visit Mona (one of the staff members) in her home which is outside of the city. It was refreshing to be in someone's home, and Mona was so dear to make homemade dumplings and a very delicious lunch for us. I always tell Mona that she is my pretty and smart friend, so she wrote that I am hers in Chinese calligraphy for me. Kendall (our RA) also helped us find "Charlie's," which is a burger joint in the Kerry Center. Sometimes a good 'ol American burger, fries, and milkshake is what a girl needs. Thank you, Kendall!
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For our second free weekend, we decided to stay in Shanghai and explore some of the local sites. We invited any students who wanted to join us and spent a wonderful day in Qibao (*Chee-Bow). We were able to take the metro to this place and only had to transfer to one other line. The streets were crowded with people, and we were able to enjoy our first sampling of famous Chinese street food. I played it safe with a vegetarian scallion potato pancake, while the students got more daring with squid and meat skewers.
"Please don't get fat! Please don't get fat! Please don't get fat!" This has been a mantra for me personally here. HA! HA! If there are any parents out there worrying that their child is not eating well, this is the post to quench all those fears! WE EAT WELL HERE! VERY WELL. Pictured above was the dinner that my husband and I shared last night at the Vietnamese restaurant where our group dinner was held. We are given a budget and then the students can order their own meal or pool their money together and share a few items. The food is generally very cheap here so the food pictured above PLUS a milk tea and soda costs about 200 "Kuai" - Chinese Yuan (which converts to about $29). Usually students are given about 100-150 Kuai per meal. Many amazing and affordable restaurants are within walking distance from our Jia. One day I walked across the street to treat a student and our staff member to lunch and coffee and we enjoyed this comfort breakfast food! My vegetarian omelette, potatoes, pancakes AND coffee were only 60 Kuai, which is about $9USD. Also, there is more than just Chinese food here in Shanghai. PIctured here is a delicious bowl of pasta with vodka cream sauce that we can get right across the street! We can find Italian, American, Mediterranean, and simple things like pizza! Trust me, in terms of food, we are in the best place ever. I just have to walk a lot more so I don't feel so guilty eating it all! :) And if I don't walk more, then there will just be more of me to love when I get back! HA! |
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