We started our day with shopping for lots of fake things (read: fake brand-name things). I bought a lovely bag for $14 dollars and it put a smile on my face all day long. The bargaining was hard work, and only grandma's really good at it because my mom and I both weaken when the store owner begins to get upset or discouraged. At any rate, it was very fun and ultimately fulfilling even if it was in a material way. If we have enough cash left on Saturday we might go back!
After shopping we headed over to the riverfront, which is the famous scenic point of Shanghai. We took a gondola-type-car-thing through a tourist tunnel under the river, which was an audio and light extravaganza. It was a lot of fun, especially as a method of transportation. I took many wonderful photos--of myself in my new coat! with my new bag!--but unfortunately I'm still at the net bar chilling with smoking gamers and can't load any photos onto the computer.
Instead of hailing a cab all the way home, we decided to save some money (perhaps for another bag?) and headed for the subway. When the car arrived it quite literally looked like people had been packed into the cars like sardines. I thought we'd never be able to fit in, but we squished in, held our breath, and the doors closed right behind us. Then we arrived at the next stop. OMIGOD, YOU GUYS! People actually squished in behind us. I have never been in such a crowded place ... especially not an enclosed space underground. It was the kind of packed-in sensation that (literally) takes your breath away. I couldn't breathe for the next two stops! I didn't even have to hold onto a pole or bar, because I wasn't going anywhere anyway! I thought I was in the front row of a rock concert or something. Anyway, embarrassingly, I think my favorite experience of the day was taking the subway!
Everyone who promised to email me should maybe do that. So I don't forget who you are. I WANT TO HEAR ALL ABOUT YOUR LIVES!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
SHANGHAI = WONDERFUL
Today was our first full day in Shanghai. We arrived yesterday morning after a 13-hour trip on the overnight train from Beijing. I knew before getting on the train that I would either get viciously ill from the moving train or absolutely love it. I LOVED IT. It was a clean and comfortable cot, we had an entire partition to ourselves (4 beds to a room), and I so thoroughly enjoyed being rocked to sleep that my family nearly had to drag me off the train in the morning. Of course, grandma made a new friend on the train: a guy my age who goes to school in Beijing. Depending on how things work out, perhaps we'll all hang out in Shanghai. For serious.
We were all fairly lethargic after the overnight ride so we restricted ourselves to shopping instead of sightseeing yesterday. Actually, we were mostly exhausted from braving the Shanghai train station. The new year is approaching, so a lot of people are traveling to get home to celebrate with their families. It was not only crowded and dirty, but people were actually pushing other people out of the way! I can and have handled bustling crowds before, but there were no rules in this mob! Don't worry, we made it to the hotel safely. As much as I appreciated staying with family in Beijing and experiencing a slice of life the way the locals live it, I'm practically salivating for the constant hot water at our hotel here.
Shanghai is currently experiencing the most snow the city has seen in over a decade, so most of the freeways are closed down. This has severely limited the number of places we can visit, which is slightly disappointing. On the bright side, Shanghai is shopper's paradise! I am wearing a new wool coat that is the most recent LOML (love of my life). Today, we made plans to visit a famous temple in the city. Turns out it's just a tiny temple and the main sight is really the surrounding shopping area. So we shopped more. However, on our way out we checked out some of the famous sights of Shanghai, to add to our experience of the city. I really like this place! It has a feeling and flavor very reminiscent of New York ... my mother pinpoints it as particularly more modern than Beijing. Either way, I'm glad to find a place I like in China ... I was beginning to get worried that I was becoming one of those Americans. You know. Anyway, we've sampled a good deal of the city--including its famous pork bao, which were DELICIOUS--and it's a wonderful place!
My mom and I are currently sitting in an internet cafe (called a "net bar") paying about 75 cents for an hour of Internet usage in a private room. Main room usage is less than 50 cents an hour. Pretty spiffy if you ask me. Now I have to sign off because I really have to pee and I'd rather walk across the street to our hotel than use another squatting toilet. You're welcome for the visual.
Much love!
We were all fairly lethargic after the overnight ride so we restricted ourselves to shopping instead of sightseeing yesterday. Actually, we were mostly exhausted from braving the Shanghai train station. The new year is approaching, so a lot of people are traveling to get home to celebrate with their families. It was not only crowded and dirty, but people were actually pushing other people out of the way! I can and have handled bustling crowds before, but there were no rules in this mob! Don't worry, we made it to the hotel safely. As much as I appreciated staying with family in Beijing and experiencing a slice of life the way the locals live it, I'm practically salivating for the constant hot water at our hotel here.
Shanghai is currently experiencing the most snow the city has seen in over a decade, so most of the freeways are closed down. This has severely limited the number of places we can visit, which is slightly disappointing. On the bright side, Shanghai is shopper's paradise! I am wearing a new wool coat that is the most recent LOML (love of my life). Today, we made plans to visit a famous temple in the city. Turns out it's just a tiny temple and the main sight is really the surrounding shopping area. So we shopped more. However, on our way out we checked out some of the famous sights of Shanghai, to add to our experience of the city. I really like this place! It has a feeling and flavor very reminiscent of New York ... my mother pinpoints it as particularly more modern than Beijing. Either way, I'm glad to find a place I like in China ... I was beginning to get worried that I was becoming one of those Americans. You know. Anyway, we've sampled a good deal of the city--including its famous pork bao, which were DELICIOUS--and it's a wonderful place!
My mom and I are currently sitting in an internet cafe (called a "net bar") paying about 75 cents for an hour of Internet usage in a private room. Main room usage is less than 50 cents an hour. Pretty spiffy if you ask me. Now I have to sign off because I really have to pee and I'd rather walk across the street to our hotel than use another squatting toilet. You're welcome for the visual.
Much love!
Monday, January 28, 2008
The Forbidden City
We're leaving for the train station in about an hour to take the overnight train to Shanghai. So excited for shopping! Overall, I was underwhelmed by Beijing. I liked it but didn't love it. I'm not sure how much of that is the city and how much is the fact that I was sick. I can't get used to all the smoking indoors--restaurants are literally foggy with cigarette smoke--and spitting and littering on the streets. But it has been amazing to meet extended family and make new friends. However, it bothers me that my cousin always gets offered beer with dinner while I don't. I'm all for acting ladylike when the time calls for it, but I can enjoy a drink as thoroughly as the next guy. Don't worry, I still drink -- I just have to ask for it.
Yesterday we went to the Forbidden City. It was really cool to see and mindblowing to imagine countless emperors roaming those same stone paths. But it was really surreal and almost seemed fake. I don't know if it's because they've done so much renovation in preparation for the 2008 Olympics or if it's because so much of the history I studied was European history, but the palace just didn't seem believable. We entered through the back door so we exited through the front, right under Mao Zedong's face, into Tianamen Square. Then we went to a famous commercial area where cars aren't allowed to drive. We went into a silk store to look for a scarf to bring a friend as a souvenir. Given my superior taste, I had the task of choosing the scarf. I looked at a whole bunch and tried one on. When the lady shopping next to us saw me try one on she liked it so much that she bought it. I AM SO AMAZING.
Duh.
Yesterday we went to the Forbidden City. It was really cool to see and mindblowing to imagine countless emperors roaming those same stone paths. But it was really surreal and almost seemed fake. I don't know if it's because they've done so much renovation in preparation for the 2008 Olympics or if it's because so much of the history I studied was European history, but the palace just didn't seem believable. We entered through the back door so we exited through the front, right under Mao Zedong's face, into Tianamen Square. Then we went to a famous commercial area where cars aren't allowed to drive. We went into a silk store to look for a scarf to bring a friend as a souvenir. Given my superior taste, I had the task of choosing the scarf. I looked at a whole bunch and tried one on. When the lady shopping next to us saw me try one on she liked it so much that she bought it. I AM SO AMAZING.
Duh.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
The Great Wall
First, a few tidbits from the trip from Taiwan to the mainland. We flew via Hong Kong, since there aren't any flights going directly between Taiwan and China. Because I was still sick, my grandma told us to get our seats assigned at the airport by a friend she had made on a previous trip through the airport. Our tickets were for row 22, which was disappointing given my grandmother's directions. Then we got on the plane and row 22 turned out to be the first row on the plane! Grandma's friend proved useful! She had another airport friend in Detroit from flying through there a few years ago ... I swear she makes friends everywhere she goes.
It took us less than 12 hours to get from my uncle's house to the Beijing airport, where we were picked up by family of our family friend (do you follow so far?). We are staying in an empty apartment owned by my grandma's cousin. Our extended family and friends in Beijing are taking very good care of us: bringing us food and bottled water, taking us out to eat, shuttling us places that are too far away or inconvenient to reach by foot or bus. It is my grandma's third time in Beijing--not including when she lived here for two years over 60 years ago because the city has changed so much since then that it doesn't count. It's great fun to watch her make her way around and lead us for a change :)
Today we went to the Great Wall! It's somehow different to experience history as it represents my ancestors. It's interesting to put everything into perspective and really think about what my heritage means. The climb was difficult, though. Considering my dad is still recovering from being sick a week earlier than me I probably shouldn't've tried for physical exertion. But I made my way all the way around the world to visit that wall and I was determined to climb to the top. And I did! You can see my elation in the photo above. (You can also see the Great Wall in the background, too.) It's not the best shot of the wall but it's a good one of me.
It took us less than 12 hours to get from my uncle's house to the Beijing airport, where we were picked up by family of our family friend (do you follow so far?). We are staying in an empty apartment owned by my grandma's cousin. Our extended family and friends in Beijing are taking very good care of us: bringing us food and bottled water, taking us out to eat, shuttling us places that are too far away or inconvenient to reach by foot or bus. It is my grandma's third time in Beijing--not including when she lived here for two years over 60 years ago because the city has changed so much since then that it doesn't count. It's great fun to watch her make her way around and lead us for a change :)
Today we went to the Great Wall! It's somehow different to experience history as it represents my ancestors. It's interesting to put everything into perspective and really think about what my heritage means. The climb was difficult, though. Considering my dad is still recovering from being sick a week earlier than me I probably shouldn't've tried for physical exertion. But I made my way all the way around the world to visit that wall and I was determined to climb to the top. And I did! You can see my elation in the photo above. (You can also see the Great Wall in the background, too.) It's not the best shot of the wall but it's a good one of me.
Final note: have you ever noticed how little kids seem smarter to you when they aren't speaking your native language? The little Asian runts sound like geniuses.
Friday, January 25, 2008
First day in Beijing
I'm here! In one piece!
The trip was slightly uncomfortable, but overall bearable. I'm feeling much better but I still have a long road of recovery ahead. That's quite the vicious bug ... I haven't been that sick in a long time.
I want to tell you all about the trip here, my first impressions of Beijing, and what I did today but my body essentially shut down after a couple of hours about the town today. I suppose you'll have to wait until at least tomorrow to read about my thrilling adventures, recounted in my wittily intelligent prose.
The trip was slightly uncomfortable, but overall bearable. I'm feeling much better but I still have a long road of recovery ahead. That's quite the vicious bug ... I haven't been that sick in a long time.
I want to tell you all about the trip here, my first impressions of Beijing, and what I did today but my body essentially shut down after a couple of hours about the town today. I suppose you'll have to wait until at least tomorrow to read about my thrilling adventures, recounted in my wittily intelligent prose.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Miserably ill
It's Wednesday night and I'm still in Taiwan. My grandma, aunt, and cousin went ahead and my mom and I delayed our departure to China for a day.
I'm incredibly sick. Thos of you who have had this bug know that it's really tough. It's the one that my mother lovingly calls the one that infected all of Minnesota. I've spent the last two days in bed and I still feel like shit. As a result, I haven't gotten to go out and re-experience the city. I also have no appetite, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because it protects against the inevitable vacation-induced overeating. Bad because I can't really enjoy food that I've been dreaming about for the last 7 1/2 years. Hopefully I'll feel at least slightly better tomorrow because I have a day of transit ahead of me.
Sorry my life has been so boring. It can only get better from here (silver lining)!
P.S. Enjoy shopping today!
I'm incredibly sick. Thos of you who have had this bug know that it's really tough. It's the one that my mother lovingly calls the one that infected all of Minnesota. I've spent the last two days in bed and I still feel like shit. As a result, I haven't gotten to go out and re-experience the city. I also have no appetite, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. Good because it protects against the inevitable vacation-induced overeating. Bad because I can't really enjoy food that I've been dreaming about for the last 7 1/2 years. Hopefully I'll feel at least slightly better tomorrow because I have a day of transit ahead of me.
Sorry my life has been so boring. It can only get better from here (silver lining)!
P.S. Enjoy shopping today!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Transit
I'm in Tainan, Taiwan!
After 28 hours of travel we arrived at my uncle's house in the wee hours of the morning. Surprisingly, I still fell asleep and slept until 2pm today. I started coughing today so I'm desperately hoping that I haven't come down with what my parents had since it knocked them both out of commission for a week! I am now fed and showered and happy to be using the Internet. Oh, and my mother brought the wrong power cord so we have no laptop at our disposal. My Internet usage may be significantly less than anticipated until my father arrives in February.
This post is dedicated to Daddy, who--during my phone call made immediately upon our arrival to let him know that we got here safely--asked, "Why haven't you updated your blog yet?" Well, I'll tell you why:
28 hours of straight travel. Legit. Our initial flight out of Minnesota was delayed for about an hour because it was "too cold" ... around 10 below without windchill. So all the poor workers outside were freezing. But, I mean, realistically if they were cold they should have just moved faster, you know? (JK JK!) When we arrived in Detroit we made our way directly to our connecting flight and as we were approaching the gate they were making the final boarding call and calling our names. My name has never been called in final boarding call before, so that was kind of cool! We ran onto the plane, they closed the boarding door, and I didn't get to make any phone calls like I thought I would. Then we sat on the plane while they de-iced. Whatever.
The flight to Osaka was fairly uneventful. I slept much more than anticipated--always exciting--and finished Book 2 of His Dark Materials. Most noteworthy to document about this flight was a little lesson I learned about myself. I was sleeping soundly with my eye mask on (potentially drooling, but I doubt it) when it was breakfast time. I had no idea that breakfast was going on and in my peaceful, angelic state my mom likely didn't want to wake me. However, when the flight attendant arrived at our row and asked "Eggs or Rice?" I shot awake and answered "Eggs!" before I had any idea what was going on. In conclusion, I like food.
The layover in Osaka was STUPID. I was hoping to get online at that airport, but no go. We got off the plane, went through security, and got directly back onto the same plane parked at the same gate. STUPID.
Upon my arrival in Taipei, a flight attendant saw my Brown hoodie and asked "Do you live in Providence?" Apparently he's moving there. I fly halfway around the world to get my hoodie noticed. Someone say hi to him for me, yeah? Anyway, two of our suitcases didn't make it--they wanted to see the world a bit more--and one of them is full of stuff to bring to China so we're hoping they'll get here tomorrow. After waiting for ages to talk to someone about our luggage we made our way through customs (no problems/not a drug mule) and into a car that got us to Tainan in about 3 hours. And here I am.
The shower was fun. Instead of a shower or a tub they have a drain in the bathroom floor and you just ... shower. I'd forgotten that people don't really shower here daily (for Soph: that's so dirty) and as a result go get their hair washed at the salon. It's fairly cheap, but American habits die hard so I cleaned myself today. I think our plan is to go out for a bit and perhaps get a phone card (!) but time seems to have gotten away from me and it's almost dinner time already. I haven't started missing TV yet (amazing) but I do miss you all. Especially Lucy ... can't wait until she moves in!
Much love to all!
(No sign of Typhoid yet!)
After 28 hours of travel we arrived at my uncle's house in the wee hours of the morning. Surprisingly, I still fell asleep and slept until 2pm today. I started coughing today so I'm desperately hoping that I haven't come down with what my parents had since it knocked them both out of commission for a week! I am now fed and showered and happy to be using the Internet. Oh, and my mother brought the wrong power cord so we have no laptop at our disposal. My Internet usage may be significantly less than anticipated until my father arrives in February.
This post is dedicated to Daddy, who--during my phone call made immediately upon our arrival to let him know that we got here safely--asked, "Why haven't you updated your blog yet?" Well, I'll tell you why:
28 hours of straight travel. Legit. Our initial flight out of Minnesota was delayed for about an hour because it was "too cold" ... around 10 below without windchill. So all the poor workers outside were freezing. But, I mean, realistically if they were cold they should have just moved faster, you know? (JK JK!) When we arrived in Detroit we made our way directly to our connecting flight and as we were approaching the gate they were making the final boarding call and calling our names. My name has never been called in final boarding call before, so that was kind of cool! We ran onto the plane, they closed the boarding door, and I didn't get to make any phone calls like I thought I would. Then we sat on the plane while they de-iced. Whatever.
The flight to Osaka was fairly uneventful. I slept much more than anticipated--always exciting--and finished Book 2 of His Dark Materials. Most noteworthy to document about this flight was a little lesson I learned about myself. I was sleeping soundly with my eye mask on (potentially drooling, but I doubt it) when it was breakfast time. I had no idea that breakfast was going on and in my peaceful, angelic state my mom likely didn't want to wake me. However, when the flight attendant arrived at our row and asked "Eggs or Rice?" I shot awake and answered "Eggs!" before I had any idea what was going on. In conclusion, I like food.
The layover in Osaka was STUPID. I was hoping to get online at that airport, but no go. We got off the plane, went through security, and got directly back onto the same plane parked at the same gate. STUPID.
Upon my arrival in Taipei, a flight attendant saw my Brown hoodie and asked "Do you live in Providence?" Apparently he's moving there. I fly halfway around the world to get my hoodie noticed. Someone say hi to him for me, yeah? Anyway, two of our suitcases didn't make it--they wanted to see the world a bit more--and one of them is full of stuff to bring to China so we're hoping they'll get here tomorrow. After waiting for ages to talk to someone about our luggage we made our way through customs (no problems/not a drug mule) and into a car that got us to Tainan in about 3 hours. And here I am.
The shower was fun. Instead of a shower or a tub they have a drain in the bathroom floor and you just ... shower. I'd forgotten that people don't really shower here daily (for Soph: that's so dirty) and as a result go get their hair washed at the salon. It's fairly cheap, but American habits die hard so I cleaned myself today. I think our plan is to go out for a bit and perhaps get a phone card (!) but time seems to have gotten away from me and it's almost dinner time already. I haven't started missing TV yet (amazing) but I do miss you all. Especially Lucy ... can't wait until she moves in!
Much love to all!
(No sign of Typhoid yet!)
Friday, January 18, 2008
The Departure
Tomorrow I embark on my world adventure. I’ve packed fairly cute and comfortable clothes, received further vaccinations (no Typhoid, yay!), and equipped myself with a decent selection of books. I’m slightly anxious about spending so much time away from home and living out of a suitcase—and with only my family—for a month and a half. My Asia leg (not to be confused with “Asian leg” which is both of them) includes family time in Taiwan, reconnecting with my ancestral roots in China, sightseeing in Hong Kong, and sitting on my college-graduate ass in Hawaii. I’ll be back in the States for a brief blip before jetting off to Europe. You can keep track of me through this blog, although emails about your lives (in all their juicy-detail glory) will certainly be devoured. I hope you’ll find this blog to be an enthralling method for procrastination, since I will do my best to record embarrassing stories about my family and myself.
What will it be like to make seeing the world and exploring new places the focus of my life for a few months? What will I learn about myself throughout it all? How many souvenirs can I possibly pack into my suitcase? And can I really handle 30 hours of transit with my mom and grandma? … three generations is kind of intense.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if I thoroughly enjoyed living out of a suitcase and spending every moment with my family, hated all the books that were recommended to me, felt no emotion at returning to the motherland, and then died of Typhoid? Well, keep your fingers crossed.
Until I write from ASIA!,
Lizzy
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