Another great day with the expats group! It was International Women’s Day and we learned all about the traditional women’s dress called the Qipao. We started at the Shanghai Museum, toured some famous sites and ended visiting Qipao tailors.

Great day yesterday! I participated in a group tour sponsored by the SEA (Shanghai Expatriate Association).

It was centered around cultural aspects of China. For the TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) we went to a pharmacy. For Taoism we went to a temple. For tea we went to a Chinese Tea house where we had lunch and participated in a Chinese Tea Ceremony.

It was an informative, fun day plus I met some great women from around the world!

So I haven’t spoken about the traffic in Shanghai…..

Imagine the game Frogger and I am the frog!

There are crosswalks and traffic signals but it is a free-for-all. Cars seem to turn right on red even if there is oncoming traffic and don’t get me started on the scooters. The scooters go every direction and are even on the sidewalk.

Must stay alert! Must stay alert!

After a nice lunch on my own I decided to do a little shopping. But I made a newbie error – they don’t take big bills at the metro ticket machine! So after asking one person if they had change I started walking to find a little shop. I finally found a newsstand and bought a little book (Mickey to the rescue!).

Shopping was fun – I went to an area called Nanjing Pedestrian Shopping Street that is closed to cars. There are some American stores (like the Gap and Sephora), Chinese chain stores and local stores. The sizes are all different and most people don’t speak much English – but with some hand motions I got by.

The car was on a side street. I’m not sure what it was but thought it was cool!

And now tea again….today it is Qimen Black Tea.

Rich and I had breakfast together and then he was off to work. I worked out and then had a foot massage which was awesome!

After Rich and I had lunch at a great place across from our hotel I decided to venture out to explore around the hotel. I first went into a building that had signs on the outside like Cartier, La Mer cosmetics, etc. And just has I expected it was a high end mall. Very interesting too – not many people shopping but a ton of stores I didn’t dare walk in to!

Then off to a good old stand-by – Starbucks! I had a yummy drink I am guessing is a China special flavor – a mandarin macchiato. Kind of sweet, kind of orange flavored.

After my coffee break I just started walking. Purposely “getting lost” so I could find my way back. I found a really interesting street with a lot of businesses and apartments above ( 1st picture) and then a beautiful tree lined street (2nd picture) that had an elementary school. School was obviously just about to let out since so many people were waiting outside the gate. It looked like a lot of grandparents were picking up their grand kids!

In my travels I was surprised to see so much new construction – a high end residential area and 2 high end shopping malls.

Just before returning to my hotel I stopped in the neighboring Sheraton. Nice just different from ours – our hotel is a little more simple, clean lines and the Sheraton has a sweeping staircase and chandeliers.

And as I write today’s post I am enjoying a lovely chrysanthemum tea in my hotel lobby!

Until next time…..

So we decided to go get some items for the room and headed to Carrefour (think Super Target). As you will see – the largest bunch of bananas ever and some interesting proteins!