Jac’s Journey

Awake at 7.20am. Will I, won’t I? Nah, I thought. Rolled over and went back to sleep.

So, after a lovely long lie in today, really feel as if the jet lag has lifted. Had a bite to eat and then decided to head for Pudong.

After a stroll along the Bund Promenade, I decided to cross the river via the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel. Now, how can a tunnel have anything to do with sightseeing? I was just as curious as you…

Bizarre. You’re projected along a set of tracks inside a glass pod, with a lightshow going on around you. A dodgy American voice tells you what you’re currently seeing… “meteor shower”, “shining stars”, “paradise and hell”. Hell made me chuckle with all the ‘wooooo’ noises and sounds of torture together with the red light show. Fortunately, I had bought a return ticket to get back across so I got to experience it twice – even funnier the second time!

Went up the Oriental Pearl TV Tower and Jinmao Tower. The Jinmao tower is currently the 4th tallest tower in the world…after one in Taipei, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur and the third, which I forget… Except, someone is building a new tower next door to the Jinmao – which is taller. So, soon to be relegated to fifth tallest…

The views over Shanghai were great at nighttime, but obscured during the day with the smog/haze. Great nonetheless.

Two highlights today…

1st Highlight. The Shanghai Municipal Museum

Seriously! This museum was fab. It was very much a social history of Shanghai and had done really well bringing the different historical periods to life through waxworks and staged exhibitions. So, I got to witness farmers grinding wheat during the Ming dynasty and judges in the Mixed Court passing sentence on some criminal or other. I’m sure it wasn’t perfectly accurate (a farmer’s wife in the 1700s had a really nice wardrobe and side table…) but it was really interesting and interactive. I laughed so much when I curiously wandered into this room and suddenly found myself projected onto a video of 1920s Nanjing Road, where I bumped into a rickshaw and came away without a scratch!

The thing I found really interesting was the attitude towards Shanghai’s semi-colonial past. One plaque made reference to “The Metropolis Infested with Foreign Adventurers”. Interestingly, just before you entered the last hall, there was an introduction telling you what to think of the museum and its exhibits. I’ve never seen that before. Western museums tend to provide factual information and leave you to make up your own mind. This intro to the last room interpreted the museum for you. It really shows the focus China has on the future. There is an old Chinese saying – if the old doesn’t go, the new won’t come. For China at the moment, it’s all about the new.

2nd Highlight. Dinner.

After leaving Pudong, re-experiencing the tunnel and wandering back along the Bund, I plumped for a family-run restaurant I happened past. Had a lovely meal. The highlight was the way I seemed to provide so much entertainment to everyone else in the restaurant. I wouldn’t have thought it was rare for westerners to wander into their restaurant – it’s just off the Bund – but perhaps a solo female is rare. And one with beginners’ chopsticks technique… There was a group of about 8 chinese people sharing a banquet at a large table nearby. At one point I looked up and this woman (sitting with her back to me) had swivelled right round in her chair and was staring. I had been warned about the staring, but hadn’t really expected it in Shanghai. I just smiled at her. Later, I had all the waiting staff (I think all brothers, sisters, cousins, etc) all hooting with laughter around me. Not sure what I had done to provide such entertainment, but it really did make me smile (…and try really hard to get the chopsticks right…)

Shanghai so far has been excellent. I now really feel as if I’m getting into the rhythm of this place. Also, got dinner with Brian and Carly, Ian and Linda to look forward to on Sunday night. Then, I think I’ll head off Monday – maybe Tuesday.

Hope you enjoy the pics…click below to see the online album

Shanghai

Zaijian (‘Bye)
Jacsxxx

Bustling, hot, bright, hot, busy, did I mention hot? Although when I met Brian for lunch today he told me it was actually quite cool compared to recently – jeez! Suppose it didn’t help that I was lugging my backpack around and suffering from jet lag.

Travelling into Shanghai from the airport was a real highlight. I got the maglev train (magnetic levitation) which reaches a top speed of 430kph. There’s a little screen in the train carriage that shows the current speed. It was hilarious watching loads of people taking photos of themselves with the speed showing in the background. My camera was at the bottom of my bag and it was too much fun watching the cars seeming to go backwards on the motorway and the Pudong skyline racing past.

Had a lovely lunch with Brian this afternoon – was great to catch up with him. Then, lots of strolling around and getting my bearings. Oh, and trying to stay awake so I can beat the jet lag tomorrow…

Shanghai has been great so far. Really like it here. Met some good people in the hostel. More updates coming soon…

Love Jacsxxx

PS – Kevin, Richard, Cynthia – thanks so much for a lovely time in London before I got here. Was so great to see you. Love jx

Well, that’s it. I’m off.

Thank you all so much for such wonderful gifts, cards, kind words, well-wishes and the numerous parties and days/nights out/hangovers over the last couple of months. It’s been brilliant to see you all before I head off.

I could wax lyrical about how much I’m going to miss you all, but have decided that pictures and music speak louder than words.

So turn the volume up and sit back and enjoy the show.

Some of you didn’t make the slideshow – through lack of a picture, not cos I don’t love ya! Consider yourself there in spirit…

Love you and miss you all loads.
Jackie xxx

Whoa! Slow down please Mr Clock!

In 1 week and 6 days’ time I head to London and then fly out to Shanghai the next day. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of seeing friends and family, nights out, parties, running around with long ‘to do’ lists, keeping my house clean and tidy for prospective tenants (could so do without that bit) and swinging between hugely excited and exhilarated to slightly terrified and worried for my own sanity. Throw into the mix a large dose of emotion over how much I’m going to miss my family and friends, and you have a picture of my head at the moment. It’s fun in here!

Mostly I feel excited. I’ve dreamed about doing this for so long, and have prepared myself really well, so the fear/apprehension is manageable.

One of the most joyful things about getting ready to leave has been putting in the effort to see family and friends. I’ve been visiting, had coffees, lunches, dinners, nights out on the lash and thrown parties. It’s been brilliant catching up with everyone. I’ve had some beautiful gifts and people have said some lovely things. I’m quite amazed at the wonderful friends and family I have. Thank you all!

And it’s not over yet…another night out tonight, then the next night, then my sis’s birthday on Saturday, then another 3 nights out next week. Life is good!

There’ll be a special dedication to all of you posted here just before I leave.

Until next time….