At close range

Tonight is the lantern festival, the 15th day of the New Lunar Year and the first full moon of the New Year. The Chinese gather with their families for a meal, to put out lanterns and set off an amazing amount of fireworks. We went down to Tai Kang Lu for a walk around, dinner and in hopes of seeing the fullest moon for the past 53 some years, by 10%. We were only able to catch glimpses of the moon during the taxi ride. Throughout dinner there was a constant stream of fireworks surrounding us. All seemingly rather low and close to buildings. On the way home on Yan’an elevated road we could see displays throughout of the city.
From inside my flat I would easily mistake the sounds as an air raid. In southern China unfortunately it was the case in a village where 21 people died from firework blasts at a family party. Many people were hospitalized after a group of people set off fireworks in the center.
It is still baffling to me to see adults about 5 meters away with their children setting off a box of fireworks under power lines. People consistently do this along each street, so much so that the silence can be more deafening than the booms. With the light up of the sky with fireworks the smoke has covered the brightness of the first full moon.

In Chinese

Last Saturday after rugby practice I took the metro home and then had to catch a cab home. It was raining which means it is very difficult to get a cab in Shanghai. I have waited up to an hour for a cab in the rain before...not fun. I got out onto the street and a motorbike taxi stops. I said no because I do not like taking them do to the craziness of driving around here. He had a helmet and a poncho and I did not see a free cab and the line up on the street was long. Plus I was rather cold from getting rained on during practice. I thought that we agreed on a price for the trip. I said "Ba" and did the hand signal for 8 and then we were off.
At first I was amazed that I took one, another day of firsts. The ride home I was thinking over all the things that I have grown accustomed to since living in Shanghai, what is normal and things that I feel comfortable doing: Eating street food, crossing the crazy streets, riding in cars that drive against traffic and not motorbike taxis.... The motorbike-taxi was a safe driver and sang along to the sound of the engine.
I was able to direct him to my building. I got off and was going to give him 8 RMB (about 1.20 USD) and he started asking for 30 RMB. That I knew was a ripe off, a taxi would have cost about 17rmb in traffic... so I said no and we started arguing. I spoke English, now and again throwing in a "Taiguole" meaning too expensive. He just went off in Chinese and I started walking away. I said I would give 13. One of the guards that I greet saw that I was in an argument and came over to help. I am not sure what was said. I ended up paying 15 rmb, which still upset me. As the guy drove away I said "boooo" to him. I figured he could understand that much. After the motorbike taxi was away, the guard proceeded to give me advice and a small lecture. It was all in Chinese, but I think he was telling me how easy it is for them to charge more and what I need to be aware of. I thanked him and gave a few "You are right" looks and nods.
Amazing how much you really can communicate without completely understanding. Tomorrow I have my Chinese lessons, I think I will start out with, "I will only pay_____".

Daily Chores

A commonality I see of countries are chores, no matter where in the world people keep their houses in some type of order, though the definition of order might be different depending on the person and culture. The ways about keeping the order, the chores are different. In Norway I cleaned the floors with a squidgy, in Ghana the dirt in front of the huts had to be sweep each morning with twigs, in Germany the hard wood floors had to be waxed on a regular basis and in China… I have an Aiyi, a house cleaner ☺. I feel spoiled knowing that twice a week someone will put my stuff away, fold my clothes and clean the flat. Though it is common to have a house cleaner there are still chores that have to be done.
Yesterday, as I was entering my building there was a resident lining up fireworks on the window seal of the entryway. There have been few days since I have been in Shanghai that I have not seen or heard fireworks in my neighborhood. Since gunpowder was invented in China and the first fireworks were done with bamboo the tradition has stuck. There are many occasions for fireworks, weddings, sporting events, celebrations and the coming Chinese New Year. This particular evening I greeted my neighbor and I commented on his fireworks. He responded in English, saying that he had to set them off, he was not sure why but his wife told him that he must set these fireworks off and that was his chore. I am not sure how that chore compares for taking out the trash, cleaning the bathroom or doing the laundry but it was his task for the evening. As I was putting away my shopping I could hear and see his obedience rather close to the building as usual.

Ni Hao

“Ni Hao, Ni Hao” a phrase that connects me to people. There is a small room/box where the guards for my complex sit. Each day I greet them with a perky “Ni Hao, Ni Hao” and sometimes a “zài jiàn” as I walk away. There are about 5 different guards, all of them will say hello to me, however, there is one smiley guard and if he sees me coming, he starts giggling anticipating my “Ni Hao”, and says it along with me matching my tone. I am taking Chinese lessons each week but still figure I communicate more and share more with the guards through my “Ni Hao” and their welcoming giggles.

A weekend in Shanghai

Friday evening I went with a friend to a discount brand mall and felt whisked away to suburbia USA. We got out of the cab and into the courtyard and just looked at one another as if we entered the twilight zone. All southwest styled shopping center with courtyards, topped off with a Starbuck.

In my first weeks in Shanghai we went to see a face changer, and I truly think that the face changer embodies the feel and heart of Shanghai. Always changing in a cheesy way. Shanghai has an amazing ability to suddenly alter itself into a different city, a different country in a matter of blocks or meters. After the suburbs on Friday, I went to rugby practice then to a German Christmas market in the French Concession where “Danke” was more widely used than “XieXie”.

Today I wanted to have more of a Chinese day so went for a walk to find out where the metro was by foot from my flat. I stopped to watch the noodle makers, the auto-repair men, visit the street with only towels and bowls. There were small parks packed with elderly people sitting and kids playing, bikes and mopeds running red lights and amazingly dancing through the on coming traffic. I got lost and asked for directions to Decathlon and was told it was really far to walk. I still walked then got in a cab with a Chinese couple that was going to the same place. I asked them for directions then they both go on their phones for 5 minutes decided we should get a cab since it was so far…. It ended up being 4 blocks away. I got my things found the metro then went to buy a dress form on the street that only sells dress forms and mannequins, a rather creepy place.

All in all it was in interesting weekend learning more about what Shanghai. While it does not have a strong sense of identity or consistency I am learning where to go to make it the city I want it to be for me.

Hong Kong for Thanksgiving weekend

I escaped Shanghai and mainland China to Hong Kong last weekend to meet up with friends from Bonn. Hong Kong is an amazing city, the organization and clarity of the British fused with beautiful tropical scenery, as massive amount of people, great shopping and easy escapes from the city. We went up the Peak to see the city and I ran into a girl I met in Shanghai while trying to catch a cab in a city of 18 million only to run into her in the most densely populated city on the planet. The probability the probability!
HK was so refreshing to see hills, trees and not just concrete and not be worried of being hit by a bike, motor bike, bus or massive trike when walking on the street or on the side walk.
With all that said, you all are welcome to visit : ) me and then we can go down to HK. hehe

Touch Rugby

Trying new things….. Well I started playing touch rugby in Seoul a couple of weekends ago. I went to get the feel for a tournament and ended up playing. It was great, we played 3 games then I fractured my ankle… but still wonderful weekend with a great group of people. It is the activity that helps me get through the week. Here are some pics of the team and me playing... and some of my "what the heck do I do now" face!