See all the camera filled tourists, I was one of them! *proudly announces* I wanna be like that man in the middle, cool like him. I like. SALUTE!
These few days (before school started) has been nothing but AMUHZANGGGG. ZANG ZANG ZANG. Firstly, it was the holidays!! I mean who can argue that holidays are bad? I mean unless it is a public holiday during school days then make up lessons just messes up your schedule but OTHER THAN THAT, holidays call for celebrations!!
SO
I flew myself over to Shanghai to meet Yi Yi on the Malaysian Airlines. I know I know, despite all the hooha about Malaysian Airlines and all, I mean I admit I was quite skeptical initially, but I must say I had a VERY pleasant flight! I mean I am safely back here, even if you like it or not.
The food, streets, weather...WEATHERRRR has been nothing but pure gloriousness. Let me start with the food. (On a side note, so sorry I have no pictures of food cos they were too tantalising I forgot to take pictures.( Or more like I was too hungry that I had no energy to whip up my phone to snap the beauty of the delicacies.) Even the "lowest level" of convenience store food, were cheap and good. Ok, maybe not cheap, but definitely affordable for that taste. I had a beef bowl at a convenience store on the first day,like 7-11 kind of stall, and mind you, for $2.70 (7-11 stall like,let me repeat) I had like Yoshinoya quality beef bowl.
Please mind my pedo face but focus ON THAT BEEF. I am so sorry if you dont eat beef and me singing the praise of beef is deemed unholy and sinful and I sincerely apologise. I was just so satisfied and thrilled that such processed food even existed in the world.(Of course in another mass of land)
Now Now, I shall move on to the streets, the landscape,the artistry of the buildings. Ok, I wont say the scenery there is picturesque, and not as artsy fartsy as maybe the lanes of New York or stuff, but because I never imagined Shanghai to look like that, I was shocked. (Good shock) I stayed at my aunt's house which was located in the French concession area so in itself, the surroundings were very different than it is in Singapore or a matter of fact, any country I've been too. (Not much at all, really).
There are actually many foreigners living in that area. I just had to snap this picture of this cute couple :P Most people here move about by motorbikes. The funny thing abut transportation and traffic here is that the cars and commuters work hand in hand to ensure road safety. If the car is already turning to the next road, you let the car go first even if it is your turn to cross the road. If there is a mass of people crossing, and you happen to fill up the gap between car and people, the car lets you go first. All this to prevent accidents and definitely to prevent the noisy horns. Ok, so maybe they are not exactly that courteous but they dont care much I suppose.
LOOK AT THAT PARK. Dont get me wrong, I love Gardens by the Bay and I hands down, fully surrender that it is one of the prettiest, colourful and interesting gardens Ive been too in my life and I am so proud to say it is in Singapore, but like a real real park, mostly plants than man made structures, this I must say WOAHHHHH. SO. REMARKABLE. I dont particularly like flowers,actually not at all, but seeing them happily blooming on the bushes , it is just so calming. Very therapeutic. Going to sound all cliche and cheesy here, but it really makes you feel like truly happy. Dont need all the riches and all. I cant remember what the name of the parks are called but this one right on top is at the ren min guang zhang the ren min gong yuan AKA people's park garden.
We went to visit the Bund on the first day, the Pearl tower thingyee and the tallest building in Shanghai all on the first night. We took a boat across the river and it was a really fun boat ride! With the wind blowing across your face while admiring the architecture and infrastructure all around, even though it was a short ride, I had loads of fun. I even became all touristy and AA and bought the mickey mouse headbands that lit up. Something that you will only dare to wear overseas, and only ONCE.
Bad quality cos bad cameraman here.
I also visited Yuyuan garden and another area, which I forgot the name but looks the same as Yuyuan garden. The architecture there has the old China facade so it is something like Chinatown in Singapore, but the authentic Chinatown.
I also went to tian zi fang where you walk through little lanes and find all the quaint and interesting stuff. I liked that place quite a bit, it was nice shopping there. I mean not crazy shopping, but just enjoyed the walk through the streets and exploring and getting lost.
I just thought this bike outside a quiet cafe at tian zi fang looked quite umm...picture worthy? The cafe was really cool cos there were books everywhere and the cafe was situated at the corner of the street. I guess it is somewhere to just chill and relax.
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DANGDANGDANG
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FOOD!!
CAN YOU IMAGINE DTF STANDARD XIAOLONGBAO FOR $3?!?! I have been soo soo blessed. I was in xiaolongbao heaven. That burst of soup after every bite. I WANT XLB NOWWWW.
I also kinda ate ice cream every other day. I told you, my ice cream addiction cannot be kicked. I'm on a roll, literally a roll.
I LOVE ICE CREAM.
This is random but here are some mini soft drinks. They're just too cute. Save you the guilt from drinking the whole bottle. *human psychology* what a poof.
Meeting all my favourite people these past few days, I've never been happier. I dont know what to say about the next few weeks but, I just hope I can come to a wise decision. Regardless of what it'll be.
On another side note, I am quite sad that Cheryl is moving on to another cell. Although I am not super duper chummy or really that close to her, I am so thankful to have her in my life. We've been in the same cell for the longest time ever and I am truly inspired by her. I know she wont see this but she is someone I really look up too as I see her selflessly serve. I am really thankful that I got to know someone so God fearing and so cheerful and kind and my prayer for her is that as she takes this step of faith, despite the emotional separation, I pray that she will be glorified and blessed in every step she takes.