June 9

Since we had a late night out, we decided on a late start in the morning. Planned on leaving for the city around 11 am. Got up, did breakfast and a short workout, and managed to leave by 11:30 am.

First stop, Oriental Pearl Tower. It’s sorta symbolic of Shanghai, and it’s rather otrocious. 135 yuan (about $18) will get you to the highest ball (see picture). You can feel it sway a bit, but the view is nice. We had wanted to catch it on a clear day so there was actually visibility.













The Bund (in another post I had pictures taken of the tower, from the Bund)


Then in the souvenir store I got keychains, magnets, and some little hanging Chinese-looking thing that I plan to put on my rearview mirror. Pete and Jenny bought remote control helicopters (I might have to pick one up later for Michael). Walked to the mall across the street, and ate Burger King for lunch. Then another cab ride to the knock-off market.





Pete had warned us about this place, because he had been last week. He said about 20 guys followed him and his wife around the whole time, pushing them towards different vendors. I believed him, but at the same time wasn’t quite prepared for the 20 guys that followed us around. Seriously, as our cab was slowing down to stop, they ran towards us. And they whole time they are asking what we want, “bags?…watches?…tshirts?…etc?” They could be amusing, but for the most part I just don’t want to put up with all that, and gave them a little lip. I wasn’t completely obnoxious, and I’ve no doubt they didn’t understand half of what I said to them. They kept telling us how beautiful we were, and vendors would say the same, or things like “I consider you a friend” and that was why they were giving us a good price. And at all the places they like to take out lighters and touch the bags with the flames to prove they are real leather. Now, A) I was not aware that leather didn’t burn, and B) at no point ever do I plan to burn my bag so I don’t really care to see you try. I’m also a real stickler on prices, and once they realized I was a hard bargainer, they tried to keep me from helping my friends. Like, pulling me in the other direction, or saying someone was calling me. My currency converter has been my savior, because it makes it much easier to decide on a price and stick to it.

Best (worst?) part. We were in yet another back room, and then they closed the door and told us to be quite because of “the police”. And then later all of our guys ran away when they cops were around. It was pretty ridiculous. But I walked away with 4 eye shadows, 3 necklaces, 2 tshirts, and 6 dvds.

Dinner at the place with swing benches again, and this time we were only a party of four so we got the swings. Same waitress too, and I think she was less exasperated, since we did a better job of communicating this time. Passion fruit tea is amazing.





Back at the hotel, a bottle of wine, and Zorro II on HBO. This is the life.