Barbie for president

Weather: a little windy
Temp:9 - 24
I think this photo says it all...

I had a good time in Shanghai. Thursday and Friday were spent apartment hunting. Argh - some people have extraordinary bad taste. Where do they find the crap they put into their apartments?

We found a 1 bedroom place in the former French Concession area in a old block. It is the complete opposite of where we live now. Now we live in Fourways, we're moving to Obz in Cape Town. The most exciting part is that we will have our own outside terrace. Granted it's not enormous, but big enough for a table, a couple of chairs and a braai. So all the neighbours will be staring at us when we're outside, but so what. Yes, there wasn't a round eye in sight. The area is VERY Chinese. And our building has not been renovated, bar our apartment. Our new place is on the second floor. To get there you have to go through the communal kitchen, then up the (dark) wooden stairs, onto the landing which has another communal kitchen and lav. This second communal kitchen is next to our front door. I can't wait to learn how to cook proper chinese food - I'm counting on my neighbours being neighbourhly and teaching me. At the moment the apartment has no kitchen. Our new landlord, a single guy, never cooks, so didn't need one. He's putting one in for us, but this means that we'll only move in 1 June. In the mean time we're hoping to stay in one of the Hassell flat in Pudong, close to Frikkie's office.

On Saturday we went to explore our new neighbourhood and popped into the biggest Barbie shop in Asia. WOW. I'm not a big Barbie fan, but as a brand experience it was pretty cool. I loved the fridge magnets. My favourite one says: "I wasn't built for house work". You go Barbie, atta girl.

Shanghai - a new love affair

Weather: mild winters day
Temp: -1 - 11
Exchange rate: RMB1 = R1,53
Days left in kitty prison: 21
Look Helen, you're famous: My friend Helen is perhaps not "big in Japan", but she's pretty big in Shanghai.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACKSON JAMES HUMPHRY! Have an awesome day babsie - your godmother loves ya big time. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wish I could have been there for the party.

We just spent an awesome weekend in Shanghai. For the first time we stayed on the Puxi side of the Hungpu river and it made all the difference. We usually stay in Pudong cause it's close to Frikkie's office, but the thing with Pudong is that it's a bit of a hole. Story goes that 10 years ago it was muddy farmland on the wrong side of the river, but because Shanghai was bursting at the seems it was developed into a monster of high rises, 12 lane roads, some horrific architecture and is generally aesthetically challenged. Like I said, a bit of a hole. But Puxi is where it's all happening. It's the old party of the city with character, tiny little lanes, hidden bars, hole in the wall restaurants... right up our alley.

I spent most of my Friday in the alleys of Taikang Lu. The little lanes are packed with galleries, bric-a-brac, people hanging out their washing, life happening, coffee being brewed, cocktails being shaken. Absolutely amazing and the antithesis of Beijing. In Beijing everything has been restored, cleaned up, ordered and redeveloped to within an inch of its life. That has, thank god, not happened to Shanghai - it's all still pretty organic. Which means that the streets are a little messier, you get lost more easily, but the city has a creative edge to it, that I think is missing in Beijing. Met Rachel (Aussie friend) for some drinks late afternoon before we hooked with Frikkie and Pete (Rachel's husband and Frikkie's boss) for a couple of glasses of good Australian Sauvignon Blanc at the Australian Chamber of Commerce get together on the 90th floor of a hotel. Great views and as long as you don't mention the rugby Aussies aren't that bad to hang out with :-). The whole Hassell crew headed out for dinner afterward to a place called 1930. Imagine Shanghai in it's hay day of decadence, opulence and opium - that's what 1930 was like. It's tiny, with great cocktails, music and good friends. Pretty much perfect.

We had dinner at Shanghai's most famous vegetarian restaurant on Saturday night, Godly. We literally skidded in there 5 minutes before they closed and the waitress was none to pleased to see us, but when Frikkie ordered rice in Chinese she was all smiles and we had great service after that. See, already those Mandarin lessons are paying off.

On Sunday we went to a truly beautiful Buddhist temple. Don't ask me what it was called, Rachel navigated us there, we just went along. The temple is still active, which means there are monks floating about in orange robes and the whole place had a feeling of deep serenity. We were lucky enough to observe a dedication service held by a family for their deceased parents. There is something about monks chanting brings inner calm and peace.

High Noon in Shanghai

Weather: fine and mild, with "mist"
Pearl of the Orient: The Pearl Tower in Shanghai.

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Congrats to Tinus and Marina! He popped the question in Paris and they're getting married.

And to Annetjies, my niece, who turned 16. Geluk meisie! Net mooi dinge vir jou.

Yeah people - my visa application is being processed and very soon I'll be upgraded from a tourist to a resident! The document from the SA consulate did the trick and we're a-for-ok and away. Frikkie and I had a good chuckle about our "piece of paper" - but hey, it makes things easier and I'm sure it isn't legally binding.

Shanghai was pretty cool, except that I came back with some bug and am feeling miz today. We got there on Saturday afternoon and met up with P2 (there are apparently too many Peters and Andrews in the Hassell office in Shanghai, so you get a nickname) from Frikkie's office for drinks and dinner. Also met Andrew Lamb or Lammy and his girlfriend Holly. Went to a Moroccan-theme bar called Barbarrosa, set in the middle of a small lake, or massive water feature, whichever way you want to look at it. Pretty cool, with all the pretty people enjoying the last of the warm weather. Shanghai is much warmer than Beijing and it was quite chilly when I got home last night. It was great hanging out with fun, English-speakers again.

After dinner we headed off to a tiny little club to go and see an Aussie band Regurgitator. Apparently they're really famous in Oz and seeing them in a small club and not at a music festival was a real treat. It was hot, sweaty, hot, sweaty, with some very cool music. And the Aussies were all super-stoked about seeing the "Gurge" up close and personal. The lead singer is kind of cute...

Sunday we staggered out of bed late, nursing medium to large headaches. Not quite the spring chickens we used to be. We headed off to the fabric market - famous for silks. It should really be famous for coats and a little bit for silk. The market is filled with every kind of coat you can imagine, beautifully made, and very well-priced. Haggling is expected in Chinese markets and you should never pay the price on the price tag and should start by offering 10% of the asking price, and if you pay 30% of the asking price, you paid too much. Yes, it's a tough world out there. After the market we grabbed some dumplings on the street. The pics below are of our dumpling stall and it's neighbour, the bike repair guy. We sat in the middle munching dumplings.














After the dumplings we had noodles from another stall. Our friendly noodle maker added some MSG, which she seems to add to all the noodles. I can now spot th white crystal a mile off, after nearly buying it at the supermarket (I thought it was salt - looks can be deceiving). Oh well, Pringles also contain MSG and it hasn't killed me yet.

It seems that all the expats from the Shanghai office are good mates and we went for a barbie at Andrew and Ilma's apartment. They, surprise-surprise, also work for Hassell. Very cool couple with a cute baby. Played Wii for the first time... think I may be addicted.

Got home at 11 on Monday night. Frikkie's in Chongqing till tomorrow night.

Our boxes just arrived from SA. TG cause I'm sick and tired of wearing the same clothes.