Shanghai was a wonderful respite from the realities of living in a fairly rural part of China. Am I saying I spoiled myself while in Shanghai? That's exactly what I am saying-just living the high life. First, let's talk food. Upon arrival in Shanghai, I left the train and headed to the metro. When I entered the metro station, I caught a whiff of a sweet, familiar smell. My eyes scanned the station for the source of goodness. Then I saw it, the "Texas Stop Sign". I think you all know what I am talking about....the DQ. I was strong and didn't make a purchase - not even a blizzard. Don't ask me how I resisted. Although I was strong in that moment, it wasn't long before I caved. I had amazing meals in Shanghai, from bratwurst to guacamole, Pizza Hut (where you can order your pizza with rice) to Subway, and of course a daily Starbucks. Next...shopping. Shanghai is an international metropolis so, naturally, good shopping is easy to come by. I particularly enjoyed buying a few dresses from H&M for the warm weather. Since moving to China I have spent so little money that I felt as though I was breaking the bank when I went shopping, even with H&M's reasonable prices. In Yanghsuo, where I teach, I usually spend less than $10/day. So buying a $30 dress was a bit unsettling. The currency is the yuan, renminbi or kuai - same thing just different names - I usually say kuai (pronounced kwi - rhymes with sky) because it rolls off the tongue nicely, and it is the most popular among locals. The current exchange rate is about $1USD = 6.3 kuai. In Yanghsuo, I can buy an enormous and delicious meal for 8 kuai which is $1.26. In Shanghai, I paid a bit more than that for dinner, but it was well worth it. I met up with some friends in Shanghai, including my new apartment mate, Hannah - which made my time there even more enjoyable. Overall, Shanghai was unforgettable, inspiring, indulgent and fun. I will always have fond memories of this incredible city.
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