Week 6-7 Thanksgiving Shanghai Style

At week 6-7 Thanksgiving weekend.

Finally, I am glad that I had a good night sleep, woke up in time to had my morning breakfast before heading out to the gym, just like my old Sat routine in NYC, this feel a lot more like home now since I am falling back into my old ways, except the gym is a little smaller than the one I use to, and it does not open until 9AM.
I was all pack to have a run, work out then go swimming, little did I know everything happening here is (Ghost hours) like it is in Europe, No on wants to go to sleep at night, therefore no one wanted to get up and face the raising sun. The Swimming pool is not open until 11AM. Well that is unacceptable to me, usually by 11AM, I already finished my 7 miles run, or swim, did my weekly grocery shopping, and dinner already planned. While in Shanghai, but 11AM, I am ready to head out either go to work or trying to feel my way around the city.
Needless to say the swimming did not happened, and I am not going back there in the afternoon, after the Chinese little one been in the pool. Who know what they release from their little body in this giant pool of polluted liquid body they call “pool”. I had been warn by my colleagues, for infection, but I had to try it for myself anyway. I may have to go to the emergency room later it is worth it that is the spirit of a stubborn American in Shanghai.
By the way, I had my Thanksgiving Chinese style. My big boss had pity on me decided to treat me on an all out Thanksgiving lunch and commanded us to take a goose home. The whole wild thing (or use to be wild) weights in tons, never the less I settle for half and half with my colleague. I took half a goose and half a chicken, and shared the other half. Now it is sitting in my freezer. Yes, I have a refrigerator with freezer. It had three levels, the regular level where you keep your juice, and dairy, and the fresh veggie level, and of course the freezer, I found that very useful especially the all the levels have two drawers. The only problem is I do not have an icemaker, and ice tray is not readily available anywhere. I am on a hunt for it. All intelligent were out, but no sighting yet.
Today a good sunny day out, temperature is around 23ºc. That is the only time I can go running around the city. Since I had limited winter clothing, if it gets to cold, I have to stay home until the Chinese custom office decided my patient had been tested, it is time to release my shipment they had been holding hostage at the customhouse for a month. Speak no more, or I may never see anything at all. Have you ever try to live in one suit case of belongings in a world that nothing is familiar, plus you have to pack for 3 seasons from summer on, and must including business clothing as well? I did it, although I am tire of wearing the same old rag week after week to see client, I refuse to go shopping. US need my salary to send home to help the economy. LOL.
To be Honest, I discovered that “PINK” had stores here. Now I really know how Columbus felt when he landed on the Americas. If you do not know what “Pink” is. That is one of the most exclusive British shirt makers for men. It is one of my all time favorite stores in line with Brooks Brothers, and Polo shop. It was so hard to walk away. As some of you went shopping with me before can be my witness. I do not like shopping in general, however if I go to those stores, I can go in and out within 30 minutes and had my entire seasonal wardrobe in bags. The record is 15 minutes; try it some time, granted if you leave your credit card at home. The “high” you felt is better than running a triple marathon. You just rush from one rack to another, pull and piled. Then keep your finger cross, hoping you have enough cash to pay for what you are about to buy and feeling guilty later, because now I spend all my entertainment allowance or the month in 30minutes. My creative alternative was to dress up on the evening although no place to go; in NY, I went the clubhouse on the rooftop with a glass (bottle is more like it) of wine. How exciting was that. Just a window into my charm life, ha ha.
I decided to trace my route to the French Concession today, which I visited on the first weekend I was in Shanghai, However at that time I was not sure which direction is the French concession as I enter the street in the middle of the blvd. This time however, after mapping out my game plan, and equipped with my old fashion map rather than a GPS. I am on my mission to trace the route. I knew that I been thru many of the small street on the taxi before, but it is a maze in there, like all old city everywhere, I believe I really needed to walk the street & neighborhood in order to know the city. Even in Manhattan, the first month after my arrival, I took a long walk from Central Park north all the way to wall street, and some time cross avenues at will, just to get a taste of the city. I remembered I passed Bryant Park for the first time, I told myself it was such a nice piece of green for a morning coffee in the heart of the city. Little did not know after 10 AM, that is the pumping heart of the mid town mad house; and Times Square is just steps away. No sane new Yorkers wanted to be there to relax, unless you are pigeons, or tourists.
Back to Shanghai, I walk through many cute little neighborhoods, and finally found all those Bistros and cafe my American friend told me. I found both French and Vienna style café, in door and out door, Italian restaurants that serve real pasta. (I know because I ask the chef). Plus my experience is if it is good Chinese restaurant in the state there ought to be Chinese patrons there. Same here, these places are full of foreigners, and many with totters, and baby carts. May be I should get one too, No Mom don’t get excited, I meant tots from the French bakery. I am too old and wild to be a father.
It is strange to shop in these small shops, they made beautiful French bake goods, and it looks the same but it taste too light to be the real thing. I bought a loaf of baguette. The crush looks Ok. I hope it taste good as well. Their coffee smells good and strong, but it is not hot, plus many of them do not speak English or French. Make it hard to complain. I can always go to Starbuck.
On the next block, I saw a sign it says get your cheese here. I almost get ran over by those blind motorist trying to get across the street to get there, after I got there, I search all the display cases there is not a single piece of cheese to be seen. What is wrong with these people they should honor what they advertise. I could have the store destroy for being dishonest, the fact is, come to found out later, they meant come in a taste those fake cheese they put inside the buns and cakes. Another expat experience in my bag and it is getting very full.
On the fruit stand next door, there was a line of foreigners that does not speak English, because the area is also the site of many Embassies, they practically crawling over each other picking fruits and vegetables from the baskets. So I join in for the fun, and saw these little green fruits at the corner of my eye, under the oranges and grapefruit and the yellow one too. It was avocado and lemon, Oh my god. I struck gold yet again. Yes, there is avocado at the Japanese store as well, but it was $5 USD a piece these are only $2.50 reasonable enough. So dear Darren, It is not that I am the spoil American that I had to have American food my way, that you said I had the same problem in London, the fact is about the value and the availability of the Items, and how far I am willing to go to obtain it. So far, I have the will power to go anyway to get what I wanted. So when you get here, I know what to feed you. Ha ha. I don’t think I am spoiled Americans.
Never the less, I found a bagel shop in another part of town, which I had to go tomorrow. There are plenty of donut shops, but bagel is another story, they do not even have it in the Starbuck. If I am successful, I will get a dozen of it. I learn from my friend Laurent in Chicago that you can freeze bagel. However these does not look like plan bagel. Stay tune for my Bagel adventure next week.
Living here is no different than in any other part of the world, I remember just two years ago, I was alone in Milan, fall came a little early, my lips were chapped, I cannot find any chap stick anywhere. After an extensive search then found out that I can only get it at a pharmacy, not drug store. There you have it. It is all the same.
There are things I still had to get use to. Like my apt is cold, and I do not know why it is cooler insider than outside. Perhaps I should have an exorcism perform. That could be a problem too, since there is no real priest in China. I wonder if Chinese monks will do. I can put on a show and video take it, put it on you tube, next time I am in Hong Kong and get millions to view it. Wouldn’t it be fun?
The other problem I had to accept it is facts of life that my satellite Channel does not always had signals, some day my morning news is a blank screen, and the other day I only got the entire government channels, I paid so I do not have to listen to them, no luck on that, I get all the reeducation channels, you should listen to them, it is actually interesting on how they see things. My signals usually blank out on weekends when I wanted to watch TV the most. Fortunately, I had my entire I-tune library at hand; I had plenty of music to keep me company.
I never regret I move here. I am getting job satisfaction everyday in the office. I love my work that is always the guiding light all my life. Work and career always come first that is why I deserve to be single. I am glad that I will be doing my first multi regional pitch for 7 south east Asian countries which involve a global team from London to Milan, and is heading by my team in China, and I am in charge of the creative part of the pitch I hope I am successful, it is important to me personally. I wanted to win this one big time. The pitch date is Dec 7th in Singapore. Therefore, I may not have an update next week. (By the way, if I do not get it. Not to worry, I won’t be jumping off from the pearl tower). That is not my style. Needed to be a little more creative than that.
Never the less, I am signing off to go bagel hunting

Chance Encounter Shanghai.