Happiest discovery of the day was that “my” subway line, the #9, goes right to Tianzifang Alley, my fav place to shop.  How did I not know this before??  It’s the little things that make me happy.  Pathetic.  If you come to Shanghai, you absolutely must shop there.  Quaint and photogenic, the crowded alleyways are lined with interesting stuff.  One place even had Cronuts, the croissant/donut that is so hot in NYC right now.  Trendy!

Yes, the prices are higher than at the AP “fake” market but there is a nice mix of stores and bars/restaurants to spend the day wandering and enjoying.

My favorite stores include the t-shirt shop with all original designs where you can get a really cool T for just 99 RMB ($16 US).  Not saying who I bought that awesome t-shirt for but he arrives later this week on his school break.  Luckily, he never reads his Mom’s blog so my secret is safe.  Now, I can’t say what gift I got my Mom because she is a loyal blog supporter so we’ll just say that it’s pretty enough to wear to dinner.  I had to visit the paper store too where beautiful and witty postcards share space with ObamaMao notebooks and paper picture frames to hang from twine with adorable clothespins. The resident shop cat was missing–hope she was just in the back and not someone’s lunch.

After a short subway ride home, I saw all kinds of interesting sights on the short walk home.  Sundays are a busy day as most people only have this day off from work.  The shoe cobbler was very busy as were the fruit ladies.

I guess it is now officially watermelon season as they were piled everywhere along the street.  Too bad I’m not a fan of this fruit.  Lychee are also hot right now.  I’ve tried them-kind of slimy so no go.  Yes, I’m a picky eater.  SO. SUE. ME.   I’m an apple, pineapple and banana kind of girl with a kiwi now and then to spice things up.

The DVD store was busy too-tried to buy the new XMen movie but my guy there clued me in that it was a “bad” copy (he only does this for the regulars–the tourists go back to their home country with crap DVD’s) so I opted for the first two seasons of Orange is the New Black, which I hear is very good.  I predict the family will have a movie marathon on a rainy day soon.  Off to Beijing tomorrow–never a dull moment!