The Adventure that is Inner China Travel

On May 31, 2014May 31, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Beijing, China, Shanghai, Travel, Trips outside Shanghai1 Comment

Spoiled by flying Delta on all my international travels, I got to experience multiple inner country flights this week and may I say, Air China sucks. It is a throwback airline utilizing these teeny tiny pale blue fabric antique seats that recline into your lap. Seriously, the dude in front of me is laying in my lap on this four hour odyssey to get back to Beijing from Hong Kong. I am seriously fighting the urge to smack his head and tell him to kindly decline to recline! And the guy next to me not only snores but when he did wake up (okay, I poked him just a bit to make him stop-works on Thom after all), he’s now clacking away at some game on his iphone….thank God I have my serious headphones with me on this trip so I can plug in and tune out. A friendly seat mate I am not. I think I actually snarled and it wasn’t pretty. On a plus side, he must have taken a bath today because the body odormeter is low and he has kept his shoes on. Hallelujiah! Ahh, you appreciate the little things in life when you travel Inner China.

I am in row 51F…yep, that far back and surrounded on all sides by hacking humanity. Yes, I am spoiled and get to travel in business class most times on international flights. Even on domestic in the US, I usually get upgraded so this trip is not as pleasant. Reminder to self-do not take upgraded seats for granted. It’s not the free booze or high quality food served on fine china, which is nice no doubt, but the extra personal space is what I crave. Next time I fly back to the US, it’s a special business trip so I have to fly coach not business class. As one guy put it who has to suffer a similar fate, Xanax and wine will be our friends and help us to obliviate and only wake up when we land on friendly soil. Having another blood vessel burst in my old ear drum when I landed in Hong Kong, I can’t believe I forgot my Sudafed and nose spray which I’m supposed to take to avoid this fate. OUCH! I looked to find such drugs in Hong Kong but no such luck, so I am furiously chewing gobs of gum and hoping I don’t scream out in pain when we land in Beijing. Yes, travelling is fun and adventure but it can be quite a bitch as well.

And speaking of bitching, the food served in tinfoil on Air China is an adventure in food poisoning. On the way over, I took it because it was very late and I was starved. At least there was a bun sealed in plastic that I hoped would not be too toxic. Turned out it had a red bean paste center which wasn’t too bad. The chicken entrée screamed, “Eat me and die” so I heeded the warning and shunned it. The breakfast on the flight to Beijing is noodles and shrimp. Yes, please give me shellfish prepared on a runway. The flight attendant looked super annoyed when I waved off the food she was peddling. Yes, I know you want to get rid of this shit but I am not that stupid. NO. THANK. YOU. Knowing better than to wait to eat on the plane, I stood in line at McD’s at the airport and got a whole wheat bagel with cream cheese. YUM! The memory of that tasty morsel will keep me going for awhile.

As we get ready to land, I try to make use of the facilities. OCCUPIED. Okay, I’ll wait…and wait…and wait until the surly flight attendant tells me that we are landing and I need to sit down. But what about the Occupant??? She does knock on the door but then buckles up for landing. Okay, what’s wrong with this picture? You got it. Some old guy fell asleep in the bathroom and landed there, poking his head out as we exited and looking around confused. What airline lets a passenger stay in the bathroom during landing??? Air China does. Enough said.

Meanwhile, seeing life from the cheap seats in the back, I did finally find time to write and enjoy my Macklemore playlist. I get a kick out of listening to him in China because I know his music is censored here. Same Love-not in China. I hit the ground in Beijing, running straight to work and then get to enjoy another “economy” flight back home to Shanghai on Saturday. I’ve been gone for two months so I’m hoping our Ayi hasn’t take up residence with her family/friends in our apartment and that the a/c has been turned on since it’s a blistering 100 degrees and humid here. Home Sweet Home!

Boise to Beijing-The Journey Begins

On May 17, 2014May 17, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Beijing, Boise, China, Dog, Fashion, Shanghai, Travel, Trips outside ShanghaiLeave a comment

Good bye blue skies and fresh air! Hello grey, chunk-filled air that causes me to cough..hard. So long family and friends! Hello insane work schedule though I love what I do. Tomorrow I will make the long, long journey from Boise, Idaho to Beijing, China. Leaving behind my new granddaughter Mia and my lovely family including my husband, who will stay to oversee the purchase of our new home here in Boise, our retreat from China but primarily a vacation rental till we expatriate. Though I have been busy working from Boise to get ready for my big project in China, I have been blessed to at least be able to see the baby and family every night. We take a walk around the neighborhood-the whole crazy crew: Baby Mia, Hannah & Mike, Thom and I plus the crazy canine duo pulling us along, Izaak and Ollie, plus Det. Stabler, the only cat I know who goes for walks too. Now, I really don’t favor cats, being a dog person, but I will acknowledge that Det. Stabler is an unusually loyal and smart cat. Not that I ever want to support a cat again. Ever. I prefer dogs who love you always and never give attitude.

Thom enjoying some puppy love from our Izaak. I miss him so much!

Det. Stabler coming along for the walk sans leash

For the next month or two, I will be all alone in Beijing working hard. More days in a hotel than I want to think about, not that it is a bad hotel but I miss being home. Our Ayi Pink probably thinks we bailed on her. I wonder what she does all day in the apartment with really nothing to do except dust the ever present dirt that is spewing out of the vents and hopefully watering our plants so they are not all dead by the time we return. The wave pool with sandy beach will be open for the summer by the time I return to Shanghai in late June. I’ve been watching the feral cats use this sandy beach as their own private litter box all winter while working out in the gym overlooking it. Wonder if they’ll clean up all the cat poop before the season starts? Oh, right, I live in China. Note to self–wear shoes in sand.

What do I miss from Shanghai? I miss the daily adventures walking the streets with Thom. Experiencing the unusual and crazy life in China. I don’t miss the pollution AT ALL. My lung scare is still top of mind and I don’t look forward to wearing my mask more to protect myself but I will because I value living and breathing. My CT scan showed lung damage caused by remote exposure to TB but thank God, I was tested and it’s not active TB. Did I get “exposed” to TB in China. Yep. Damn Subways. Oh well.

Three generations enjoying lunch on a sunny, clear day in Boise.

Packing today was an experience in futility. Due to the lure of low, low prices in the U.S., I may have overdone the shopping a bit. Well, maybe more like 20 or 30 pounds worth. Don’t judge me–the top size in China is a small 4 so I loaded up on the generous US sizing to help my self confidence. Now, I am forced to make my son bring over some of my clothes when he comes. Sorry dude but you’re Momma’s mule! (He doesn’t ever read my blog so I’m safe) He’ll come over with Thom at the first of July with an extra bag or two to have adventures all summer exploring the China that I’m too afraid to see. Yes, until you live outside the U.S. you never consider that your travel plans will be heavily influenced by the reality of “are there are toilets or not?” In pretty much all of rural China, it’s a definite “NOT”. No toilets, no go -just my policy. Men can go anywhere, anytime–females are challenged in that regard especially if you don’t like to squat by the side of the road. So, Thom and James will take the trains here and there and see lots of crazy shit I am sure. I will stay home and work where there are heated TOTO toilets close by–my new office is AMAZING!

So, on my last day in lovely Boise, we went to a great lunch, sat outside on the patio and soaked in the clean air. I will never, ever take for granted the simple things in life like being able to drink a margarita on the rocks with no worries that the “rocks” will be made of toxic water that will induce projectile vomiting. Ahhhhh….I will miss those little things….Beijing, watch out, here I come!

Holy Crap-I’m a Nai Nai

On May 12, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn Boise, China, Shanghai, TravelLeave a comment

Living in China, I wasn’t able to see my daughter Hannah progress in her pregnancy except through social media and two brief visits. Arriving in Boise from Manhattan last week and walking her around Target at 10 p.m. to try and induce labor made it all real. Holy Crap-I’m a Nai Nai now! But I’m too young to be the “G.. word” and I live so far away–how can this possibly work? As Hannah often tells me, “Mom, it’s not all about you!” Really? I thought it was..

Taking the assignment far, far away from family would be tough, sure, but I never expected that there would be a little Mia coming this quickly. Hannah and Mike have been married almost two years but she’s only just turned 23. I thought I would get away with a few years working overseas before I would enjoy this wonderful experience. Why didn’t they consult me first before beginning a family?? Oh, right, it’s not about me and my work schedule. Okay, I get it. Maybe.

Luckily, work brought me closer and allowed me to be here for Mia’s arrival. So at least I didn’t have to miss all of her life like I will after I return to China. Damn. After all the visitors in the hospital monopolizing little Mia and Thom was the worst by far, hardly sharing at all, I finally got to spend some quality time holding her once we got them all home. Our little one has slightly red hair in keeping with her Irish lineage of the O’Dwyers on Thom’s side plus her daddy’s coloring as well. The ginger runs strong in her. That she will be spoiled is an understatement. Her nursery already bursts with everything and more that any baby could every wish for or desire. Her Mama is a fashionista and so shall Mia be. Her substantial feet will be shod in the most trendy shoes with outfits to match. Hannah is a master of finding bargains online at various sites.

We will be launching an online business soon (more to come) and guess who will be the one and only model and namesake for our venture? Thank goodness she is so pretty! Yes, obviously I’m prejudiced but let’s face it, there are not so pretty babies out there that eventually grow into their looks but come out of the womb needing some time to adjust before they face the world.

So, on this Mother’s Day, I am now a Nai Nai. I helped my gorgeous, smart, talented daughter and her equally wonderful husband take Baby Mia home from the hospital to meet her animal siblings, Ollie the Great Dane and Izaak the Vizsla plus the ridiculously hairy cat, Detective Stabler. This brood went from being the “babies” of the family to just animals. Sorry, lady and gents but you are no longer the sole object of your parents affections. Move aside because that little bundle with a bow in her hair just took priority though you will all still be loved. Loving and protecting Mia is now your primary job vs. running after squirrels and chewing bones. Ollie & Izaak may get a little more variety in their diet as Mia starts eating solid food in the years to come, which will inevitably fall to the floor or into open mouths as they quickly learn where to position themselves to take advantage of feeding time. Yum–Cheerios and other delicious finger food flying your way soon! Puppies–please try to keep Mia out of your food bowl. Unlike Thom, who not only let Hannah eat dog food but staged it to take a picture because he thought it was so funny, Ollie and Izaak need to guard their food well because I am pretty sure that dog food can’t be good for babies and must taste horrible.

While we’re visiting this week, I’ll be working hard as my schedule is overwhelming right now but I’ll find time to hold Mia and help with the dogs, who need to run daily to be happy. Taking them out to frolic on the hills around Boise off leash, we hiked for miles on Mother’s Day enjoying the fresh air and blue skies. Boy, it will be so hard to leave here and go to Beijing on Saturday but go I will because I have a family to support and responsibilities to fulfill. Quite frankly I’m not sure how but I will find a way to make it work and be a good Nai Nai to Mia. One day I hope she will enjoy listening to stories about her crazy Nai Nai’s adventures in China, which will inspire her to see the world. Your Nai Nai loves you, Mia.

My Destiny-Manhattan & Me

On May 2, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Dog, New York City, Parks, Seattle, Shanghai, Travel, Trips outside Shanghai4 Comments

NY Post. Bagel Shops. $1 Pizza. Dog parks. Broadway. Interesting people-EVERYWHERE. Why do I love NYC so much? All that & more. You can never be bored here. I hate being bored. I want to be able to walk for miles and see something new and different, whether it be a store or people or a park, every day I am alive. I’m a walker and NYC is a walking paradise. Even in the downpour last night, we had fun dodging under scaffolding and running across broad avenues to reach the historic and wonderful theater where we saw Kinky Boots.

Broadway Baby-Kinky Boots Amazingly Fabulous!

Enriching my colleague’s life with a night on Broadway, he was even more amazed when I leaned over and told him that those gorgeous ladies doing the high kicks in the skimpy outfits and kinky boots were all men. Priceless. He was still talking about it the next day and really appreciated the story line and talent displayed on stage. But never, ever would you or could you experience something like that in China. I’m glad we could share that with him. And, yes, those were Kinky Cocktails in sippy cups. When I die and the grandkids are going through our crap, they’ll see my collection of sippy cups from all the Broadway plays we have gone to and think their Nai Nai was pretty cool and drank ALOT. Oh, the stories they will tell but hopefully we will inspire them to see our big, wonderful world.

Today, after work we walked around the UN area between 49th and 55th and 2nd Avenue, wandering aimlessly with no destination in mind as we do everywhere we go. Manhattan, we love you! When we stumbled upon the Peter Detmold dog park by the East River and 51st Street we just felt like it was home.

Puppies galore! I miss my Izaak so much!

There were even Vizla’s playing among the many dogs with their owners chatting and enjoying the warm sunny day. Ahhhhhhh….this is where we belong. While there were no coal barges running up and down the river like in Shanghai, an apartment here would be awesome. We favor a river view always, though whether we could afford one here is still to be determined.

Many of the buildings were very historic with beautiful stonework and rich details. Doormen in their uniforms guarding the residences doesn’t bode well for affordability but does speak to feeling secure and pampered. Many restaurants including Il Positino and other international restaurants due to the UN being so close made for a diverse atmosphere. How can we make this happen? Well, I have been known to be a planner and stubborn in my resolve to make things happen–it took me almost 4 years to get an international job, taking on the challenge of many different assignments to get to where we are now, so it’s in my wheelhouse to make this happen in the future for us as well.

We have no intention of cutting our current adventure short but we are restless vagabonds who long to have Manhattan as our base of operation some day, along with a nice abode in Boise, Idaho to visit often with the soon-to-be arriving Mia and her superb parents, Mike & Hannah, along with our son James who will probably stay in the damp, grey Seattle he favors. When he graduates next year, I just may go back and get my MBA in China which could serve me well as a consultant in my future years should I go in that direction. In the meantime, I will dream of living in the Big Apple with Thom and start saving to make the dream become a reality. EVERYONE NEEDS TO DREAM BIG!! That doesn’t mean, of course, that I’m giving up our VIP Membership at Dragonfly Massage in Shanghai. A girl has to have her weekly foot massages. I’m not a savage.

View from the dog park. How do you beat this?

Entering the No Spitting zone

On April 21, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Seattle, ShanghaiLeave a comment

Even though it was a chilly 40 degrees this morning after we landed, we drove with wide open windows enjoying the clean, crisp air in Seattle. AHHHHHH….I will never ever take for granted those basic life necessities like air, water, food, land, etc. that are not regulated in China and thus toxic as hell. Bitch all you want about regulations and laws here but it works to protect the citizens from really bad stuff. Other than all that, there are so many other differences between our new and old homes that we notice when we return to the U.S. Spitting and peeing in the streets–not so much here. Thank goodness-I need a break from that smell.

Seattle waterfront-I miss it so much. — Seattle waterfront-I miss walking it with Izaak.

Running over to the grocery to get my beloved Sunday NY Times, drivers actually stopped, and not even at crosswalks, to let me cross the street. WHAT! If someone did that in China, chaos would ensue and there would be fatal accidents. No one stops for anyone or anything for any reason–dodge it or die. Thom and I both noticed the absence of honking horns too–Seattlites are far too polite to lay on the horns. Again, if the China drivers didn’t do that, there would be even more fatalities. A horn in China means, “Watch out, I’m not stopping so you better get the F*&K out of my way”. Seriously.

Family-it's all that counts. — Family-it’s all that counts.

We are staying in Bellevue, the ridiculously orderly and clean suburb of Seattle. We would prefer staying downtown Seattle but all the rooms were sold out due to conventions like the Sakura-Con anime craziness that was going on this week. We saw some crazy ass costumed convention goers enjoying the fine Seattle weather. Large polka dot tails seemed to be the costume of choice. Didn’t ask why and don’t really want to know.

After picking up James at Seattle U and forcing him to take a walk with his parents along the Seattle waterfront that was a wonderful home to us for awhile, we settled in for Easter dinner at Paddy O’Coynes Irish Pub because nothing says Easter like meatloaf and Shepherd’s Pie. Safe meat cannot be overrated. We noticed so many birds and small animals like squirrels as we walked in the park whereas in China, these small critters are dinner. Rat meatloaf anyone? The dogs were out in force with their proud owners strutting their stuff. I was so incredibly sad in missing my Izaak and our daily walks and cuddles. Living without him has been quite frankly awful. That being said, we know it would be a crazy hard journey for him to join us in Shanghai and with all the travel we are doing, it just wouldn’t work. I just have to look forward to the day we can be together again and know he is keeping my Hannah and soon Mia, safe and happy. I’ll get to hug him tight when we visit the kids and wait for Mia to come out and play in May.

After dropping off James at his apartment off campus, we enjoyed the beautiful vista of the snow capped mountains and lush green foliage everywhere. Living in Seattle is like living in a rain forest. You just have to embrace the rain and learn to love it. While I have no idea if we will eventually return here, I do envy the Seattlites who get to enjoy this cool place every day. I signed up for the adventure in China and don’t regret it but it is terribly far away from the ones we love and it is most certainly affecting our health-CT scan of my lungs on tap this week for me. I believe we will both look back on our time in China and be glad we did it but, in the meantime, there will be moments of doubt and wishing to be “normal” and “ordinary”.

With all the terrible pollution, spitting citizens and other craziness, I will still miss my home in Shanghai while we are here in the U.S. I hope that our plants manage to survive with Pink’s care and it’s not too terribly hot when we get back in June. In the meantime, I need to soak up the clean air, blue skies, visits with friends and family and enjoy the incredible journey that we get to live daily. On this Easter Sunday, I realize just how blessed I am to be able to see and experience this amazing world.

Stylin’ in Shanghai

On April 19, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn ShanghaiLeave a comment

Finding a new hair stylist is one of the scariest challenges you can face in life. First world problems to be sure but after you have experienced a seriously bad hair cut or color, we’ll talk. When you have hair as short as mine, one mistake and you could look ready for military duty or the circus or worse. But really, what’s worse than being in a circus—scary ass clowns and all. Add in a complicated coloring process that in the past has produced shocking pink hair when a genius laid down red color over blonde and you can perhaps begin to sympathize with my anxiety levels. After shunning the haughty French dude who charged me ridiculous amounts of Yuan so he could regale me with tales of his greatness at hair cutting, I found Michael. Recommended by my co-worker, he cuts hair out of his lane house in the former French Concession. He dreams of one day opening his own salon on the Bund, but, for now, he entertains clients in his home with his cat, dog, friends, etc. wandering in and out as he does his hair thing. It’s very local and interesting to say the least.

It takes HOURS to cut & color this hair to look good!

Chinese by birth but having worked in the UK, Michael is a seriously cool dude who speaks with a Chinese/British accent and advises me on life in Shanghai. “Trust no one” is the motto he adopted after his former partner took his money and ruined his last salon. He tells it like it is and I appreciate his honesty. When he touched my hair today and asked what the hell I used as a conditioner, I told him Aveeda, an organic product I brought with me from the U.S.

“Darling, bloody hell, don’t you realize that the contaminated water here doesn’t work with anything organic. F&#KING HELL! We are not a civilized country-dump that organic shit.” It makes sense, of course, that nothing organic could survive or flourish here. Duh. Stupid naïve me.

When the conversation came around to politics, he asked if I watched House of Cards. You bet! Michael thinks that all politicians are as corrupt as Frank but perhaps not all go to the extreme of murdering people–maybe. He respects the President of Italy for being frank about all his bad behavior. Sex parties-sure, he did it and proud of it. What??? After passing judgment that Obama seemed to be okay but what’s up with that brainless Bush, he declared Clinton his favorite U.S. President. Though he wondered why Bill was stupid enough to do Monica at the White House, he was far more disgusted that he couldn’t he find someone better to do it with. Seriously, he’s the President of the Free World and he has to settle for an intern??? Interesting perspective, Michael.

I told him I was looking forward to having Hillary run the country because she would be smart enough not to do stupid shit like Bill and was probably smarter any way, though why she stayed with him all these years, I don’t get at all. I would have cut off his junk and then set him loose after his first “indiscretion” but obviously Hillary is a kinder, more forgiving person than I and, if his name recognition and his legendary fund raising ability gets her elected, I guess he has some merit. It is totally fun that Hillary will be a Nai Nai AND President. You go girl! I can’t wait to see her stare down Putin and put him in his place. Yes, I’m that sure she will win. Done.

With my hair looking good and still chuckling when I think of Michael’s reflections on life in Shanghai and politics in America, I’m glad I was able to discover a hair stylist who makes me laugh AND look cool.

When’s the last time you danced at work??

On April 16, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn Music, ShanghaiLeave a comment

Having fun in Shanghai is always interesting. When I interview people I always ask them, “Who Likes To Have Fun At Work?” They sometimes look at me like I have three heads. Fun. At Work? Yes, it is possible but not probable. I understand that, in any culture, having fun in the workplace is unusual. It takes special leadership and a special company to embrace this type of workplace but it is possible. As I walked home tonight around 8 p.m., I stumbled upon a great example of a team that has found a way to bond, have fun AND stay in shape all at the same time.

I can only hope to find folks to hire with this type of energy and coordination because I LOVE to dance at work! Every day as I walk to and from work, I enjoy seeing couples dancing, ladies marching, guys doing tai chi, etc. as they try to stay healthy in a challenging, generally unhealthy environment. But the team dancing together this evening definitely wins the prize for “Fun Factor” despite all odds. I just feel fortunate to have recorded the moment so I get to share with you this slice of every day work life in Shanghai. I hope this inspires YOU to dance at work, or on the sidewalk or wherever, and have a great time–LIFE IS SHORT, SHAKE IT IF YOU GOT IT!

Shanghai Spring!

On April 13, 2014April 13, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Beijing, Fashion, Shanghai, ShoppingLeave a comment

Spring has sprung in Shanghai! And about time thank you very much. While we didn’t get any snow, it’s been a long, dark winter. I’m tired of trudging through the gloomy cold to work and looking forward to some sun and longer daylight hours to enjoy exploring all that China has to offer. We’ll be in Beijing alot so looking forward to getting to know that city quite well.

Trying to name the "captains" pictured-got Captain Crunch right! — Trying to name the “captains” pictured-got Captain Crunch right!

We had a blast at Trivia Night at The Bookworm in Sanlitun this week and will definitely go back. We killed in many categories but the music was a bit too international for our brains. We hadn’t even heard many of the songs or artists featured. Of course, Thom was overly generous when he gave one team credit for naming Bruno Mars’ song, Gorilla, when he put down “f*&k the monkey”, a loose interpretation of the lyrics of that crazy tune. Trivia Nights are all the rage in China for Expat’s–this one was even smoke-free!

Rain + Spring = GREEN! The newly revived grass and trees were a welcome sight amidst the grey polluted skies today in Shanghai. Oh what I wouldn’t give for a blue sky day!!! I worked the past week in Beijing, where it was 200+ AQI every day and so depressing. You could tell Michelle Obama and the girls had gone–fire up the furnaces and let the pollutants loose ’cause the liberals have left the building!

Enjoying my new patio chairs from Ikea on our balcony.

No matter, even though there are very few days to enjoy the outside air, we braved the crowds at Ikea to grab some patio chairs for our balcony. While we can’t leave them out every day because they would just get filthy, we are ever hopeful that we will have a few fine days to sip coffee and enjoy a rare day where you can breathe in without coughing. Look, they’re still white!

If you want to enjoy a clusterf&*k of epic proportions, visit Ikea on a weekend in Shanghai. HOLY. HELL. Get those elbows out and jump into the fray. There is a steady parade that you just have to join in as people take pictures, nap, use the somewhat clean bathrooms, socialize, eat and do everything BUT buy anything. Thom and I are veteran Ikea shoppers so we just took off cutting through departments and grabbing what was on the list as quick as possible. No browsing for us and who could nap with all that noise! Obviously someone could because the beds were almost all taken-there being no trespass laws here in China.

We also visited the AP market and haggled for some Converse-like sneakers for me. Nothing says SPRING like some new shoes. They take their fashion very seriously here and my casual look is very counter to the ruffles, bows, and frilly look favored by many of the females here. To each their own!

Spring fashion includes lots of prints and ruffles.

Window shopping at the IFC mall, the many boutiques featured beautiful outfits from shoes to hat. Of course, they are all in size 0-4 so I can look but not buy. The largest size even in the US Brands like Gap is a small version of a 8. No more carbs for me! Some day I would like to buy some local fashion so I’ll just have to get out the duct tape and starve for a few weeks!

We leave in a week to visit the US to work and then get to be with Hannah and Mike as Mia arrives in May. From her current antics inside, she is already enjoying being active and will no doubt keep her parents very busy from the get go. Put on your track shoes, Hannah and Mike! We love little Mia already and look forward to her getting to know her Nai Nai, While I wish we could live closer, the day will come when we are all together. Until then, Mia will get lots of cute outfits as we plan to spoil her rotten.

Look out blue skies and clean air, here we come!

The NITRO–Coffee with a Serious KICK

On April 7, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Food, ShanghaiLeave a comment

Always searching for a new coffee experience in Shanghai, I saw a story about Sumerian Specialty Coffee and decided that we just had to go. So, we set off walking and ended up on a familiar street, Shaanxi Bei Lu, where we go for the best bagel in Shanghai-Egghead Bagels.

Well, next door we had seen a coffee shop with dogs sleeping on the floor and never stopped in. Turns out, this was the café we had set out to find and didn’t know we had walked by it many times. Filled with expats, both inside and outside, the drink we had come to try out was the “Nitro” special–a special coffee blend brewed under pressure of nitrogen and CO2. Yep. That’s what I said. I don’t think even in coffee-crazy Seattle that they have tried this one before but the U.S. does have all those crazy FDA rules and here anything goes.

Just like pulling a Guinness, it comes out cold,dark and smooth with a slight fizz on the tongue. Unexpected and totally a new tasting sensation for me. Combine that with hot cookies out of the oven from Strictly Cookies that they have partnered with and my favorite cookie in the whole wide world and I think founder David Seminsky has found a winning combo to keep us coffee junkies happy and coming back. Fellow café patrons were enjoying the caffeine offerings plus wraps and bagel sandwiches–lots here to keep all the xpats well fed while they socialized. The table next to us spilled over with Brits while there were some locals also enjoying the bright and airy place. I loved the plants hanging on the wall in glass containers held onto the rustic boards with steel clamps-totally going to copy that idea for our apartment. If anything, David needs to expand because there were no seats available and this wasn’t even a peak time. If you’re ever in Shanghai, check it out and see if you have the courage to try the Nitro!

Exercising with the locals

On April 6, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Parks, ShanghaiLeave a comment

After visiting the hospital yesterday, I knew I should go home and rest but it was a somewhat sunny day out so we opted to try to find a new coffee shop we had heard about. Caffeine makes everything better! Along the way, we wandered through parts of Shanghai that we hadn’t previously visited and found a new park that was divided into four zones based on the trees they had planted-spring, summer, fall and winter. What a great idea and just lovely with all the plants and flowers in full bloom.

My new friend and I exercising in the park.

The hospitals are falling apart and dirty but the parks are spotless and meticulously maintained. Go figure. I love that exercise equipment is installed in many of the parks so locals can work out and they do, especially the more mature set. As we entered this park, I saw a lovely lady doing her workout so I thought I would join her. She probably thought I was crazy but I appreciated that as we filmed this little video, she didn’t run away.

Fun, right? I need to find ways to engage more with the culture here even if it means asking the locals if I can join them–I’m dying to be a part of the early morning TaiChi ladies who work out daily at 7:30 a.m. in the park that our apartment overlooks. Sure, I might get strange looks but I bet they will let me join them if even for one morning. Maybe one of them will let me borrow a sword to practice with-that will make Thom afraid and James jealous.

I am feeling better today after getting new meds for my bronchitis plus the AQI today is a lovely 72–first under 100 in awhile. Thom and I are off to experience a new adventure today!

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