Hairy Crabs have arrived…they are everywhere in Shanghai.  Whether on menus in the nicest restaurants (who also have an obsession with bullfrogs as an entrée so all bets are off) as well as on the back streets of the city.  I’m sorry but anything with “hairy” is not making it’s way onto my dinner plate.  But Thom is more adventuresome than me so who knows–I’ll keep you updated!

You can even buy the supposedly sweet delicacies in vending machines now in China:  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/09/12/china-large-hairy-crab-vending-machines/2803393/

ALL YOU EVER NEED OR WANT TO KNOW ABOUT HAIRY CRAB HISTORY:

The hairy crab is known as one sort of the freshwater crab. The freshwater crab, with Chinese Mitten Crab (Eriocheir sinensis) as its scientific name, is widely distributed along the long coastline from Liaohe River in Northern China to Zhujiang River in the South. Moreover, it boasts the largest output as well as the most delicious taste in the Yangtze River water system. Exteriorly, the freshwater crab is characterized by a green back, a white abdomen, golden claws and yellow setae. Generally speaking, the hairy crab refers specifically to Eriocheir sinensis from the Yangtze River water system, among which, that from the Yangcheng Lake enjoys the best reputation.

The history of Chinese eating crabs dates back to as early as the Western Zhou Dynasty. As recorded in both Zhou Rites and Zi Lin (a reference book on philology) in the Jin Dynasty, the history lasts 2700 years or so. It is around the Mid-Autumn Day every year that the hairy crab is gradually on the market. It can be cooked in various ways, such as steaming, water boiling, flour coating and wine preserving. Talking of the hairy crab from Yangcheng Lake specifically, it is usually steamed, boiled and shelled before being eaten. Ever since the ancient times, eating crabs has been a refined pleasure which requires careful study. Imagine the tangerine crab cream, white jade-like grease, white and tender meat. Isn’t it delightful to eat them dipped in sugar, vinegar and ginger powder while inviting a couple of intimate friends for cups of good wine? Besides, it will be of a distinctive flavor to pick out crab meat and make with it noodles or steamed buns. Li Bai, a famous poet of the Tang Dynasty, once wrote in his poetry about the bliss of having good wine and delicious food while savoring crabs.

So, today was a day to observe random crazy shit on the streets of Shanghai.

First, with the rain from Typhoon Fitow pouring down all day, you had to carry an umbrella, right?  Little did I know there was “umbrella etiquette” to be followed or else incur the wrath of little old ladies.  Stepping into Starbucks with my dripping umbrella, the lady at the door started yelling at me, of course in Chinese so I was oblivious, and the baristas were snickering as she let loose on me with a tirade.  I just waltzed up to the counter to get my badly needed Americano but later realized when she lit into another customer and pointed at the umbrella that she was the one cleaning up after all the stupid foreigners dripping on her floor.  Then, when we went to dinner at Din Tai Fung, the hostess literally wrestled my umbrella away from me, despite my rabid protests, and “checked” it, giving me a claim ticket so when I left I could take away the offensive yet necessary item without it fouling their beautiful floor.  What the hell-who checks an umbrella!!!  Meanwhile even though there are plastic bags at every entrance to sheath the offensive umbrellas, all the buildings are leaking like sieves even though most are upscale and new.  We saw buckets everywhere tonight.  Lesson learned–umbrellas must be closely monitored and behave themselves, lest they be taken away to solitary confinement.

Onto another curiosity–there are bumps in the sidewalks everywhere.  I was told these are for the blind to be able to get around efficiently.  Cool but I have yet to see a blind person using them and they are seriously crazy to walk on, especially in heels.  But good idea I guess???

Finally, if you want to buy stuff online here you had best get a local credit card.  We got HSBC international cards thinking that would take care of us.  But as I tried to buy One Republic tickets online today and could not because I didn’t have a correct form of payment, I was reminded that nothing in China is going to be easy or make sense at times.  Where there is a will there is a way and I will keep trying to find tickets but it ain’t going to be easy for sure. 

I have a feeling that every day I will be surprised and appreciative of crazy stuff like umbrella etiquette.   What’s next???