Our China adventure published. A dream realized.

On August 27, 2016 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Beijing, China, expat, Great Wall, Hong Kong, Nanjing, Seattle, Shanghai, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Cross that off the bucket list-publish book. When we moved to Shanghai in 2013, I started a blog to stay in touch with family and record our adventures. It grew into a daily rhythm to capture the craziness that was our daily life in China. Soon, people from around the world started reaching out to me for advice: Where can I get dog food? Should I bring my own mattress or buy one there? Where should I live if I have kids? Is the pollution really bad? Why yes, it is. Now you know. The lungs don’t lie. Buy a mask and wear it.

When my transfer details were finally worked out and I accepted the offer, I immediately went online and looked for blogs or books to get a feel for what our new normal would feel like. I would be a female executive navigating through the Chinese business world while Thom adjusted to being a trailing spouse. I was disappointed to only find guide books primarily aimed at tourists. I was going to become a local expat and needed a source of truth to turn to that would help guide me through all the unexpected challenges from walking down the street without getting run over (truly a challenge daily!) to opening a bank account and being surprised they still used an abacus to conduct transactions. WTF.

We relied on our Chinese tutor, Fiona, to guide us through many obstacles and just explored through fearless curiosity daily in our quest to not live in the typical expat bubble and instead venture out into the real China. Daily we learned and as our confidence grew, Thom took off on a bike to explore and take beautiful photos and I jumped on the bullet train to commute to Beijing and Nanjing for work on a regular basis.

As a result, our blog posts and photos chronicled a journey that few folks get to take. Those that are lucky enough to live in China can use our lessons learned to adjust quickly and with less pain than we went through at times. Not that we didn’t love living there because we did. We would walk down the Bund, climb the Great Wall (4x) and pinch ourselves. “We live in China!” It never got old and we miss our life and the people there. The pollution, not so much.

Pulling these stories all together after we returned home to Seattle was Thom’s year-long journey. Who knew it was so hard to edit a book? I swear every time we thought we had all the spacing, spelling and template formatting just the way we wanted it, we found more opportunities to improve and had to change it. FINALLY, we hit the button and made my frustrated inner writer very, very happy when Seattle to Shanghai and Back Again: Our Year as Expats in China became a reality.

Maze anyone?

Will miss Hong Kong!

Fearless and Lucky I am according to my FT

Will anyone read it? Maybe. My mom will. The aunt of a guy I met at a friend’s party who just moved to Shanghai to work for Intel will. Who knows, maybe other people? Making money and world publishing dominance was never the impetus for writing this book. Sharing our adventures, recounting our tales so our granddaughter, Mia, will know that her GiGi and NaiNai were crazy world travelers while she was just being born as well as helping other expats adjust to life in China were the main objectives so we are happy. Back in Seattle, we are always looking for the next adventure. A vacation to Ireland is coming up soon and then possible work travel to India and Europe. Would we move abroad again? You never know. Life is short.

WP_20140602_001 — Our Ayi, Pink, and our Chinese tutor, Fiona

Excercise in the Park-2 — My new friend and I exercising in the park.

“Seattle to Shanghai and Back Again: Our Year as Expats in China” is available here-looks best in color versions vs. Kindle b/w due to photos:

Softcover book: http://www.blurb.com/b/7250489-seattle-to-shanghai-and-back-again

eBook: http://www.blurb.com/ebooks/588686

Amazon Kindle: Seattle to Shanghai and Back Again: Our Year as Expats in China

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC46Dht4h7e7Tebgx6Ri9tMA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seattletoshanghai/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seattletoshanghaiandbackagain/

Other blogs on WordPress: https://alleyesonshanghai.com/2016/03/24/seattle-to-shanghai-and-back-again/

Seattle Speakeasies-Cheers!

On July 30, 2016July 30, 2016 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, booze, Cocktails, liquor, Seattle, Seattle Nightlife, Speakeasies, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

“Go to the far side of the room. Pick up the phone and identify yourself. We will come and get you at the metal door.” Thus, our speakeasy adventure in Seattle began on a hot Friday night.

Interesting that speakeasies are, by nature, supposed to be secret and exclusive but they are trending all over social media these days. Our first stop, Needle and Thread, was recommended by several people at work, so off we went for a taste test. Reading up on the speakeasy protocol, I learned that you can call in advance to secure a RSVP in this very small (probably 20 people max) prohibition-style experience. Just calling to get the RSVP was fun-you leave a message (no more than 7 days in advance) after hearing the strict rules–if you are lucky enough to get a call back, you better actually PICK UP THE CALL to talk to the host or you won’t get in. Done.

Promptly at 5 p.m. when the parent bar, Tavern Hall, opened, we were at the phone calling upstairs to gain entrance to the speakeasy, Needle and Thread. Dress code: “Keep it classy”. Not sure what their definition of “classy” is but Thom was rocking his porkpie hat and looking very hipster. When our friends arrived after fighting the horrible Friday Seattle gridlock, our drink master interviewed us on our cocktail/alcohol preferences as there is no menu and they warn you in advance not to expect an appletini to be made in their establishment. There ARE speakeasy standards after all and only custom cocktails served, thank you very much. Prepping for our trip to Ireland in the fall, I’m leaning into whiskey to be better equipped to take on the true Irish experience. Our host got it right, creating for me an iced cocktail created with Irish Bushmills whiskey, orange liqueur, cherry herring and lime juice. Tart and sweet and very refreshing on a hot day in a bar where ceiling fans provided the only air conditioning. We drank up, chatted politics and then headed down Pike St. to our next speakeasy experience.

After wandering the block looking for Foreign National, I spied an unique door tucked away between other restaurants-found it! Through the layers of beads and velvet curtains, we quickly hopped into a communal booth with strangers as the space is limited and in high demand. While we sat and enjoyed our cocktail creations, other bar patrons streamed in looking in vain for seats in this trendy bar. I went for the Foreign National house cocktail made up of pisco, Amaro Montenegro, honey, sour orange served with an egg white frost on top. Petite and delicious. Our friends had the complex cocktail named Osaka #1 consisting of Suntory Toki whiskey, vermouth blanc, lemon, yuxu, orgeat, ardbert spritz and anise smoke. WOW-I have not a clue what most of that stuff is but I got a taste of it and it was interesting to say the least.

I loved the speakeasy ambience with the small interesting spaces filled with people who value quality booze concoctions over quantity. I can’t wait to check out other speakeasies in Seattle (list below) and in NYC when we visit our favorite city in the fall. Cheers!

Cheers to 28 years of marriage this weekend!

Photos featured credited to the incredble photo stylings of Karmann K.

Foreign National, 300 E. Pike St., Story in Seattle Times: http://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/foreign-national-is-this-the-best-new-bar-in-seattle/; http://www.foreignnationalbar.com/; http://www.yelp.com/biz/foreign-national-seattle-2

Needle and Thread at Tavern Law, 1406 12^th Ave., RSVP 206-325-0133, http://www.mccrackentough.com/tavernlaw/; http://www.yelp.com/biz/needle-and-thread-seattle?osq=speakeasy

Bath Tub and Gin, 2205 2^nd Ave. http://bathtubginseattle.com/; http://www.yelp.com/biz/bathtub-gin-and-co-seattle?osq=speakeasy

Knee High Stocking, 1356 E. Olive Way, http://www.kneehighstocking.com/;http://www.yelp.com/biz/knee-high-stocking-co-seattle?osq=speakeasy

Many thanks to Karmann K. for sharing her photos of the evening’s adventure!

Thor’s Incredible Improbable Journey

On December 28, 2014December 28, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn China, Dog, expat, Seattle, Shanghai, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

From his very humble beginnings in China as the runt of the litter, riddled with illness and unwanted by everyone including his mama, by all measures, Thor should not have even lived let alone be now enjoying life in Seattle. Rescued by a kind expat who found him in the Shanghai stable where she rode horses, he was given a second chance at life. However, she almost immediately faced a life crisis of her own when she had to leave China quickly due to personal issues. She reached out via our apartment complex’s Shimao Riviera Facebook group that Thom belonged to and improbably we became foster parents to a Chinese rescue dog in July 2014.

Teeny tiny Thor barely weighed a pound when we got walks between James' legs — Teeny tiny Thor barely weighed a pound when we got him. Here, he explores walking between the legs of the giant, otherwise known as my son James.

Thom quickly started taking Thor to the vet to do whatever it took to nurse the little one pounder back to health. I had been in the U.S. on business and came home to meet the little ball of fur that would steal our hearts despite all the odds against him. Sequestered inside for the first few months as he got his shots, we were finally able to take him outside at about four months old. Teaching him to climb stairs was vastly amusing and the look on his fuzzy face when he met his first cat, who promptly hissed at him, was priceless. Of course when we found out that we were repatriating to the U.S. in October, we knew Thor had to come too. Though we feared what a transatlantic flight experience would be like with a puppy, we prayed heavily and, miraculously, he silently sat underneath the seat and was perfect the whole trip to the point we were poking him to see if he was still alive he was so quiet. Amazing!

Not that Thor is always perfect. Last week, as we transitioned from our temporary apartment to our new digs in Seattle, he went through a “I’ll piss on Thom” rampage every day as his teeny tiny bladder needs what feels like constant attention vs. his older brother, Izaak, who only needs walked a couple times a day. Thor’s more of a “walk me every two hours or I’ll piss on you” type of dog. Thom especially hopes his bladder grows stronger quickly as he ages but, in the meantime, water is regulated and walks are frequent. He is just getting old enough to be fixed so, on Valentine’s Day as is our custom on this romantic day with our dogs, we will take him to the vet to be changed forever. Maybe that will help? Here’s hoping!

Thor’s brother, Izaak, our eight year old Vizsla who stayed with our daughter while we were living in China, has become his new chew toy and constant partner in crime. Izaak has taught Thor to raid our trash cans. They also just love to chew on toilet paper right off the roll-yum, yum. Thor can only dream of getting big enough to eat off the kitchen counters and drink out of the toilets like Izaak can do if left unmonitored. They love chasing each other, lapping the apartment. Our neighbor below us doesn’t find it nearly as fun and pounds on his ceiling (with a broom??) to show his displeasure. Too bad grumpy person–dogs just LOVE to have fun and while Thor at four pounds doesn’t sound like the thundering herd, Izaak topping out at 50+ pounds probably does sounds like a small pony galloping around. So sorry! Thor has also become the consummate sock stealer and only needs a second left alone to take off and hide under the couch to chew on his ill gotten goods. Our pet sitter, Madeline, found out the hard way as she must have left the dynamic duo alone for a few minutes, in which time Thor stole her socks while Izaak collapsed on our bed/pillows for a quick nap-check out this tag team of devious dogs below. P.S. Izaak chose Thom’s pillow to park his ass and I got doggy drool on my pillow. Ahhhh, being a pet owner is fun.

Thor guards his stolen sock booty while Thor naps on our memory foam pillows — Thor guards his stolen sock booty while Izaak naps on our memory foam pillows

SHANGHAI FAREWELL TOUR–I will miss it all

On October 28, 2014October 28, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, China, expat, Shanghai, Travel1 Comment

As my days are numbered here in Shanghai, I thought it would be brilliant to do a “What I will miss and not miss list” to remember our adventures here. On my final day before going to the U.S. for a business trip, I ran by my hairdresser Michael first for a touch up to look as good as I can for the new job. First impressions and all. He was sad to lose his steady client and I was sad that I wasn’t going to be around to see his new salon open up eventually, a project he has been working on for as long as I have known him. It’s China, of course, so it is taking forever. Afterward I walked a few miles to a final dinner with our friends, Patti and Larry, who are staying for a week after I have to leave. It has been a joy to share China with them.

My town-I will miss it especially on a clear day.

Of course I couldn’t find a taxi at rush hour but enjoyed the long walk to Lost Heaven on The Bund through the former French Concession all by my lonesome. It was dark yet I felt safe and the locals were enjoying their walks home too and starting to source dinner from the many street vendors. The tiny shops were all still open trying to lure commuters in to buy their goods.

I soaked it all in knowing this would be my last long walk alone in China. Then it dawned on me. I WILL MISS IT ALL–the good, the bad and the crazy that is China. Just as there is no place like NYC, there is no place like China and I have been lucky enough to live in both wonderful places.

I’ll miss the smile from the taxi driver as I try to practice my Mandarin and agree that the scooter he almost hit deserved it by getting in his way. We laughed so hard in the taxi coming home from dinner when, we heard the taxi driver’s friend which he was talking with on his mobile as he drove the busy streets hawk a loogie with a force so huge that it came through the speaker loud and clear. ARRRRRGH but that’s China and if you breathed in all that pollution every day, you would hawk up a lung too.

I’ll miss playing the “What’s the AQI?” game daily with Thom as we wake up and check out the “fog” in the early morning light. If you can see the bridge in the distance, it’s a good day. Can’t see across the river? It’s a 250+ AQI day so wear that air mask! Pollution bad? Good day to buy more $2 DVD’s and have movie day/night/week and order in food delivered by Sherpa’s.

The TV’s not working again in the bedroom for the fifth straight day? Yep-time to read a book. Instagram blocked now? Astril VPN being targeted and slowed down by the you know who? Yep-time to read a book. Be courageous and drink a cold beverage with ice made from local tap water and end up being crazy sick. Yep-time to spend some quality bathroom time reading a good book. Needless to say, my Amazon Kindle bill has gone up in China and many books have been read.

Now, just as we had to move on from our NYC adventure, now it is our time to leave China. As we repatriate to Seattle, I will challenge myself to keep on writing and observing life with the new lens I have acquired from my China cultural immersion. Yes, I will appreciate the blue skies more but I will also seek out the new and different cultural experiences that are everywhere not just China to keep the adventure alive. We are only on this planet a limited number of days. Why waste one moment being boring when you can make every day special and new?

Everyone likes a good list–especially me, so here’s mine so I won’t forget the fun times in Shanghai:

WHAT I WILL MISS

*a sense of security that I feel in China–no one is going to hurt me, steal from me, rape me, etc. It could happen but rarely ever does here vs. on the streets of Seattle downtown, you never feel safe. There are drugs deals going down (never in China) and people beating each other in broad daylight. I will carry a whistle, mace and running shoes to get away fast when I move to Seattle.

*rat motif items–I am born in the Year of the Rat and have started my own little rodent collection of tasteful and colorful rats to celebrate the year of my birth. Who knew the vermin could be so cute?

*Vietnam–a country full of super nice, smiling people and interesting places. I must go back.

Crooked, sloping, uneven, and totally awesome-steps at the Great Wall

*foot massage, foot massage, foot massage–how could I have gone my whole life prior to China without this necessity to keep my body whole and healthy and, yes, 90 minutes is not enough…not nearly…

*going to the local shoe repair guy who works on the street by my house 7 days a week – $2 to stitch up my bag that ripped and no waiting. Smile he gives me because he appreciates me supporting a local craftsman=priceless.

*beautiful flowers and colored lights to prettify the highways that are choked with traffic.

*the Great Wall-got to go 4x and loved every trip especially the toboggan to go down

*warm egg tarts from KFC–yum,yum,yum!

*various colors light up Pearl Tower depending on the holiday aka Empire State Building but with more gov’t. control

*$2 DVD’s-you get used to seeing movies in the comfort of your own home while they are in the theaters and the subtitles go unnoticed after awhile

*unexpected bursts of loud bangs as businesses attract the gods of good fortune with firecrackers

*Our ayi, Pink, smiling and wearing my NYC taxi apron while taking care of us and our gorgeous apartment

*large rooms and square footage–Seattle teeny tiny spaces with no closet space not so much

*Strictly Cookies, English muffins, Taiwan crackers-carbs galore

*surprises around every corner at every moment

*bargaining like a mule at the fake markets and getting bargains

*collecting pillow covers of every type and color–it has become an obsession

*my plants-they made our apartment beautiful and they lived despite me and my plant guy who would deliver even the heaviest banana tree right to the exact spot I wanted it..glad that Fiona’s friend took them all

*sense of delight when I found food I could eat that wouldn’t make me sick-thanks Fresh Elements

*our support team-Fiona who tried hard to teach us Chinese and bought stuff for us on Taobao, watched Thor, and did everything we needed to make life possible here; Robert and Billy who ensured we had car service fast and reliable; smiling fruit lady on the corner adding extra fruit in our bag because we always overpaid

*neon lights, flashing lights on every thing for any reason

*watching the ferries dodge the coal boats-reflexes extraordinaire

I will miss the Pearl Tower on a rare blue sky Shanghai day.

WHAT I WON’T MISS…all that much but maybe a little

*killer elevator in our building with doors that would either maim or kill you–I got some serious bruises from being stupid and not realizing that the doors would close on my flesh vs. the U.S. version that had safety features

*spotty at best internet, TV that doesn’t work most of the time though it’s good to live without it

*those damn bumps on the sidewalks making it difficult to walk–for the blind? Really?

*avoiding sitting directly behind the taxi driver so I won’t get hit with backwash from him hocking his lungs out the window and bracing for impact because there are never seat belts that work

*worrying that I’ll get sick or crack a tooth and have to submit myself to the China medical system, which is scary even at the best ex-pat places. Got great insurance but don’t want to use it.

*gov’t. Control of all media including blocking Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. to keep the peace. It’s just scary not really knowing what the hell is going on in your city.

*public pissing. nuf said

*toxic water, no food safety, chunky air that makes me cough, cough, cough…lungs can heal, right?

*cars, buses, bikes, scooters all trying to kill me daily…thus, the mottos below

SHANGHAI MOTTOS

*I’d really like to not die today–repeat daily

*you can die fast or you can die slow–a Fionaism

*it’s China (as answers to almost everything, i.e. why is this happening??)

*be nimble or die–use when dodging traffic

Good Bye Hong Kong! — Will miss Hong Kong!

Shanghai Farewell Tour-The “Mule” Hits The Market

On October 27, 2014October 27, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, China, Fashion, Shanghai, Shopping, Travel3 Comments

“Take Thom as collateral”. Please. I offered my hubster earnestly to the scarf lady who wanted 100 RMB to ensure we would stay and wait for her to retrieve our requested 200+ scarves I wanted to buy. As Fiona interpreted, she shook her head fiercely in protest, indicating that the crazy Laowai was not a good trade–we settled on 20 RMB which tells you what Thom is really worth. Just saying, sweetie–Chinese perspective. Nothing personal.

With rolling suitcase and multiple Ikea blue bags in tow, we journeyed to the South Bund Fabric Market to bargain the day away. Now, I’ve been known to be called the “Mule” at the markets and today was no exception. No comment, those of you who know me. Note–I have also been called a “bulldog” at work but that’s another story. Funny, I never get compared to the quiet, beautiful animals like a swan or cuddly ones like the panda. Hmmm…

I started with Thom’s favorite Tibetan lady (gal in the red in the pic) with her jewelry spread out on several blankets outside the market–you get a better price if the vendor isn’t paying for stall rent. Having previously bought a few pieces, I knew the price and pieces I was looking for–no more than 25 RMB ($4 US) and lower is better. Unfortunately the Tibetan lady didn’t stock quantity in any items so on to the next blanket. The word spread fast that I was a “buyer” and the vendors put two and two together with Thom watching over our large suitcase…. this Laowai had some RMB to lay down! Let the stampede begin.

Let the negotiating (and screaming) begin!

They started rushing me with similar necklaces to the one I had picked up to check out. I finally found one gal who had some multiple units of what I was looking to buy for our accessory business that Thom/James will run in the US online plus I was buying for my friend Patti to start her own business back in the wilds of Indiana. God Bless Fiona who just laid into it with her as the bargaining began and quickly became heated. As the Mule with the RMB, I kept shaking my head and using my best Mandarin bargaining phrases that always come in handy. A couple watching it all go down (guy in blue shirt) wanted Fiona to help them too but she waved them off–she is our bulldog negotiator. I did share with the nice folks what they should be paying so they didn’t get ripped off. I’m nice like that–sharing the “Mule” tips to the world.

We got what we wanted and a few stink eye glares from the vendor (white/black check shirt gal) who still took my RMB. I was disappointed not to get all I wanted but I'[l go back to the AP market, where I have found it’s easier to find 10/20 units of the same necklace, which fits our online store concept model better. Thom’s so excited-more shopping and carrying bags. Oh Joy!

Then, it was off to the back local street to gather up 200+ scarves for 8 RMB ($1.33) each for really nice prints on large cotton-like scarves. At first overwhelmed at picking out 25 or so patterns, I quickly starting using my print radar to pick out the best on the cart. Fiona told me later that the local women were watching my selection process and, drawing a crowd, immediately started buying whatever I was choosing–the crazy Laowai lady must know her stuff, right??? Thom swears his very presence attracted the ladies but we all know better.

After refusing Thom as collateral, off the vendor went to her home to get the stock we needed–back in 30 minutes she promised. A hour and a half later, she finally showed up with LOTS of scarves in tow. While we waited for her, the vendor’s mom told us we needed to straighten the scarf display as we had messed it up with our selection frenzy. Sure, no problem, I got this. I have many, many years of retail experience. After just a few folds, the lady told Fiona to tell me to STOP! It seems that I may need some scarf display lessons as she suggested to Fiona that NO ONE WOULD BUY the scarves I was rolling up to stack on the table. Okay, message received. After I had paid for my many scarves, though, everyone was all smiles. Good day at the market for all!

Shanghai Farewell Tour-Be The Duck

On October 26, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, China, expat, Parks, Shanghai, TravelLeave a comment

THE BIG DUCK HAS ARRIVED! Back in Shanghai after furiously working for two weeks at the new job in the U.S., Thom and I didn’t waste time getting out and about on a beautiful sunny blue sky day on Saturday. Destination–the big Duck. Yes, the famous Duck had arrived to sit on the pond in Century Park and be admired by millions of selfie happy locals. Twenty deep in some spots close to the big dude, we weaved our way up close to take our photos as well. If there were more ducks on display, the world would be a happier place.

The duck has special meaning to me as one of the courses I taught had a “Be The Duck” theme and I decorated with plastic yellow duckies everywhere for ambience. I will probably be forever known as the duck lady to my classes but, as long as they remember to be calm like the duck on the outside when presenting material while paddling furiously unbeknownst to the seeing eye, I’m okay with that. I still carry my own little duck in my briefcase to remind me daily–kind of like a “never let them see you sweat” mantra. It works. It also makes me smile every time my bag hits my leg and quacks a little.

After the duck encounter, and really, who doesn’t love a duck, we headed over to the AP market to make someone’s day. You see, we’ve decided to do a little import/export business selling accessories back home. We’ve made some great connections here and when someone compliments you on the $4 necklace you bought and asked if you got it at Anthropologie and did it cost $88, well, you know you’ve got a business just begging to be created. My friend Patti and I will work with Fiona, our language teacher here, to buy, ship and sell lovely scarves and necklaces. We’ll use our profits to fund more travel adventures and possibly have James assist so he can earn money to pay for law school. More to come as we transition to Seattle and get it up and running!

Walking miles back to the apartment, ’cause that’s what we do, we soaked up every detail and smell on the streets. Oh how I have loved living here and, yes, it feels like home.

Shanghai Farewell Tour-Wedding Shanghai Style

On October 10, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, China, Fashion, ShanghaiLeave a comment

Many days we have walked by a hotel and seen the beautiful (and expensive) cars decorated with flowers to celebrate a wedding. And when I say expensive, I am talking that a Porsche is the entry level with Bentleys and Rolls Royce being preferred–the bigger the car, the better the status. We walked by this lovely Porsche on a hot sunny day recently and admired it’s beauty until we saw the driver sawing logs reclined in the front seat and quietly snuck away so as not to disturb his beauty sleep–weddings will do that to you!

Wedding car is decked out with floral hood ornament

The ritual seems to be that the bride/groom lead the wedding processional in the most elaborate car with a hood floral centerpiece with the wedding party cars decorated more discreetly with flowers on the side mirrors. Not having actually been invited to attend the inner sanctum of a wedding ceremony, I can only imagine how over the top the flowers are there if their gorgeous cars are any indication.

Romeo and Juliet style for wedding photo shoot on the Bund

As in the U.S., the ceremony might be nice, the food should be good but the pictures are everything. On weekends especially, if you go to The Bund or the parks, you will surely see the brides and grooms getting their pictures taken in picturesque settings, posing with their wedding party. This occurs sometimes months before or after the wedding or for their engagement party. The dresses are elaborate and gorgeous. No expenses spared for Chinese weddings!

It seems like the river boats on the Huangpu River are rented out for weddings frequently. Typically, you will see a huge banner hanging on the side with portrait of the happy couple. Nothing like seeing yourself 12 feet tall and flapping in the breeze to celebrate the happy day. Can’t imagine what that sets back the parents paying for those parties. Yikes!

We were at the Cool Docks recently and the center restaurant among the fountains had been decked out for a wedding in the evening. We didn’t stick around but I’m sure it was just beautiful. White cut out light cylinders indicated a night wedding with the formal chairs and runners all in white and very formal. Party on!

On another night as we were going to Shook bar on the Bund, we ran into, literally, a wedding party just breaking up. The flowers were everywhere and their backdrop banner provided Thom and I with an unique opportunity to “borrow” their props. Always the newlyweds we are!

Taking advantage of wedding collateral at Shook! Bar to pose with my love

Shanghai Farewell Tour-Witnessing the Feast of Sacrifice

On October 7, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, China, Shanghai, Travel, Trips outside Shanghai, UncategorizedLeave a comment

WARNING: Do NOT read this post if you are a child, have a weak stomach or love sheep. REALLY. I’M NOT JOKING. This interlude may have scarred Patti for life and instead of remembering the cuddly Panda’s we saw at the zoo, she’ll never forget the sheep doomed to die. That being said, it is China and as we say here, you can die fast or you can die slow. The sheep unfortunately had to go the route of the former vs. the latter.

While strolling as a group to the local wet market as part of our cooking class, little did we know we were going to witness a ritual to celebrate Eid al-Adha, the feast of sacrifice. NOOOOOOO…we thought we would pick up some ingredients for our lovely lunch and then merrily skip back to Helen’s apartment for our class. Along the way we saw the cutest sheep tied to the fence so we stopped to take some photos. It’s not often you see live animals in the streets of Shanghai, so I had to take a photo of the boy feeding the cute sheep a leaf. Little did I know that would be his last meal on Earth.

BEFORE

Coming out of the market, we saw a group of people with their phones out taking pictures. As we got closer, we saw that the cuddly sheep had been sacrificed and were strung up by their hooves and were being butchered right there on the street IN FRONT OF CHILDREN! While Emily, the vegetarian in our cooking class, quickly ran away screaming, I felt I had to document what was the most gruesome sight I have ever seen. If I wasn’t somewhat of a vegetarian before, I am now. Thom quickly informed me as he shot photos, that this must be the hajj faithful offering a sacrifice by slaughtering a sheep with the meat going to the needy.

In the Shanghai Daily, Thom had read an article on the festival that 1.5 billion Muslim around the world celebrate. While I respect the culture, it was shocking to see it played out in public for all to see. But that’s why I came on this adventure-to experience new and different cultures–so it was fitting that I witnessed this while still in China. Still, the sheep were so cute….

Shanghai Farewell Tour-Designing Clothes and Shoes Oh My!

On October 4, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, China, expat, Fashion, Seattle, Shanghai, Shopping, TravelLeave a comment

When in China, right? I had been here a whole year and never gotten custom tailored clothes but with less than 10 days left for me here, I threw caution (and a few hundred RMB) to the wind and decided I would always regret not doing it so off to the South Bund Fabric Market we went! HOT DAMN AND HOLD ME BACK-It’s time to design some fashion to remember my stay in China!

Planning ahead with my favorite shirt in tow as a sample, we hit the market after negotiating for yet more jewelry from the street vendors. 10 RMB ($1.50US) for earrings! Thom made a new friend with the sales lady from Tibet and I got some cool Christmas presents. The market here is three floors consisting mostly of tailors hawking Chinese dresses, suits, outerwear, dresses, etc. so it can be very overwhelming with aggressive hawkers, “LADY, YOU NEED A SUIT???” We had gotten some tailor recommendations from our expat group but, of course, forgot the info so we wandered around. Before you start selecting fabrics and start to negotiate for “best and final friend price”, decide what you are willing to spend and then let the fun begin.

I originally went to just get a French cuff business shirt and a knock off of my favorite knit shirt from Kenneth Cole. We got all the way to the third floor before I found a knit vendor and a friendly merchant named May. She and I picked out fabrics, colors and went over the design to replicate my sample shirt with long sleeves instead of short. For only 150 RMB, I’ll be getting two knit shirts custom tailored to my specs and designed by me in the colors and fabric I picked out. I’m thinking these will quickly become my most flattering and favorite shirts-pics to come.

Thrilled to be designing again (back in the day I was a clothing buyer), I asked her to guide me to a vendor to create my cotton French cuff shirt next, knowing she would get guanxi (good will) from this referral. The next tailor was not so conversant but together we managed to design a special shirt with a different pattern for the inner collar and cuffs to spice up the classic white shirt. Picking out the collar design and the cuff style, we were done and I parted with 120 RMB($20 US) for my shirt that hopefully will fit better than any I can get off the rack at Zara.

I redesigned this dress in dark grey with long sleeves, lower neckline and longer length.

By then, Patti had gotten the designing fever and decided she just had to join in and started trying on coats with my new tailor friend, May. Opting for a classic car coat style in brown with a lining to be picked out by May, who by know we trusted explicitly, I started to try on dresses. I had been a dress buyer a long, long time ago and designed lines myself of dresses so I had a great time picking out fabrics and taking one of their sample dress as a template to lengthen, change the sleeve length, lower the neckline in a dark grey heavy knit fabric. The fact that I could shimmy my way into their sample size dress at all was a minor miracle. Can’t wait to see the finished dress!

Thom's getting a new leather coat for Christmas — Thom’s getting a new leather coat for Christmas

Now it was Thom’s turn to get the cool biker leather jacket he has been dreaming of with zipped gusset sleeves and soft leather that was the “good stuff”, which meant more RMB. While I shopped for dragon cuff links to go with my new shirt, he was measured by two tailors who appreciated that he was one of the few expats able to actually fit into their samples, being the tall thin dude that he is. Let’s face it, most expats here have drank a few too many steins of beer and are carrying 50+ extra pounds. Not my fit and trim hubby-he loves fashion and isn’t afraid of some style in his wardrobe. As you can see by the picture, he also isn’t afraid to make a fashion statement, rocking his Hong Kong shirt in support of the protestors.

Thom will be styling’ in Seattle with his custom made boots and custom tailored leather jacket. We went for his initial boot fitting last week and the ombre grey side stitched boots with red trim will be done before we head home. Yes, the boot model for his first fitting is pink but the final result will be a work of art, designed from several styles to incorporate an inner zipper, side accent laces (red) with toe stitching in red as well. We love our shoes and will also fondly remember our adventures in China as we stroll the streets of Seattle sipping our Americano’s from Stumptown.

Thom's custom boot model is pink but the final product will be ombre grey — Thom’s custom boot model is pink but the final product will be ombre grey

Thom is thrilled with the boot he designed

Shanghai Farewell Tour-Newfound Love for Martini’s

On October 3, 2014 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, China, expat, Seattle, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

With my best buddy Patti along for the martini tour, we have been sampling Shanghaitini’s as often as possible. Believe it or not, Patti had NEVER EVER tasted a martini before in her whole entire life. WHAT??? I am so honored to be able to be the one to initiate this martini virgin into the ways of the tini.

Of course, first stop was Morton’s who has an incredible Happy Hour with a variety of martini’s with unlimited steak sandwiches too for only 45 RMB. What a bargain for strong alcohol and bloody meat that won’t kill you. SCORE! That being said, don’t ever eat off the menu at Morton’s cause it will cost you a fortune. Still smarting from that $350 US dinner bill we had this year after I failed to realize just how expensive steak is in China. Never again, Thom! I don’t care how good that filet mignon was, it’s not made of gold.

But back to the alcohol….While I used to avoid any drinks with ice and any drinks that even touched ice to cool down the alcohol due to the water toxicity in the ice, I have since gotten over it and embraced cold cocktails in China. Bring on the margarita’s and martini’s–I am fearless AND stupid now.

Patti enjoying the second martini of her life at Blue Marlin

With a cinnamon sugar rim and a nice pour, Patti enjoyed her first sip and that was it. A martini fan was born. Though I still drink martini’s too fast vs. sipping wine, I feel a need to mix up my alcohol choices. A woman doesn’t live by wine alone but, I guess you could.

At the Blue Marlin (where we have been eating free for months due to winning a 2500 RMB gift certificate at the Irish Ball), we decided a martini tasting was in order. While the rim was only sugar, the taste was still there–sweet and sour and green all over-yum. Looking forward to tasting more martini’s in Seattle when I return. I’m betting Patti finds a martini bar in Indiana to continue tasting Appletini’s Midwest Style.

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