Shanghai.

So yup, I’m sitting here in my living room in Shanghai. After about 9 hours of tiring flights from Singapore via Bangkok to Shanghai, we finally touched down at the Pudong International Airport. What greeted us was a gale that is blowing into the airport from outside (OK so maybe it wasn’t a gale to the native Shanghaiese, but to us coming from somewhere so hot, even the slightest breeze here feels like a gale). Took a bus from the airport to Jingan Temple, where we were then picked up by Yvonne and Min Chuan (or more affectionately known as 彭彭). We initially wanted to take a cab from Jingan Temple back to wherever we are supposed to be staying, but apparently we arrived at the rush hour (certainly can tell considering that it took us an hour and a half to get from the airport to Jingan Temple) so there was no cab in sight – we decided to take the Metro back to Zhongshan Park, where our flat is located.

Honestly speaking the flights yesterday were boring. No disrespect to anyone at Thai Airways, but as far as I’m concerned, I can certainly make do with air stewards and stewardesses who are younger and prettier. But then again, I spent most of my time reading on the plane (finished the whole copy of the Chinese Asiaweek!) so it didn’t matter to me how they really look. Besides, I got my wine testing session onboard so I’m not really complaining.

In any case, after reaching the place that we are staying (still finding a bit hard to call it home, but I guess I’ll get used to it fairly quickly), we went out for dinner and man, the big bowl of noodles that I had was simply outstanding. It was big, tasty, and most importantly, cheap! At 7.50 RMB it is a much better catch compared to anything that is available back in Singapore. Did a bit of shopping and bought some bedding items, before going back home to unpack. Slept at about 1 and surprisingly, I managed to sleep all the way through. Seems like my plan of not sleeping until coming to Shanghai helped. Apparently I’m the only one out of all those who came yesterday who manageed to sleep all the way through.

Today will be another day out – and the best thing is it’s been raining in Shanghai since 5.30 pm yesterday. And it doesn’t seem to be stopping any moment soon. Even if it does, the peddles of water along the road are quite a difficult part. But then again, as what SQ said to me before, everyday will be a new experience.

The crazy thing though is that while everyone feels horribly cold, I seem to be the only one who is able to take the coldness that has bestowed upon me.

Discovery of the day: Chinese drivers horn for thrill. They really do – I think I’ve lost count of how many times the I’ve heard horns.

Welcome to Shanghai.

The bus to Jingan Temple