Dragon Dance, Science Tech Museum & Shanghai Circus World

We have been pretty laid back with the rest of our vacation time which has been quite nice.  No Big Agenda is actually quite relaxing.  We have lunched and had dinner with fellow expats that also did not leave.  It's really nice to meet new people and spend time with others that we knew.  We also did some fun at home things with the girls like having a sleepover in mommy and daddy's room with our tent.

Daddy is resting after putting up the girls tent (with a mattress underneath) 

We have explored some of the closer attractions that Shanghai has to offer.  At the very western Mall/Hotel right next door to us, The Kerry Center, they usually offer seasonal or holiday specific entertainment for Eastern and Western Cultures.  We attended some of the Dragon Dance that they offered for Chinese New Year.  Normally the girls would be quite freaked out but I think they were ok since we watched them setting up and specifically the people that make up the dragons getting into costume.   The acrobatics these people did were amazing.  If it weren't for it's timing being just passed nap time, we would have stayed for the whole thing. 

The weather has been cold and rainy (a huge switch from the 70's the other day) so we opted to go to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.  Apparently, we were not the only people with the same idea.  We didn't stay very long and I can't say I would recommend going as the exhibits were not that impressive.  However, my view may be jaded as I was quite annoyed most of the time being pushed into and bumped all over the place.  My momma bear came out a few times when people shoved into the girls.  One of my biggest challenges since being here is changing my mindset to the local standard of personal space.   You really don't have any which is probably because it's a luxury that being in a city of 27 million doesn't afford.  In addition to No personal space, locals have  a very aggressive attitude with getting to or on somewhere.  Lines are not really formed as it's every man on his own.  This is the cultural norm and in their mind, they are not being rude. Conceptually I understand this, but I have a hard time translating this to my Jersey Italian mommy brain when someone practically tramples my kids.  I will hopefully grasp this sooner or later or it's going to be a long 2 more years.

WARNING:  
Some graphic content that may make you loose your lunch!  No seriously.   

For our last adventure today (Chris returns to work tomorrow - Booooooo), we joined up with some friends and shlept everyone onto the metro for a 45m commute to Shanghai Circus World.  I've been in China long enough to expect that even everyday things can slightly to greatly different that in US so I thought I was mentally prepared.  

Although we were going to watch the circus, we were the entertainment on
the way there with 4 white babies. 

The show was advertised as a circus and acrobatic show.  I would say it delivered on all the accounts.  We bought the "cheap seats " as we read that the arena was small.  Honestly, DON'T TELL SHANGHAI CIRCUS WORLD, but the cheap seats were actually pretty great and almost 1/2 of the other seats costs.  (shhhh)
I found myself as equally entertained yet sad as I remember from seeing the circus when I grew up.  You feel bad for the animals though somewhat justified when you think that they do not have the everyday dangers they would if they were in their natural habitat.  I was a bit uneasy by the netting that they put up when they brought the lion and 2 white Bengal tigers out.  I've seen enough animal planet to know that if those animals decided to get out, we would have been lunch.  Maybe that's why the cheap seats were so cheap ;o)
Anyway, they had some incredible acrobatics that were very entertaining and the girls enjoyed watching.  I not so humbly told Helaina how mommy had done both trapeze and the silks that they were doing.  I think my mommy stock went up some.  The clowns seemed a bit less scary here but maybe that's because I'm older.  Overall we did enjoy ourselves and it was worth the trip.  

GRAPHIC PART:
There was a part that threw me off the most that I was NOT prepared for. Actually,  I am not sure any amount of preparation would have done the trick and it was actually BEFORE we even entered the arena.  After we walked down a street trying to find the circus we finally found the entrance.  (Shanghai seems to be notorious for crazy back entrances that are not pedestrian friendly) I was so focused on getting inside because of course we were already late, that I almost did not notice the trashcan 30 feet from the door.  All the adults did a double take and I of course reached for my camera. 

And this was one of two over stuffed trashcans.  Ugh. 

WHAT IN THE CHINA???  We were relieved that there where no cows in the show and sort of relieved that there was a restaurant on property close to the entrance so I'm hoping that this had nothing to do with circus.  NOT that would make this graphic image any prettier but I am glad that this was not related to the show we saw.  (OK vegetarian friends - no commentary necessary)

All in all, we have had a wonderful stay-cation with Chris home but all that ends tomorrow as he returns back to work.  I am grateful that Jane, our helper, returns to work tomorrow too.  I wonder how long it will take Indigo to forget again and say "Mommy cooked this?"  Yes sweet child,  Mommy actually cooked and cleaned all the time just 6 short months ago.  Oh well.  At least the girls still enjoyed what I cooked while Jane was away.    

No Seriously. What in the China

And continuing on with the last post............

It's no wonder that many people would want their perfect day
photographed in the beautiful park that we look at out our window.
However, I would want my money back if there were 4 other brides doing
the same thing at the same time.  

Here is a "cute" character download
from the messaging system that
most people use here.  Nothing
says hello friend like a
like a rabid deranged looking bunny.   

One will notice that many establishments here require their
employees to line up before starting their shift and doing chants
cheers or in this case, dances.  Either that or I just
captured a really bad Chinese Flash Mob

I buy a Chinese Brand of Oatmeal (because if you have ever seen
my children eat, you know I would be broke on import Oatmeal).
I especially love the Chinglish (Poorly translated English) on this bag.

And my favorite of the week.  The furniture company sent an upholstery man
over to help fix our couches that we complained were uncomfortable.
His solution:  He punched holes in every single cushion and pillow.
Good thing it's fake leather and not actually ours.
Can't wait to see what the kids stick in these holes.

What in the China?

I am currently working on a food blog, and have been doing so for quite some time.  I hope it won't take much longer.  However, in the interim, I had to start this post (which I hope to add to over our entire stay her in Shanghai).

Almost daily, I have to do a double take or call a friend and say "Did this just happen?"  I see so many things that are quite possibly normal for here but completely outrageous for me (and I suspect for most of you as well).  According to my friends that have been here for some time, this is entertainment that isn't due to run out anytime soon.

And now I present to you, WHAT IN THE CHINA?????

This is a kids vending machine which spits out action figures
currently dying and their spirits leaving their bodies

One of the many overloaded bikes or mopeds.  At least there is not
a family of 4 on this one as well. 

For National Week fireworks, the cars just stopped on a
8 lane, 2 way road in front of our flat, to get out and watch.  No Joke.
By the end there was only 1 lane of moving traffic.
PS.  The fireworks were AAAAA-MAZING.  (and I am usually not a fan) 

One of my favorites, the baby floating pool.  An inner tube is strapped around
the babies head so that they can float in the pool.  I am not
exactly sure what the proposed benefit is.
And yes I thought it ok to post a pic of someones baby
as most locals here that have seen us have random pictures of our children.  

They DO indeed eat some crazy
things here like the seahorse shown in the picture.  Read the
upcoming food blog about the scorpions that you are
darn sure I didn't try!

This picture is compliments of my friend Elizabeth.
It was taken at one of the local grocery stores.
Nothing quite says battery power like a bunny
dressed in military garb donning a semi automatic weapon
(or at least that's what I think it is - my gun knowledge is proudly lacking)

One of the very sweet text messages that I regularly receive,
sent to me on my cell phone - or at least google translate has
led me to believe it's sweet.
Thankfully, incoming messages are free.


As I said, I plan to add to this particular post and I think Shanghai will cooperate as is not short on this type of material.   We miss everyone dearly and hope that you have enjoyed yet another peak into life as we know it right now.  Until next time, WHAT IN THE CHINA?????