The Hai Life

WHAT'S UP SHANGHAIIIIIII

I spent two nights in Shanghai in two different hotels. The first one was a hostel dorm in the city proper, but I had a devil of a time finding my way to it because my phone ran out of battery right as I got into the city, so I had to squat in a shopping mall with my charger for an hour wHOOPS.

Ultimately, I got there, dropped my stuff, and then set out to visit the famous Shanghai Bund.

Absolutely worth it.

It was visiting during the Mid-Autumn Festival, and so I decided I wanted to buy some mooncakes to celebrate! Unfortunately, the area around the Bund doesn't have any proper supermarkets, and all the convenience stores didn't sell mooncakes.

So then how on earth did I get this one?

As a cashier was apologetically telling me they didn't carry mooncakes, a customer with a large bag came up to us, and offered me an individually-wrapped mooncake from his supply! They were apparently a gift from a business partner, and he was willing to part with one. I was really moved, thanked him profusely, and then he was on his way. I carried the cake back to the waterfront and enjoyed it while watching the full moon.

The historic side of the river.

I think this ultimately lead to some fancy restaurant, but mostly it was just good public ambiance.

Wide view of the waterfront.

The weather was beautiful, so most of the waterfront was really crowded, but walking away from the main attractions, it was quite peaceful.

After watching the scenery and the people to my heart's content, I stopped by a silk shop on my way back to the metro (my goal was to get Christmas shopping done this trip) and then back to the hostel. I was recruited into a game of pool by two of the friendlier hostel guests, but as I am 1) bad at pool and 2) bad at befriending strangers, I retired quickly.

Day 2

The next day I headed to a historic area that was a prime tourist destination and small business market. It was time to commence Christmas shopping in earnest.

This was a store that specialized in Sichuan peppers (literally "flower pepper" in Chinese). I got my dad some dried out ones because he likes spicy food, and I also really enjoyed their displays of what I assume are some kind of cayenne peppers.

Pepper thrones

The store, unsurprisingly, smelled good.

After that I wandered around and got gifts for the rest of my family, and got my ears cleaned. If that seems like a non-sequitur, it kind of is, but ear-cleaning is a traditional health practice in China (also, I really needed it!!!).

I also bought a bunch of snacks for myself, because Chinese street food is unbeatable.

-chanting- stinky tofu Stinky Tofu STINKY TOFU

This is actually dragonfruit juice--the bag was just such a silly gimmick I had to buy it

The alleys of the market were narrow and crossed with wires like this, so the atmosphere was super charming.

A rare peaceful moment.

Everything I was hauling by the end of the trip haha

The shop in the background sold Shanghai Woman cosmetics, which is a brand that's built around Shanghai's reputation for Golden Age glamour.

CANDIED HAWTHORN, OBJECTIVELY ONE OF THE FINEST CANDIES IN THE WORLD

After that final treat, it was time for me to head out and switch to my second hostel. I decided to switch to a second one because I was flying out QUITE early the next day, and I wasn't interested in waking up any earlier than necessary to get to the airport.

The street outside the market:

I made it to the new place just fine and arranged a wake-up call for the airport shuttle. The room was shockingly large after the little hostel I had stayed at in the city, and I had a huge king-sized bed. The only fault was that there wasn't a grocery store close by, so I had to ask the traffic attendant where to go. There was a little convenience store a ways down the road--not too far, but out of view from the hotel, and it had already gotten dark by the time I got there. After blending in with the tourists in downtown Shanghai, I definitely stood out in the more rural country road, but I got my dinner regardless.

The wake-up call and shuttle ride went smoothly the next morning. The shuttle was absolutely PACKED to the gills, and some of the luggage had to be stored in the center aisle, making disembarking a challenge for the passengers who got off at the first terminal, but I, mercifully, was going to the second.

Got to the airport just as the sun was rising (again).

I'm very fond of airports now.

It was a quick and comfortable flight back to Hong Kong.

HK International is a Fancy Lady

Took a selfie in the tunnel to public transport

I always love walking through here and seeing the art displays.

That's the end of that trip! This may have been the taxi experience where I repeatedly thanked two Japanese businessmen in Chinese (force of habit) despite knowing they were Japanese, but if it wasn't, consider that a little bonus tidbit, because I definitely did do that at some point near the end of the year.