parasites, chopsticks, and chicken dancing

Jump to Comments

And on to Shanghai! Shanghai is a very different city from anywhere else I’ve been on this trip, in that it’s huge and very modern. In fact, until recently, it boasted the tallest building in the world. (I thought it was still the Sears Tower…where have I been?) I’m not sure what the real name of it is, but we like to call it the “bottle opener building”. It’s in the background of this picture.

I really liked Shanghai as a city- it’s still very much Chinese, but it has a hustle and bustle that reminded me of New York or Boston. And let me tell you, the food here is amazing. I loved the Chinese of course, but we also had Vietnamese, Japanese, American, and most importantly of all…lots and lots of chocolate. If you know Lisa Baker, this should not come as a surprise.

As much as I liked the city, the highlight of Shanghai by far was getting to see and catch up with my friends Dennis and Lisa and their almost two-year-old son Will. We had so much fun, and I kept them up way too late many a night catching each other up on life and reminding each other about terribly embarrassing stories from college. There was a lot of laughing.

Lisa and I also spent quite a bit of time out getting massages- they’re so gloriously cheap here! This is the fabulous foot massage we got the other night- and yes, they rub fire on your feet. What??? But if you think that’s weird, ask me later about my “sauna” experience.

I’ve learned a little of quite a few languages during my time overseas, but I can finally say that I’ve become fluent in a second language…Will-speak. I was so happy to finally get to know this little guy. I had a lot of fun joining him in his favorite activities: eating oranges, watching Bob the Builder, watching the “digger” (bulldozer) outside, looking at pictures of himself, avoiding naps at all costs, and possibly the most exciting of all…the chicken dance. Oh, I just loved spending time with this kid!!!

Now the downside of my trip…I found out that although you can take the girl out of India, you just can’t take the India out of the girl. I’ve been pretty miserably sick with what may be a parasite during my time here. It’s been a bit of a damper, but thankfully I wasn’t down for the count for too many days. I did spend a couple of days sacked out on the couch watching a marathon of Arrested Development episodes, but I feel way better and am back going strong. Let’s just hope that was the final round of it. Please, parasite, please don’t come back for more. 

I leave today to head back to the States with mixed feelings. I’m so ready to see people I miss from home, and I’m ready to get back to home. At the same time, I’m so sad to leave these people that I love so dearly here!!! Can’t we all just live in the same place?

I can’t believe my 3 months are up! But there will be time for reflecting later. First I’ve got to get through an 11 1/2 hour plane trip ahead of me, followed by a 6 hour layover and another 5 hour flight. Then Christmas! 

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you all have a fun, restful, special day. 

2 Comments

Filed under Shanghai, China