Shanghai Reflections

Almost 15 years ago, we moved into our home in a new housing development in Beaverton and met our new neighbors. They were a family - the parents (born and raised in China who came to the US for graduate school and would soon work at the same company as Mike) and their two young children. We became friends over the course of the 10 years that they lived next to us. I like to think that having a 4 foot instead of a 6 foot fence helped our friendship (a "good neighbor-style" fence we built together).

Fast forward to today. Our old neighbor, who years ago became an American citizen, is now working in Shanghai. Today, he was kind enough to take us on a tour of expat life in Shanghai. We had lunch in Jinqiao, a planned neighborhood in the outskirts of Pudong that was specifically designed for expat families. Wide streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, trees, a Catholic Church and Christian Church, high-end medical facilities, a 50's style diner, New York style pizza, Mexican restaurant, play areas for kids, and bathrooms with soap, toilet paper AND paper towels. It looked like southern California. A "little America" inside of China.





We can't help but reflect on what expat life would be like there compared to Dalian. I like the experience we've had in Dalian better than what we might have had in Shanghai. In Dalian, we couldn't coast by living an American-like life within China. We've had to find out how to live in China. With limited restaurant choices, we've had to learn to eat local or make it ourselves. With limited food choices at the market, we've had to learn to adapt our diet to what's available. With limited recreation options, we've had to learn to be creative and have enjoyed the benefit of playing outdoors more. Without local vendors who speak English, we've had to learn Chinese (well, the kids had to learn it at school anyway!). I feel like we've really lived in China.

And because we've really lived in China, we appreciate what we will have when we go "home home" in 25 days. I hope that appreciation stays with us for a long time...
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Hey Lady - Beijing with the Girls

Walking through the Silk Market (which doesn't just sell silk, but a huge variety of counterfeit, black market or grey market items) what you hear constantly is "Lady, what bag you want" "Lady, what shoes you need" "Lady, polo shirts" "Lady" "Lady" "Lady." I could only last two hours, then I had enough. Some people have much more stamina than I do and stay all day!!

During the weekend with my girlfriends in Beijing, we also went to the Dirt Market, which doesn't sell dirt, but a variety of "antiques" and collectibles. This was much more fun. It is outdoors and the items are very interesting to look at. I liked the vendors there better too. They seemed more like personal shop owners instead of people hawking for business.







The best part of the trip was biking in Beijing. With my friends, Susanne and Yukiko, we biked for 4 hours through old hutong neighborhoods, parks and city streets. Double click on the album to see the pictures.

Biking in Beijing

And a close second best was the beautiful courtyard restaurant area where we had dinner (Mexican!!!!). And frozen yogurt for dessert - it doesn't get much better than that!



And a few final pictures of the local school outside our hotel window. I had a birds-eye view of their morning flag salute and exercises.








It was a great weekend!!
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