The month that is Golden!!!

October 1st 2011

Well after the hour delay, sitting in the crowded waiting room at ZhZh train station the train couldn’t be much worse. We had the bottom bunk which meant more space to move and we could even sit up in the bunk. I didn’t stay awake for long. In fact I spent most of the trip asleep or snoozing. I wasn’t as worried about getting the right station this time because the guard gave us our tickets as soon as we got on this time. And as we were the ones with the space to sit and talk, when the others woke in the wee hours (as if it wasn’t early enough anyway) they needed to move down the carriage a little to talk.

We took forever to pull in to Shanghai train station. And they lock the toilets when you get close, but it took about 30 min to go from slow speed to actually stopped at the train station. I honestly don’t know what I expected but it was a shock as we took the taxi to the hostel. The buildings were smaller then in Beijing, and the streets are a lot prettier and cleaner. The sky scrapers are basically all kept in the one Pudong district on one side of the river with smaller (although when I say small I still mean 10-30 stories high) around The Bund area where we stayed. We packed our bags away and had a shower, then went for a walk to the apple store to meet some old friends. It is so good to see them again! To hear that they are having ups and downs in their placement but mostly loving it, to hear all their funny stories, to hang out with some of my oldest friends here in China and know that most of the time they understand what I am saying!

We were set a mission- The rugby world cup game that day was England V Scotland and a must win for both teams. We didn’t quite make it to the game but the group split up when for some of us, hunger over took the need for a T.V. screen. I ordered an American Burger –because it seems that every restaurant thinks the Yanks do the best… It was ok… 2 massive patties and all the trimmings, not enough cheese and the onion was not cooked but man the mayo!!! I should have asked for more for the chips!!! Anyway enough about my stomach!

We caught the Metro back to the city centre and went for the walk down Nanjing Rd from the Peoples square to The Bund. It is a very impressive street with art deco era buildings and all the fancy brand name hotels and fashion boutiques. We cut off the main road at one part as it was so crowded it was taking us a minute to walk a metre. The bund is a beautiful sight. A river front promenade showing the business district on the other side with its pretty buildings and flashy lights. It had started to sprinkle and my feet were damn near killing me. We went home after a few photographic memories were snapped. It was so good to sit in the lounge area with the old gang again and reminisce on Beijing. 

• Shanghai
• Golden week
• train travel