Today was a heavy packed day. We had two classes and then went on our
first excursion. Our tour guide's name is Daisy and she truly is her own
character. She literally does and says everything backwards and admits
she is not the greatest tour guide but you can not get mad or annoyed
becaus eshe is just so sweet and funny. Our tour consisted of three
stops, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, and a Huangpu River cruise.
first excursion. Our tour guide's name is Daisy and she truly is her own
character. She literally does and says everything backwards and admits
she is not the greatest tour guide but you can not get mad or annoyed
becaus eshe is just so sweet and funny. Our tour consisted of three
stops, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, and a Huangpu River cruise.
The first stop was the Yu Garden which is surrounded by shops. It is
located in the area of "Old Shanghai" around the South Bund area. We were
told the garden is a 400 year old classical Chinese garden where Pan
Yunduan spent twenty years and just about all of his savings to build it
to please his parents in their old age. What a masterpiece it is! The
garden definitely has beautiful architechture and although it rained it
was beautiful. This was one of my first encounters of many people asking
to take pictures with me at once. I took MULTIPLE pictres. Parents had
me taking pictures with their children and everytime someone else left a
picture, another person would be waiting to ask to take it. Some were
asking in Chinese and I did not undersand, but I pretty much knew and just
nodded and smiled. I did not mind at all even with the touching of my arm
and fingers. I felt like a celebrity minus the million dollar bank account
and bodyguards pushing off the fans.
Naning Road is probably the most famous road in China and contains nice
restaurants, expensive shops, and hidden street markets down different
streets, but has a really beautiful view when lit up at night. Hpe you
enjoy the pictures of it. As you walk down the nice road, you have your
CHinese street sellers whispers "Bags, dvds, shoes, I-phone" to all of
the foreigners.
The Huangpu River Cruise was the most amazing part of the nigh and the end
to a good day. We boarded this ship that had about three our four floors
with a soft drink bar and snacks available as well as a beautiful view of
the city. Once again, the picture marathan started again except this time
people were just flashing in my face. By the time I opened my eyes , I
saw another flash.
Overall, the Shanghai government is treating us with pure hospitality. We
get Air conditioned buses, all of our trips are paid for, and any problems
we have are dealt with immediately. How could we be anything but grateful
and excited to keep relations with China. Well, I have absolutely no
energy to keep typing. Off to bed! Zaijian!
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Posted By: Alicia Tambe, Shanghai, China
