Shanghai Weekend

This weekend we received a visit from our Producer back in Nanjing and with him he brought Matt! And because of this we were all kindly put up in a hotel near work! Lush! Breakfast and everything! Omelette, yoghurt, fruit, cereal, toast! We were living like kings! Saturday was spent at work but with an extra long lunch with Calvin and GND people. In the evening Calvin and Aaron kindly took us downtown into Shanghai. We went to People's Square and grabbed some food, extra sugary food, that is apparently very like English Chinese food, I wouldn't know, it's what I'm told! After dinner we made our way towards the French Concession area to grab some drinks but our leisurely walk was interrupted, deliciously interrupted by a surprise DUNKIN' DONUTS! I haven't had a Dunkin' Donut since it was in Belfast and that was a long time ago! I only got two though, I had just eaten dinner so I wasn't at my optimum performance level. 

As we continued to walk, the amount of western people grew and grew until the Chinese were the minority. It was very strange. The area was very European, full of bars with clever names concerning Western life, names Nicola didn't quite grasp. Ven-ice. Brow Sugar. Rendez-Vous. 

At 'TMSK' we had some familiar alcohol, on Calvin. Mojito, G&T, Cosmopolitan, Tequila Sunrise. Only a few cause they were bloody expensive, even for the west! 

Sunday brought another early start with more yummy breakfast. On the way through our apartment block we found a deserted kitty! It was so young and it was crying so much for its mummy but we had no idea where it came from and if we left it, it would wander out on the road and get squished by cars and bikes! But we had to leave it and it was clawing the sh*t outta me. I may have rabies now.  

I know this is a horrible picture of me but it's genuine concern for this kitten. :(

Anyway, into Shanghai independently (again :D) to find the Art Quarter as a friend form Uni told us there is a rising art scene in Shanghai and we should find it!

And here it is! Seiji, we found it!

 It took a while but we found it eventually but not the animator exhibit we set out to find. 

This gallery has a strangely large, heavy door. Art installation?

Shanghai, for some reason, seemed so much bigger this time. I'd never realised how massive the buildings are and how many of them they are. I thought London was big, actually I used to tell people Belfast was big, but they're nothing compared to Shanghai! The apartment blocks just go on and on and on into the sky! I guess there are 20 million people living in this city, they have to put them somewhere and they can't all live in a Technology park like us. 

There was some cool graffiti around the art quarter too.

Here is my 'Gillian waz 'ere 09' graffiti, which I did 2 weeks ago in some dirt and it's still here!

After getting some culture up by ZhongtanLu we headed back to People's Square and chilled for a bit on the grass and actually did a little bit of drawing, the galleries must have inspired us or something. 

Then onto chocolate land.

Yes...A Hershey's shop!!! Next to a KFC! Next to a Starbucks! Next to an Ajisen Ramen! Whoo! 

I discovered the macro close up tool on the digital camera...

We walked around for a bit in the Neon Metropolis that is Shanghai by night. 

There is a Tom's World arcade here too, just like in Nanjing. I used to love the dance machines in arcade, but Asian ones are bloody confusing. I didn't have a clue, couldn't get past the 1st round. Lame. 

Alex and Nicola found fun on drumming game. Apologies for sideways recording! Check out their timing though!

Nicola has a weird obsession with eggs. She went crazy when she saw this guy!

So crazy in fact, it had to be videotaped. 

And just a little extra...if you're looking for a nice gift for a lady friend, don't forget to check out Ming Jewelry, it's where all the chavs get their bling. 

Bai bai for now!