Shanghai, Christmas, Morroco and a wedding all in one weekend!

Busy Nanjing Lu...spot the Laowais!

Tracy, Azusa and I at Room Twentyeight after brunch
(note the thermals, skivvy's and jackets!)

In China we don't do it by halves and last weekend was no exception.

Azusa, Tracy and I hopped on the fast train and headed to the big smoke in search of Library books and art supplies...not very Chinese but needed to be done all the same. First and foremost it was off to a nice brunch at a restuarant Hadleigh had recommened and it was AMAZING! Struggling around the city with a backpack and trolley case full of books was definately NOT our cup of tea so Azusa managed to sweet talk one of the bookstores into packaging up our books and sending them to the school! Along the way we managed to spot Christmas, lurking in the shadows!

Christmas Tree (in November!)

We managed to take a quick detour to the silk markets and check out the daily goings on and cheap deals...we'll definately be going back there again!

Nepalese Women selling jewellery outside the Silk Markets

After taking in some art galleries (I wish, we had to quickly scour the gift shops for posters...VERY unsuccessful), we raced around picking up Christmas gifts and yummy supplies (proper bread, hummus and sweet treats from our favourite bakery and restaurant) and then after Azusa had departed for the train I showed Tracy my wee Morroco at Marrakesh an amazingly tasty and classically decorated Morrocan restuarant. Reluctantly we left the big city and headed back to the characterless city of Wuxi (as quoted from the Lonely Planet!)

Enjoying a taste of Morroco and 'normal' life in Shanghai

Sunday bought about a birthday BBQ for our NZ fellow Wuxite, Matt. In the pouring rain and freezing teperatures we ventured out, arms full of platters and wine ready for our first China BBQ...haha.....suprisingly it really did feel a bit like home, complete with NZ t-shirts and music. It was a lovely night and there as even a showing of Abby's wedding dres...or should I say her first wedding dress ! The dresses are so cheap here she has 2! As I will miss hers and Matts wedding by only 1 day when I am back it was great to see how fantastic she will look!

Stunning Abby in dress number 1

Parent interviews were held at school this week and they all went well and the parents are all happy, as are the children..WHEW! I even had a few Dad's come which was great and a Mum who was late bought me a coffee and muffin! Score! AND the next day she did it again as she had got it all wrong the day before...I was not worried at all!

David is thinking of coming at Christmas which will be amazing. Well, actually I think it is all confirmed however, even after this long I still don't like to get my hopes up until it has actually happened. It is still hard to get out of old habits!

Even from Germany, David rubbing it in that he still has a BMW and I don't!

I have a new dress hanging up in my house, it is my Greece dress...the perfect island hopping, beach meandering, olive eating, wine sipping, sunset watching dress. At the moment it is serving 3 purposes...it is hanging in my living room to motivate me to the gym, keep me eating healthy and remind me about what I have to look forward to! Greece, here I come...all aches and pains from my well over due return to the gym...but still...here I come!

Being serenaded by a lone saxaphonist in Shanghai

This week I have had the dreaded China belly that seems to be ripping it's way through the school but I am in celebration because finally I am able to hold down some bread! Woohoo, I might even dare to try to venture out to the market tomorrow to pick up a Christmas tree and some decorations....I feel a white Christmas coming on!

The countdown in on,

Big love,
Arohanui,

Amy xo