World Cup Soccer

On Friday night, I went out with some Couch Surfing friends to watch Mexico play South Africa in the first game of this year's World Cup. There were people from all over the world there: Chinese, Germans, French, Moroccans even. We gathered with a group of Mexicans in front of the big screen to help cheer on their team. We spent the evening whooping & hollering in Spanish, then wished the French good luck before we danced the night away to Chinese pop. This really is an international city.

Train Ticket

I went to the train station the other day to buy a ticket to Hangzhou, where I'll spend the Dragon Boat Festival holiday.

Instead of ticket agents, they have authomated ticket machines. The menu is both in Chinese & English, & is super easy to use. You just choose your destination & the date, feed money into the machine, & it spits out your train ticket in seconds. Cool.

I'm really looking forward to getting out of the city for a few days. I hear Hangzhou has a lake. & trees.

Matching Outfits

There's a trend in Shanghai for young couples to wear matching clothing. Cute, huh? It's so popular that the stores here actually sell boyfriend-girlfriend sets.

This would never happen in the US. Although the girls would probably go for it, American boys would be too embarrassed. But here in Shanghai, the boys seem happy enough to match their girlfriends - & to carry their purses while they're at it.

One Year

Today marks one year since I left the US to live abroad. It has been quite an interesting year. Although I miss things from home, like road trips & uncensored internet, I'm so grateful for this opportunity to live & work in another country.

In addition to teaching English to some really amazing people, I've climbed on the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat; I've participated in a death anniversary celebration in Hanoi; I've lazed on the tranquil beaches of Thailand; & I've navigated the bustling subway system of Shanghai.

It hasn't been without it's frustrations, but that too is part of the experience. I'm curious to see what adventures await me as I begin my second year as an expat.

Chinese Bakery

Every morning on my way to work I stop at the bakery on the corner, a Taiwanese chain store called Cafe 85ºC. The pastry window looks like something you'd see in France, but I usually just stick to the coffee, which is nice & strong - perfect for starting the day.

By now they know me there, & I always order the same thing, so most mornings when I walk into the shop, someone yells out my order before I get to the counter:

美式咖啡热的

mei3 shi4 ka1 fei1 re4 de

American style coffee

 

I go to the "Bread cash" counter & pay my 8 RMB (about US $1.15).

 

Then I go over to the "Pick up the goods Section" to wait for my coffee. In just a few minutes, I have a steaming hot cup o' joe.

I thank the nice people at the cafe (谢谢 xie4 xie4), & go on my merry way.

明天见

ming2 tian1 jian4

See you tomorrow.