exhaustion

where to start? today was an ambitious day.

it all began with the fact that on fridays, we only have morning class.  so michelle arranged a group excursion to the fish bird and flower market and the antique market in 南市 (Old Town). this was similar to the market by carrefour, but way bigger! this woman is haggling over the price of a hamster. two for 15 RMB! that's $2.50. mary and i want some for our apartment. below, plenty of maoist materials available.

old town seems to to be the only part of shanghai that retains a tangible amount history and culture. along with these markets, you can visit mosques, temples, and chaotic bazaars. you can also sample a bazillion delicious types of shanghai street food. so... when the group was done with the markets at 3 pm, i decided to stay downtown and indulge in all of the above! so began my 10 hour journey around shanghai.

circa 4 pm, chat with muslim women at shanghai's central islamic center, Peach Garden Mosque. fail at explaining that my aunt is of shanghai-muslim decent (chinese kinship terms are infinitely complicated!)

5 pm, hurry across 南市 to the Town God Temple before it closes. independent travelers in china can count on tons of eager tourists who are willing to take their picture (just try to avoid theft by choosing someone with a nicer camera than yours?)

by 6 i am starving, head to "shanghai's oldest vegetarian restaurant," Songyuelou. in case you haven't guessed already, this entire 15+ kilometer walking journey was designed with Lonely Planet guide's help. here is my [delicious] fake chicken and my bible:

7 pm, time to hit up taipingqiao park and xintiandi on my way over to tianzifang, the artists' and photographers' haven in the french concession. michelle recommended this maze of alleyways to me, and it is the coolest area i have visited in shanghai thus far! plus, the journey there took me through lots of authentic, residential backstreets. voila, some art and some reeeally sweet shopping...

8 pm, start looking into potential ways to get home! metro to fudan closes at 4 pm, so not an option. it was going to be the bus again. i knew if i made it to people's square, i could find my #537 bus back to fudan. this was a struggle, but once i got to people's square, i couldn't resist looking around a little...!

what do all major asian cities have in common? MALLS. huge, modern, international, expansive MALLS. people's square is obviously no exception. but i had to pry myself away from the friday night/date night crowds, to catch the last bus north to fudan at 9:45 pm. the next 40 minutes looked something like this:

anyway! now i am home, clean (you have no idea), and ready for bed :) BONUS: when i opened the computer i was greeted by the news that the lakers are nba champs. i could not be happier with today and i'm pleased to report that the entire excursion + foodz cost me about $13.00. gdub <3 LP. peace.