SHANGHAI LIFE SO FAR..................

Can't believe it was only 7 weeks ago today I left UK behind and headed East. Thankfully I am able to report that all is going well, and I am really enjoying Shanghai living.

I walk this way a couple of times a week.

I have been spending myself getting acquainted with this vast city of 23,000,000, yes it is a lot of people, with it's food markets, supermarkets, fabric markets, shoe markets, china markets, flower and bird markets and just about any kind of market you can possibly imagine. So as you see I have been keeping pretty busy.

Jason Atherton's Venture in Shanghai

On top of that, there are restaurants to try out, bars to find and a host of new friends ready to be found. No time to stand still and catch a breath.

Brits Club has been a way of making first contacts, and thanks to a couple of coffee mornings, a breakfast club and Friday drinks, slowly I am gathering a nice circle of people who I'm sure will enhance my life here even more.

 Monday sees me heading to a Mexican Cooking class, yes I know it seems a bit weird coming to China and taking Mexican cooking classes, but it is just a stop gap until the Chinese Cooking class begins.

Although I have to say with the help of a couple of books, I have been making a good attempt at being self taught.

 There's also a book group I've joined and in time I will join some charity organisation to help give back a little. I always try to do something like this when living in a place. I know it's not much, but I do feel it also helps keep me grounded and remember how very lucky I am. So if I can do even a little, to fundraise, cook or help with English classes I will be more than happy to do so. Every little helps.

The other side of Shanghai life

So what, given the vast population, do you think of our chances of bumping into a Scottish couple in a supermarket? Well very good as it happens. A couple of weekends ago we were extending our ever increasing circle of place we could walk to when we found a new food market and  decided to go in for a look. Luckily we did, as we were soon accosted by two Scots who had heard our accents, and in true Scottish style an invitation of a cuppa the following afternoon was issued.

Couldn't believe that they were living about 1/4 of a mile away, could be handy for the day when the cuppa becomes something a little stronger lol. Looks like we will have some fun with them. I had a shopping trip with "New Found Scottish Friend" this week, and we just have so much in common, loving shopping only the tip of the iceberg. We both love crafts, entertaining, cooking and more besides, although I don't ever think I'll share her love of cycling in Shanghai. I'm still learning to cross the roads safely, never mind cycle on them. 

Still it was a fascinating trip to a bird and flower market, one that I will be visiting again, not for birds, maybe for flowers, but for all the craft, glassware and China stalls. Think this must be where TK Maxx comes to shop! (TJ Maxx for my American friends).

As my hubby had expressed a desire for fish, and not for supper, I bought him a surprise gift which he will get on his return home this afternoon. The plant was my idea, and the fish is gorgeous.

So as you can see I haven't been letting the grass grow under my feet, I've put myself out there, and we are enjoying reaping the benefits. Looks like Shanghai is everything I hoped for and so much more. Wonder what the coming weeks will bring. So much to do and see, so many people meet and fun to be had.

                            Have a great weekend everyone.