A New Century Mart!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Today we took a walk to the Century Mart, but not the usual one. Michael had discovered this one while looking for a Bank of China. He had told me I should check it out. In his opinion, it was better than the Carrefour at Thumb Plaza and might be as good as the Carrefour in JinQiao, but certainly beat the Century Mart I had been going to down Huamu Lu.
So about lunch time, we decided to make the walk. I had googled it to see how far it was and it did not look that bad… until we started walking to it… and walking … and walking. Finally I stopped and called Michael because I thought maybe I misunderstood where it was. But I was on the right path. It just turned out to be much farther than I thought.
But we finally found it and I was really surprised. It was completely underground. You must take stairs or an escalator down to a very large open patio. Then to the side is the entrance to the cave… or rather the underground Century Mart and other eateries and stores that line up outside the Century Mart. And yes… he was right, it is a nice store.
Hanne needed a thumb drive for her computer. That was the first thing we looked for. They were pretty easy to find and she bought one. Most of the stores have you pay for electronics right away and this was no different. As she was getting her purchase, I wandered around finding all kinds of things to buy.
The big thing for me was ‘what does the produce look like?’ The other Century Mart had terrible produce. I only go there when I need things other than produce. Much to my surprise the produce looked pretty good.
We passed by the freezer cases and noticed the ice cream. It was like the bars we got in the market that were really tasty. It was pretty warm out and I was trying to determine if I could get home with them before they melted. Then I spotted chocolate ice cream in a container for 6.90 Yuan. I knew that Michael would love that… so the decision was made, we could cab it home. Hanne got a produce bag to put our ice cream in so if it melted I would not have a gooey mess in my pull cart. But one of the sales women brought us an insulated freezer bag, the brand of the ice cream printed on the outside. They were promoting the ice cream. I was elated to have it, now I could stow our frozen treasures in. What a deal!!!!
After paying our way out, we hit the street. Now that I knew were we were I thought I could find a better way home. So instead of a cab, we just walked it. We walked back the way I thought would be quicker, but it put us out not far from Michael’s office. Now that I knew where we were, we walked really fast to avoid having all the ice cream melted.
But we made it to the house and the ice cream, although soft was not melted. I immediately put it in the freezer… even though I really wanted one of those bars! I knew it would be much better completely frozen. And… by the way, it was!
Lunch with Emma in Puxi
Thursday, May 19, 2011
I mapped out 3 subway routes to where we needed to get today, Ciao Café. It was close to Emma and since I had never been in this part of Puxi, it would be a new adventure. I settled on the one that appeared to be the most direct route with the interchanges. Little did I know!! Silly me!
First sign… we had let the time slip up on us so we were on a really tight schedule. This was a ‘lick and promise’ day. I threw on a baseball cap and enough makeup to not scare the locals and we were off.
Second sign… Hanne left the transportation card at home. But we would just buy single ride tickets. Got to the ticket machine and easily bought her ticket all the way to Chi Feng Lu. Down to the platform… and we were off. Not too crowded so things are good… so far.
Got to People’s Square and need to change lines… Rut-row!!! The #8 is all the way across the station. People Square is a giant station and the trip across took about 10 mins if we bob and weave through the masses, which we did. Finally found it and boarded… so far so good. We were cutting it close but we still thought we could make it by 11:15.
Now we are at the Hong Kou Football Stadium. It is time to take the #3 for the last leg of our journey. BUT where is the #3? We see no signs for the route to the #3. I have just enough Chinese under my belt to be able to ask one of the subway workers where the # 3 line is… and he motions up! This means we have to exit the station and Hanne’s ticket will be eaten when we go through the turn stile. We find a customer service box and again ask where to get to the #3… same answer. Hanne waves her ticket and the lady scans it… then lets us out of a gate with the ticket.
So we go up and find ourselves on the street. This I was not prepared for. One must map out these street visits so that we have some level of confidence on where we are to go, but this was quite unplanned. We look at each other in total confusion.
Ok… clearly this is different and there must be another entrance. We spot one across the street in one direction and then another in yet the opposite direction. One goes up to an above ground rail and the other goes down into the subway system. We make the only assumption one can… go down, this is the subway. Wrong! We get all the way over there and it is just an entrance to the #8 again.
Time is running out and I am asking anyone that will talk to us where the #3 line entrance is. What is this? No one knows??? Then we stopped a younger woman and thankfully she speaks English. She points to the station that is across the street… the elevated station that is 4 long flights of steep stairs to get up to it. I am having visions of the Batu Caves 272 steps! But one must do what one must do to accomplish the appointed task! And we are off.
Ok, we practically ran through People’s Square, and then hustled all over this area looking for the station, now we have the stairs. Now my upper thighs are burning. We walk through the part of the station and there before us are two more long flights of stairs… then through the turn stiles. Boom, not working! We discover that Hanne’s transportation ticket is not working and since I did not scan out of mine it is not working either. Now I am quickly surveying the area for a customer service booth with a person manning it. There across the station is one and she scans Hanne’s card… ok’s it, and opens the gate.
We are off again… and there before me, yet again, are 2 more long flights of stairs. Will someone please tell me where the escalators are? No time, so up we go! The train is there and we hop on! Now here is something you learn… always determine the direction of the train BEFORE boarding. OOPS!!! We are going the wrong way... what more can happen?
We get off at the next station and go down the stairs and back up the stairs on the opposite side of the platform to catch the next train going the right direction. I thought I was getting into pretty good shape, but I guess the combination of heat and stairs… I am exhausted and sweating unmerciful. Lovely way to have lunch!
But we finally arrive at our stop and now only a short walk to Ciao Café. We are to look for a small grey building with little white curtains and surrounded by trees on the opposite side of the street. There it was and I was hoping for good A/C. We walk in and the next sight is a flight of stairs we must climb to get to Emma!
It was worth it though. The food was excellent! We enjoyed a lunch of catching up with Emma. And the nice bonus was to meet some of her school mates. We met two friends from Italy and one from Norway. Intros were quick and unfortunately I cannot remember their names… which really bothers me. It seems I have to hear names several times before I can commit to my memory. But I have an idea I will be meeting them again, so I will have that chance to hear them again.
After lunch, Emma had to run to her part-time internship job, and Hanne and I contemplated how we would spend the rest of the afternoon. One thing for sure, at least we know how to get back and all the steps will be going down on the return trip once we got past the first set at Chi Feng Station.
Since we were going through People’s Square, we would have dessert at the Hershey store and I would show Hanne the park. The Hershey ice cream would be a well-deserved treat after all the craziness of the morning and THE STAIRS!!!
We got our treats and walked to the park. We found a nice shady place to sit and enjoy them while we watched a couple of Chinese men doing these moves… part exercise and part dance, very graceful whatever it was.
The flowers were blooming and beautiful. In one area of the park stood a man playing a flute like instrument for all to enjoy. I am not sure if he just came to the park to play or if he was hired to play in the park. Either way… it was really nice. There were certainly lots of people in the park; some lying in the grass or on the benches napping, others just resting in the shade, and still others playing cards or dominos. One thing for sure, the park is heavily used by all.
We were approached by several people wanting to know if we were American and where in America. One man began immediately talking to me about the Mavs and the Rockets. I hated to tell him that I was not that knowledgeable about the NBA players. But it did not seem to matter one bit to him… he was just excited to be speaking English to someone. This is not uncommon. The Chinese people that have learned or are learning English are eager to find someone from America to speak English with. So we talked for a few minutes and then bid him farewell as we continued our stroll through the park. This is a planned paradise in the middle of the city.
We left the park behind and I wanted to surprise Michael with some chocolate from the Hershey store. He would be excited for a new stash of Hershey’s. I made my selections, stowed it in my backpack and descended into the subway station.
I needed to add yuans to my transportation card. I spotted a service booth and was waiting in line for my turn. As I was getting out my card and money, these two teens jumped in the line in front of me. Well, I have had a rough day and was in no mood for this. I snapped at him about what did he think he was doing, couldn’t he see I was there in line? And a few other mumbles about courtesy and elders. He started laughing and said ‘pardon me’. But he backed off, he knew exactly what I was saying. I guess it surprised him that I reacted. But I recharged my card and he waited while I did.
More often than not, I just shake my head and realize this is their way. In the grocery store when waiting in line to have the produce weighed and priced, the women throw their stuff on the scales while you are getting it out of the basket. It does not matter to them; cutting line is a way of life. We are raised to be polite, wait your turn, respect elders, and a general sense of fairness. If you do that here, you will never get anywhere, so although it is against my nature, I am having to be more aggressive.
But aside from the teens, we managed to make it home… hot and tired, but home and ready for a nice shower and some down time.
Market Day was a Bust
Friday, May 20, 2011
We have run all week, why stop now. We are going to find the big market on Yang Gao Lu. It is supposed to be a huge wet market, farmers market and plant market. I was told it was at Fangdian Lu and Yang Gao Lu. That is about 4 km from us (about 2 1/2 miles) and it is not far from the Carrefour at Thumb Plaza. I needed some laundry detergent and bread, so we could kill a couple of birds with this trip. It certainly did not hurt that the Ajisen Noodle place was there either. I was definitely up for some yummy noodles and pork.
It is already 93 degrees… It is going to be hot, but we are going to walk it anyway. I throw on a baseball cap and sunglasses and we are off. We are almost to the Science and Technology when I realize I really should have brought that umbrella I bought at the YuYuan market the other day. The sun is beating down pretty good.
I have to laugh… remember all the movies with the Chinese and their umbrella’s out when walking in the sun. I always think of the old movie, Donavan’s Reef; the scenes with the assistant holding up the umbrella for the governor and the ladies with their parasols; trying to block the south pacific sun and heat. All of it is sooo true. Almost all the women here have an umbrella when walking in the sun, some men too. And when you buy them, the first question, ‘Is this for rain or sun?’ The ones for sun have a thicker lining to completely block out the sun and are lighter weight.
We finally got to where I thought the market was, only to discover it isn’t there. We stopped and spoke to a man that was on break from the Lotus that was on the corner. He spoke enough English and with my Chinese, we managed to find out we had come too far. The market was at Yang Gao Zhong Lu. It was about 10 mins by bus to go back down Yang Gao to find it. The market visit would have to be postponed for another day. It was an easy decision; I was hungry and needed the stuff from Carrefour. So we back tracked a block or so to the Thumb Plaza.
When we sat down in the Ajisen Noodle place, the perspiration was rolling down my face. I was really glad I had a couple of packs of tissue to mop the water off me. What little makeup I had applied before we left, was gone now. My cheeks were beet red. We ordered something to drink and I sucked down half in one gulp! The food, as usual, was delicious. But it was not cool enough in the place to really help cool me down.
It was not much better in the Carrefour. I rushed through and got what I needed. And in the process, bought yet another umbrella… I knew it was only going to be worst on the way home. I am sure you are asking yourself… ‘Why doesn’t she just take a cab home?’ And that would be an excellent question. And I did consider it, but you see, I really want to get more weight off and riding in a cab would not really help that cause.
In my warped thinking… the walking and sweating will surely help drop the weight. Michael is dropping weight… and I want to keep up. He walks to work, skips lunch, and walks home. He is getting about an hour of walking a day. I do not always get out every day… Monday’s are cleaning and laundry days. And typically have one other day in the week I do laundry. If I go to the Dragon Fly, it is over 7km (about 4 miles) there and I have always thought it too far to walk. Particularly now that it is getting really hot. Maybe I need to start walking back from the Dragon Fly. Then I do not care if I am all hot and sweaty. I will have to figure it out so I can reach my goal of dropping about 40-50 pounds while I am here.
Anyway, I need to stop the whining… I walked back from the Carrefour. So all told for today, I walked at least 5 miles. And that makes this another good day!!
No exploring planned for Saturday. Michael will be on conference calls until 1am with the US. He is figuring he will be too tired. So we are having a lazy day this Saturday. We will do our typical Sunday routine of church, dinner and the grocery. But I am thinking I had a really active and busy week so a quiet weekend might be good.
So until next time… have a blessed day and enjoy life!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment