Weekend

Just returned from the watertown again.  But this bus driver dropped us off on a different side of the town.  We weren’t sure how far it was to the entrance, so we took a pedicab.   He took us on a long, roundabout way so he could drop us off at the shops of his friends and relatives.  He was acting as our tour guide, glibly speaking Chinese as though we understood it.  We had been feeling sorry that he’d had to pedal the two of us uphill–in fact, we were downright embarrassed that he’d had to get off the bike and pull us up a hill.  But when we couldn’t shake him later, we didn’t feel sorry for him anymore.  Found a great mousepad that I wanted to get for you, Adam, but I didn’t think you’d use it, so I took a picture instead.

Chinese people can sleep anywhere.

Went to Church today, then to the top of the highest building in Pudong to look out over the metropolis.  The pollution is so bad that you can’t see very far, so you didn’t miss much, Gage.  But we discovered the farthest extreme of toilets that we’ve ever seen.  They had control panels with temperature control for the seats, as well as a range of other services (think bidet).  An right across the river you can’t even find a seat….

 There’s a Metro stop at a shopping area called Xujaiohui (Shoo zow wei).  When Val first heard it announced, she brightened up and said, “Really, Shoes Our Way?” and was ready to hop right out.  The shoes here really are something–everything from 5-inch heels to funky hightops with turned-down cuffs.

(fishnet stockings)