Shanghai

Shanghai is a truly international city. I could see the outside influences everywhere, but especially in the architecture. It's beautiful, frenetic, and a little overwhelming. I went with my coworker, Abby, a quiet, young Chinese woman whose easy-going and see-the-good-in-everything nature made her the best travel companion. 

I love the mash of time & culture in this picture.

Lovely. What you can't see is the crush of people behind me.

We took these organic coconuts on the train!

Abby & her best friend. They took me to Beer Lady, a famous beer spot. 

The world famous Oriental Pearl Tower

Outside Moller Villa 

The Bund at night

Soup dumplings. I never knew love like this. 

Sending a postcard to the future. Set to go out January 5, 2018.

First Solo Exploration: Youyi Shopping City

I decided to be brave and get outside my comfort zone on my last free day before training starts tomorrow. My guide mentioned there was a mall close by, so I went to find it. It was huge and overwhelming and I'm pretty confident that even after several hours of walking I still didn't see half of it. Once I got up the courage to buy things, I couldn't stop. I bought a pressed juice, a new journal and a calendar and pens, sushi in a restaurant, toothpaste and shower shoes, instant coffee and detergent and water and an orange. In total, I spent about 350 yuan or $50 usd. Pictures inside the mall weren't allowed, so take my word for it -- huge!

Despite the chaos of traffic, there's an order to everything here

Canal under a bridge on the way to Youyi Shopping City

Enormous. It's hard to comprehend.

Pressed pineapple and pear juice -- $3 usd

Right before I got demoted to a fork and knife

Love this presentation. Did not love unexpected filling

Perfection