I'm a little ashamed to admit this, but last week marks the first time I've taken the Shanghai metro. It's not that I have anything against subways, but I'm using my tired excuse of "but with kids, you know, it just harder." Taxis are cheap and so convenient. And, if I really think about it,… Continue reading To New Places
Tag: Tourism
How to Act
I can't believe I forgot the funniest part of the whole, potty-training-when-the-world-is-your-toilet story...in most of these buildings, the guards who do not look at all intimidating, walk with dogs who look even less intimidating. Part of the reason, is that they (the dogs) look like old, retired farm dogs and the other reason is...wait for… Continue reading How to Act
Living in a Haze
We're back to the land of hazy sunshine and skyscrapers. I'm told we have missed the oppressive heat but we've been back for 3 days now and the thermometer has vacillated between 78 and 93. Thank goodness for cooler weather. When we were home, it didn't really phase me that I knew exactly what was… Continue reading Living in a Haze
Happy Dragon Boat Festival
I recently read an article written by a mother exhausted from all the holidays her children were celebrating. As I remember it, she was partly exhausted by the Pinterest-ing of holiday merry-making and more generally, that things like the 100th day of school have now become A Thing. Totally justified. I think it was St.… Continue reading Happy Dragon Boat Festival
Not From Around Here
There are lots of things that happen in any given week when I think, "Really? This is normal?" And then I stop and realize I'm judging and remember this is why I like living here. The "challenge" of living in an unfamiliar place is exactly what makes it fun. But the following are observations that… Continue reading Not From Around Here
Lessons from Chinese TV
As you also know, we don't speak Mandarin. If you are a regular reader, you also know, we have cable television (when we decide to pay our bills). Why does a family, who doesn't speak Chinese, need cable television while living in China? Well, for a number of reasons. 1. There are 3 English speaking… Continue reading Lessons from Chinese TV
From tourists to residents…or residents to tourists?
I'm not sure which title suits me more right now - Shanghai resident or Shanghai tourist. We've been here long enough for me to feel like I know a little about living here and getting around - enough to feel a little more comfortable than a tourist passing through. But then again, everyday I am… Continue reading From tourists to residents…or residents to tourists?
Golden Week
We didn't celebrate Columbus Day this year, nor can we drink pumpkin spiced lattes, nor can we jump in a pile of orange, crimson and golden leaves...we did however, get a week to celebrate the season (in sunny, 80 degree heat) during China's National Day and Golden Week, a.k.a. the Mid-Autumn festival. After Chinese New… Continue reading Golden Week
Kathleen Siddell 