China: Wi-Fi Commies

As I was told by multiple friends that have visited and/or lived in China, the Wi-Fi is heavily restricted. This constraint mainly is for Google apps aka the only apps I use: Google search, Google translate, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram etc. We have been able to acquire a free VPN (virtual private network) that allows us to use these apps whenever THEY think it is convenient. Nick luckily has an international data plan (thanks Dana!) and has allowed me to do quite a bit of research that I couldn't have otherwise. The posts in China will therefore be simple as photo and video uploads are difficult, if not impossible.

Enough ranting about the Wi-Fi and more about Shanghai! After a quick pottery class, we took the red-eye from Siem Reap, Cambodia had a layover in Bangkok, Thailand and finally made it to Shanghai, China this morning at 5 am. Here are a few photos of our creations. Much respect for Potters who use kick wheels over electric wheels at this day and age. (Can you tell who's pottery is who's?)

After passing through customs with flying colors, we chose the cheapest route to our hostel: the metro.

This subway station was a bit intimidating at first but after a little trial and error we found it to be a very intuitive system. With convenient English translations, color codes on each line, even Nick and I could navigate it! Two fools= one functioning human.

Nick and I have lucked out the past week and a half in the sense that most people could speak English just enough to communicate the basics. China, that's a different story. The first restaurant we visited basically served us whatever they wanted since we couldn't read the menu and there were no pictures. So rice pouridge and dumplings it was! No complaints from either of us. Same went for our second meal where the waiter was able to say beef noodles to which we replied yes for simplicity - sake.

Since we purchased a couple of hammocks in Cambodia and we're feeling adventurous/tired at the same time, we navigated the metro once again to reach Century Park in Shanghai. What a pleasant and relaxing place! While attempting to find some waterfront property to set up the hammocks we ran into a very panicked woman by the shore. We of course went over to see what was wrong only to find her holding onto a turtle that was tangled up in plastic. Nick was able to quickly give the lady his key where she cut the plastic away and saved the turtle! So day one in, we saved a life!

Later that evening we grabbed some food at a local noodle shop when we ran into some fellow English speakers. They explained that they've been living in Shanghai for two months working through a college scholarship. Push comes to shove and we're invited out to hit the town with them and their work friends, potentially to see a deadbeat rapper named T-Pain. He plays many songs from our preteen-hood so it was worth a shot.

After pregaming at their apartment, we grabbed a couple cabs and headed to a bar celebrating Bastille Day aka cheap drinks. A few beers later we were ready for T-Pain, only thing was Nick and I didn't have tickets. As the theme of the trip has been risk/reward we joined the group to the concert. Upon arrival, it turns out that if you had a business card from their company, you were allowed free entry. Being that Nick and I are unemployed, we were hung out to dry. We asked if they were selling tickets at the door as we were prepared to drop a few bucks to see him. They wanted $70 to see T-Pain in a tiny venue on a China tour! No way jose.

Instead Nick and I walked to a bar that the group suggested to finish out our night. When we arrived at the location, it was only a restaurant. In order to save some dignity, we cut our losses and started the trek home only to realize the subway was now closed and we were 4+ miles away from our hostel. It became apparent that we needed a cab home but after showing approximately 10 cabs the address, no one would take us.

So began our hike home until we got to the bridge over the river. There a couple bicycle cops told us it was closed and won't be open until 6 am. This is where I lost it and walked away. Nick hung around, finished up his broken English conversation with the cops then chased me down. Only then did we hail another cab to find out he will take us home. How convenient.

Needless to say, 'twas a rough first day in Shanghai but it can only get better from here! Hoping to find some entertaining things to do here as we are staying in Shanghai for a week. We will keep you updated if anything exciting happens. Thanks for tuning in for our first China experience!