The gym

Today, Jitka and I decided it was finally time to get some proper exercise, especially after last night's wine indulgences. We have a gym at the University and word on the street is that it has all you need (treadmill, cross trainer, weight machines, and free weight) and costs only 5 cny (a little over 50 Euro cent) per visit. And word on the street was correct. It had everything we needed but nonetheless we realized how we have been spoiled by European comforts. I remember when joining McFit in Germany, some Germans were actually appalled. "But there iz no sauna. And you must pay for the shower!" Well at the gym at University there is no sauna, no shower, and actually no locker room. Jitka and I changed in the broom closet. Also, half the gym is dedicated to ping pong/table tennis. Apparently the sport is in high-demand when it comes to exercise here. Below are some pictures, unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the countless shirtless Chinese men....next time.

Our Locker Room aka Broom Closet

A ping pong player's heaven

The alternative: public outdoor gym. Or is it rather a playground?

Fake Market

When I told my mom I was going to China, I think the first thing she told me was "Get your mother a good (fake) bag!". Yup, my mom knew about the shopping before I did. And you know what? I think the fake market really does live up to its expectations. But maybe I was just so impressed because my first "market experience" was not so good. In our second week, we went to the mall at Qipu Road: Shanghai’s "famous and infamous" wholesale shopping area. It was packed. Shoes. Bags. Shoes. Clothes. Shoes. More bags. Clothes. You really have to be in the shopping mood and be patient. Although I bought a dress and shoes, I wasn't successful. For the dress, I wasn't allowed to try it on. It was only 3€ so I bought it anyway. It seemed really stretchy and a "one size fits all" sort of deal. But in fact, it's a bit small in one particular area. As far as the shoes are concerned, I got a style I had seen in Barcelona and wanted to get, but did not get. I bought the shoes for 8€, which was actually too much. But I was satisfied nonetheless until when I later opened the box and discovered they were totally discolored! Did the saleswoman pull a switch-a-roo from the ones I tried on, or did I really just not pay close enough attention? I've worn them anyways. (At night where I think most people don't notice that they are spotted).

I don't think I will return to Qipu Road.

But as far as the Fake Market is concerned: I'm hooked.

We went to the one on West Nanjing Road. I gave myself a spending limit of 20€ but in the end, I doubled that amount (whoopsies!). My bounty included: a Hello Kitty iPhone cover (hey, when in China..), a Harley Davidson t-shirt for my Dad (sorry to ruin the surprise of your xmas present), a "Longchamp" purse, "Chole" perfume, two "OPI" nailpolishes, and "Ray ban" sunglasses. Please notice the emphasis of quotation marks since it is after all: the FAKE market. At the fake market, you need to bargain, it's the only way of purchase. Now I will humbly admit: I am really bad at bargaining. The Chinese get the better of me on every purchase. I think the best English skills I have heard is at the Fake Market. There are some common phrases, however,lLike: "Lady, don't joke me, what's your best price." "I give you my best price (NOT!)" "Hey pretty Lady" "Hey Lady, you want bag? watches?" The nice ones really get me. After complementing me 10x and then looking at me with those seemingly innocent Asian eyes, I'm always accepting a price I know is too much.

I will tell you what I paid for each item. If anyone reading this knows what I should have actually paid, I'd sincerely appreciate your helpful comments below.

Hello Kitty iPhone cover: 40 cny
Harley Davidson T-shirt: 30 cny
Longchamp bag: 80 cny
Chloe perfume: 100 cny
OPI naipolish: 15 cny (each)
Ray Ban sunglasses: 50 cny

Now I guess I paid an average of 20 CNY too much on everything. But I'm learning. At the end of the day that means about 2.50€. I think it depends on the person. For me, I do not enjoy the bargaining process so I'm okay with paying a bit extra. I bet there are some hard core bargainers out there shaking their heads at me, but that's okay. I hope I can get better...especially since I had my eye on a pair of high heels and I know I'm going to have to nickle them down. Does anyone have some good tips?

Spotted Cow Shoes

The "Goods"

Toilet

Yes. As the title of this post suggests, I will be talking about the Chinese toilet. Perhaps some details may be inappropriate for publication on an internet blog. If this makes you uncomfortable, then kindly stop reading now....but let's face it, I've just made you all the more curious now.

In a marketing class back at SDSU, I heard that in Japan, toilets are state of the art. It's all about comfort whether that be a heated seat cover, water which sprays up to clean, or music to relax you while doing your business. I don't know why, but I thought it would be like this in China. I know: what was I thinking? In China, the common toilet is a hole in the ground. The first thing you need to learn is that you now have to carry about toilet paper where ever you go since it does not seem to be a necessary component of a public toilet stall. Also: you can not flush the toilet paper! So yes, throw it in the bin next to the hole and do not peek at what its contents may hold. Next, you need to learn the art of the squat. I find this especially challenging and now forgive me before I mention this: but believe it or not, there is aiming involved (I thought that was only a man thing!)

Now at the University there is always one "western/normal" toilet in the bathroom and it's a hot item for the exchange students, so I actually don't ever really use the Chinese toilet unless I have to.

I don't want to sound spoiled, but I am really NOT a fan of the hole in the ground. But hey, it's all about perspective. For the Chinese, the hole is totally normal. In fact, I think they are confused by the western style toilet. Point in case: at the mall one day, I went to the bathroom. Naturally, I went to the one stall which had a western-style toilet and I discovered two shoe prints on the seat cover. So...does that mean that the person before stood on top of the seat cover? Yes, I think it does.

Chinglish = Ice Break

Chinglish. An exact definition is difficult to provide, but in a very simple sense, Wikipedia defines it as "Chinglish refers to a variety of spoken or written English language that is influenced by the Chinese language." Basically, its the result of translating Chinese into English. I guess the whole translation process is doomed from the beginning due to the differences in grammar, word order and what not. There's some controversy as to whether its demeaning, or whether the whole process should be worked upon. But in my opinion, it's all good fun. I mean, I have never seen more creative uses of English than by the Chinese.

I have started additional courses other than my Chinese language classes and it seems that I have dived head first into Chinese culture. My courses are:

-Chinese Business Environment
-Chinese Business Law
-Chinese History and Culture
-Managerial Ethics (in relation to Chinese culture)

*all taught by Chinese professors

Anyone see a recurring theme here? My world is now 100% Chinese oriented. I must say though, that the opening description of Chinglish does not apply to my Chinese professors. I am very impressed by their English skills and each course is interesting (well, except Business Law...but when is law ever interesting?).

No, the opening description of Chinglish was to help better explain the safety and security orientation we received on Friday. The first part, relating to visa changes, was held in English. The second part was completely in Chinese. Oh well, there was a corresponding English powerpoint and this is where the Chinglish came into play.

Examples:

"Nowadays, the means of stealing is advance that may not be imagined."

I like the "don't be greedy!" lesson

You can see a bit of Mao influence with the "ordinary environment" Why just be ordinary when we could have an awesome environment?

On Sunday, I took a step further down the rabbit hole of Chinese culture by participating in the "Ice Break" (I consider this word to be Chinglish as well). It was a day of ice breaker games and LASER TAG with the other Chinese MBA students. We all got on a bus mixed of foreign students and Chinese students. Each foreigner had to sit next to a Chinese student. It was really nice to talk to the Chinese students and throughout the day I had a lot of really eye-opening conversations. These Chinese students work full time and attend classes at night on Friday and all day Saturday. Most of their employers (or bosses) don't even know they are enrolled in a MBA program so they don't get any slack at work. When I asked one girl why she decided to pursue a Masters degree, she answered "to get my head off work". So this is her hobby? Personally, if I wanted to get my mind off work, I would do yoga or a painting class! This girl chooses a MBA! WHAT? Also, it seems most of them are not in a position to travel (due to money or family obligations). So they said another reason they chose the MBA program at ECUST is because they knew they would have an opportunity to work and learn with foreign students. So in a way, since they can't get out to see the world, at least they have a bit of the world coming to them. I became very popular with the Chinese throughout the day. I think its because I talk a lot. I was hoping it was because I'm funny, but I'm pretty sure the Chinese only laugh at my attempts to say Chinese words rather than my jokes. I really enjoyed making some new Chinese friends though and I'm hoping to organize a Karaoke night soon. (seems only appropriate right?)

Now on to the Ice-Break. We took a hour long bus ride and arrived at a sort of military compound where Chinese men where dressed in camaouflage pants with green shirts, which had the GERMAN flag on them. To my inner Polish, that's just scary. We lined up in formation and some guy yelled at us in Chinese but after two minutes, we realized in was all in good fun. We played a bunch of silly games in the beginning and what's necessary to comment on here is that in these games of team competition, the Chinese kept saying "if you lose, you will be punished!" Again, at first I was frightened (what kind of punishment exactly???) But, the Chinese think that embarrassment is the ultimate punishment. So the first team that lost had to dance to the macarena in front of us. After all the games we separated into our Laser Tag teams and had to prepare a team name, slogan, and dance. We were the Spartans. The other team was Tequila (The team leader was Mexican). But before the Laser Tag could begin, we were taken to lunch. A very traditional Chinese lunch. Some of us, who shall not be named, sneaked off to a mostly European table where they were easily able to dodge trying dishes due to their protective majority position. Jitka and I however were the only two foreigners at our table. I learned: don't ask what it is. The answer will be: "try it!" Well I tried everything, including the cow intestine, which I thought was jelly fish (as if that would be better). Pictures for your viewing satisfaction below:

Not to be confused as jelly fish. This is cow intestine.

I didn't like the "eye balls" staring at me, but I tried a piece anyways, it was ok!

At a traditional Chinese meal, every dish is shared and rotated around on a lazy susan.

This was fish ends and tofu. It was extremely smelly and tasted exactly like it smelled.

 After lunch, we headed back for laser tag. In the end, our team won simply because our Captain, Alex (from Spain) was an animal and always got the most kills. As far as my playing skills, I slipped and fell on a puddle of water on the very first entry. I told people it was all part of my strategy in order to induce fear into the enemy. But I think no one believed me and I am now known as "that girl that fell".

Germans with guns.

The girl that fell.

We wandered around an empty mental hospital complex. Okay so maybe it wasn't a mental hospital, but it was a big building with a lot of rooms. So, mental hospital.

Punishment!!! aka the Macarena

On the right, our Drill Sergeant. On the left, our translator.

And finally, a picture of me and one of my many new Chinese friends of the day, Thomas. Thomas works as an operation manager, is married, has a 2 and half year old daughter and is now starting a MBA program. When I asked how could he do all this, he responded, that it's only 2 and half years. If he didn't do it, in two and a half years he would be the same. I am really impressed by the pure hard work ethic of these Chinese students.

Chinese Lessons, Ladies' Night and being a Tourist

So last time I updated I mentioned that I found a place to live and that I got my hair cut. But you are all probably wondering what is life like in general? Well first, how about some general observations:

The Chinese will talk to you as if you are fluent. Chinese people often start a conversation, I usually just smile and look bewildered. You would think they would see that I obviously don't understand a word they are saying. But in China, it's different. "Losing Face" is a big theme in daily life and instead of admitting that we don't understand each other, they simply continue on to ramble at the same pace. I think I'm going to start having conversations with them. I'll just casually chime in "Oh, you don't say." .... "No way! Me too!" And in the end, we can all have pleasant conversations about absolutely nothing.

Well, actually it may help that my Chinese classes have begun. So far, I can say all the letters and the numbers until 10....well for about 20 mins and then I forget them all. In general, I actually like the Chinese class and I think we are learning some useful things. But it is important to note that the Chinese teacher is "da boss". They know everything. Students know nothing. So my plan is to keep a humble attitude and to become the teacher's pet. 

Walking around I am one of few internationals. Shanghai is supposed to be a cosmopolitan city but I feel like the only foreigner where ever I go! Well, that was until we went out to an infamous "Ladies Night". Every Wednesday night in the city, different bars and restaurants host a Ladies Night where they offer drink specials. Us girls tried out Zapatas where they offered tasty (FREE) margaritas. It was a bar/restaurant with a lovely patio and terrace...and I finally discovered where all the internationals have been hiding! We met a lot of people from all over the world but I would say the biggest expat groups are definitely French and German (Germans are EVERYWHERE!) 

 Lara and I have also done some sight-seeing. My favorite place we discovered was Tian Zi Fang Shopping Street. You enter into a maze of tiny passage ways with tons of stalls. You can go into fancy shops or get cheap iPhone covers. There were also tons of restaurants: Thai, Indian, Spanish and little bars where people enjoy happy hour.

On Sunday, Lara and I tried out the hop on-hop off bus with our new friend Hanna. She's been here for a year learning Chinese. She's our unofficial Shanghai guide and I'm so happy to have met her....although I'm not so sure she's so happy about my constant interrogations. We hopped off at the Yu Yuan Gardens, where again you have a maze of pathways with antique shops and food. We had to take cover in Starbucks during the spontaneous monsoon rainstorm. But afterwards we walked a bit around and saw the entrance to the actual gardens. Its a zig-zag bridge because it keeps out the ghosts. Apparently, ghosts can't walk in a zig-zag. After the bus tour, we had some Shanghai dumplings. I think I'll eat about a 1,000 before I leave Shanghai. They are simply too good.

Picture time!!

Chinese Homework

Anna, Anne, and Me

The Girls on Ladies Night (Jitka is finally included!)

Not Ladies' Night, but the Hamburg Crew (+Mexican Roommate)

Tian Zi Fang Shopping

Hop on-Hop off Bus with Lara and Hanna

Yuyuan Garden

Zig zag bridge (no ghosts allowed)

Little Birds, yum or not yum?

  

A Haircut: Chinese Version

It's hot and humid here. I'm not going to even deny it, I was spoiled with a mild 70 degree weather growing up in California which makes me whine to anything cold or too hot. And you know what doesn't help the situation? Long hair which sticks to your skin and occasionally gets stuck in you armpits. So, I decided today I can't take it any longer and its time to chop it off. Only problem is: how do I even go about doing that? I mean, I'm pretty easy going about hair but at the minimum I like it when the hair stylist has a general idea about what I want. So naturally, I was terrified of the idea of going into a Chinese salon and getting it done knowing that there would be a huge language barrier. In Shanghai I guess there are two options. Either you pay up to 1,000 CNY (that's more than 100 euros) and go to a fancy European salon or you just brave it and go into a local place where you can get it cut for 60 CNY  (7.5 euro). I decided to be brave and keep my wallet full. So, I went into a place asked if they spoke English...he didn't really respond to that question. But he did show me to a book where they had all the services listed in English. I pointed to wash, cut, and blow dry and was seated. In China, hair styling is a masculine profession so I had a young Chinese guy shampoo my hair, while I was sitting in the chair. It was like he was playing with soap bubbles the whole time atop of my head. He massaged and scratched and overall felt good and not painful. (which I was scared because I read a blog where it liken the Chinese head massage to trying to crack open a coconut with your bare hands). After he washed everything out in the sink, another guy came to blow dry my hair. He did it so pretty I almost wanted to get up and keep my long hair in tact. I showed him a picture from my phone of what I wanted and he said "ok". In the end my hair cut wasn't like the picture but I am left still very satisfied. Of course, during the process other Chinese stylists came to gather around and watch the Blonde girl get her long hair cut off. I wish I could understand what they were saying. Overall though, I was left in impressed. There is no way I could get such a treatment for that cheap in Germany or the US. The guy who cut my hair was a perfectionist and really took his time to do a thorough job. So, was getting my hair cut a good decision. I think yes, what do you think?

The Search

Hi everyone,

So good news: I found a room! What began as an incredibly frustrating and discouraging process ended up in success. We came to Shanghai with the plan to stay in a hostel for 6 days and during this time to all find adequate housing...whether it would be all of us in the same apartment or a few of us in an apartment of of our own, or some of us spread out in different shared flats. Now some of you may be thinking that coming here without a place to live is kinda crazy, but that's just how it works here in Shanghai. Everything is done on such a short time frame. You can read advertisements for shared apartments and the move-in day is in three days. When you go to see an apartment, you basically have to say yes or no right away or it might be gone. That makes it really hard to do the whole "let me consider and weigh all my options before I come to the right decision". Germans like to do this a lot. But in Shanghai, you can by the seat of your pants. We had heard from friends we could get amazing penthouse-style apartments for cheap, especially designed for expats. Maybe this was true at one time, but it certainly wasn't our experience. To us, everything is way overpriced. It's an unpleasant feeling to negotiate money with the Chinese and know that they are ripping you off. They told us the apartments are more expensive for foreigners because we have different "style requests" than the Chinese. (un huh). Anyways, in the end we found something that ended up being the easiest, most convenient, and cheapest option. Us 5 girls are in the same building spread out between three different shared flats. It's the perfect option since it allows to have each other all in the same place yet give ourselves the chance to mingle and meet new people. I'm living on the 5th floor with Lara. Anne and Anna (now named Sophia for less confusion) live on the 8th and Jitka is braving it on her own on the 14th. My room has a balcony! We are right across from the Indoor Stadium which is a huge complex for sporting events, concerts, and other public events. It's a 5 minute walk to the underground and then we are only two stops away from the University. We are 4 stops away from the former French Concession and 6 stops away from People's square. So we are really happy to have a good location, all be together yet separate, and have have decent, clean rooms for a reasonable price. Our landlord lady, Mia, is also very cool. She's Chinese but speaks English well and worked with us on making short-term contracts. Today is orientation where we will register for classes. We have no idea what to expect. Will there be a lot of exchange students? Will we have to wait ages in line to register? What does the University look like? I'll post next on Uni life, but for now here's some pictures of the flat. Oh and I forget to mention. Lara and I have two roommates, a French guy and a girl from Mexico. The French guy has a baby kitten....no, he did not find him at the back of Chinese Restaurant (at least I think not) Her name is Merci and I'll be posting lots of pictures of her soon too.