Farewell Shanghai

The year is almost over and so is my stay in Shanghai. I will be moving to another place in China at the end of this year or early next year. It’s not my choice but I have to, because of some circumstances in my work. I know things are changing soon, but fear keeps me from moving on and I wanted to hold on a little longer.

I had an amazing two years experience in this place, where I had my spiritual awakening and met with like-minded people whom some of them were part of my soul group and they taught me a very valuable and unforgettable lessons in life. I had a hard time letting go of them and since I’m fully aware that I only had few remaining time left, I want to spend it with them as often as I can. My ego also expect the same from them, I wanted them to tell me that they don’t want to see me go and that we should make most of every moment. I want to create some drama with me leaving them. But the truth is, for them life goes on with or without me. Now I’ve learned rather how to appreciate every minute I spend with them and give them my 100% attention. I let them be them without any expectations from my side or any agenda to change them, I’m just being grateful for their presence. I also try to say things I really want to say.

Thank you all for being part of my journey. However brief our encounter maybe and whatever the reason is I will always treasure it. Forgive me for my frailties; I tried to do my best in each given situation while I was with you. I will take with me the lessons you have taught me and use it as a fuel to improve my life and become a much better person. I have to accept the fact that everything in life is passing. Everything changes, and with change comes another possibility. Another possible encounter, another lesson with another people.

So I guess this is it.

Farewell to all my friends in Shanghai…Until we meet again!

Namaste,

Janice

Visitors in Shanghai

My mother together with some friends visited shanghai for three days. Though most of the time the weather is not cooperative with us, we still have some fun and learned how to dance in the rain.

First stop was at Our Lady of Sheshan Cathedral located on top of Sheshan Hill. We say the rosary together and thank God for this opportunity.

Sheshan Hill

At the entrance to Sheshan Hill

Pagoda Temple at Sheshan Hill

Our Lady of Sheshan Cathedral

Inside the Cathedral

Then we headed to Yuyuan Garden and The Bund. We don’t have a clear view of the famous shanghai skyline as seen in the side of The Bund because it was covered with fog.

At Yuyuan Garden

At Fuyou Rd. near Yuyuan Garden

At The Bund

At the background is the Shanghai Skyline covered with fog

At clear sky, this is how it looks like

The next day we visited Shanghai Museum, China Art Museum –  the largest art museum in Asia and Mercedes Benz Arena. It has a 360 degrees viewing deck on top and has the view of Lupu Bridge the second longest steel arch bridge in the world. We also take a stroll at Rivermall adjacent to the arena.

At Shanghai Museum

Inside Shanghai Museum

China Art Museum

Shanghai Mercedes-Benz Arena

Lupu Bridge

At Rivermall

Then we went to Lujiazui to have a closer look at the Shanghai Skyline at night however the  Oriental Pearl TV Tower lights was turned off (because of the upcoming typhoon) just a few minutes after we started taking picture of it. So what we had is the “brownout version” of the tower as quoted from them.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower with lights on

Without the lights

My mother with Jinmao Tower at her background, it used to be the tallest building in China. To the right is  the Shanghai Tower, currently the second tallest building in the world next to Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

On the third day their flight was cancelled because of the bad weather and was push through 17 hours after their supposedly flight schedule. With all the drama and chaos in the airport, we just try to found humor in the situation and have met new friends.

I think when travelling it is important to be with good company and be flexible for some unexpected twist and turns which makes your journey more exciting. Be open to new experiences, learn to appreciate different culture and just enjoy every moment of it. While for me as someone who will show my visitors around Shanghai, I have to be more, in order to share more to them. I have to explore more places and be more pleasant to make sure my visitors will have an enjoyable and memorable trip. Until next time folks!

Shanghai Metro

Shanghai Metro system is the world’s largest rapid transit system by route length and second largest by number of stations after Beijing, with 14 lines and 337 stations totaling 548 kilometers.

Shanghai Metro Map

Entrance at the subway station

Ticket vending machines

Service Center

No its not inside an airport, it’s still in shanghai metro station

You can visit more places easily and conveniently around Shanghai by train. You can transfer from one line to another in some station where two or more lines crosses each other and can have as much as 20 exits.

Exits in Xujiahui Station

Each line is represented by a color. You just have to follow the directions and you will never get lost.

But just in case you still need a map, it’s available everywhere.

They also have a schedule of first arrival and last departure of train in every station which is precisely implemented.

And please don’t forget to submit your self to security check.

Chinglish

Security check

By the way, drinks are allowed inside the train.

Somebody is coming to visit me, I will keep you updated!

China, Why not?

Before I went here, I was asked by my friends and relatives the following questions; Haven’t you heard about those viruses like H1N1, SARS, Bird flu, and etc. that exist in China? How about those harmful chemicals they put in their food products? remember that Melamine scandal.. Aren’t you aware that it’s the most populated and polluted country in the world and spitting is everywhere? Currently We have a territorial dispute with China in the West Phil. Sea, what if war happens between them and our country? And so on… I definitely understand where they are coming from, they are just concerned about my welfare.

I was given an opportunity to work between two countries and I choose China. Why? I don’t know how to answer it, because honestly I was also asking the same question to myself.

Now that I have been here for five months, answers to that are becoming deliberately apparent.

I remember telling a friend before that I wanted to experience spring season and see cherry blossoms.

Cherry Blossoms At Gucun Park, Shanghai

A cluster of them makes a majestic view

So heavenly.

A closer look

I wanted also to experience a different culture.

People dancing, a common sight in every park or open space in Shanghai

Can I join?

Parents looking for their children’s potential mate in the profiles posted also by other parents in the park

Having tangbao or soup buns at Yuyuan Garden

Tourist shop

Some Chinese delicacies

A man practicing calligraphy

Chinglish anyone?

Learn new language (having a hard time though).

Some of my reference books in learning mandarin

Somebody left a note in my table.

Everything needs to be translated

Meet more wonderful people and learn from them.

With the most warmhearted human beings I’ve met in Shanghai

With my co-workers

Churchmates

Explore different places.

Shanghai Museum

Shanghai’s Famous Skyline in daylight

At night

The Bund

Shanghai Tower, second tallest building in the world

Shezhuang temple

At East Nanjing Rd.

Near Century Park

At Qibao Old Town

At Xintiandi

And I know that this is just the beginning of my exciting adventure in this Middle Kingdom. There are still more places to explore and more answers to be revealed for that seemingly immortal question “why in China?”.

How about their concerns mentioned above? Well, I have already experience some. But I want to focus on the brighter side, knowing that I don’t live in a perfect world. And it makes life exciting Isn’t it? I would certainly miss half of my life If I wasn’t able to went here. Wo Ai China.