Yu Garden

First day in Shanghai


We had our first full day in Shanghai today. The only thing I really, really wanted to see in this city are the Yu Gardens. So this is one of the first thing we are going to do here.

Beth and I decided that we will walk instead of taking the subway. Walks are nice and in Shanghai, unlike Beijing, the distances between two subway stations is actually walk-able.
Our little walk took us from the hostel to Nanjing rd, the big shopping area of Shanghai, and toward the Bund. We walked to the 'Bazaar' were the gardens were and enjoyed the beautiful sites. The shopping area was very crowded, so the calm- and quietness of the Yu Gardens was even more welcome.
After walking around a bit and following a tour guide for a little while (she told a few nice things about the Dragon Wall), we set down near a peaceful little waterfall. Apart from the occasional honking of a car, it was so quiet. I started to feel really relaxed and I think we sat there for quite some time, wondering what would happen if we were to stay there the whole day.
After Beth told me that she was so relaxed that she wouldn't even mind if her camera fell into the water and I wanted to test that theory, we decided is maybe wasn't a very good idea to stay.

I contacted my Dutch friend who now lives in Shanghai. We had Chinese class together back home and are residing in China at the same time. We had dinner together with him and his friend Max at the soup expert, where we didn't eat any soup but we enjoyed a beautiful view over the People's Square. When the restaurant closed we had to leave and Beth and I went back to our hostel where we had a beer together with two Americans, an English men and a Tasmanian. When one of the guys asked me what I was doing in China and I told him I was doing volunteer work, his first responds was: 'So are you a Christian?' I was surprised by this prejudice and I think it is funny at the same time. Again shows me how much there is to learn from all the people around us.

Later that evening a few Dutch girls joined us as well. Apparently there are 30 Dutch law students in the same hostel at this moment. Love to speak some Dutch again. Didn't realize I missed doing that.