revisiting Shanghai (part 2)

Now that summer is over and I'm no longer slaving away at two jobs, the life story of Helen Cakes resumes.

p.s you'll be seeing my green utility jacket a lot 'cause it's the lightest thing to carry around! I had to pack light because three-quarter of the things I brought to and back from China weren't even mine! Damn those Chinese people who wants everything foreign. I kid you not, the security at the airport made me open my grandma's carry-on and what she thought was probably crystal meth turned out to be two bottles of SEA SALT from Costco. The security guard and I shared the same are you kidding me, salt? face and I wanted to smack my face right there and then.

Anyway, Al and I visited the Shanghai zoo! Here are some highlights.

The lazy tiger. I did not pay the ¥40 just to see a damn tiger lying around! Growl damn it!!!

As expected, lots of Chinglish signs in China! But don't worry, there won't be any animal injury with lazy tigers like the one in the picture above ;) p.s the sign is really saying: caution, animal may cause injury to humans.

This sign definitely made up for it though. You press the button near the pelvis area of the tiger and "pee" shoots out from the butt hole. You can see it faintly in this photo.

Here's the thing that really pissed me off. There were signs that said DO NOT FEED ANIMALS, yet these fucking Chinese people were still throwing food at the bear, hence why the bear was sitting and looking up trying to catch food.

I'll end the post on a lighter note. When I laugh hysterically, I inhale (as I was told) so I sound like a seal. Al thought it would be hilarious for me to take a photo by this seal sticker; so I did, and I posed for it! arrr arrr arrrrrrrr

revisiting Shanghai (part 1)

Hello Cupcakes! I'm starting a mini series of my recent trip to Shanghai!

Cakester here was born on a hot summer morning in Shanghai. Last time I visited China was in the summer of 2002 (10 years ago!). So as a university grad present, my parents paid for my round trip airfare to Shanghai. I stayed for four weeks because I had to be back for my convocation. Al visited for 2 weeks and it was his first time in China!

This is our first stop, Qibao (七寶) - full name: Qibao ancient town (old street is where we went). It's one of the popular tourist attractions in Shanghai because of its bridges, old structural buildings, and of course street food.

main gate

As you can see from this very first picture of Shanghai, nobody follows the traffic signals! If you have ever experienced uncivilized Chinese people in western countries, wait until you visit the home country. :o

looking down from top of bridge

We went on a Sunday so the place was PACKED. It was so packed that you'd want China to keep the one child policy.

an alleyway

One reason Shanghai is so populated is that people from rural areas all want to come to the big city. Kids nowadays can't even speak the Shanghai dialect anymore! Everything is in Mandarin. Cakester is a true Shanghai girl 'cause she can speak Shanghainese.

La Cakester

I leave you with this awesome scenery picture of Qibao. I couldn't have looked more asian *sigh*

18 ways of having fun

Why hello readers. A few things have happened since I last blogged. In short, I graduated university, I vaca-ed in China for a month, and I developed PGS (post graduation syndrome). I'm sure many can relate. Anyway, the above picture is yours truly playing mini-golf (for the first time!). Al surprised me with a trip to the golf course and not to my surprise, I lost lol. I'll get him next time.