Suzhou to Shanghai

Today I find myself in the modern city of Shanghai. Arrived on the bullet train, started the morning watching the National Championship game at the Bamboo Sports Bar. (great game, heartbreaking end...) Then eating Burger King for lunch, shopping at the GAP, drinking Coffee Bean coffee and deciding which Art Museum to visit. Shanghai is a truly international city. I heard rumors there were more expats than nationals living here... could be just a rumor but it feels true.

The last two days Anthony and I spent in Suzhou, a city known as the Venice of China. There are supposedly more bridges than roads in Suzhou. We spent our days exploring the old city and viewing ancient gardens. We were also fortunate enough to meet up with the lovely Ms. Kelly whom I taught with before on the rooftop. She was with a couple teacher friends and treated us to a wonderful dinner.

Suzhou was a beautiful city but the weather was been cold. Not the dry cold that I am used to in northeast China and Oregon, but a wet cold. You just never seem to get warm. So although we loved Suzhou, we were not sad to head off to warmer cities.

Tomorrow we will head to Xiamen to visit an old student as our slow trip down south continues.