Easy living in Shanghai

I’m in a coffee bar in “Xintiandi”, which is the name for a couple of beautifully restored old-houses in central-Shanghai. And what do you do with such a beautiful place …. Exactly: you put in lots of expensive bars and shops and probably soon everybody will love it there. The concept worked, because it’s totally crowed here, filled with tourists, rich Chinese and me. Although it’s so touristy and really not that special, it’s a place where you’ll find yourself every once in a while (I’ve been here already a couple of times). I arrived here by accident after wandering through town and I’m now enjoying a nice Sunday afternoon here.

I have been studying my Chinese in this bar for nearly one hour. My progress in this language goes beyond any expectation (I must admin I didn’t expect much) … so I’m happy and keep my focus on this language – which I feel is a necessity if you live here. However, I’ve met already loads of foreigners that speak hardly any Chinese. Once mastered the basic survival Chinese, why learn more? I’m not judging, just observing … and I’m still working on mastering the basic survival Chinese, so I must admit that’s an achievement. I just enjoy learning Chinese a lot…so everyday I’m excited to learn.

This week has been quite easy and not very social… just me and myself most of the time, because for ‘De Baak’ I had to do much computer work and had no meetings. Solitary behind the computer screen (this is the modern live, right?). However, there’s one really nice development in my working situation. That’s my new desk and comfortable office chair. So far I worked at a kind of kitchen table, and matching backbreaking chair – my muscles weren’t enjoying this. Mathijs, a Dutch guy, left this week to go back to Holland after a stay for two years in Shanghai. I bought his desk, chair, flatscreen, DVD-player and his bike. So next to this beautiful desk, I’m the proud owner of a beautiful bicycle. Friday night I went out with my bike to have a little drive through town. I loved it! Cycling through the endless streets of Shanghai is a great feeling. What was supposed to be just a little tour ended up as a total SH-exploration tour of two hours. When I returned home, I felt exhausted and skipped partying on Friday night – to bed with the endless “Prison Break”-dvds.

Musically everything is also going well. I have a bass-teacher now too (the best bass-player of Shanghai, as I’ve been told). He’s an American guy called EJ, and for a small fortune a lesson he agreed on teaching me once every two weeks. I you want to learn you’d better learn from the best, dui bu dui? My music class yesterday went really well and I’m enjoying it a lot. And we will have a gig on the 9th of November!!! After the class I joined the pianist Haiyin and went to KTV (karaoke) … my first time. It’s difficult … my God. You think: “Ah, I know this song”, but when you have the microphone you realize you can only sing the Verse and the rest is a mystery … just words floating on the screen. Haiyin used her Chinese politeness and said I did a good job, but I know better – I was quite shitty, especially compared to these Chinese girls that where singing like Angels! However, I was an enjoyable experience and would like to go again. I ended my Saterday night at a big party in a beautiful house in my neighborhood. I met the couple that lived in my house in Goa’an Lu before I moved in – serendipity! It was fun!

Next weekend I decided to go to Chengdu for 3 days. I booked a ticket and feel delighted to go there. Explore this huge country and all its sights. Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province, which is famous for its delicious food, so what do you need more!