Getting to know the locals

Thursday Jan 15^th…

Today we were stuck in classes all day! We ate in the dinning halls again. After class we just hung out. Did a little more research on traveling and then just caught up on emails and things of that nature. After a while the guys came down to our room and surprisingly they told us we were going out again. We had heard about another cheap drink bar so we thought we would try it out. Caitlin and I had to find the location of it because they are boys and we wont get anywhere if the girls aren’t prepared. So we looked it up and decided we would take cabs there but then the guys didn’t want to pay for a cab (even though it is cheaper than the subway when we have 5 people splitting a 14 kuai cab fare), in anycase we went on an adventure based on one persons recollection of what stop to get off at.

So we got off of the subway and started to head East. After walking for a few blocks the guys asked an old couple where the intersection was…good thing the girls wrote this information down. At this point Caitlin and I are freezing, we didn’t layer up since we thought we were just going to get into a cab and well we didn’t really wear walking shoes. The old couple told us they thought it was about a 30 minute walk. No one knew to believe that time frame or not because the Chinese walk a lot slower than we do. However, they knew exactly what they were talking about. It took forever to get there!!! We finally made it and it turns out this place is underground.

The bar is called C’s. We walked right past it and didn’t even know. It was one of the shadiest bars, but a lot of locals were there. At first we thought we were going to just stay for a drink but then we started playing some games and naturally we spent all night there. We met a lot of local people and played games with them. Sat at their tables, and just enjoyed the interaction. They are all so welcoming and want to get to know us.

It is interesting how quickly people exchange numbers.  After talking for a night the Chinese have the mentality that we are friends and we need to exchange numbers. It is fun though because we have met up with some of these people a couple of times and we are starting to create friendships with some locals.

This bar had the grossest bathrooms we have encountered since being in China. The whole squatty potty/hole in the ground isn’t that big of a deal and you learn quickly to carry your own toilet paper but this bathroom was just gross. It was very dirty and for the first time this trip Caitlin and I complained about the bathrooms. YUCK!

Another weird thing about this place was in the peanut basket they had sardines mixed in. Before I knew this Adam told me to try something, I wasn’t really paying attention and I am up for trying most foods, so why not. But wow was it salty!!!! So take note if you are in Shanghai and end up at C’s check your peanut basket before you jus take a big handful!

The guys decided taking cabs home was a better idea than using our means of transportation to get there because they know that the girls were right…again J

Another great night, with an adventure, meeting wonderful people, and creating long-term friendships.