Shanghai Day 3- More of The Bund and Nanjing Lu
Breakfast was easy- a bakery a couple blocks from the hotel. I read while I ate. I know, but you should know me well enough by now. I always have a book and this time I have Inkspell. From there I headed down Yan’an Dong Lu, turning down Sichuan Lu. I wanted to find Yu Yuan, what was billed to be “a classic Chinese garden featuring pools, walkways, bridges and rockeries…”. Sounds good right? Not without my Zyrtec. But I’d taken it, so I was good to go. It was a good walk down, bustling, and definitely not Beijing. I finally found the Yu Yuan Old Street which is now lined on both sides with hawkers selling chintzy souvenirs, and other “traditional Chinese” items.
From Yu Yuan, I decided to go to Nanjing Dong Lu. So back the way I came- then the familiar jaunt down Yan’an to Zhongshan. Then I weaved through the people to Nanjing Dong Lu with only one distraction- someone asked me to take a picture.
Nanjing Dong Lu is supposed to be a street full of lights and stores, glamorous and lively, China’s busiest shopping street, and something that was supposed to remind people of Hong Kong.
When I first turned the corner, I was utterly gutted. Scaffolding as far as the eye could see, this isn’t what I had imagined at all. After seeing pictures the day before of this street in the 1920s and 30s, I had pictured a more modern version. Not scaffolding and ugliness.
I walked up the street anyway, and it took a few blocks for things to get better. Once a little further west of the Sofitel hotel, the street looked a little bit more like I’d expected. No scaffolding, and the street was lined with high-rises and stores selling clothes and various things.
Next stop was a few minutes in Renmin Park (People’s Square). But then I saw the sign for Madame Tussauds and headed there. Tickets weren’t too bad- 135rmb, and I got a 30rmb discount. Too bad it was on the 10th floor, so that meant another crowded elevator.
Then onto some music, though I skipped the Chinese since I had no clue who they were. But I got Elvis, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and CoCo Li (found that off the web). Then there were various people- Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond, a car racer, a Chinese actor, Sir Anthony Hopkins, David Beckham in his LA Galaxy (aka MLS most overrated team), Ronaldo and Ahnuld’s Terminator.
Then for what I’ve dubbed “Celebrities I hope go away soon”- David and Victoria Beckham, and then Brangelina. Next was the Pepsi Studio which I skipped through, and then there was only one left.
Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly. And this was a photo-op. Of course I had to do it, it also came with such a great background. So now I can say I’ve had my picture taken with Audrey Hepburn.
All I got in the giftshop was my photo and a pin with Audrey Hepburn. Nothing really called to me as a souvenir from Shanghai, plus nothing said Madame Tussauds Shanghai on it, just Madame Tussauds. After finishing up at Madame Tussauds, I took the elevator down to the bottom floor where I saw a sign for Burger King. *cue angels singing* Another reason why I’d rather stay in Shanghai than go back to Beijing- a convenient Burger King! Near People’s Square! Damn them for sending me to Beijing where the only BK is at the frickin’ airport.
And who knew there’d be another reason for that curse?
Since it was busy and every table was full, I skipped the BK. I know, I know, but I’m back at the airport tomorrow anyway. So I went back to the park, took a few pictures, then thought I saw a sign that read “HERS…” It was a vertical sign and the rest was hidden by trees. So I decided to investigate, just in case it was what I thought it was.
And cue those angels again. That said did indeed say what I thought it said. And it said- HERSHEY’S. Did I head in? What do you think?
The smell of chocolate provided further unnecessary enticement into the store.
According to the Bible- On day four, God said, “Let there be light.”
The part that the Bible forgot- Also on day four, God added, “And let there be an addicting, yet delectable, confection known forth as chocolate.”
Now, this is a close version of Paradise, though my idyllic Paradise isn’t limited to Hershey’s chocolate. I need my Lindt and peanut M&Ms.
After much deliberation, and drooling- I got a bar of Cacao Reserves 65% Dark Chocolate with cacao bits, a bag of Hershey’s Miniatures, and a six-pack of Hershey bars (now that is my idea of a six-pack). We’ll see how long they last, but since there is NO FRICKIN’ WAY IN HELL I’m sharing, it should last me for a little while, at least.
A Vlog later (I’m almost used to being stared at for talking to myself and my phone), I headed back to Nanjing Dong Lu. An addition to the Vlog later, I wound my way back to The Bund Brewery for a beer and another onion soup.
It was an early day back to the hotel, but I was tired and it turned out I’d gotten a bit of a sunburn. Nothing resembling a lobster, but that pinkish-reddish hue on my shoulders still feels a little warm to the touch. And the best part of that- not only do I have strap lines from my tanktop, but also from my purse! It’s a great look. Snacking on the pack of croissants from the bakery, I checked the Net, Facebooked a bit (‘cause I’m an avid Facebooker), got my camera pictures on my laptop (phone has to wait, I didn’t bring that cord), then I went about blogging, surfing the net and watching CNN.
End of my last full day in Shanghai. *pouts* I want to stay!
