The Good, Bad and Ugly

In Shanghai, it might be better said as: the fascinating, the frightening, and the frustrating. Seriously, after two weeks here, I'm not sure there is another city in this world as complex with culture and systems quite like this one. We've seen every walk of life, every kind of food, a variety of transportation, a lack of rules and standards, some of the most amazing architechture, and the biggest slums. We've been taken back by beauty and by rudeness, and for the first time in my life, I've shoved people aside who stared at my children. I've had long talks with people I've never met before, shared stories, frustrations, and (believe-it-or-not) things I knew that someone else didn't. I feel like I've been here forever, while also feeling like I just stepped foot off the airplane.

Backing up....
The trip here was utterly miserable. We boarded the plane to find no outlets, USB or personal TV's. With 14 hours ahead of us, I thought for sure we were doomed because my plans for the older two had just backfired. But, to my surprise, it was the baby who didn't sleep, nor sit in her own chair, for the entire flight around the world. Even when waking her at 3 a.m. for take off, she still stayed up, kicking the chair in front of her, running the aisles, rolling on the back galley floor (trust me, I just puked in my mouth too), and annoying the hundred's of others on the plane who wanted shut-eye. So I held her, because of course at 16 months, she clearly let's us know that no one else can set finger on her -- even daddy. Cade and Layna, however, thought the flight to be amazing. They watched out the window for quite some time, and continued guessing what part of the world we were hovering at any given time.

Upon arriving here on August 4th, the apartment that Jarin had picked out was unveiled. In my crabby, cranky self, I told him I was disappointed. It wasn't clean, stunk like mold, had broken appliances and lights everywhere, and obviously held zilch of our personal belongings. We unpacked the 8 suitcases...which, did I mentioned cost us $1100 EXTRA? With no hangers, bedding, pillows, phone, dishes or food I felt a little lost. I didn't even know where to go to get this stuff! Nor, how to talk to the taxi driver to get me there!

I was stuck. In an apartment that I hated.

The next two days were still tricky. The hubs helped with getting a phone lined up, he provided me access to VPN so that I could Facebook and blog (thank God!), and then he was off on business for two days. It was funny listening to the kids who said, "how are we going to get anywhere because only daddy knows where to go." Yeah, yeah -- shut it. I can do this too, I thought. Well, that turned into a few consecutive days at the pool, because we figured out the clubhouse pretty quick :)

After that though, first thing was first. My fabulous BOB jogger was not going to cut it on these narrow sidewalks lined with 23 million people. No way. No how. Against the liking of my bean-counting husband, that meant a new, compact, light-weight $200 stroller. And, of course, that trip led to a few other purchases at this mega-amazing 6-story Super Brand Mall which just happens to be a couple miles from my home.

I also attempted IKEA in week #1, which was probably the most frightening experience of my life. I was in dire need of a bed for the baby, who had been co-sleeping with us for way too long in my book, and as I exited with a cart full of necessities (wine glasses, pillows, and bath towels) it was pouring. And just like the next 14 times it rained here, I didn't have an umbrella. I took my first cab that I found, which could have easily had rats running the floor boards. Black curtains covered the back windows, and at every stop the cabby pulled the emergency break and turned off the car. I seriously thought I was going to die. He scammed me for all I had, and drove so far around the city to take me home that I paid more than double my trip there. All the while I was texting Jarin with updates, and watching my phone battery quickly dwindle to 6%. I had never been so happy to see this apartment complex.

Exactly one week after our arrival here, we had visitors! And WOW! what a blessing. We toured on buses and cruises, went up in the Pearl Tower, ate at some amazing restaurants (and tried McDonalds), bardered with the best at the fake markets, and ultimately experienced Shanghai in 5 days. These dear Minnesota friends of ours also allowed for me to spend 2 hours purchasing one set of sheets, because God-forbid I be able to speak a lick of Mandrin. Before saying farewell, us lovebirds snuck out for a quick date night at a fab Thai restaurant right next to the Louis Vuitton.  Of course, I had to stop in to check out the purse I dreamed about .... only 35000 RMB! No worries, our high-class cabbie dropped us off right in front of the Bentley.

In the last week, we also interviewed and hired our ayi, Xiao Fang, who started helping at the house on Monday. She is amazing and so in love with the kids. She speaks very good English, and is even teaching us some Mandrin. She has allowed me to fall in love with this apartment afterall. It's crazy how nice it is when it's clean! I also lost my brand new iPhone, which has been hell on wheels to track among the streets of Shanghai. I've given up on that idea now, and am just buying a new one, which she is helping me to do.

It's been two days since our visitors left, and the kids have had school orientation and are ready for their first day tomorrow. Jarin is now in Hong Kong to finally pick up our residence visa. It's all coming together so well, and I couldn't be happier. Yes, things are challenging, but we have to laugh at how ass-backwards it is here. I know that it's worth it though when I compare these feelings with the utter stress and annoyance I felt living apart. And then I see the kids' faces. They are lighting up here. They love their teachers, are eager to sign up for co-curriculars, have begun introducing themselves by their first name and homeland, and are begging for the ayi to babysit them. I know this isn't the life many would chose, but for us, it's going to be a good one.