frauke at large

Took the bullet train from Suzhou to Shanghai to catch up with friends and colleagues.

Left Suzhou quite early in the morning on sunday to catch the bullet train to Shanghai. Sat in the nose of the train, which considering it goes at 250km/h was actually quite exciting. German engineering so nothing to worry about.

 

Spent the rest of sunday having a leisurely lunch and walking through Shanghai. Met up with some friends and went to the bird and cricket market, saw a cricket fight – seems to be one of the many past time the Chinese engage in. The evening was spent going to an alumni do, organised for UNNC students. Met up with some colleagues.

 

Monday and Tuesday day I wandered the streets of Shanghai some more – I really like it here. I know it sounds really cliche but this city does have a buzz and energy and excitement about it which makes it one of my favourite places in China to date. I love its cosmopolitan feel with its distinct asian flair. Tuesday lunchtime I attended the British Chamber of Commerce marketing group talk on database marketing and the Chinese consumer which, given my research interests on marketing activities and consumer privacy intrusion, was really interesting. It was held at the swanky Hyatt hotel in Pudong on the Bund.  After the talk I met up with a colleague and friend to have champagne and macaroons in the hotel’s tea room. Bliss! A great way to spend the afternoon. 

 

Later in the evening we went to have dinner at the Jin Mao Tower, an 88 story skyscraper in the Lujiazui area of Pudong, to extend our decadent day as my friend was flying back to the UK the next day. The Jin Mao Tower was the tallest building in the PRC until 2007 and is the 6th tallest building in the world. Unfortunately the weather did not allow for the usual spectacular views, but occasionally we caught a glimpse of the miniature cars driving by on the ground. So had dinner on the 55th floor in the Canton restaurant which takes up the whole floor and where the food was just delicious and then tried to go for a drink on the 87th floor, but ended up going to the Grand Hyatt atrium bar which was just as good. A Shanghai extravaganza and an unforgettable day indeed! 

 

Spent Wednesday morning doing a bit of shopping before catching the train back to NingBo and resume my working life.

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