I survived!

Thank you for all your prayers - We arrived on time and the three of us made it out alive and relatively happy. I made it through my haircut without a major panic attack. Granted, it is too short and I didn't like the way he styled it, but heck, that is how it always is. It is a great cut for $30 (I did go ahead and give the guy a tip). So no fun and exciting story about that. I spent too much money today because I also bought "taxi cards" - written in English and Chinese so we don't have an incident like we had last night trying to get to dinner. I knew how to get to this place by the metro lines, but since it was raining we thought we would splurge for the $4 (there and back) taxi ride.

One tip when you come to Shanghai - the faster you say the streets, the more they understand you. Also, if you put the accent in the wrong place, trust me, it will be a different street. I had the doorman and some other random guy at our apartment complex yelling back and forth at the taxi driver giving him directions (they understood my Chinese, the taxi guy didn't). Even after we got in the taxi the driver kept yelling, like we were going to understanding - except that he was probably saying "You Stupid Americans" - I learned "stupid" in Chinese - "Bin Bin" - they think it is funny when you point to yourself and say that. An easy ice breaker. :) Too bad I can't say much else, but I guess that is the point.

My next adventure is to Dragonfly Spa (www.dragonfly.net.cn) who wants a $30 hour long massage?? I do I do! And our gift card is transferrable - another thing to entice visitors, right? I guess I need to keep tutoring because I also get to pick up my new dress and skirt on Friday from the fabric market - we'll see how the skirt I designed myself turns out.