Visiting My Girl

Girls night in Shanghai. 

While I was there Kimmy’s wanted me to meet her friends. This was the night I got to meet Aria. 

While Kimmy’s been in Shanghai at times, a few of her friends and their parents have either hosted her or taken her to dinner. Kimmy wanted me to return the favor. She has talked about how sweet her friends are and how excited parents are to meet an American. 

The parents so far have said they are proud of their kids for becoming friends with an American. It’s been so fun to hear about the fun experiences Kimmy’s had.

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It was so fun to meet Kimmy’s friends. 

Some things I learned are that the Chinese see hygiene differently than we do in the U.S. They don’t eat with their hands if they can help it. Many places offer plastic gloves if it’s going to be finger food. They don’t wash their hands before meals meaning that they need to sometimes they use gloves. Hence the chopsticks. 

So for me to order, go wash my hands before I eat, and use my hands for some of my foods was not common. 

Hands are used to peel eggs or eat steamed buns, etc. Also, they’re pros at peeling eggs. Fast and in a spiral. 

I ditched them after some shopping. I felt like a supervisor when we were there and didn’t want to. 

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Shanghai is one of China’s safest cities. Being assaulted isn’t a thing in China. Women can walk around without fear at any time of day. I left them at nine at night and walked several blocks on my own. Kimmy and Aria did too. Aria separated so she could go back to the dorms, and Kimmy met me at the hotel. The day I first got here, Kimmy walked from the hotel to her dorm, at eleven at night, to drop off the contents of the large luggage I brought for her.

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The drinking age is 18 here, so we shared some sake. The hotel fridge comes stocked with soda. My favorite flavor is orange, so I do a happy dance every day. Kimmy said that I should get used to being stared at here. That doesn’t happen to me. It only happens to her and her friend(s) who are dressed cute. She hasn’t dressed cutesy in years, so I don’t think she realizes it’s the look that she’s getting attention for. She’s not used to being openly stared at. 🤷🏻‍♀️😄