(no subject)
Nathan left for Jakarta this morning. And then there were two.
Max and I went back to Xiang Yang this morning because we have some sadistic desire to become broke. That is to say, I have a sadistic desire to spend all my money. Max has plenty and runs no risk of losing it all by spending too much. Since I only had about Y400 for spending money, I was really hard-hitting with the bargaining. I got some very nice things for very cheap, especially if I convert to American money.
Max and I got a bag for our swords, most importantly, so we don't have to worry as much about customs.
Max spent a long time looking at video games, so I got to sit down and talk to the shopkeepers. I played games with one of them, calling out to white folks with him. That was really fun. "DVD? Watch? Bag? What you wanna buy?" He thought it was hilarious. I got to have long (about 15 minutes) conversations with two shopkeepers. They're very interesting people. If I ever come back to Shanghai, I think I'll go to the market with no money at all and just sit down and talk to people. My Chinese has gotten much better, I can tell. I'm excited to take my family out to Chinese food so I can show off my skillz.
I am very, very tired. I'm ready to come home now. I was going to go to Nanjing Lu today to just browse around (it's the big shopping street near the hostel) but I'm too tired today and I only have Y250 left for free spending. I think I may just save it for airport. Besides, I have so many little souvenirs...I have enough that I can give a little something to everyone in my family (extended included) and some of my friends. I'm going to miss China very much (and I'll probably end up back here again sometime), but I'm ready to see Mommy and Daddy and fam. and sleep in my own bed.
Max and I went back to Xiang Yang this morning because we have some sadistic desire to become broke. That is to say, I have a sadistic desire to spend all my money. Max has plenty and runs no risk of losing it all by spending too much. Since I only had about Y400 for spending money, I was really hard-hitting with the bargaining. I got some very nice things for very cheap, especially if I convert to American money.
Max and I got a bag for our swords, most importantly, so we don't have to worry as much about customs.
Max spent a long time looking at video games, so I got to sit down and talk to the shopkeepers. I played games with one of them, calling out to white folks with him. That was really fun. "DVD? Watch? Bag? What you wanna buy?" He thought it was hilarious. I got to have long (about 15 minutes) conversations with two shopkeepers. They're very interesting people. If I ever come back to Shanghai, I think I'll go to the market with no money at all and just sit down and talk to people. My Chinese has gotten much better, I can tell. I'm excited to take my family out to Chinese food so I can show off my skillz.
I am very, very tired. I'm ready to come home now. I was going to go to Nanjing Lu today to just browse around (it's the big shopping street near the hostel) but I'm too tired today and I only have Y250 left for free spending. I think I may just save it for airport. Besides, I have so many little souvenirs...I have enough that I can give a little something to everyone in my family (extended included) and some of my friends. I'm going to miss China very much (and I'll probably end up back here again sometime), but I'm ready to see Mommy and Daddy and fam. and sleep in my own bed.