I realize I have been quite slack of late with the blogging. Seems before I went to China I was in the routine of writing everything and upon coming back my creative juices are dried up. Plus I was quite ill and have gotten back into the swing of thins for Uni and back into the mind of a teacher.
I really wanted to complete my travel blogs from my most recent time abroad, mostly for myself and my failing memory more than anything but I am not at all bothered so I may end them for now with one last post.
So lets rewind one month back to the 16th of July. I was in Shanghai and we were about to embark on a journey to experience some Chinese nightlife, which did not consist of Karaoke. After extensive research and Googleing, on of the girls found a place called ‘The Shelter’
Found at 5 Yongfu Lu,
永福路5号 an address that was quite difficult to dictate to our cab driver, this place is not visible to the naked eye.
When we arrived at Yongfu Lu we found a street of hip and trendy bars, each filled with more expats than locals. Looking around we were quite disappointed that we weren’t able to find this former bomb shelter come club but ventured into a bar I vaguely remember being called the Bounty.
I did not bring any heels to China so I was stuck wearing my combatesque boots, teamed with burgundy velvet skirt and a sheer mesh top. 3 weeks worth of beer and rice had left me feeling like a bloated heifer and the unfamiliarity of my environment and my clumsiness had left me covered and bruises so I was feeling quite haggard and ready to have some beverages to loosen up. At the first bar the drinks were up to par price wise with Australian drinks, perhaps even more, but due to the obvious lack of alcohol problems in this glorious country the shots were pretty much double and went down a treat! After our third of fourth Vodka and Cranberry (a beverage I believe does good for you and the cranberry cancels out the vodka) we got word that the club was actually open and we just needed to head down stairs. Elated we wondered outside, bypassed the Chinese fellow claiming to sell every drug under the sun, tempted for a doobie but no thanks I don’t think I’d fair well in a Chinese Prison, and headed downstairs.
The tunnel into the Shelter was like a labyrinth, and the doormen were not thrilled to have to take our photos. When we got inside we realized we were one of the first people in the club for the night, awkward, and headed to the bar for shots. Looking at the board I choose the first shot called ‘polar bear’ it was amazing, a chocolaty mint explosion in your mouth, I believe I had at least five of these, a few vodka shots and a few other shots of delight. Usually I am one to hold my liquor well, but that night I was definitely inebriated.
The club itself was also filled with lots of expats and the only Chinese people I saw were those working on the bar. I think I could have easily thought I was in Europe somewhere; it had a very electro euro vibe with European looking Dj’s playing underground elector beats. I wish I remembered more of the evening, but unfortunately all I remember is returning to the Bounty and ordering a pizza, and sitting at a table with some French men.
Now In my head these were quite attractive French boys but really my recollection is vague, so lets just say they looked a bit like this.
Now I was quite in awe of these boys as they were obnoxious and arrogant but charming at the same time, again I was probably too drunk and this is all a concoction of my imagination but I was actually amused by their sarcastic wit and belligerence. One said to me in regards to my myriad of bruises ‘Does your father or boyfriend hit you?’ I think It is time for me to start taking my iron tablets if complete strangers are looking at my battered legs and wondering if I am a victim of domestic abuse.
The rest of the night is a blur, but I know I naughtily smoked a cig with the French fellas, seems it is easy into coercing me to smoke despite my lungs disagreeing each time when you have a dreamy accent. The next day consisted of a very large hangover and me being stalked by some tweens in a museum who wanted my phone number and to set me up with their brother.
But maybe more on that another day.
I did not bring any heels to China so I was stuck wearing my combatesque boots, teamed with burgundy velvet skirt and a sheer mesh top. 3 weeks worth of beer and rice had left me feeling like a bloated heifer and the unfamiliarity of my environment and my clumsiness had left me covered and bruises so I was feeling quite haggard and ready to have some beverages to loosen up. At the first bar the drinks were up to par price wise with Australian drinks, perhaps even more, but due to the obvious lack of alcohol problems in this glorious country the shots were pretty much double and went down a treat! After our third of fourth Vodka and Cranberry (a beverage I believe does good for you and the cranberry cancels out the vodka) we got word that the club was actually open and we just needed to head down stairs. Elated we wondered outside, bypassed the Chinese fellow claiming to sell every drug under the sun, tempted for a doobie but no thanks I don’t think I’d fair well in a Chinese Prison, and headed downstairs.
