1. Preparation of the family trip

My husband decided to orginize a family trip to Shangai in the Summer Holiday to visit the EXPO, and this suggestion recieved 12 supporters from the family, so our preparation work began.

After all the ID cards were gathered, I begun to search the special offer of flights in the internet, and I was really very lucky, I found a very good round way flight quoted at CNY 960 only! So I took an action within the shortest time, and thank god, I got it!

The following weeks were almost spent on searching the hotel, the cost of Shanghai hotel was really very expensive, some friends gave me some recommendation, and I asked my husband for a final altitude, every time, the result was the same-- it was too expensive, so we made a agreement, I took care of the flight, and he booked the hotel, no matter what happened, we could not complaint each other. It was really a good deal!

Just 1 week before our depature, my husband was very happy to tell me that everything was ok.

Shanghai, we were comming!

                                             2. Arrival

It was a sunny Saturday morning, the driver picked us up from our house, and we were very excited about our trip to Shanghai.

We got our boarding card very soon, I felt I have never been so light before when the plane took off, the house, the road, the hill...everything of Guilin became far away from us as the plan flew higher and higher into the sky.

After the plan landed on Shanghai Pudong international airport, I found the airport was so huge, the long walk way as seem never ended, it costed us almost 45 minutes to get our luggage, and then we went out the airprot and headed for the metro.

The metro running rapidly in the city with a whistle like a iron animal, all the kids were quitely, other travelers in and out, out and in, only us still sit there, waiting for our destination. " Shanghai is really a big city!" My 9 year old nephew broken the silence. "Yes, big indeed, and tonight we will visit the most prosperous street in Shanghai." I told him. "well! That is wonderful!" I can see the excitement on his little face clearly.

Tranfer metro for three times, we finally got off the metro and arrived at the Northern Zhongshan Road, and walked across several streets but still could not find our hostel as if it did not exist at all. After several phone calls we stoped in front of an old building, I found we were decieved by the hotel seller right after we entred the room: the room was very narrow, no big than my face, and the beds were even smaller, the TV refused to work, the flush toilet as if had been there for centuraries covered by a thick water scale...

My husband quarreled with the manager of the hostel, but could change nothing, we were here already, we had no choice but to checked in and stay. I began to think why the other people is dishonest? Don't they know there is still something more important than making money? Money is important but not everything.

After dinner, we went to the metro again, because we were going to visit the Nanjing Road and the Bund, it must be very beautiful in the evening, I had seen many pictures of the Bund and tonight I would see it with my own eyes!

 

As soon as we stepped on the land of Nanjing Road, I think I should know more about the meaning of the word "crowded", there were so many people there, as if all the Chinese peope were focus in this street that evening! There were people in every direction! We were totally swallowed by the crowd and moved by the it. Other memember of our group disappeared totally within few second, but I thoutht as long as I followed its main direction, I could find them in the end. It was so hard to find other 12 people at the Bund. The nocturne of the Bund was so beautiful, the Oriental Tower was shinning with all kind of color in the distance, the huge builings near the Bund stand there quitely like ...like European men. I did not know why I thought of European men at that moment, but this word just appeared in my head and stayed there. Maybe I were afraid to get lost in the crowd and hope there was a tall and strong man could lead me and protected me.

  

 

The scenery of the "people wall" along the Bank of Huangpu River was also splendid, they stood so tight, even the water could not get thought. Beside the tall buildings we could see nothing but the people, we should thank god, because the kids could only see the buttocks of other people, so we should not complaint for anything. After took some shot, we decided to go back to our hostel.

Again, we fought our way thought the crowd; we were all tired when we reached our poor hostel. The following issue we need to face was how to sleep on two tiny beds. I got an idea to move the two beds together, and lied on them upright. "Mum, you are clever!" Alice was very happy that I could find the way out. But to our surprised even the two beds in the same room were of different heights, one was about 20CM lower than its twin. God bless me!

Alice fell asleep shortly, but I almost could not sleep. According to the former agreement between my husband and I, I could say nothing, just try to sleep.

                                                   3. Shanghai EXPO

We were told that the best time to visit the EXPO was from 12:00 to 14:00, there were two reason supported it, firstly, the people always got there early, and after 4 to 5 hours' waiting they must be both tired and thirsty; secondly, almost all the people have lunch during this time, so it should be less crowded during this period. Thinking of this, we decided to visit the Yuyuan Market firstly, and then march for EXPO during the Golden Period.

We took a bus in the morning from the starting point, and the bus brought us to our destination, the Yuyuan Market also named the Old City Area, it was one of the popular scenic spots in Shanghai, travelers can taste all kinds of local dessert there, or buy something special at a very good price. But what attracted me most was not the food or the commodities, it was the building there.  I felt the time was stop at several centuries ago, and the buildings still keep their original style, the grey tiles on the roof, the upward eaves, the curved Bridge on the water, the pavilions... It gave me a sense of age, and as if I was back to Tang Dynast, or even farer way back to the history.

 

 

 

We arrived at EXPO Site at 12:00' clock, when we waiting for our tickets, it began to rain again, and I realized that the rain has become one of our member, it began to company with us right after we arrived at the Shanghai airport, and wherever we went, it was never late. It companied us from Shanghai to Su Zhou, from Su Zhou to Hang Zhou, and from Hang Zhou back to Shanghai again. The rain became stronger and stronger within a few minutes. Some of us were happy and said, "We were so lucky, it is raining, and we need not worry about the high temperature any more!"

We entered the EXPO Site from the Gate 6, I was so surprise to see the long line in front of the China Pavilions in distance, it line was so long that I could not see the end, I felt la little giddy when saw the crowd again.

  

 

I suggested to visit the pavilion which was not with long line in front of, and other member agreed, then we began to search for our aim, but for some reason, I saw other member were led to a gate, people kept moving quickly, worrying got apart from them, I had to followed the crowd. It was the provincial pavilion of China (I knew it later), and there was no any possibility for us to back to the entrance, people kept walking forward in the zigzag-shaped walk way separated by the balusters on both sides, we almost spent 1 hours in walking in the balusters to reach the entrance of the pavilion, I did not remember how may turns I have made, just keep turning, walking and turning walking...

Just before I felt I could not stand it, we arrive at the entrance of the pavilion, I accounted our member, ok it was 13! "Let's go!"

The Tibetan Pavilion caught my eyesight firstly, the colors inside were very vivid, and the song of Tibetan was playing as if you have arrived in this Sacred Land, there was a movie playing, but we were too late for it, so we moved to the second Pavilion-- the Shaan Xi Pavilion.

My parents-in-law were in their 70s, so this tour was too much for them, and the youngest kids was only 8, so we need to take a rest. My sister said we should explore something different, and should visit a foreign pavilion this time. So after some rest we move on again.

We found there were not very much people in front of the National Pavilion of Nepal, we became excited at this discovery, we ran toward that and join in the other visitors. But to our disappointed, what we could see were only some bronze of Buddha.

It seems Puxi Area was our last hope, so we took a boat across the Huangpu River, but after we arrived at that, we were too tired to walk any more. What's more, it requested at least 2 hours' waiting to see any Pavilion; we had to give up and back to hostel again.

Dinner was in a local small restaurant, it provide spicy food which we loved so much. We were both tired and hungry; I could bet that the speed of our eating was even faster than the Metro in Shanghai! The waiter and the waitress kept very busying that night; I thought it was our turn to give some special impression to the Shanghai People!

 

                                5. Shanghai to Su Zhou

 

Another busy day began about 6:00 in the morning.

Our train from Shanghai to Su Zhou departed about 10am, but my parents-in-law insisted on checking out firstly and then brought our luggage to do the  city tour.

We found it was not so difficult to find something to eat in the morning at the Renming Square in Shanghai, we walked around the Square like vagrants, my husband asked us to wait, and he said he would bring our breakfast back. I think I should offer some help then I followed him.

Again, my attention attracted by the special building around the Square, few minutes later, my husband was back with a unhappy facial expression . "What's wrong?” I asked. "I met a very rude man just now." My husband said, “I asked him where I could buy breakfast, and his said he did not sell breakfast, and had no any responsibilities to tell me where we could buy it. He was really a rude man!" “woo, I think you have encountered a grassroots diplomat, but it is a pity nobody find his ability except us!" I said. My husband bursted into laughter at my words.

After breakfast, other members did some shopping, and I stayed in the Renming Park, the Lotus flower should be the queen of flower kingdom at this season. I saw Lotus flowers in all kinds of shape and colors, some of them were planted in the pools, they were so cute and so beautiful.

Su Zhou was one of the most important cities which I want to visit in my plan, the hotel we booked was the Pud Hotel small but comfortable. To our surprise, we found a computer in our rooms. The kids were so happy that they even did not want to go out any more!

The city of Su Zhou was a little old than I expected, the city was not very big, much like Guilin, but not so beautiful.

We was told that the Guangqian Street was worth visiting, and we went to there after dinner by bus, along the bus line, I could see many old houses, it did not like a modern city, the houses were not height and all with tile roofs. Willows were the commonest trees we could see in Su Zhou, I love this kind of tree very much, it always make me think of a grace lady coming from the history slowly and then stand on the bank of river, regarding the surface of the water as her mirror... Water Willow is the romantic tree! 

We were much relaxed when walking in the Guangqian Street in Su Zhou, we could walk side by side, and this feeling was so wonderful especial after we experienced the crowded Shanghai. I bought nothing that evening, the silk clothes were too deluxe for me, I never care about clothes, and I was too lazy to take care of the clothes, it was too complicate to wash it by hand, I prefer to spend time on playing games with my daughter and my nephews.

 

  

I had a good sleep that night, although the rain kept singing for the whole night.

 

                                  6. Visit the Su Zhou Garden in the heavy rain

 

There are many famous gardens in Su Zhou, we decided to vivist the most famous one-- the  Humble Ministration’s Garden. The rain was very hard indeed, but we think maybe the rain can refuse some travelers for us? But we were wrong, there were some long lines in front of the gate aready when we arrived there.

As there were too many travelers, the garden provided several tour guides to do the explanation, so within 20 minutes, the garde was filled with travelers, the voices centralized togather by the microphone, and the voice become nosiy and unclear, worrying about other memeber, I could see nothing but the unbrellas, could hear nothing but the drop of the rain...

Other memeber finally led to different direction by the tour guides, and finally I found I was traveling by myself. But I was sure I could find them again in the exist.

                         7. Su Zhou to Hang Zhou

The rain kept us stayed in the room for almost half day, before we moved to Hang Zhou, I thought we should to confirm our room in Hang Zhou hotel again, because we could not check in the hotel before 18:00 as they requested.

My husband said everything should be OK, because they said if we could not arrive in Hangzhou on time, just need to make a phone call to inform them to keep the rooms. But when my husband checked it with them, everything was changed. The hotel asked us to provide our Credit Card to garanteed our reservation, but they did not accept the Credit Card Issued by the Agriculture Bank-- the only Credit Card we were holding at that moment, we told them our trian would arrive in Hang Zhou at 21:00pm, and we would definetly stay in their hotel, but they refuse to believe us, at this moment, I really feel sad. Why it was so difficult to get somebody's trust? We made reservation before, and we told them we would arrive late, and we would check in as our plan, but they just refuse to confirm our reservation. I was traveling with aged and kids, no alone, or the issue would be simpler. Finally, I recalled a friend in Beijing--Kally, the manager of Zhongtang Hotel, I knew only she could help me at that time.

After I told her about my issue, my friend said she would solve it for me shortly, 30minute later, the hotel told us that our rooms were kept for us,  becasue my friend had make the garanteed for us. Ok, we need not stay in the street tonight! Then I know why people say "A friend in need is a friend indeed!" That is right!

The Hangzhou Hotel was located in the Bell Tower area, the location was excellent, but as the rooms were also narrow, the valitation system was not good and there was a strong smell in the air. But it was better to stay in the street, so nothing could be complainted.

                             8. Visit the West Lake with the tour group

The most beautiful scenic spots in Hang Zhou should be the West Lake, so it was also must see in Hang Zhou. We attended a bus tour to visit the beautiful lake.

The tour guide was wonderful, but the scenic of the west lake was even more wonderful. There was thick fog on the surface of the lake, and all the small islands, the trees and the tower were half hidden in the mist.

We took a boat to the biggest island, and appreciated the calligraphy of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty. This amorous Emperor visited Hang Zhou for 6 times during his life.

The trees on the island were full of flee and sap, just like us. We even found two mandarin ducks on the West Lake. They were sleeping quitely, so sweet and happy.

The rest of the tour was not very attrative, we had to visit some shops on our way, and of course the cost of the commodities was expensive. During the "advertisement time" I bought some tea. OK, it was not good for me to buying nothing and go home with an empty hand.

                                    9. awkard day

Our depart day was the most awkard day, we got up early in the morning, and then checked out our hotel. It was about 7 am in the morning when we went out the hotel, it was so early, so it should be ok for us to have breakfast in the local restaurant.

After we paid for our breakfast, we began to wait for it on our seat, 10 minutes past, 20 minutes past, 30 minutes past.... as if we have waited 100 years before our breakfast was served, it was raining cats and dogs outside after we had had our meal. My husband went out for taxi, but the taxi in Hang Zhou was as rare as Panda, and we walked to the bus station, and surprised to find all the buses were as full as a dumpling. "We have only 20 minutes to get the train station now." My husband was very worries. "What should we do?" We need to get the train to Shangahi, and then fly back to Guilin from Shanghai Pudong airport, if we were late for the train, everything was over then!

"Walk to the train station!" I said "I remembered it was not far away, and we should get there on time if we walk fast, but if we try to wait for taxi, we will be definetly late!"

So our team marched on, the water on the street became deeper and deeper, few minutes later, our shoes were dipped in the water completely.

Thank god, we stopped a taxi by chance, and pushed my parents-in-law, my daughter and one of my nephews into the taxi and asked the drive to transfer them to the train station, the rest of us kept moving.

We kept asking the direction from the people we met, and we were lucky enought this time and did not meet any other grassroot diplomat again, all the people we met in Hangzhou were kind and warm-hearted, 15 minutes later, we arrived the station, and found other members at the train station, so we finally cautch our train on time!

We were very excited on the train, and kept joking and talking, my daughter and my nephews began to play their new games on train (the invented a new game during the trip), like three monkeys, as if all the difficulties they experienced just now was never happened at all. 

The happy time was always past too quickly, we arrived in Shanghai in the morning about 11:20 and our flight took off at 15:05, as if we still had lot of time. But we just walked quickly towards the metro, and then catch our metro to the airport. 

Two hours later, we arrived at the airport, but there were thousands of counters, we did not know which one was ours, so we kept on asking, at last, we found it, and waiting for our boarding card, there was a gentlman who servicing us, his action was very slowly, as if he had only half life. We had no any luggage to deliver, so half centuray later, we got our boarding card, gathering all the member again, we marched for our plane.

My husband went to toilet, I thought we should be relax our nervous for a while, anyway, we were backing home, and need not worry any one would get lost. I waited for him while other member walked throught the security gate. Few minutes later, my husband back, and we walked in the direction they went few minutes before, but I felt something wrong, because I could not find the boarding gate No., and there was only 25 minutes left, the boarding gate would be close 15 minutes earlier than the departure time, just then, a lday in uniform told us our boarding gate was in the basement, and the entrance just near the security gate, god!

We ran towards the right direction, but at the same time, I took out my cell phone to call them. I could not go without waiting for them...about two minutes later, they appeared, my sisiter also felt something wrong, and the reason was simple, she did not find me in the group! and then she asked the way to somebody else, and found us. Yee, we were on the way again!

We landed on Guilin two hours later, as we went out the arrival hall, the warm sunshine irradiated on us, it was so warm and comfortable, even it was the sunshine of summer! We were so happy to see the sun again after 6 day accompanied by the heavy rain. Our driver was late, but none of us complained, but after 20 minutes driving, the driver asked a very strange question "I caught a smell of salted fish, did you buy some seafood in Shanghai?" I almost could not help laughing when I heard what he said. My husband was very clever and he answered quickly " Yes, we bought a lot!" (We were all wet, and the smel of our feet was really strong indeed.)

Well, it was really a busy and unforgetable trip!