The Westin Brunch Experience
31 May 2012 3 Comments
in Experiences, Food, Day to Day Tags: Westin Brunch Shanghai, Brunch, Shanghai
It is not brunch, it is an experience. The Westin even has a video sharing about the experience, it is a little long but shows and tells what it is all about.
We arrived to the Westin at 11:00am we were told to go early for they have champagne reception in the lobby before brunch starts at 11:30. Of course we did and to our surprise they are celebrating Mexico! We learned the brunches can have a theme. Thank goodness it was Mexico versus coffee cuisine which is the next week. We were seated upstairs and how did you get upstairs? By escalators. You take your food up to your table via escalator, I find this amusing and a much better alternative of stairs after a few classes of bubbly.
When we arrive to our table, there is a map. Yes, a map of the brunch. That is a sign of this is going to be good! Everything good has maps, buried treasure has maps, Disneyland has maps, and the Westin Brunch has a map. It also provides multiple eating utensils (see the 2 forks in the photo). They know we are not here to mess around.
Check out the names of the food stations. Lobster boulevard, oyster street, bread alley, chocolate alley this is what my heaven is. The map also mentions The Arena, I heard there is entertainment and if Spartacus and the rest of the Gods of the arena come out I AM in my heaven. Spartacus, Spartacus, Spartacus!
The Brunch Map
The names!
The Gods of the arena did not show up but the Chefs did so I was able to eat and drown my feelings of disappointment away. Not only is it free flow champagne (that means all you want) they have beer, wine, cocktails, make your own bloody Mary station and frozen margarita machine with grapefruit and the best mango margaritas ever! It is overwhelming the choices. The same can be said of the food, it was incredible. I didn’t take as many photos as I thought I did, I was too busy enjoying it than photographing it. I will have to go back and take more photos.
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- The Brunch Map
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- The Brunch Map
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- Not the entertainment, just Alistair & Todd at Brunch
In addition to the food and drinks there was entertainment an orchestra, opera singers, clowns, a pinata, hula dancers and more. With the entertainment, it makes it a family event and therefore kids. We even passed some kids only tables next to the obvious adults only. They have activities to keep the kids occupied but some do run all over the place and get in the way when you are trying to get food and drinks which gets old real fast. Of course the parents are getting lit so they have no control or management of the their children. That would be my only criticism is the unruly and unsupervised children. After a few however, kind of forgot about them or maybe I started to hiss at them, I don’t recall.
Not the entertainment just Alistair & Todd at Brunch
Overall is was a great experience one that I would suggest and go again.
The Brunch Circuit
27 May 2012 1 Comment
in Experiences, Food Tags: Free Flow, Shanghai Brunch
Brunch is a weekend event in Shanghai we have come to love and hate at the same time.
What I love about brunch:
We have a fun group of friends we head out one Sunday a month to join at brunch. We have a brunch calendar so we get to try the many places around the city. It is an all day event. Brunches usually start at 11:00 or 11:30 going to around 2:30 or 3:00pm. Not only is it often all you can eat and the assortment of food HUGE, sometimes it is a buffet other times you just order whatever you want off the menu, as much as you like. Many we go to it is free flow champagne, drinks, etc. that means all you can drink. We sit and eat and drink for 4 hours. It doesn’t stop.
What I hate about brunch:
It is all day event, although the brunch itself is only 4 hours it is the after that makes it all day. Usually 1 of 3 scenarios take place after brunch.
After Brunch Scenario 1: The smartest one of them all. We go back home and take a nap for the rest of the afternoon. Wake up around 7pm feel like crap and swear off never to do that again. This is on a Sunday, I really think brunch should be moved to Saturday for then you would not have to go to work the next day and not feel like you wasted the whole day eating, drinking, and sleeping.
After Brunch Scenario 2: Not the smartest choice, the brunch after party. We obviously didn’t get enough to drink during free flow at the 4 hours of brunch, so we go to a pub. Really? How is this close to a good idea?
After Brunch Scenario 3: There have been times the food/drink comma has not set in yet that decide to go to the fabric market for a little tipsy retail therapy. I do recall talk about having super hero costumes made. I wanted a Wonder Woman costume I don’t know if I ever had it made, it may be still at the market waiting for me to pick it up.
After every brunch I swear off I am never going it again but here it is another Sunday and we are headed to brunch!
This time we are headed to the Westin, which I have heard is the mac daddy of all brunches in Shanghai. The scoop coming soon.
Todd Does What Now On His Way To Work?
23 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Day to Day, Experiences Tags: Nail clippers, nail clipping
Todd needs to stop doing things I must share with the Internet. I forgot my umbrella so I asked him for his keys so I could run back upstairs to get it. He gave me his keys and to my surprise look what is on his key ring.
Todd’s Key Ring
Notice only 2 out of 4 of his baubles on his key ring are actual keys. There is a key to the apartment and a key to his desk. The other 50% includes a bottle opener and a nail clipper. I can understand the bottle opener, it could be argued a key to happiness and there could be a bottle opening emergency but what nail cutting emergency can there be? Is there really such a thing and does he not know how much nail clipping drives me crazy? Maybe he has it to drive my crazy.
I ask Todd about his key ring adornments and if that is really a nail clipper. He tells me that he cuts his nails walking down the street on his way to the metro. Good grief. How Shanghai of him. He claims he does it so he doesn’t clip his nails in the apartment for he knows how much it drives me nuts. I guess that it sweet but what is next? Spitting on the street?
My #1 Annoyance: The Metro Charade
18 May 2012 2 Comments
in Day to Day, Experiences, Travel Tags: Metro Secruity, Shanghai Metro
It is hard to believe but there is something that drives me more crazy than nail clipping, spitting, and the lack of traffic laws China. Getting on the metro drives me crazy.
To enter the metro platform you must pass through security where there is usually a minimum of 3 “security” people there. I have seen 4 on occasions. They say something to you, in my mind it is “put you bag on the machine” and raise their arm towards the x-ray machine. There are banners of photos from a bus incident explain why such precautions are required. They remind me of the films we had to watch in Drivers Ed.
How many does it take?
For some reason I respect folks in fancy uniforms and security checks. You might be wondering why I am not happy about the security procedures keeping the city and me safe. Well that is because in my opinion it is a charade. It is not uncommon for the person assigned to the x-ray duty to be sleeping, reading something, or overall just not paying attention. I never thought the screening was optional so I of course put my bag into the machine, not the case for many locals, they they just breeze on by (as the lady in photo). These “security” folks in their official looking uniforms have no power or control they can’t make you put your bag in the x-ray machine. Same I have heard can be said about the police here but I do not risk it with them but the metro security I do. I sometimes play a little game.
Scenario 1: I don’t feel rebellious and just do it. I do wish the x-ray belts were on high not turtle crawl.I want my bag to launch out of the machine I have places to go and I could be missing my train.
Scenario 2: A local is in front of me and they breeze by, ignoring the security check. Sometimes I will as well. To stop me and not everyone else, well that would just not be right. They would also need to speak English.
Scenario 3: I put my bag on the belt but the person behind me is is trying to be breezy. In this case I make them slow down by puffing up like a cat, using my big ol’ American booty and block their way so they can’t pass. Sometimes they are really skinny and can get around me and all I do is just slow them down a little but that makes me happy.
Scenario 4: I compromise and open my bag and show it to #2 & #3 standing that I have nothing of interest in there.
I had to ask some co-workers what is the deal with the metro and security for it just doesn’t seem right or a fun job for these folks. I was told it was put in place for the 2010 Expo and has stayed on for they don’t want these people to lose their job. China is a really big country with a lot of people. I do feel sorry for them for they have no power, they have to stand wearing a uniform, pointing their arm and telling folks to put their bag down and no one listens. I am sure it is frustrating. I do feel I provide some entertainment to them when I do my scenario 2 block maneuver.
The Nancy’s Investigate the No. 1 Silk Factory
14 May 2012 1 Comment
in Experiences, Shopping, Travel Tags: Nancy Grace, No 1. Silk Factory, Silk Worms, Suzhou
The Nancy’s is what I call myself and my friend Taylor when we do some investigating in China. When I say some I really me this one time but we could be on to something. I believe having recently watched an episode of Raising Hope featuring Nancy Grace playing herself as she hosts “Inside Probe” on Hope’s Mother had something to do with the name. Or it could be a flashback to Nancy Drew, whatever some good investigating went down in Suzhou at the No. 1 Silk Factory.
Silk Worms. Their poop is fragrant and if you put them on your face they are cold for they are cold blooded
We were in Suzhou on a day trip where we went to the No. 1 Silk Factory to learn how silk products are made. Pulling into the factory there are people all over the place and tour buses for days. We pass all this and go to the back where it is calm, quiet, we are the only ones, and a sign that says welcome foreign friends. Where are all the hundreds of other people who came traveling on all those buses? Were we at the No. 1 factory and they were at the No. 2? It made us wonder, something is up.
We take the tour of how silk is produced, get to hold silk worms, and hear how they make pillows out of silk worm poop. We were told some people find these pillows special for they smell nice, like mulberry, which silk worms diet is made of. I am sorry the Nancy’s did not investigate the truth in this statement of if it smelled like mulberry. After the tour we are escorted through a giant shop where you can purchase silk products and worm poop pillows. Here we finally encountered some other folks, all foreigners as well. Why do they have us separated? Taylor and I are convinced that this shop is selling to foreigners and of course the prices are much higher than what they are charging the gaggle of Chinese tourists. The goods are very expensive there is no way locals are paying those prices. Obviously, why we are separated.
We ask our guide where are all the other people? I can’t remember what she says exactly, something about it being a large factory, but her answer did not satisfy us and we said we want to go to the store, the store where the local tourists go. After not letting it go on our part the guide told the driver to take us. Along the way the parking/security attendants see us in the car and tell the driver that we need to go back to where we came, the “foreigner” shop. We are on to something! When we got out of the car, which only the Nancy’s did. Todd and Trent stayed in the car, who should really be called the “Nancy’s” now? Their claim is they didn’t want to go into another silk store, I think they were afraid. The guard tells us to get back in the car, a cover up! Our guide said he doesn’t know anything and to ignore him, I love it!
We enter the forbidden factory and got many stares, especially from the employees. I think we confused them why were some foreigners there. The experience was very similar to the one we had. We made it to the store and all the speculation around foreigner price gauging and other shenanigans was not true! The prices were the same. The Nancy’s speculation was wrong! Oh well at least now we know the truth and can report that the prices at the No. 1 Silk Factory are the same for everyone so feel confident if you go buying the fragrant silk pillows.
Why the separation? We don’t know for sure but I believe it has to do with culture behaviors and being comfortable. Local tour groups are large numbers, all wearing the same hats with a guide talking so loud over a Mr. Microphone. It can become loud, overwhelming, and pushy, I think they separate for a pleasant experience. It comes down to business. If they want people to spend money, you need to make them comfortable. Smart, practical.
Until the next investigation!
-The Nancy’s
The Nancy’s are accepting leads for their next investigation so send them our way!
The Long Pinky Nail
08 May 2012 2 Comments
in Day to Day, Experiences Tags: Long pinky nail
Some men in China sport a long pinky fingernail. It is a little creepy. I don’t really understand. With all the nail clipping that goes on, why does this one not get the clip?
Enjoying a smoke at the Bund
Is it to clear your nose, ears or other parts of your body? Is it a weapon? A tool of some sort, a spoon? I have asked about it and was told it is a status symbol. A symbol to the world that they do not engage in hard labor for they can grow a long nail. Similar to the reason I was told why some Shanghainese wear their pajamas out in public. A symbol to the world they lead a life of leisure and don’t need to get dressed to go to work. I think in the status hierarchy the PJ sporters are of higher status than the long nail crowd. I had to so some research and came across this list of what folks have been told the nail is all about:
- Drugs- cocaine, heroine, coke.
- Booger scoop and earwax excavator.
- In the old days in China, long fingernails were a sign you were rich and didn’t do manual labor. Now they grow out the pinkie as a sign of culture, breeding and wealth.
- My Chinese students (all about 18 to 22) told me the nails are long so the little finger reaches past the last knuckle joint on the ring finger. If it does, you are rich and intelligent!
- My 76-year-old uncle keeps one pinkie nail long and sharpened to open envelopes.
- A sharpened, hardened nail is a dangerous weapon and can be a sign of prison time. Or of a man who opens a lot of envelopes.
- General scratching and ear cleaning. The longer nail also works well when trying to pick up something lying flat on a table, like a coin.
- My pinkie finger on both my hands is a bit longer than the other nails. Used for instruments.
- The cashier at Subway had one nail grown long. I asked him why and he said he had a running competition with one of his friends as to who had the longest fingernail.
- A Google search produced some interesting ones: that Picasso kept a long little fingernail for mixing paints, and that Turkish men commonly keep such a nail for opening cigarette wrappers.
- On a Beijing subway I saw a guy with a long pinkie nail clean his nose and his ears with it. Right after he wiped his nail on the hand rail, someone grabbed it. Wonderful place, Beijing subways.
Whatever the reason, it is a little creepy. Especially when the taxi driver is handing your change back. I don’t want it to touch me! I think that is the reason for the long nail, so the taxi driver can keep the change.
Learning Chinese- I Would Rather Work On A Doctorate
04 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Experiences, Language Tags: Chinese lessons, Learning Chinese
We have finally decided to attempt to learn Chinese. As a guest of the PRC I believe I should attempt to learn the mother tongue of our host country. Not to mention it will make my life probably a lot easier if I spoke the language. Being able to bargain in the market, ask for strawberries, tell the taxi driver to turn right, left and stop, and the ability to order ice water can only get you so far.
To sum up the experience I made this statement to Todd. “I would rather work on my doctorate than learn Chinese” That statement is HUGE for I have been dragging my feet on completing my doctorate. Well now I am motivated for it gives me an excuse to NOT study Chinese.
We have a Chinese tutor who comes to our apartment every Saturday from 10am- 12pm. 2 hours and it is my most dreaded 2 hours of the week. It is also the longest 2 hours of my week, the time just does not go by quick enough. I would rather be in an AOP meeting than Chinese lessons. For those who know me that is saying a lot, I hate meetings. I would rather put forks in my eyes than attend meetings. I have found something more painful than meetings Chinese lessons. After 2 hours, I am exhausted and a little grumpy which is a great way to start off a weekend. It is painful.
I am sure it doesn’t help that we don’t study during the week. After Chinese lessons I am a little motivated to study but then the rest of the weekend comes and then the work week so it just doesn’t happen. Saturday morning before 10am we are both completing our homework and cramming before the lesson. It is like school all over again. This is not effective by any means, we know t yet it keeps happening.
Adding to my loath of learning Chinese I was asked by a colleague what did I learn last week. I said to her in Chinese “Wo shi mei guo ren” which means I am an American. She said, good what else? I said that is it. I am met with “That is all?” Yes, that is all. It is very hard. My friend Sean who is from Shanghai also likes to make fun for my Chinese, I don’t make fun of his Chinglish and yet when I speak Chinese it is full on laugh fest. Keep talking, keep laughing. I now refuse to speak any Chinese in front of him. Now off to work on the doctorate for it is far less stressful.
