Happy Halloween!

I hate Halloween. You'd think that I wouldn't given the enthusiastic headline for today, but I do and I have since childhood. It all started here:

You can blame my mother; the bee was her idea. Can't you just sense my discomfort? Can't you see that I'm smiling awkwardly through the pain? We laugh now whenever we see this photo and recount Halloweens of the past. 

You wouldn't really know it's Halloween here in China -- no carved pumpkins, no spooky decorations on houses or in buildings, no one in costume. But the locals don't miss an opportunity to cash in on a holiday (any holiday). Candy is on sale at several markets, and bars are throwing parties tonight in hopes of attracting the expat population. 

And that is the other reason why I hate Halloween -- "its pure slutty and deviant essence." Call me a party pooper, call me what you will. Sorry to disappoint, but this expat won't be attending "In Lust We Trust."  

What I do like about the holiday... 1) babies in costume, especially when they don't know any better (points for chubbiness); and 2) costumes that are creative and intelligent (points for home-made craftiness).  

Watching Stormin' Sandy in China

Superstorm Sandy is making international headlines over here with constant coverage on CNN and BBC. Be safe, East Coast family and friends!  

On another U.S.-related note, CNN's slogan for the elections is: "The choice is America's, but the impact is on all of us." Something to keep in mind as voting day approaches :) 

To Chongming and Back

After more than 100 miles on bike and ferry, we're home from Chongming Island where we spent the weekend. Though my legs feel like jello and I'm still pretty exhausted even after a solid sleep last night, the trip was fun and rewarding. 

About 70 of us got going at around noon on Saturday, separating into three groups at certain points along the way for various reasons. A number of flat tires slowed us down, and we found ourselves behind schedule, having to take a later ferry over to the island. Once there, we rode on wide, open, and tree-lined streets as the sun was setting. This was a welcome change from where we had just been prior to reaching the ferry terminal -- on the freeway, riding alongside semis and breathing in exhaust fumes. Our lungs, no doubt, suffered; that part was no fun. (Day one stats here.)

But the reward was indeed handsome. After a much-needed shower and change, we gathered in the middle of a rice paddy field, at candlelit tables on a cement platform. A jazz band played in the background as we drank beer and began filling our plates with fluffy white rice and crayfish etouffee -- here,  a thick, spicy, tomato-based sauce with plump crayfish and red peppers. Although I'm pretty sure anything would have tasted good at that point, the food was amazing, and without shame, Mike and I went back for seconds. There were moments during dinner when I'd look up at the moon and down at my empty plate and ask, "Where are we right now?" Bliss.

The ride back home the next day was painful in that we had to do it all over again -- minus the bliss. Looking back, I would have liked to spend more time exploring the island (apparently, its wetlands and parks make Chongming quite the nature getaway). The route home was a better one (we stayed away from the freeway this time), but back in Shanghai, we found ourselves back on crowded streets and having to strategically maneuver around pedestrians, other cyclists, cars, and mopeds. At that point, I have to admit, I was done and ready to get off the bike.

Our reward Sunday? Burger and fries; my favorite fat-kid meal. And well deserved, I'd say. (Day two stats here.)

Zhoumo kuaile!

Happy weekend, everyone! Big Halloween plans? 

We're off to Chongming Island tomorrow -- on bikes! We're joining Factory Five for the First Annual Chongming Island Crayfish Festival. We'll be riding 30 km out to a place called Baoshan, hopping on a ferry to the island, then riding another 15 km to a sustainable black rice farm cared for by Good Earth Project (GEP)*. 

As a (very nice) reward for our workout, we'll be treated to live jazz and crayfish etouffee, prepared by one of Shanghai's best chefs, Austin Hu. (Back in September, we had brunch at his restaurant, Madison, and gave it five stars.) Dinner, we're told, will be served at tables under the stars and in the paddy fields. 

After spending the night at a local hotel (how bad can it be for one night?), we'll ride back home Sunday morning. Sounds fun, no?   

* I haven't been able to find too much information on GEP, but apparently their latest project is this black rice plantation on Chongming Island. They've worked to make it completely pesticide-free by importing Australian crayfish that live in the fields and consume its insects. The result is quality rice and fattened crayfish. This festival is a celebration of their achievement.  

More on Macau

I mentioned last week that we booked a quick trip to Macau for a long weekend in November. Asia's Vegas, here we come! But I stand corrected; come to find out that Vegas is actually America's Macau now that the Asian city has surpassed the former's gambling revenue.  

We've been researching things to do and places to see. For starters, we're staying at the Lisboa Hotel, chosen based on price (on the cheaper side) and location (in the thick of things). TripAdvisor ratings were also quite high, but the descriptions were the clincher: 

• "The interior is just way too corny and it looks like [you're] in a Portuguese grandma's house."
• "The bathroom looks like a spaceship. Water jets and rainbow colors everywhere. The design is borderline quirky and tacky." 
• "The lobby is (like the rest of the hotel) is one of the kitschiest lobbies I have ever seen."

Perfect! 

Of course, we'll get our gambling on, Mike at the poker table while I enjoy some blackjack. Come on 21! Momma needs new shoes!  (I'm practicing.)  

Like Vegas, Macau is home to some great restaurants. Our one splurge will be a meal here. Cantonese and Portuguese food will also be in order. (Macau is a former Portuguese colony, in case you didn't know; I didn't.) 

There are shows too, like the House of Dancing Water, and culture to take in, like the A-Ma Temple and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  

It should be an interesting getaway. Keep in mind that Mike has never been to Vegas (shocking, I know), and we had originally been seeking somewhere that would take us away from city lights. Ah, well. A different kind of trip, something new to see and experience. We're excited.  

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