Living the Expat Life: 6 Topics

First topic: Mexican Food.

In Morocco, we took a 3 hour train ride, walked for 1 hour, and took a taxi to get some TexMex food.  Here in China, we took a 10 minute bus ride and walked 10 minutes in the rain for 1 dozen corn tortillas, which are apparently only available in restaurants, like La Pistolera.

How far would you walk/drive/train/taxi for a tortilla?

Second topic: Big American Breakfasts at Element Fresh

For 64 RMB (about $9.45), you can enjoy a breakfast designed just for Big Americans, like me.  In case you can't read it, it says, "4 eggs any style, 3 strips of bacon, 2 sausage links, 2 pieces of french toast, potatoes, fresh fruit, and a bottomless cup of coffee or tea."

That's why we're BIG AMERICANS...

but we split it between the two of us.

Third topic: Shopping for a Refrigerator and 

Ending Up With Window Coverings

Let's just say I sealed the deal with a handshake...

...and used the packing foam to cover my bare windows.

Fourth topic: The Bund at Night

We had dinner with a colleague overlooking the Bund and it was spectacular!  We had only seen it during the day when we visited 2 years ago.  We live about 20 minutes away from this spot.

I hope my next photos will be from one of the cruise ships.

Fifth topic: Shopping at Carrefour and Meeting a Giant Marsupial(?)

Carrefour is a WalMart + Target + Meat Market + Food Court + Costco + Mall + Sears + Disneyland.

Here I am, fresh and ready to have my senses overloaded with signage, waves of people, and thousands of products -- but which ones to buy?

Perhaps this giant koala can guide me!  "Look, mommy!  The Big American is taking a picture with that Big 有袋目动物(?)

Sixth topic: Traffic Reports from the Kitchen

We live on the 7th floor of an apartment building in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai and this is a view looking northeast from our kitchen.

Our commute to work consists of walking 8 minutes to school past the playground (near the lower right corner of the photo).  Before we leave, we look down to see if any strollers or toddlers are jamming up the walkway.  If so, we leave about 10 seconds earlier than usual to avoid the rubberneckers!