We're Here

The Naks have arrived in Shanghai and we're beginning to figure out life here. It's been a hot week since we got here and we're glad that our apartment has four A/Cs. The girls are doing extremely well: sleeping, eating, playing, fighting, and walking with the same regularity that they did back home. 

Ben's work has been extremely welcoming as they have helped us to meet others, get to know the city, and set us up with day-to-day living items. They even hosted a few dinners and a boat cruise on the HuangPu River. The girls loved touring their school and can't wait for it to start on the 22nd.

 

It seems like each day brings about a new milestone in our journey, so here are some of the bigger ones:

Aug 5: Arrive and reach our apartment
Aug 6: Wander the neighborhood (in 100 degree heat), find the local supermarket and buy a lot of cereal, peanut butter, and mac 'n cheese
Aug: 7: Sleep past 2am for the first time, learn how to use the metro (it's cheap, clean, and in English!)
Aug 8: Learn how to take a taxi (they cost about $3!) and go to Ikea
Aug 9: Get phones! Oh my gosh, life is so much easier with a phone. You can wander, find supermarkets, order taxis with ease when you have a phone!
Aug 10: Finally be able to understand 75% of what our Scottish friend is talking about. While on the subject, the Brits often complain about London, the Aussies have the weirdest phrases, I still can't stop giggling when the Canucks say "eh" and the Irish are just fun people
Aug 11: Discover how to order groceries to be delivered to our doorstep - life just got even easier! No more carrying backpacks full of German milk in the heat. (Note to self: master ordering dinner in the same manner)
Aug 12: Fully explore our "New Como" (Century Park) which is actually way bigger than Como
Aug 13: Teach Nina to embrace celebrity status as every Chinese parent wants their child to pose for a picture with her (Apparently the blonde child is akin to unicorn status)
Aug 14: Get scooter - We are moving now! Watch out, Shanghai!