All Good Things Come to an End

You always hear the saying: Father knows best. This shown to be true this weekend when my dad took a pit stop to Shanghai from Japan and Seattle. Though I feel like I've gained around 5 pounds, my dad took me to restaurants where we indulged in all my favorite foods and showed me Shanghai hot spots that I will be venturing to again.

With one of the biggest soccer fans in tow, my dad and I decided to watch the Netherlands vs. Brazil game in the best way: at a pub with crazed European soccer fans. Shanghai is full of expats from Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and pretty much every European country, so there was no doubt that these pubs were going to be full of drunken, loud, chain-smoking fans. Not only that, but the Chinese have their own large soccer fanbase. From what I had been recommended, O'Malley's was the place to be for the World Cup games. I heard they had actual bleachers set up, as well as a beer garden with several huge TVs. We took a taxi to the French Concession which by itself is beautifully laced with old homes and buildings, but with a modern twist. Once we walked up to O'Malley's we knew we were doomed. There was a line as long as one could find at Breakfast Club during Grand Prix at Purdue, but this time people are decked out in Dutch Orange and the line wasn't budging. Luckily, we had spotted another pub on the way to O'Malley's, Oscar's Pub.

Besides my lungs blackening and possibly collapsing from all the second hand smoke, watching the World Cup at Oscar's was lots of fun and exciting. You could tell many people had been there boozing for hours, but that just makes the environment so fun. There were no seats left, but I was lucky when an English man that resembled the actor that plays Wormtail in the Harry Potter series lent me a stool. He resemblance was so severe I was going to take a picture of him. Watching the game with others totally beats out watching it alone especially since we were surrounded by drunk old men that were all rooting for the Dutch. The atmosphere is so exciting and fun and one of a kind. Hopefully this type of fan loyalty will be adopted into the states one day. Unfortunately it took us it took us another hour and a large beer later to find a taxi home.

The next morning, my dad dragged me out of bed to get the one thing I’ve been craving since arriving to China: the xiaolongbao aka heaven in one bite aka the “soup dumpling.” Seriously, if I could pop these in my mouth one-by-one like popcorn I totally would. The soup inside is so warm and delicious and if made right, the dumpling and meat filling melts in your mouth. The trick is to put the xiaolongbao on a spoon and take a little bite from the dumpling skin and suck up the soup, then pop it into your mouth however. If I become a billionaire, I will have my own special chef that cooks these savory morsels around the clock since it is an art of cooking. Twelve of them are only 6RMB which is under a dollar US. This is seriously heaven.

That night, my dad wanted to take me to Xiantiandi (meaning New Heaven and Earth). This is a famous spot where many young and hip Chinese and foreigners gather. Of course, I loved it. To me, Xiantiandi is like the SoHo of Shanghai. It is hip, fashionable and of course, expensive. There are alleys and alleys of modernized restaurants and bars that all include patio dining over candlelight, boutiques, art galleries, bookstores and cafes. We stopped at a German restaurant, Paulaner Brauhaus for a beer before heading home to watch the heartbreaking game that was Germany vs. Argentina. I definitely will be coming back to Xiantiandi in the near future. I may not be able to afford anything, but a great place for young, hip (just like me ;) ) adults to explore and be in a modern atmosphere, but surrounded by beautiful, old architecture.

Oh and great news! I finally found a suit jacket that actually looks good on me. In the US, I look like I’m getting swallowed by the jacket since the shoulders are usually too huge and the arms are too long. But China may just be the perfect shopping destination for my midget frame. The shoulders fit me perfectly and don’t make me look like a muscle man and I only had to adjust the arms a little. Perfection! The closest I could get to Fourth of July BBQ was the Shanghainese style pork we had for dinner last night. For my dad’s last night, we took my grandma to one of the 50 restaurants in the Super Brand Mall. This was typical Shanghainese style food and my favorite was the pork dish and the tofu and crab dish. The pork can be described like perfect Southern BBQ pork. It tears apart so easily and it melts in your mouth. The sauce is delicious and can also be put over the rice. I’m drooling just thinking about it…

But again, all good things come to an end and my dad left today. So I’m on my own again…Oh and p.s. We finally figured out why Cristiano Ronaldo did jack during the WC. He announced he had a baby boy! Congrats on the kid and being so predictable and knocking some girl up. Hopefully he’ll inherit your looks and talent, but I hope not your d-bag attitude.

Wow this was long, but I promise pictures soon! (thanks sis!)