Shanghai 2008: Hungry For More...

When in Shanghai, soup dumplings are a must. This spot
is a happening joint for just such a delicacy.

This version is first steamed, then deep-bottom fried, giving an
interesting crunchy texture, and soooo very bad for
your health.

Caution: You will lose the roof of your mouth no matter what.

Next version: Regular steamed dumplings. This place is
located in Yu Gardens, another must-see place.

This woman can separate the pieces with her eyes closed,
always the same shape. She's awesome.

Opting for the small order of 12 steam dumplings, again,
just so you know I was there...

The only thing I ate in Shanghai that required a knife
and fork.

Ah, the famous turtle and sea-horse soup. I have video
of me trying this (wait 'til later).

Thai cuisine, Shanghai-style. Consuming this much white
bread at one sitting, even if it's covered in spicy curry,
does not make it a healthy choice...

The good news: Spicy Shrimp is tasty. Bad news:
I couldn't feel my tongue. Still worth it.

A genuine Starbucks knock-off.

A wine bar that serves BBQ with its Pinot-Grigio. An
interesting combination that's easy to overlook.

Believe it or not: Fake Vegetarian Braised Pork, made
with tofu and wheat protein.

Meatballs made with potato-paste and tofu.

Ah, the requisite fast-food shot.

Actual size of a Shanghai Happy Meal.

What happens when you bring Bruce Lee and fried chicken
together. It'll knock the taste right into you.

Living in an alternate reality where Pizza Hut is a revered
eatery. Like Taco Bell in the movie "Demolition Man".

It's a smaller pizza, but packs 4 times the flavor. Everything
tastes better in Shanghai.

Yes, this was the only time where the baristas understood
me perfectly. Venti? No Problem!

Honestly, I have no idea why the top row of drinks are
upside down. But I though you'd like to ponder that
for yourself...

Stay Tuned:
Video of me eating sea-horse!

Shanghai 2008: Street views, Peeps, Etc...

Shanghai: Playing Games on the Go...

Hey ya'll! This was shot while riding in a cab:

Shanghai 2008: Buildings, Towers, Architecture...

First up:

You might recognize these set of buildings from the
movie Mission Impossible III...

Just so you know I was really there...

More coming soon... ;)

Shanghai: Flipping through channels on the 'ol Tube...

If you were to bring together Kung Fu and UFC, this is what you might get:

In Need Of A Clone...

Yes, I'm lame -- I will get to the Shanghai stuff soon. I'm still sifting through some of the shots, so I don't want to slam the entire raw feed onto you folks. And yes, maybe I should upload my YouTube stuff while I sleep and let the computer do some of the work -- that would be the most sane thing to do.

Why do I need a clone? 'Cause work this week is kicking my ass. Let's just say that sometimes clients don't always believe you're closing up shop until you REALLY close up shop.

Boxes are being made and packed, old garbage is being tossed out, and still, someone wants to send something to Venezuela. Go figure.

The lights seem brighter in the office as the bare walls reflect more of it everywhere. So much negative space, where once it was filled with airline fuel rate charts and maps of the world, post-its slammed all across the bulletin board that no longer holds anything of value.

Even emptying out my desk is starting to turn into a very zen ritual. My desktop (my desk, not my computer) on the other hand, that's a different story. It probably won't go until the very, very last day.

That's it for now -- I should have no more excuses left by next week.

End of update... ;)

My Shanghai Scorecard Stats...

In some sort of organized fashion:

Total Hours Flown: 24 hours, 30 min (there and back)
Miles traversed in and around Shanghai: 85 - on foot, taxi and subway
Meals Eaten: 27
Strangest Food Eaten: Sea Horse
Tastiest Food: Braised red pork, consumed on 6 different occasions (one version vegetarian)
Soup Dumplings Consumed: 6 Fried, 14 Steamed
Number of Bug Bites: 7 - 3 on arm, 3 on legs and 1 on the head
Number of Hotels Stayed At: 3 - on account of research purposes
Number of Pictures Taken: 405
Days It Rained: all 10 days of stay
Number of times I explain my Mandarin sucks: 28
Hours of local television watched: 18
Cups of Tea Drank: 33
Cups of Coffee Drank at Starbucks: 2
Number of visited Tourist Sites: 7
Best part of being in Shanghai: The Food
Best part of leaving Shanghai: Coming Home To Ya'll

As always, I've got pics AND video this time, so stick around... ;)

Before I'm out the door...

Passport?
Check.
Plane Tickets?
Check.
Currency?
Check.
Clothes?
Check.
Camera?
Check.
Man-Purse?
Check.
Heart?


Heart?

Oh right, I think I'll
leave it here with
you for safe
keeping.

Ever mine,
Ever yours,
Ever always...

Heading to the Far East, Again...

Hey MyPeeps!

Guess I should tell ya'll that I'll be heading to China again in a few days. I know, right? First blog I've posted in days and THIS is what I tell you? Kinda like when I run out on the check at a fancy restaurant. But seriously, I promise to pay you back, I swear.

So pending certain doom or powers beyond my control, I should have some pics of Shanghai up by the time I get back. It's been awhile since I've had any picture blogs, so for the new folks that have been joining me, it might come as a shock that I do more than just write about food poems and the weather. But to the rest of you, I hope you enjoy them as much as I like capturing the sane and insane moments on my journeys for all the world to share.

That's all for now. I'll see if I post something before I go-go.

Supa winks... ;)

Satisfying a Fix at 1 AM... (senryu)

Midnight cravings for
Lucky Charms with chocolate
milk -- Sugar High Bomb!

Random Haiku #80...

Girl in Daisy Dukes
defines sexy, even while
she's picking her nose...