October Trip to Tokyo

      I took a long break from blogging recently.  I was feeling down on China, and not wanting to write.  But things have been getting better and the Lamb family is now in the best part of our journey here.  The first year here was rough, always feeling out of sorts.  Always feeling unsure and exhausted.  The second year was better,  more relaxed.  And now, into the third year here, I feel like I can manage Shanghai.  I know where to buy things, I know enough Mandarin to ask questions.  The daily life we live now is completely different than the first 6 months.  But I really am speaking just of myself.

     I have to say that Emily and Katie have always adapted better than I have, and are both thriving.  They make friends and live in the moment.  They both take advantage of opportunities at school that they would not have available back home.  Emily loves her mod tech class, and Katie made great pottery gifts for us all at Christmas.

     Chris has been so busy at work, constantly putting out fires, adjusting to developments in real time.  The Shanghai Disneyland project has been more challenging than anyone initially thought.  Everyone here is working harder than they imagined, and all are working longer hours than they would back in Glendale.  I think he is doing his best & hardest job right now.  

     I have said this before, but this is why it is so important for us to take vacations when we can.  It's nice to be out of the noise and pollution of Shanghai even for a short time, and to realize the greatest benefit of being in Asia is the opportunity to travel.   We have taken a few trips recently - in October to Tokyo and December to Florida and California.  While in Tokyo we visited sites in the city the first few days.  We went to Asakusa Shrine and Tokyo Sky Tree.  And of course because we were in Japan, we ate really, really good food.

     The first morning we went to Slappy Cakes where you can make your own pancakes.  Really fun and tasty - we all loved it.

 Asakusa Temple was really beautiful and there was a marketplace full of food stalls and small gift shops behind.  There was a man roasting rice crackers,  and a shop making Imagawa Yaki shaped like fish, filled with sweet beans.

Meiji Shrine

Asakusa Temple

Katie incense offering

Toasting rice crackers

Tokyo Sky Tree is the tallest tower in the world and the second tallest building after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.  There is a point where you call look down through the glass floor and it's really dizzying.  The day was clear and we could see Disneyland from way up high.  The people who worked there were so organized.  An exact number of people were lined up each time for the elevators, and escorted to the observation area.  Like clockwork.  

Don't look down!

Standing at the highest point of the Tower

  My parents were even able to join us for a few days, they were in Japan visiting friends and relatives.  They even took the girls out for a day, and spent way too much money on arcade games.  But it was nice to see them and special for them to be with us in Japan.

     One day we went to Akihabara which is the area of Tokyo known for electronics, everything anime and cosplay.  We went into McDonalds for lunch and it was so strange.  The dining area was full of single men, looking at phones, sleeping or staring into space,..and it was completely silent.  No one talking, no kids, no piped in music, nothing.  I've been in libraries that were louder.  I've been told that sometimes in Japan people lose their jobs, and cannot face their families.  So they pretend to go to work everyday and sit in places like this for hours.  We were uncomfortable talking to each other, we just quietly ate and got the heck outta there.

     We walked in-and-out of lots of shops in Akihabara.  Some cater people that liked to dress in costume, also video & model making stores.  Things that I could imagine seeing at ComicCon.  Chris and Katie wanted to check-out a "maid cafe".  Emily and I thought it sounded strange, so we went to Tokyo Hands.  Tokyo Hands is the largest office supply and craft store chain in Japan, and we went to the flagship store in Shunjuku.  It's six floors and really fantastic.  So Japanese - everything lined up perfectly and organized, all the specific types of pens, markets, model kits, etc.  We wanted to check-out the Halloween section and were not disappointed.  China does not celebrate Halloween so much, but Japan is really into it.  We were able to find everything we needed for Emily's costume in one place.  I think Emily and I made the better choice coming to Tokyo Hands.  Chris and Katie said the maid cafe was a little weird and awkward.  Girls dressed as maids serve you, but they are like "Anime" maids, lots of make-up, chunky shoes, hair attachments, short petticoat skirts.  I know in Japan it's a thing, but still cringe-y.

Outside a maid cafe

Super large fries!! 

Halloween specials
black buns & sauce made with squid ink?

Musubi hat at Tokyo Hands

So much to see in Tokyo, but the next day we were off to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.  Here are photos of few things I saw that I had to include.

Sha- kee-zu

still must have fake food display!

Umbrellas with Samurai sword handles

Chris on the Ginza

Marvel's blog

yo fuhgeddaboutit

       Due to circumstances beyond my control, I find myself in Witness Protection.  I am living a life in hiding.  Whaddayagonnadoaboutit?  When it came time to put some space between me and some former associates, I needed to look out for #1.  I had myself a few run ins with some of the under class.  The lack of respect to a bunny of my stature, well, in the old neighborhood, you woulda gotten yourself "disappeared".  Shanghai is no place for a bunny that ain't got no connections.  Lemme tell you, ammiright?
         So I recently finds myself in a situation, cornered and approached by some local goons.  They must've been 'bout 8-9 years old, and mean looking.  They put the squeeze on me (literally) and started pulling my ears.  My ears!  No respect.  So when a nice schoolteacher took pity and rescues me, I turns on the charm.  Made myself look cute and pathetic.  What can I say, I still got it.  She fell for it.  She  took me home and made me her "pet".  Ha ha.  So for the time being, I lay low.  Gotta sweet gig over at the school.  All I gots to do is eat, rest, hang out and look adorable.  The kids, they gimme whatever I want.   It's a piece of cake.  They even gave me a civilian name - Marvel - can you believe it?  If the old neighborhood could see me now.  My old crew, Hoppy the Hitter, Crazy Bugsy and Voldebunny would be shocked.
         My problem now is this low-rent resort I'm in for the summer.  What is this "Lamb's House"?  This ain't the Poconos.  No private room, I actually share wit two females!  They treat me nice, like I said I still got it, but c'mon.  It's definitely below my normal standards.  Where's the heart shaped tub?  The champagne and roses?  The prosciutto and pasta fagiol?
         And don't get me started on the housekeeping.  Can you say "whatdaheckah"?  The same lady been cleaning my room for a month and she still don't get how I like my blanket.  It's not rocket science lady.  Is this your first job or what.  She must be an immigrant from some third world country.

shhh…. it's me

gettin' my hare done, get it, get it?

      The past few days, I been thinking about making a break for it.  Having a little fun.  Maybe heading down to Macau or Singapore.  I got some connections that can hook me up.  I could play a little craps, see the shows.  Bunny Adelson owes me some favors.
      But every time I try to make a sneaky exit,  the Beast of the Big Snout appears.  Where'd they get this guy?  He's downright Medievel.  He has this big black nose and long tail.  His bark almost made me pee my fluff.  Every time I look around the corner, he's there with his fangs.  He makes these loud noises, then he whines and chuffs.  I pretend I can't speak, I try to stay silent.  But he's always watching, always watching.  It's enough to give a rabbit the shivers.  I have to wait until he lets down his guard, then creep past him.  If only I had a getaway car.  If only I could drive.  I gotta make a plan.  Hmmmm…..

Buddy the Beast - see what I mean!?

friggin' scary

always watching

Dumpling tour and cooking class

     Last weekend the girls and I tour a four hour Dumpling tour and cooking class.  Our guide was an American woman who has lived in China for almost seven years.  Her Mandarin was perfect.  I'm always so impressed when someone has mastered such a difficult language.  She told us to come hungry, and she was not kidding.  

     The tour took place in the French Concession area.  We first went to a small stall run by a young married couple.  They only make one kind of dumpling, a pan-fried guotie like a pot sticker, and they are always sold out by midday.  Most dumplings in Shanghai are filled with pork, and then some with variations of vegetable, etc.  If you don't want pork, you would have to let the guide know ahead of time, and she would select shops that have alternatives.  

     Next we had fantastic Xiaolongbao, Shanghai soup dumplings.  The tiny shop had six tables and run by a married couple.  While we were dining, the whole extended family (grandma, grandpa, grandson) sitting in the corner.  It is really normal in China to see the whole family in the shop, just hanging out.  The guide told us that many people will come to this restaurant and buy dumplings uncooked, then rush them home to steam them for dinner or freeze them.  These were the best Xiaolongbao we've had, with a really flavorful broth inside.

   We also stopped to have JianBing which is an egg crepe filled with scallions, crispy wonton and hoisin.  Very common breakfast to eat on-the-go.  Crunchy on the inside and hot & delicious! Then off to a street cafe to have steamed Jiaozi with celery and cabbage.  This was around lunch time, and lots of workers were lined-up buying from other street vendors.  All the workers were hot and sweaty from a morning of hard physical labor.  They had these heaping platters of rice, vegetables and a little meat.  They all were drinking big bottles of Suntory beers with their lunches.  Ahh, that must be why we see so many people taking an afternoon siesta.
      Now it was off to the cooking class.  The cooking school is in a house in French Concession area.  It looked like half the house was their residence and the other half was a glassed-in porch used for the class.  The instructor spoke Mandarin and our tour guide translated.

    We made ShengJian which is a fried bun.  We made the dough and rolled it out into small round discs.  Then we mixed our pork filling, and began stuffing them.  This was the hardest part for us.  I have a newfound admiration for the people that do this daily.  A lot of work goes into making dumplings.  We each fried and steamed our creations.  The best part was the eating! Yum!

Buddy's blog

Really Lambs?  You brought home a bunny?…..a bunny.   sigh.    grrrr.

So I'm thinking they brought this cage in, and that maybe they were getting someone for me.  Like a friend, companion, pal…or at least someone I could relate to.  Ya know an equal, a compadre, a bro?  But NOOOO.  This is the worst kind of insult.  

    He's a little white rabbit.  His name is Marvel (he is so not). He has these long pink ears, and this little poofy tail.  He doesn't say anything.  NOTHING.  I tried to reach out to him cuz I'm that kinda guy, er, dog.  Deep down I'm a peacemaker, a friend to all.  And I get no response.  Just a smug superior look.  He looks down at me from his penthouse up high and just wrinkles his nose.  Always with the wrinkled nose.  I just want to bite it! Dude, my ancestors ate you guys for lunch so put away your attitude.  

My girls have been brainwashed by him.  Emily & Katie feed him special food by hand, they even give him food from the big magic box in the kitchen.  Vegetables and fruit.  I never get food from the magic chill box - never!  MomLucy is the worst.  Everyday she puts a special box with wood chips in his cage, it looks fluffy and cozy.  He doesn't care, he even does his worst kinda business in there.  How can she not see how he really is.  He's getting all the love and attention that I used to get.  My daily quota of petting and loving has gone down drastically.  I think I am depressed.  I have nothing to get up for.  My days just run one into the other…..I have nothing….life means nothing….

*sigh*

bunnies r evil

Afternoon in Tianzifang

Tianzifang is an area of Shanghai that was previously an artists' colony.  Now Tianzifang is a maze of alleyways and narrow pedestrian walkways full of tiny shops, galleries and restaurants.  The buildings all have brick and stone doorways in the Shikumen style which is the signature architecture here in Tianzifang.  We went on a Saturday afternoon, and it was hot and crowded.  Lots of tourists, but also many young Chinese.  We did have a really great lunch at New York Style Steak & Burger.  It's interesting in Shanghai you can find little restaurants tucked away in corners that make really decent International food.

so crowded

magnets

We found New York Style Steak & Burger at the end of a narrow, winding alley.  

If you asked me to find it again, there would be no way.  

spicy shoestring fries - yummy

We went to the Teddy Bear Museum in Tianzifang.  The space was packed with antique stuffed bears in glass cases and newer bears to purchase.  Lots of young women and families.  They also have a restaurant upstairs, you can sit with your bears and have a beverage.  Really.

  

Berry

 

This shop had a line in the front.  They sell drinks in IV sacks.  Twilight?  I don't get this…

Fruity drinks in IV drip sacks

Why is this is a thing?

None of these make me want to go there and buy.  Really,…really? 

Old Shanghai to protect skin to taste, huh?…

more than a toilet delicious & happy

Durianything…no thank you…

hand-wash sink outside at Teddy Bear Museum

stay classy… 

shenme?

don't think i would work here