Being An Indian in Shanghai :)

Am falling in love with this city.....

Folks, I may be a little biased about this (as I am in this city now so can't help it). But I have to get it out of me fast and tell you guys....I confirm the obvious, this is one of the most beautiful cities in the world (AMONGST the ones I have been to, obviously for some of the smart asses) - talk about standard of living, infrastructure, food, people, nightlife....

So here I was in the shanghai airport (I just can't remember its name - trying remember xixixxian), and the temperatures were in the range of 15-20. Coming from 40+, it was a paradise. The immigration clearance at the airport was cakewalk. So out was, being driven in the company car to my temporary residence. It was around 10 PM local time and the view was amazing, neon lights everywhere, roads without any POTHOLES. I was accompanied by an embarrasingly polite driver (imagine the most polite person you have ever met and increase it by 10 times, ah jesus, I almost felt bad for him) and one of my office colleagues playing the perfect host.

So after a very smooth ride of 30 minutes, I got to my temporary residence. This was the house which I wanted to rent so much in delhi, but never had the money for:). I offered my host a drink as I knew my roommate had stocked the fridge with beer (not finished it like some people in India) and some vodka (ruski standard - motu). However, she settled for some juice. After lending me some 200 Yuan (Remnibi - kuay - china's currency), she left. Need to go back a lil, before I got INSIDE my apartment, she educated me about everything - getting out of the car, using my electronic key to open the main gates of the apartment, calling a lift, turning the key in my apartment's key whole - ah jesus and she would always say - ah you are quite good at it. I felt like my mom was with me, as she never have believed that I ever grew up (motu- here is your chance - I know I"m kind). So continuing the story, while my host was leaving, I tried to be my best gentleman self by opening the door - forgetting to lock the door to my apartment - holding the lift for her - seeing her off at the busstand. I then returned to my flat for some cigarettes, food, and beer yo.

The next day, I checked out the local area for the following - changing some dollars, getting some gas in my phone, some groceries (oh yeah as my friend just left me alcohol and nothing else in the fridge - somethings never change in life). After talking to bank officials for 2 hours - with them not understanding a word I was saying and laughing their assess off and getting the rest done easily, I was back in my place. Later, I want to a massage parlour next door to get one of the most amazing massages I have ever got (not that i have got many...hehe). The only unpleasant thing about the massage being the last question which the massuer put to me - would you like me to massage you at some special places - c'mon guys, I always thought that she was a really nice girl.

The next day, it was time to get to work. By the time I got to work, I was convinced (as my friend told me) - Foreigners are exotic in Shanghai. Never had these many stares before. (Motu - here is another chance). Once I got to work, it was work as usual till the time i was told that we have to work till the coming monday. However, this was because there were one week of holidays coming up. I won't say more. And yes, my first day at work can also be marked for the begining of my struggle with chopsticks (ah jesus, I have only won half the battle till now).

Life has been fun after that - couple of office parties, two amazing night clubs, spider man 3 (not as great as first two, however, definitely worth watching folks), visit to various postcard tourist spots. This city is just amazing and is getting to me.

Finally, I have found my new flat - after deciding on the colors of the curtain, household stuff (almost felt like a married man - motu you may like it eh - what say tarzan?), . Next week is the house warming hopefully. You all are invited folks (saying it doesn't hurt).

At the end, guys, I miss you all a lot.

Also some of the interesting information about living in Shanghai and China in general:

1) Girls at the street will walk up to you and ask you to teach english. But never fall for them as they are either prostitutes or cons. Also, they may be girls looking for that perfect non-chinese husband. SO it is definitely a no go.

2) You got to learn the chinese language, mandarin in this case, to really enjoy the city and make friends. I have learned two words till now and am still working on it.

3) The best place to pick up girls are the nightclubs (but gotta be carefult about wrong ones) and the chinese lesson classes (now, do you see my point about learning the language, eh). Also, in the nightclubs, you find a lot of people from all around the world.

4) Nobody understands english and they don't care about it.

5) At your workplace, people will just follow what you say without questioning it.

6) The standard of living is just amazing and beyond imagination - unless you live it yourself.

7) The ex-guitarist of greenday is my neighbour and a friend now. (Tarzan, any reasons to come to this place)

The list can be endless - I will keep this section in all my blogs.

Let me be a lil senti here, despite of all this - I MISS MY COUNTRY. Love You All.

PS: Sorry, I had to remove some of the earlier posted comments to avoid trouble.