So everyone has a bad day every now and then. I had a really bad one in Shanghai. Mike had flown back to Hong Kong for his flight home, and I flew onward to Shanghai (where my outbound flight home was leaving from). I had just over a day to explore on my own, so I woke up early to check my email and head out. I was really excited to get out and see Shanghai, but I received a pretty upsetting email from back home that stuck with me all day.
I headed out and decided to try and put it out of my mind, but by the time I had reached People’s Square and was walking up to the Shanghai Museum – I was already in tears again. I walked around for a bit, but couldn’t shake the news. Still crying behind my sunglasses as I explored the Old Town and Yuyuan Garden Bazaar, I was determined to enjoy Shanghai.
Shanghai Museum in People’s Square
I figured that East Nanjing road and the Bund might do it, so I hopped back on the metro, but when I got off I couldn’t get my bearings and wasn’t able to figure out which direction to head. I was a red-faced weepy mess, and was too embarrassed to ask anyone for directions.
Defeated, I decided that I needed something to cheer me up. This may sound ridiculous, but I always feel really awesome when I change shampoos and it makes my hair extra shiny. So on my way back to the hostel, I found a drugstore bought some new shampoo to put a smile on my face.
After a little downtime, some fresh laundry and shiny, “new shampoo day” hair – I was ready to go. I headed out with my head high and my eyes dry. I’m so glad that I decided to go back out and explore a little more because Shanghai had some gorgeous sights in store for me.
The view of the Harbour from the Bund.
This time I figured out the correct exit from the metro (it was actually super easy), and ended up cruising down East Nanjing road. In hindsight, it was for the best that I came back at night, because the street was lit up and sparkled. All of the buildings had bright signs and lights illuminating their façades. The whole street was full of people and street performers and had an amazing energy. I walked all the way to the end with a stupid grin plastered across my face and finally ended up at the Bund having totally forgotten all about that morning-ruining email.
The famous Peace Hotel was all lit up as were the rest of the buildings on the Bund. I walked along the waterfront and snapped photos of the gorgeous skyline. It couldn’t have been a more perfect way to end the trip.
Thanks Shanghai, you really know how to cheer a girl up.
Keaner Travels 