Joan Goes Shoppinng, Saturday July 21

Shopping in Yuyao is an adventure! Yesterday, I decided I would look for a new purse. The zipper on the one I am using broke, so this was my excuse! I decided to take a bus into downtown Yuyao. The Business Hotel is located on the south side of the city and too far away from the main shopping area to walk. I figured if got lost, I could always catch a pedicab or taxi back to the hotel.

To ride Bus 205 only costs 1 RNB (less than .20). As soon as I took a seat, I could feel the eyes glancing my way. An elderly woman (50 plus in China) kept looking at me. I smiled and then she decided to smile back! That was the extent of our interaction. Other than our group of 7 teachers, I have not seen one other white person in Yuyao... no wonder people are curious! I knew I had to get off as soon as I saw the McDonalds. There are very few landmarks to latch onto, and McDonalds is one of them. Acting like I knew what I was doing, I got off the bus and casually followed a couple of young women through some thick hanging plastic strips to find myself in some kind of shopping mall. All kinds of tiny stores branching off maze-like in many directions. I remember reminding myself to take a good look around so I could find my way back!

Up the elevator, I entered a small shop. Shopping is universal and so are female clerks! 5 minutes later I was trying on some cropped black pants Only 60 RNB (about $10.00) and too big for the average Chinese woman. I am an XL here!! Well, they fit perfectly, and I wore them out of the store! That's right, I did say I was going purse shopping didn't I? Into another store I went, this one filled with many colorful bags. I took out Lucy Liu (My Jibbigo English to Chinese I-Phone Ap) to find out how much they cost. Sometimes Lucy has a mind of her own and doesn't translate things the way they are intended which can prove to be quite humorous. The people think it is very funny when I talk into my I-Phone and all of a sudden a Chinese voice is talking back at them Technology is truly amazing!
I am not the proud owner of an orange bag, another good deal.

Well, after all my efforts, I was in a slight sweat and thought I would treat myself to a nice cool drink. Three young people were working behind what looked like a beverage counter. Lucy proved to be USELESS when I asked if there was any drink with ice. "No there were no drinks with eyes!!" Very funny indeed. So, I bought some glass of liquid beverage filled with tapioca balls. Just hit the spot!!!

Wearing my new black Chinese pants and carrying my orange Chinese purse, I thought I might blend in with the natives, but that was not happening. Across the street, I spotted Bus 205 going in the opposite direction, and I made a mad dash. The ride back to the hotel was uneventful... next time I go out I really must find some Chinese shoes as my bright red Kuehns seem to be attracting a lot of attention.


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Location:Downtown Yuyao