Shanghai Trip!

We were really tired when we got back from Shanghai on Sunday and so this post has been slightly delayed… But what a fun weekend! Aside from Eric having to deal with a very tired and hungry Kiersten (I do not do well when I am super hungry!) it was great. Our journey to Shanghai was very uneventful compared to our last time being there. We were also with a group of students from Eric’s program which made figuring out the train and subway stations a lot easier. The subways (and really everywhere else in Shanghai for that matter) were so much more crowded and crazy than in Nanjing where we live. It made our city of over 6 million seem small in comparison. In fact, when we stepped out of the subway in Nanjing and started walking home, we commented to each other on how quiet and peaceful it seemed.

We spent Saturday morning and afternoon visiting the Shanghai Museum and French Quarters. We were so happy when we got to the museum and realized it was free! We had researched it and thought we would be paying at least 60 Yuan each- but they just waved us through. Isn’t it great when that happens? Eric was in heaven there. He could have easily spent the entire day looking at ancient jade, painted scrolls, and calligraphy. Long after everyone else in our group had left the museum, I asked Eric if he was getting tired or hungry (I sure was!) and he said he felt great. So four hours later, we finally left, really just to appease his hungry wife. Rather than stopping for lunch right then, however, we opted to head over to the French Quarters, planning to raid the scores of French bakeries we hoped to find there. After a long walk, which included a nice security woman using both her walkie-talkie and cellphone to call people to find out where exactly this French Quarters was, we found it. I was never so anxious to find a good piece of warm bread. Alas, none was to be found. Apparently the days of small French bakeries in Shanghai are long gone, replaced by super expensive boutiques and restaurants. We did find the building where the First Congress of the Communist Party was held, though, which was definitely interesting.

So, we headed back. Next on the agenda was District Conference. The real reason we had even come to Shanghai. And it was wonderful, by far making up for the tired feet and empty stomachs. Elder Perkins (the Asia Area President, member of First Quorum of the Seventy, and Eric’s former mission president) and Elder Oaks were there. It was really exciting to be able to see Elder Oaks in a smaller setting such as this District Conference. So much more intimate- we got to talk to him and his wife and shake his hand a few times. Most importantly though, we got to hear and learn from him.

After conference on Sunday ended, we wandered some more in the city, visiting the Bund and Nanjing Road. And finally, here we are. Back home.