Shenzhen--home away from home

My last two days were just hanging out in Shenzhen. I felt at home again--it was so nice to see old friends and go to places that I am so familiar with.

The first day in Shenzhen a friend took me to a path along the coast--we rented bikes and enjoyed the scenery

And the people watching

I love Shenzhen because there are huge beautiful parks where you can have a picnic at or walk around or just relax. 

In Jinan there are motorbikes everywhere and parks are so crowded you can't just relax. Plus the weather is not usually nice and the landscaping is not like Shenzhen. 

It was really nice in the morning but then it got pretty crowded...some girl rode her bike right into me.

After that I ran some errands...

This is a mall display/play place. Coolest play place ever

I had to go to my nail ladies in Shenzhen--they do such a better job than the ones in Jinan and for a cheaper price

Its becoming more common to see advertisements that show how bad smoking is for you. However, many people (mostly men) smoke--it is part of the social culture/business culture so it is a hard (but disgusting) habit to get rid of. In hotels you often see signs that say "please do not smoke in bed" 

In Hong Kong you see buttons to press if you see someone smoking in a public space and there is a $500 HKD fine (about $75 USD)  

  

After that I met friends for hot pot (one of my favorite things to eat in China)

Sooooooooo good to see old friends! <3 <3 Check out my sunburn...yike

The next day I met a friend and checked out the Science Museum 

Before I grabbed coffee at McD's in the metro

There was a huge cosplay met-up there (you can see the girl in the blue). Cosplay is very popular in Japan and seems to be getting more popular in China. You dress up in costume...then I don't know what you do. Just hang out all day in costume? 

Also check it out...in any restaurant in China when you're finished you just leave your stuff..there is a worker who specifically just cleans up after people. When Chinese people travel to America they are shocked to see Americans throwing their trash away at places like McDonalds and Starbucks. 

The Science Museum! It was pretty neat but did not compare to a science museum in the US...

After that we went to a super cozy coffee shop...which are becoming more and more popular in China

The downside...coffee was really expensive and it was romantic lighting, I'm not sure how people were working on their laptops or reading

It also smelled like someone was smoking right next to us, which I wouldn't be surprised if they were. 

It's funny because it was definitely european--french inspired but there were pictures of marilyn monroe and elvis and audrey hepburn everywhere (typical Chinese decorating)

You can see above the pictures and the mass amounts of books and magazines the place had...I love coffee shops, if it didn't smell like smoke and the lights were a little brighter this would definitely be a regular spot for me. 

After that I met a friend who worked for the same company that I did, but quit and took a new position in Shenzhen

It was so nice catching up with her and grabbing western food (MEXICAN!) from one of my favorite/regular spots 

After that I went back to my hotel and got ready for an early wake up call...back to Guangzhou/Jinan.

I swear Chinese people do not know how to make a single file line--so frustrating 

The best part about flying in China is when you land. The loudspeakers are saying over and over again "Please remain seated with your seat belts on until the plane has made a complete stop" but literally the second the plane hits the run way and puts the breaks on, people jump out of their seat to grab their overhead carry-ons and form a line to race off the plane. They do not let you file out like we disembark airplanes in any other country...it's insane. 

And then a few minutes later, I see them again when we all wait for our luggage in the baggage claim.