The place to be...

I am beginning to party a bit more in the city...although it can't compare to NYC life just yet. I have been told that it will get better from my (few, but good) friends here if I just give it a bit more time (since I have really just started living here about a week ago!) The past weekend, I went to out quite a bit. I was introduced to a friend living here in Shanghai/Beijing from NYC. I just flew back into town that night from Beijing (had to go there for work) and really was excited to go out. BUT, when I arrived at Hongqiao airport (the domestic airport), I could not find a damn taxi! The one thing you guys have to know is the taxi situation... it is terrible! Shanghai has a zillion taxis but when it comes to Fridays, rain, or extreme heat, there are no taxis around whatsoever! I was literally running after cabs that were dropping off people. I almost got in one fight (this may be my 10th fight since I've arrived in China!) with these two men because they would keep walking in front of me to try to flag down the next cab. I actually thought that I was smart by taking a bus from the airport first into the city and then attempting to hail a cab. The line at the airport was ridiculous so I thought this was a smart move... it turned out quite dumb. Anyhow, I finally get a cab and by the time I got home, I was drenched in sweat. I quickly took a shower and met up with this friend at a restaurant very close to my house. I must reemphasize AGAIN that my place is AWESOME cuz of location and size. I jumped in a taxi (this time, someone was being dropped off at my condo complex so I was quite lucky) and went to a restaurant/bar called Naked Cow. It supposedly serves awesome steak. Since I was late, everyone finished dinner so we just sat and drank. We left that place shortly and went to one of the most "famous" places in Shanghai called Park 97. This bar/nightclub is well known around Shanghai and when I walked in, I thought I was at SOCIAL! I know you guys from Columbia are laughing! It was so weird. It's not the decor of the place, but just the vibe. Can't describe it. The most amazing thing about this place is the cover band. I have to admit, I was quite shocked because the singers were amazing. The music was great, the people were interesting (somewhat), and I was in good company.
So here comes the real story...at the bar, I felt a bit out of place. Ok, I felt A LOT of out place. The weird thing is that at this bar, I finally realized how ostracized I was for being Chinese American. Let me explain why. I was walking around the bar checking people out and each table I walked by, I saw a white guy with a Chinese girl. Now, it never hits me when this happens in NYC, but for some reason, while walking around the room (with my Caucasian friends -- most of them men!), I felt like a complete hooker! I know that sounds horrible, but you can TELL when someone is totally not meant to be with that other someone. I told my friends this and they laughed but totally understood my position. The good thing is that when I start speaking, people know that I'm from the States and then they don't give me that "look" anymore. I realized that I was giving the Chinese girls in the room that same "look" (meaning, I was telling them, get a life and stop leeching on these white dudes who you think might give you a visa). Funny thing is that there was this one guy that was part of our group, he had a Chinese girl come out that night to meet us there. He said that she told him that she already has a boyfriend and that he said it was OK for her to date him too!!! I was so disgusted and didn't even acknowledge her when she came over to say hi. I know... I'm a bi*ch, but I stand by my opinion that cheaters are a bunch of sh*theads, no room to maneuver in there whatsoever. So, to make a long story short, I think it's going to take me a wee bit longer to really feel like I am 1. not a hooker, 2. able to talk to locals here without having them look at me like I'm an alien, and 3. always going to pick a fight. You all have to pray for me!
Work is going well...I have a huge project already and I will need to fly again soon to go to another office...I HATE FLYING! I will have to cut down on some of that crap. On other news, I might be back in NYC in November to do some work so those of you who read this thing, make sure to keep your entire November open! HA! I will provide ample notice.
Until then...xoxo