A neon-lit beacon

Shanghai, often called the countries neon-lit beacon of opportunity, change, and sophistication offers a taste of all the superlatives you can think about of China. It's been three days and there's been so much to see I don't know where to start. We went exploring Wednesday and found a huge park next to our school. We walked for about an hour an a half and saw all sorts of interesting and neat things. This was we're the elderly came in the afternoon equipped with tables and mahjong tiles and played for hours. Were friends gathered along the lake and played music together and had a good time. Where kids learned to fly kites you could barely see because they we're so high. This park included a whale show and an aquarium as well as motor and paddle boats for the lake. It was great seeing people of all ages gather here in the afternoon and just enjoy themselves. I think I'll be spending some time there studying, reading, or just going for a walk. 

Our school took us to an acrobatics show on wednesday and it was spectacular. We were all holding on to our seats and you could hear murmurs of worry coming from everyone as they performed one insanely gravity defying act after another. At one point there were seven motorcyclists racing around in a metal ball at the speed of light, how they didn't hit each other was mind boggling. Then about 10 girls we're jumping and climbing in between bikes like it was nothing. Remember all the kids trying to do tricks on their trick bikes, even the best are amateurs compared to these girls. There was one act that I have to confess what my favorite though. It was a couple and they were swinging, and acrobatically dancing in the air held up by two silk bands. It was really beautiful and at the same time terrifying too just wanted them through each other around. It was a great show and after my walk home I was able to take a shower and then I hit the bed like a rock. Shanghai really knows how to take it out of you. 

Stepping stones at the river in Zhongshan Park. We were like little kids running around

Musicians having fun and playing around at the park. We had to be sneaky, the Chinese don't like it when we take their picture.

The lotus pond, I believe it's Chinas national flower. They are all starting to bloom now so in a week it should be beautiful here.

Beautiful gardens and relaxing areas cover the park.

A motorcycle full of kites. Kite flying really is an art here and wonderful to watch.

I love the bridges at the park, they bring a sort of European style to it which I love. 

Sorry this was a long one. It's hard to keep it short since there's so much to see an tell. I'll keep on trying to update though so ou guys can see a bit of Shanghai and experience it with me. 

Till the next time.

Love, 

Stef

Brand New

Hi

I'm in Shanghai. Took me a while to figure out the Internet to write and then I found out Blogger was blocked. I found out how to get a VPN and that enables me to use all the websites that are blocked. It basically serves so that you don't use a Chinese server but either a server through your home school or some other American server.

Shanghai is interesting, to say the least. We landed on Sunday and waited for everyone tk get there so finally we got on the scariest bus ride of my life, and I've been on a few. I guess when your a bus in China you don't need to obey these whatsoever. We were literally driving in the middle of two lanes at full speed and would come up on a car an just honk historically till they move out of the way. We made it though, even in two lanes. Yesterday I had orientation all day but whenever we had free time we'd go out and explore. I had my first dumplings, and they were delicious. Shanghai is huge though and with 24 million people there are apartment skyscrapers all over the place. The buildings are enormous as the closes mall take up 4 blocks and is 7 stories high. Our program took us to dinne last night and it was really cool. About 60 of u took up a slice of this huge restaurant in one of the skyscrapers. Food was already there wen we got there but a we started eating, they brought out dish after dish. It lasted or about an hour and believe it or not but the foo kept coming. We were si people at our table and could barely make a dent. It was delicious though, we had pork and rice, spicy noodles and soy cucumbers, green tea cakes and tofu soup, just to name some. It was a great first dinner in Shanghai and I can't wait to taste what else there is! Today is orientation day two and were hoping to go explore and do some necessity shopping afterwards. The sky's clear ( not what I was expecting) and its warm out. I can't wait to see what I find today.

The Grand Harbor Mall we walk by on our way to school, it looks like it belongs in Vegas

The view from my room, skyscraper apartments everywhere. 

Getting Excited!

Hi! 
My name is Stefanie Vorleiter and right now I am getting ready to go to China. I am currently attending High Point University and seeking a major in International Business and a minor in Chinese. As one of my requirements I need to study abroad and what place better to go than China! I am getting kind of nervous because I sent in my visa papers but don't have them yet so hopefully (crossing my fingers) I'll receive them any day now. I just found out where I am staying, with a host family in an apartment building 15-20 minutes from the University. The family I'm staying with has a daughter as well and I'm excited because now I get to have a sister. I'm leaving in a week and a half and I'm nervous and excited. Yet I still have no idea what to pack. I will be trying to blog about my trip and everything as much as possible. My goal is to let family and friends in a way take the trip with me and be able to see some of what I am experiencing and seeing. So hopefully you will enjoy this adventure with me and maybe even learn some Chinese along with it.

See you soon

再见!

(zaijian)

Goodbye!

-Stefanie