Oh such a good day shopping, the students from my fashion design class, Lydia and Dora offered to take me shopping on Sunday. We met them at one and caught the bus (which costs 20p wherever you want to go) to Tiyani Square (like an outdoor Trafford Centre) which is downtown Ningbo, and has a lot of high street shops lik, H&M, Zara and Mango. I didn't really want to go in them as I didn't see the point, there is a shop called Piece Bird, which is similar to Topshop, but not as good, some of the stuff is maybe for the older lady. The shop assistants are a bit odd, they just follow you around staring at you and pointing at our faces, but I'm gettin used to this now! Piece Bird originated in Ningbo so they have so many in Tiyani Square, the clothes are a little expensive but some cute bits!
We then went to a place called Chenghuang Temple Market 城隍庙市场, this is an old temple in the oldest part of the city that has been changed into a shopping centre for little boutiques and shops, selling clothes, shoes, bags, accessories, home stuff.. lydia told me a lot of students come here to buy there clothes as it is much cheaper than Tiyani Square, which it was, I bought 2 tops for 250RMB (25.00) You have to really barter with them to get the price down even more, but for me someone with little patience for bartering I was happy to pay the already stupidly cheap price, so Lydia and Dora did it for me!! The shoes arent very good, but I did see a pair, from a shop called Five Plus in Tiyani Square, but they were 1000 RMB (£100) and seeing as we are going travelling in 4 weeks I didnt see it was a good idea, maybe if I make more money than I thought I would I may have to treat myself to them, as I just love them... Maybe??
After shopping we met Tong Tong who had prepared dinner for us at her home, with her friend Lucy and her little girl, all typical Chinese food, I felt really bad as I couldn't really much as nothing appealed to me and I'm a pure wuss and won't try anything if it doesn't look good, I felt even worse when her husband Peter left and returned with some food from a Takeaway, which they knew I liked... I was secretly happy as I was so hungry and really wanted something good to eat! (still had Oreos once I got back to the room!)
Peter had got all of is photo albums from Beijing, Shanghai and Xian for us to have a look at over chinese tea! they pictures were pretty amazing! I am just more excited to go travelling now! The Great Wall looked so special, I am just wondering if i could maybe smuggle a stone from there back to England with me so I can say I have a piece of the Great Wall at my home. Lucy seems to think I may get arrested?? Also Xian looks soooo good, the Terracotta Armies and the Forbidden City are just out of this world. This is from the first Emperor of China, he made these Armies to protect him in the after life and protect his tomb, which China have never opened this tomb as it is believed to be filled with poisonous gases. I think it is pretty incredible that this tomb has lay un opened for so many years, and whats left of the Emperor is still in it, with God knows how much Treasure and how much money this would be worth to China if they was to ever open it.
The conversation with Lucy is very interesting, I think she is possibly the most intelligent woman I have ever met, her knowledge is incredible, she puts me to shame with her knowledge on English History, Kings and Queens, the government in England and how that works, she knows so much more than I do, which I think is pretty appalling seeing as I am English. I think I may have to start learning some English History and some bloody general knowledge before we meet her again..
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