Hosam wanted to exchange money, and since Zotter didn’t open until 11:00, I had time to accompany him. A bank we’d seen on various maps didn’t exist, and even the locals didn’t know it. The Bank of Shanghai was still closed, so he wanted to go back to the hostel, and I continued on to the “International Fashion Center,” where Zotter has one of those brick buildings.
I wanted to use the time for buying something warmer for Beijing and the following stops, but they also opened later, as stated on the website.
The first tour usually begins at 12 noon, but I had a dedicated tour guide and was able to start earlier. There was only one other person in the cinema for the introductory video (which is partly compiled differently than I remember from Austria), and I was alone on the tour. It is similar regarding the possibility to taste, just less choice but still enough to get too much. You can also design your own chocolate.
Everyone was very friendly, which may have been due to the fact that there were only three guests besides me. For different employees asked me about my China trip and Austria, etc.
Buying warmer clothes wasn’t easy, as, on my side, I was hesitant to buy anything, as I already have more than enough at home and, on the other side, the stores didn’t have the things I wanted. So, ultimately, I wasn’t entirely satisfied, but at least I won’t be cold (or less than I would be without these clothes).
Next, I went to Yuyuan Old Street and the garden. I should have started with the garden, because after the street with all the tourists and pushy street vendors, I wasn’t motivated enough to stand in line with hundreds of other tourists to visit it. If you want to see photos (at least better ones than mine!), you can find plenty online!
My last stop was People’s Park. I had the information that the wedding market takes place there mainly on weekends, but Friday is obviously not weekend enough, so I just visited the beautiful park as a small compensation for missing Yuyuan Garden.
Admittedly, I I felt my legs after the long walk (at least 20 km for the actual routes, but also in the shops and at Zotter and for looking around), but even a map showed me that I would walk the last 2 km faster than taking the subway, so I did.
Shortly after my arrival, Hosam also came back and wanted to show me lots of TikTok videos, some of them even twice. They showed him in cars, on motorcycles and horses, in the swimming pool, and at work. He’s skilled in editing that on his phone, and his photos from Shanghai look better than mine, but I’ve come to accept that. I only get annoyed when I miss a good opportunity (for a not-so-good photo) because I’m lazy, too shy, or inattentive at the right moment.
