We attended the Shanghai Orientation for New Arrivals yesterday – a half day session to give new expats information and advice on living in China. Amazingly, it’s a free event, supported by fantastic expat-friendly sponsors such as Element Fresh cafe, Portman Medical, Aspara Spa, etc, etc… We were totally blown away with how helpful and valuable the information was. Plus, it was also a great way to make friends!

Unfortunately, we’ve come to the stark realisation that expats are, simply, much older than us. We don’t fall into the typical age group of 35-and-upwards year old expats that have moved with families. We also don’t fall into the typical expat situation where 1 spouse has the job, and the other is the “supporting spouse”. People were actually floored that we were both relocated by our companies. We’re in this strange neither-here-nor-day situation where we’re far too old to hang out with the expat kids, yet too young to hang out with the expat couples.. The only age group that we really fall into are the backpackers community or people that are here teaching English! All I want are a handful of corporate expat women my age, that I can hang out with and be friends with – but it’s almost like an impossible ask. I’m nervous… at this rate, we’ll have no proper friends! 🙁

Absolutely loved the sessions though, and soaked it all in. They gave us a great, frank, rundown on what life was like in China.. and how to manage household ayis (maids) and drivers, plus the nuances of Chinese culture and how it works in an office environment. There was also helpful info on the medical system and what to do in an emergency and even how to keep a marriage alive with a warning that the men tend to get targeted by certain Shanghainese women, haha!

Breafast, and even lunch, was provided by Element Fresh Cafe.. which was brilliant. Might have to check out their other events… seems like a great place to be 🙂

Orientation day for expats

Also bought their book set with lots of on-the-ground helpful info

After that, we went to do some apartment hunting and whilst walking around the streets outside, stumbled upon a few streets that was bustling with locals doing their daily shopping. It was like stepping back 50 years ago (remember, we just came from viewing high rise apartments) to a place where it was noisy, people chopping food on wooden blocks, making fresh noodles (!), and pointing at live fish to urge us to buy. It was fascinating seeing what the average Shanghainese does/buys on a regular Saturday afternoon.

Along the streets at Laoximen

A roadside noodle stall

Live fish and fresh veggies, anyone?

A huge place selling meat. A bit like a horror movie!

The street was lined with people selling stuff

A lady washing her hair out on the street (???)

Got another manicure. OPI deep red with sparkling silver tips!

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