Day One

Check out of the hotel, move the luggage in, sign the lease papers, get trained on how to open the door (don't ask), and off to the Carrefour (hypermarket...it's either the next level beyond a Super Walmart, or it's because the million people in this cavernous space are hyper, jockeying for position...either definition is fitting. Here was today's story...

Our first trip was a mix of reconnaisance and sightseeing. Walking through the pet section

Kendall and Veronica were fascinated by the snakes, turtles, shrimp, frogs, crabs, fish and other (ahem) pets. Kendall figured it out herself after seeing the fish heads, squid, and other seafood on ice. The animal lover in her wanted to save a turtle from it's demise and keep it as a pet...

Investigating the shopping challenges we faced, we worked up a good appetite, and thought we'd start our Asian adventure with some of the local cuisine. Off to Concordia International School Shanghai to buy school uniforms for the girls, see their classrooms and finish the school registration. From school it was back to the hotel, load up the suitcases, and move into the apartment. After the real estate agents leave, and we're left all alone in the apartment, realization sets in...we're here...in a foreign country...barely able to speak the language... It's a good thing we're within walking distance to school, the hypermarket and know how to open our door! The adventure begins...