The China Diaries // Day 2
Day
2
Today was way too different than yesterday; we are
planning to spend the rest of the evening at home itself. It is 5:16 here, and I’m sitting inside the
warm quilt with a black hoodie, and eating Cacao Party Wafer Biscuits
side-by-side. (I must stop eating them.) Only an hour left until dad comes
home.
So today morning I got up at 6:41 IST (I’m sorry for
not keeping the time zone constant; in my cellphone it is IST and in laptop it
is CST.) After the regular brushing, breakfasting and bathing, I changed to an All t-shirt and my favorite Levi’s distressed jeans, with an Aviator wayfarers, for the Police
Station.
We went to Police Station to register our temporary
residence, with dad’s company’s Secretary. She’s Chinese, of course; loved the
way she pronounces ‘Bhagwat’. The
station is near to our house, so it wasn’t a long drive. At 10:15 CST, we sat
in a Toyota mini bus (sort of a van), with a man from India itself, the
Secretary, and a Chinese driver. Shanghai’s Police Station is nothing like India’s—it
is calm, clean and sophisticated.
After signing four times, our registration was done.
While waiting at the station, mom and I decided to go to Walmart (again) before
going home. As Walmart is a road away, we frequently go there. We stopped the
bus/van near the entrance of the Plaza, where Walmart is located. Then as
always, without seeing others shops, we directly stepped onto the escalators to
the second floor’s Walmart.
I always was keen to see what all things this store
has; the things aren’t as amazing as I’d imagined them to be; they’re average. As
you all might know that I am interested in stationary more than anything (well
at least now), I went straightaway to the stationary section, and really loved
few items there. But the sad thing was that my mom had neither carried Yuan
with her, nor an international debit card (as the Walmart plan was
spontaneous).
The funniest part before entering Walmart was a lady
who didn’t know English—a different lady had distributed a restaurant’s pamphlet
before entering the mall. Before entering Walmart, mom and I thought of going
to the loo. So we asked a security lady outside Walmart who was dressed in red
that where the toilet was, and she didn’t know what we meant. She later thought
we were asking her directions towards that restaurant whose pamphlet we had in
our hand! We tried to tell her that we do not want to go there, but she only
replied something in Chinese, of course with that peculiar smile! At last we
said “Xie xie” to her, and left the Walmart entrance, to search the toilet all
by ourselves. I am really thankful that the sign of a toilet (a girl and a boy),
is the same throughout the world; else it would’ve been tough.
After Walmart, we crossed the clean road, and headed
towards our apartment. And on our way, in our beautiful society, we clicked
pictures! Then after going home, we ate readymade Poli, along with Matki Usal
and Koshimbir (Salad). Then I was on
laptop munching on cocoa wafer biscuits, and mom was watching TV. Dad came by
6:15.
Then in a while, doorbell rang, and a lady came with
a 20 liters bottle of water. I would’ve never imagined a lady carrying
something heavy like this in India. My dad says that in China mostly only ladies
carry such heavy bottles; they even carry it to his office, which has four
floors and no lift, as well!
The night went well, and I had to get up the other
day to go out with mom, just to pass the time. However, as I slept late that
night (yesterday), I couldn’t get up early the next day (today). But I was
eager to go, as the stationary items were waiting for me!
P.S. Today’s (Day 3) diary will be uploaded tomorrow
or day after. I will also post the Walmart Haul. Stay glued!
xoxo
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