Christmas China Style

There's no turning back now. Brown Sugar is the hottest spot to be seen. Dwayne is off on Sundays and he couldn't wait to be able to sleep in. This man is working hard for his money...lol. He deserved a day of rest. Me? I opted to give him some space and made plans to meet a new friend to go on another Shanghai venture. This trip would take us to what's called the 'fabric mart'.

The taxi ride was lengthy, but it gave Anne and I a chance to chat. She is originally from Paris, but came to China for school. She has a masters in Chinese language and works as a Cross Culture Communication Consultant. Okay? Hmmm. She also sings R&B with a brother and his band at one of the Shanghai Marriotts. She's been here for ten years and can speak this language like a champ. They work Monday thru Saturday, so this was a play day for her. I was glad.

We arrive at the fabric mart and once again...vendors galore! We made our way to the front door and all I could do was cover my mouth...it was stuck in the open position! lol...lol...Clothes and fabrics of all sorts were everywhere! This is where you come to have your clothes made...anyway you wish. You can design them yourself, bring a picture from a magazine, or bring something from your closet that you'd like to have replicated. Yes! Leather, cashmere, wool, silk, denim...suits, dresses, coats...I kid you not. Now just tell me...where in America can we get this kinda hook up? Anne and Carlton have been coming here for some time now and they have their own tailor...Mary. We get to her shop and she welcomes me with a hug and a tape measure. She was ready to get me started. I obliged...chose my fabric...and left promising to return in a week to pick up my tailor-made pant suit. Yep...just like that! All I could think about was bringing Dwayne with me the next time. He could not miss out on an opportunity to have him a tailor-made 'something' from China...no way!!! We wandered around gawking for the next hour or so...and this was on the third floor only. Anne admitted that she usually runs in to see Mary and runs out. She was so tickled to be able to walk around and check out some of the other shops. Oh, there must be 50 or so shops per floor. It's just an amazing set up. There are things that you can buy that's already made, but to have the option of picking your own fabrics and designs? Get outta here!

Christmas Eve was the big night at Brown Sugar this week. We were prepared for the masses. There were very few spots in the city that were not decorated for the holiday. This gave me mixed emotions...I wanted to be home...I couldn't think of a better place to be other than home...woe is me! Xintaindi was almost frightening! They had parties going on in every establishment there. It took us a few minutes to get thru the crowds. A party was going on in Brown Sugar as well. The show was rockin' and the Christmas spirit was alive in Shanghai.

We invited the Temples over for Christmas dinner. I had shopped a few days before and found everything needed for our non-traditional menu. Fried catfish...yep...Brannen found filets in the supermarket near their apartment...salmon pasta...yep...I prepared this dish at Dwayne's request...garlic mashed potatoes and a small salad bar. They prepared and brought veggies...bok choy with mushrooms...YUMMY!! We ate until we needed a nap, but the fellas had to work. After we saw them off, Sarah and I contemplated going down to the club...what the hell...Miles and his babysitter were tucked in for the night...why not? This was turning out to be an everlasting party...okay? We had a great time and so did everybody else! Christmas 2008 is one for the books. Thank you, Jesus.