On to Shanghai

 We started packing on Friday night.  Our flight from Taipei does not leave until 3:30pm, but we have to be out of the apartment by 11am.  Of course we got to the airport very early - too early to check in.  But most of the restaurants were before security. There was a Subway near our check in counter at Air China - that would be the last resort.  We lugged our three very large suitcases up to the second level where there were three sit down restaurants.  The three restaurants there were all  Taiwanese noodle places.  The first was expensive, the second very expensive and the third super expensive.  So Subway it would be.  We took the elevator down and low and behold tucked behind the elevator was a Hong Kong roasted meat restaurant.  And the prices were great.  The food was also good.  Roast meet with rice and a vegetable.  

Still not time to check in.  So we camped out on some sofa's until 1pm.  Air China is in the Star Alliance (we have gold status on United)  so we could all go to to the club on the other side of security until boarding time.  Where of course more food was available!  And then on board our short flight to Shanghai - they gave us a drink and a sandwich, yogurt and cookie.  

At the Shanghai airport Jojo insisted we all go through the diplomat line as they had used their diplomat passports.  They certainly do scrutinize your passport - take photos and fingerprints.  Camera's are everywhere.  There was a car waiting for us and we were whisked off to the American compound and the Podolny-Reid house.  I am sleeping in Alex's room.  Interesting what a teen boy has up on his walls and on his shelves.  

So to continue today's theme - Lisa and Tim had food delivered and waiting for us.  And also had a huge cheese and fruit board for us.  I am looking forward to eating less tomorrow!  So good to see everyone.  Nicholas was at football and did not get back until after 8pm.  L&T had been to the flower market so there were flowers everywhere.  Very beautiful.  

The weather here has been rainy and grey and cold.  Sunday was a quiet day.  Alex and Jojo spent the day out with friends.  The rest of us took a walk in the afternoon with a stop at the bank and at several food places.  The soup dumplings were great!  There was a scallion pastry and an egg and scallion fried like - sort of like a scallion pancake.  All tasty.  Otherwise we ate left-overs today.  

Monday will be back to normal for the family.  The kids have school and Lisa and Tim have work.  Lisa will be very busy with work the whole time we are here.  We have a trip booked to Guilin for Thursday to Sunday for L&T and M and I.  Hopefully she will still be able to do that.

Tim wants us to meet them at a restaurant near the Embassy today.  He is sending a car using Didi which is the Chinese version of Uber.  Otherwise we are on our own today.