Day 5: Shanghai, Suzhou, & Wuxi

Today, we boarded an early flight from Beijing to Shanghai. I practically ate 3 breakfasts (1 buffet and 2 airlines). We arrived in Shanghai and took a bus to Wuxi. It was by far the most horrendous day in terms of weather. I was 90%+ humidity!

We started the day off in Wuxi by visiting Tai Hu Lake. The Chinese believe that Wuxi has great Feng Shui, which has accounted for much of their prosperity. In particular, this city is known for its advanced economic construction, seafood (fish), rice, and Tai Hu Lake. In Tai Hu Lake, there are over 100 kinds of shrimp and fish, including the silver fish on top of the steamed egg that we had the night before. At dinner the night before, BSILF asked what the little fishies were and I told her, "I think they're called silver fish." When I heard myself say that, I thought, how awkward -- aren't those nasty bugs called silver fish? Apparently that's what everybody else thought, too! But it turns out they are called silver fish! They come only from this lake (so when Ama cooks it up in scrambled egg or whatever, the fish is actually from this lake!). As for the shrimp, Tai Hu Lake produces a white shrimp, or “crystal shrimp” – it stays white even when cooked. Lastly, the lake is known for its limestone. We visited the lake, which is where Turtle Head Isle was located. It was a little anticlimactic b/c I didn’t really see the turtle’s head…and in the story, it is called dragon’s head b/c a turtle didn’t sound as great as a dragon. There, I bought BSILF a souvenir (a turtle “boggle-body” with a hatchling stacked on top; a.k.a. Lil F and Tanga).

Afterwards, we rode on the bus for a few minutes to the Pearl Farm. The local tour guide gave a brief intro about the importance of pearls. He began by saying that Tai Hu Lake also produces 90-95% of the freshwater mussels/pearls. Pearls really became significant because of the Dragon Lady, who ruled China from 1851 – 1908. When she discovered the freshwater pearls, she really believed in its power to keep her face looking youthful. On a daily basis, she massaged crushed pearl power onto her face (a.k.a. (non sequitur) Sheep placenta Cream). When she passed away, people said she looked 18 years younger; hence the belief that crushed pearl powder cream helps a woman retain a youthful complexion. The guide also spoke about how brides wear pearls because they best match wedding gowns, and they represent beauty and elegance.

Other random pearl trivia:

• Many high-end jewelry manufacturers, such as Tiffany’s and Cartier, sell expensive pieces with pearls that have a nucleus of at least .5mf.
  
• Freshwater pearls have a cold feel.
  
• Ocean pearls have a thin luster; they lose its luster after 20 years whereas freshwater pearls keep their luster for at least 100 years.
  
• The Mikimoto pearl is the most expensive pearl; a single pendant of 11mm can cost 300K Y ($40K); (Mikimoto was the first to perfect the cultured pearl process…and then the Chinese refined the process and took over the market). The bigger (and rounder) the better; at 7 mm and above, the price increases significantly.

At the farm, a saleslady told us how to determine the authenticity of pearls.

1. Real pearls will feel slightly gritty when rubbed together because of the layers of nacre that have formed over time. Fake pearls will feel smooth when rubbed together.
2. She breathed on the mirror and quickly rubbed real pearls against it; it created the fine powder that the Dragon Lady once used for her face (fake pearls will not create a powder)
3. Real pearls often feel cool to touch (for the first few moments).
   
4. Imitation pearls often have a uniform shape, color, and size, while every genuine pearl is unique. The luster of genuine pearls have more depth than imitations.

The lady also taught us how to pick good pearls. First is the roundness. Second is its luster. (Third might be color?) BF and I picked out a nice purplish-pink set of a necklace, ring, and earrings for me (and then bro bargained it down from $120 to $80 Y). They also switched the settings for me (with hot water and superglue -- so high tech!). I actually really like pearls a lot; they’re classy but definitely for special occasions and outfits.

Afterwards, we went to the Silk Weaving Factory. It was really neat to see the actual cocoons being unspun. I got to touch the thread from a single and double cocoon. In the morning, they drop cocoons in hot water (to kill the silkworms) and then they mix it around w/ a little stick brush to pick the cocoons up and start loosening the threads to stick on the machine. For the double cocoons, a lady would pick the 2 bugs out and soak the silk in water and then stretch the silk out over wooden stands. Eventually, the double silk strands would be stretched out for comforters and stuff. FBIL, BSILF, and a few others stretched out some silk for a comforter in the next room over. Since it was government owned, no bargaining was allowed, so we went upstairs to the “department store.” There, BF bought a silk scarf for Tita Flower and Tita Pina (210 and 140 Y); we got a small coin purse as a free gift.

After lunch, we got on the bus for our 2.5 hour drive to Hangzhou, but we stopped an hour in. We were supposed to stop after 30 minutes or so b/c Lynnie really needed to go. The tour guide, didn’t respond very nicely; he said, “I told you to use the wash room before we left.” Poor Lynnie responded, “I did, but I had a lot of beer.”

Eventually, we got to Old Town and walked the “Chinese 3^rd Street.” Guh bought the Dragon Mustache candy that Ama used to buy him all the time when we were little! We saw through the windows how they hand-made it all. We also walked to McDonald’s; BF had a large vanilla shake (which is our medium), I had an ice-cream cone (250 Y), and Bro ordered a pineapple pie for FBIL. We even crossed a big street! That was a crazy moment; BF was quite scared. (Now we understand why San Gabriel Valley drivers are so bad! It's genetic!)

We got to New Century hotel around 9 PM. It was the best hotel we have stayed in yet. I met part of the group downstairs in the lounge for about half an hour. BF bought Cuban cigars with one of the Cholitas, who stealthily informed him of how to bypass customs with that stuff.

We were all bummed about not staying at this hotel longer. It truly was 5-star. The bathroom even had an electronic roll-up partition for the window separating the bedroom and bathroom. BF suggested we take a (romantic) walk around the streets after the lounge, but I was too exhausted. :( It was a real shame to spend a night in such a beautiful hotel for just a few hours. Still, it was worth it!