all that jazz

If you ever find yourself in Shanghai for any reason I would highly recommend staying in the French Concession area with its shady tree lined streets. This morning after breakfast we strolled the area. 
Its always when you're not looking for anything, something special appears. 

We stumbled upon a beautiful park where people were doing tai chi, then found a quaint Thai restaurant with an outdoor veranda (made a note for another evening), then a half a block later we walked past this really nice looking spa, I had to go in. We had been talking about getting a foot massage so after going up the stairs and loving the  comfy feel of the place and warm bamboo floors we decided to recline side by side in overstuffed chairs and were pleasantly surprised. Included in the one hour was a neck and shoulder, arm, hand leg and fantastic foot massage..best part was it only cost us each $18..and now

we really want to go back.

 Next door to that we went inside a designers tea shop, unique place for teapots and cups and tasted some awesome green tea while chatting with a few Chinese students. Later on we went for the 2nd time to the Fabric Market in the south part of the city- having so much fun viewing all of the styles and colors and having a few fun pieces made.

Oh I can't forget to tell you about these pom pom shoes I scored at this hand made cobbler shop one of my fellow artist friends was raving about-very fun!

We had a great dinner at Grandmothers Restaurant, a Shanghai institution, very tasty eggplant,potato dish with a yummy garlic and spinach dish. Topped the night off gazing at all of the tall buildings on the Bund all lit up. The architecture here is the most exciting, daring and unique design I have ever seen. I will post a few photos of the twinkling lights and videos on sides of buildings soon, just fabulous..so we strolled over to the famous Peace Hotel and listened to as they call it "an old man's jazz band"

had a few drinks and called it a day...

plan to train to Hangzhou, West Lake (1 hr) for the day early tomorrow. Time is getting short-only a few more days here in China.