Getting up early is becoming a real trial.
Rock Star Roomie and I decided to bag the group trip and go to the market by ourselves later this morning. It was great-- we stopped in to look at whatever we wanted without waiting for everyone all the time. Going with a big group is fun, but alone and small-group time has been really lacking and it was nice. And boy, did we shop. Pillow covers, chops, dresses, scarves, masks, you name it. By the time we came back we had perfected our bargaining skills and come home with a huge pile of loot. RSR got another suitcase to carry all of her loot home in, so we hopped a cab back to the hotel for a little nap.
Getting a cab in Shanghai can be dicey sometimes-- you show them your card and either they won't go or they try to take you out of your way to increase the fare. Fortunately we haven't had a problem with this so far, nor have we really been hassled, unlike a lot of members of our group. Maybe it's the fact that I told RSR to walk like she had five ton brass balls-- who knows.
Back at the Arts Center tonight. and it was a great concert. Good thing, too, because it was taped for Chinese TV-- seven cameras. Maestro has promised me a DVD when he gets one, so I'll let you know how it turns out.
Tonight is the beginning of the end of the trip-- our last concert. Thank goodness, too, because this cold is ramping up and my sinuses are going crazy. At least I don't have any more playing until next Wednesday.
Only a few more days until the Lunar New Year celebration, which TinyFlutist is already making plans for. Apparently we're going to boogaloo until the next morning-- rock on. Work's over-- now it's time for play!
