As a group we experienced the Hongquio flower market and overall everything market. This was an eye opening outdoor and indoor market of the most beautiful display of flowers and plants I have ever seen in my life. Orchids, birds of paradise, calla lilies, peonies and virtually any variety you could think of in arrangements you wouldn't think you could possibly afford - but, yes you can, in abundance and to your little heart's desire! These are just a few pictures of the outdoor shops, I wish that I would have taken some indoor shots to truly convey the immense amount of arrangements.
The rest of the market contained a maze of shops selling furniture, dishes, silk items, home decorations, statues, baskets and there was even a huge, and I mean huge, painting of a young Michael Douglas. It was an interesting hodgepodge of stuff that I can't wait to go back to and explore more thoroughly!
After our search through the market we parked ourselves at Bubba's Texas BBQ for some pulled pork, jalapeno poppers, cornbread and beer. It was wonderful to have some "American" food. Bubba's is an expat landmark as it is an authentic BBQ joint owned by a Texas Longhorn with a sling box to send in all of the TX football games. Here is a picture of me in front of the place that we took back in September when we were here on our "look/see" trip - I thought it was funny to see a TX BBQ in China and wanted to send the picture to my sister, Heather, back in Austin.
On our second outing we went to the Yu Yuan Pearl Market and commodities building. Yu Yuan Gardens is a hot tourist spot (super crowded yet isn't every place in Shanghai?) and a definite "must see" when one visits Shanghai. We briefly walked into the outskirts of the Yu Yuan market and saw where President Clinton ate at a restaurant there that has "dumplings to die for" (below) as well as the famous tea house that people wait forever to get in to. 
We all did some shopping for our friends back home and marveled at all of the different styles of pearl, jade and stone jewelry at dirt cheap prices that would be customized for you on the spot. The commodities building (that our fearless hosts referred to as "Target") contained everything you would probably ever find at a Dollar Store - umbrellas, gift bags, party decorations, hangers, cheap kid's toys and trinkets, costume items and on and on. This was another place that I easily could have gotten lost in!
I know we all would like to thank Nancy and Laura for taking the time to show us around and for supplying us with the contact information for some of the resources they have found to make life easier here in Shanghai. Some of us didn't want our Huan Ying group to end so we are continuing to explore aspects of the city together. Stay tuned for more adventures!
