Pages Menu
Categories Menu

Posted by on Apr 9, 2014 in Uncategorized | 13 comments

I remember…

Stealing an hour while baby Curly Girl sleeps fitfully to slip away to Diva Life on Nanchang Lu. Settling back into soft purple cushions to breathe out my relief through my toes as Hebe buffs, pummels and polishes them new.
The pot luck of supermarket shopping, scouring the shelves for recognisable brands, cornflakes at £5 a packet, UHT milk from Australia our safe choice, exciting fruits and vegetables piled high.
Walking away from the bright lights, glamour and sparkle of Xintiandi along Danshui Lu towards Fuxing Park, the dust in the air enveloping my skin in a cloying shroud. 
Hearing the strains of a waltz inside the gates, watching as couples dance into view. Perfectly poised they dip and twirl in an unseen ballroom as they pass tai chi practioners on the grass. The symbolic juxtaposition epitomising Shanghai in all it’s colours. 
Later, walking through the lobby of our apartment and feeling the icy cold blast of aircon cooling the sweat on my back. Standing in front of the elevator and using the mirror doors to check if Curly Girl is still asleep in the pram while saying a silent prayer that she is.

  • Older Mum

    A gorgeous snapshot of life in China (or was it Japan – I can’t remember)… beautifully written. Have you done something to your blog? It just looks different :o). X

  • https://bodfortea.co.uk/ bod for tea

    Yes it was China – Shanghai specifically – thanks for your kind words! Blog had a bit of a polish a while back by the lovely :)

  • http://honestmum.com/ HonestMum

    This was utterly hypnotic, you are an incredible writer-please write about your time in China as a novel! Magical! Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts

  • https://bodfortea.co.uk/ bod for tea

    *Blush* Thank you so much for this kind comment lovely! I really should write more about our time in China – to be honest with everything that went on with the fertility treatment and then having a baby that didn’t feed well or sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time for 6 months it’s all a bit of a fog to me now! I will make the time to crystallise those memories though – perhaps this could become a series…

  • Tas D

    I didn’t realise you lived in Shanghai for a while. I’d love to see more of that part of the world, and read more about your expat life!

  • http://www.circusmums.com/ Circusmum

    Really enjoyed reading it. I loved Shanghai too, though I only visited shortly and spent the majority of time in Harbin. I agree with Honest Mum, write some more!!

  • https://bodfortea.co.uk/ bod for tea

    Yes we lived there for almost 4 years and Curly Girl was conceived (artificially) and born there. It was a fascinating and challenging adventure you’ve all convinced me to write more about!

  • Susanne Remic

    I love this. I agree with Vicki- we need more!!! x x

  • Merlinda Little

    I suddenly remember the smell of HK. I love vacations in there. I love the memories I made with my husband before we were parents. Thanks for reminding me that. #MBPW

  • Amy Ransom

    Ooh I love this. I miss travelling so much and always slip away into a daydream when I hear about others living in a different country. We have friends in Shanghai at the moment so this is particularly relevant. Beautifully written x

  • https://bodfortea.co.uk/ bod for tea

    Thanks lovely! *Puts thinking cap on*

  • https://bodfortea.co.uk/ bod for tea

    Yes, those memories are precious aren’t they? And smells – wow! I can still smell the delicious soup buns that just exploded in our mouths. Yum! Thanks Merlinda :)

  • https://bodfortea.co.uk/ bod for tea

    Thanks Amy :)