So last night was just a normal mid-week night right? Well, sort of. The thing that everyone must realise here is that in Shanghai, every night is the weekend as there are always several events going on all through out the week! And despite being slap bang in the middle of a working week, Wednesday nights are no exception!!!
Some of the interns showing us how its done...
This week, the CRCC lot organised a karaoke evening for us at KTV – but this wasn’t just any old karaoke night in a bar or a pub with your friends. Oh no. Here in China karaoke is seen as a sort of national pastime. No joke. I know that back home in England karaoke nights are slowly becoming the event of choice on a night out, but these guys in China have been doing this for a very long time. They are veterans in this sport of singing drunkenly in front of a screen. With several KTV’s around Shanghai alone, we were taken to one close to our hotel. Inside the room that was designated for us were snacks, mini kegs of beer and, of course, the karaoke machine with several microphones and even a tambourine! With the beer reducing our inhibitions we definitely got louder as the night progressed with wails to an eclectic mix of songs from Abba, Blink 182, Blue, Girls Aloud – even the “Circle of Life” from the Lion King! As we walked out we even noticed that some rooms have different light settings so that you can create a club atmosphere. If anyone goes to China this is definitely something that has to be done just for the experience!!!
However, despite karaoke lasting several hours, the night was still young! We all decided to make our way over to the Pudong side of Shanghai as we heard that it was ladies night at Shanghai’s highest bar (FYI, every night there is a ladies night somewhere in Shanghai! It’s amazing!). The bar, called 100 Century Avenue, is on the 92nd floor and whilst we had just missed the drink offers due to us getting there after 10.30 we still had a great night. Although pricey, the atmosphere was incredible – and there was an actual dance floor, which can be pretty hard to find in Shanghai!!! The view was also amazing, however in Shanghai the lights in Pudong are turned off at around 10.30/11pm, so if you are wanting to go for the city view, definitely make sure you go before then!
Right, I’d best be off as tomorrow I have an early start as I am off to the cultural city of Beijing with some of the other CRCC interns. See you after a weekend of cultural learning, peking duck and of course walking the Great Wall!
You better have got involved in the karaoke! Would have loved to hear that! Haha. Bet walking the Great Wall of China was amazing! Super jel. xCx
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