Day 11 - A Day in Antarctica and Some Temples

So today, we continue our adventure in Hangzhou. While planning this trip, we had warn everyone in our group to bring warm clothes and dress warmly because it was winter and we were in China where not every building had central air (that's an understatement, NO where in China had central air, well unless you were very wealthy and maybe in nicer restaurants or buildings). Anyways, we had prepared ourselves and brought sweaters, socks, hand warmers, etc. We were excepting the coldest day to be the day we climbed the mountain, because it was at a higher altitude. But in fact, that wasn't the coldest because we could heat ourselves us as we climbed the mountain. The coldest day was a day that we didn't expect the cold. It was today, the day we were in Hangzhou. It was only so cold because it was raining and the water soaked through everyone's boots or shows. I had to change into two pairs of shoes and got soaked five minutes I changed into my second pair of shoes. My head might have been in China but my toes were in Antarctica. However, despite the event of almost freezing to death, we visited the Leifeng Tower and Linying Temple. 

 The intense and cold rain soaked into our feet….

 

 

 

 The view from the tower

 

 
After lunch, we went on a boat ride on the West Lake (where we continued to freeze).



After our freezing, bettering cold day, we headed off to Shanghai. 
Funny story: 
Before we went to lunch after our visit to the temples, we had a chance to get new dry shoes from our luggage. I didn't want to hold up the group so I tried to grab my things as soon as I could. But I was holding so many things, my umbrella, my book bag, my phone, etc. I had to put somethings down for a second just so I had hands to find my stuff. When I got m y stuff, I went back on to the bus to lunch. On the ride to the restaurant, I grabbed for my phone but I couldn't find it. I was panicking like crazy. Until I realized that probably left it on a luggage in the luggage department of the bus. So during lunch, I went to check, and all was saved!
Before we left for Shanghai from Hangzhou, we all made bathroom breaks at the parking lot. So I went to the bathroom, and I put my phone on the place-holder thing in there and did my thing. After I went to the bus and we were ready to take off for Shanghai. I started to reach for my phone when I realized I couldn't find it. I started to panic again, think I'll find it again like last time. But I realized that I never took my phone when I left the bathroom stall. Right before the bus driver pulled out of the parking lot, I told him to stop (actually, I basically yelled it) and sprinted to the bathroom. I can't believe it, if I never checked for phone, I would've left it in China! (Hangzhou is a three hour ride from Shanghai). My mother got so mad at me. 

Despite the fact that it had been a hard and cold day, we teenagers still had the energy to go out and explore the night life of Shanghai. 

I love Shanghai!  It was 9:30 and Karleigh and I still got a little taste of home.  Our hotel was literally next to Nanjing Road. Shopping 24/7 ! But it was like the Champs-Élysées of China. It was mostly expensive clothing and intimate apparel.We had seen these guys on every KFC sign in China. It must mean they're important.

Like I said, I'm the kitty whisper. And I fed her bacon.

Goodnight Shanghai, see you in the morning !