SHE in China: China VS Sweden (and I have no TV anymore)

Gan Bei!

Cheap Chinese food.

Nothing beats the Shanghai nightlife: me and Anna always have a blast when we r out and about.

Big, cheap dinners with big, friendly crowds.

Cheap shopping in Shanghai (although shoes there rarely fit me)

My little brother asked me what I missed most about China when I am home. I answered:

· * Cheap food/taxis/clothes/cocktails

· * People saying ’hello’ to me (I have learned to find them charming!)

· * My gym with the two, friendly Hunan boys

· * Living rent free in a huge flat and having a cleaning lady doing our dishes (this is worth GOLD!)

· * The fact that anything can happen throughout a normal weekday.

· * People selling pineapple/melon/you name it on the streets (My snacks in Sweden consists of sandwiches. I must have gained some pound over here!)

· * My friends in China.

· * The nightlife in Shanghai.

· * The fact that you can always ask for a better price, even when you buy bananas.

· * People telling me my Chinese is ‘so good.’ (Yeah I know, this is kind of pathetic to miss but it makes me feel so good…)

He then asked what I missed while I am in China, thinking about Sweden… I said:

· * My friends/family.

· * Clean air and nature.

· * The fact that you can (almost) always go for a run outside.

· * Swedish comfort food. Like I said, I probably have gained some weight over here… but there’s just so many good things? Although I have realised I have been eating things that I normally would never eat when I am in Sweden –just because I CAN eat them… like 3 different kind of chocolate bars (why?), muesli (which I never eat otherwise), biscuits/cakes (??! –normally I am not even that fond), and milk?! I don’t even like milk? But over here I for some reason wanna drink it because it feels so ’good.’ Odd.

· * Not being taller/wider than every single girl on the street. Actually, in Sweden I am probably… quite average when it comes to length… and slim?! Insane. I worship this feeling!

· * Shoes that fit me (I think I’ve bought 4 pairs already)

· * Not having swollen feet (although as soon as I land in Shanghai my feet will swell again)

· * Clothes that fit me, completely, not just almost… In China there is normally some sort of problem (sleeves might be too short on a jumper, a dress might be too tight over my hips… etc)

When I had finished talking (and this took a while, trust me!) my brother sat silent for a while, obviously thinking, before he said:

“So, 10-8 to China. I guess that means you won’t be coming home for another year or two still? Can I have your old TV?”