Downtown Dalian

Had enought time after lunch before Michael was ready to go downtown, so we went to An Sheng. I liked this way better than Mykal, as this was more like a sort of regular department store...and not so much into knockoffs....Don't get me wrong, some floors were just filled with crap, but it wasn't under the pretext of being designer stuff.... and some floors had nicer stuff.... more current fashion...teenager gear.... I mentioned to the driver that I could shop all day, and he said, 'ALL DAY?'...lol...Did have problems figuring out men's vs. women's departments though... Skimmed through store as was trying to not be late for the downtown trip. Couldn't figure out if being with a chinese driver added to the stares, as perhaps they thought we were lovers, especially as we laughed and talked?..uuummmmh.... Got a sweat top for like $21...the % off signs are backwards... 6.5 meant that the price i would pay is 65% off the regular price... and here it thought it was the size....lol....

Barely made it downtown before they closed.... They closed at 4:30 and we didn't leave until about 2:30....then there was traffic due to construction....same as America...you can never seem to get away from construction...And yes, i did have to close my eyes for today's driving, as it put driving in jamaica to shame....i didn't realize it was possible for 3 cars to fit on a 2 lane road...in the midst of pedestrians randomly crossing the streets....Pretty soon the driver started mimicking me...Oh my gosh...Oh my gosh....

Picture the vendor's arcade in downtown jamaica, but 5 stories, and you have pictured downtown Dalian.... Definitely higgler's heaven...I hear it's an insult not to bargain...start by slashing their asking price in 1/2 and work u way from there... and walk away if they don't meet ur price....next thing u know, ur item is in a bag, and they are calling u back...I am sure i will be going back....not for the clothes, but the household items or other stuff like the teapot sets, will make great gifts....Didn't see any 'Louis Vuitton' or 'Gucci'...so perhaps that's one of those 'fleeting' stores....

There's also the street vendors selling food.... pretty sure i am not trying any....that's the one thing they warn you about, for health reasons....as i stood and watched a vendor make a vegetable crepe on a tree stump looking metal implement/stove...i wondered when was the last time it was cleaned....

Michael wanted to go sweet bread.... all different kinds of bread...all sweet.... i bought a loaf of what i think is wheat bread...and a different kind of bread with cream in the middle...and a Latte.. first time ever.....Not a coffee drinker, but the warm liquid sure felt good in the cold

Off to bed early...as tomorrow is my weekend trip to Dan Dong...North Korean Border...