Farewell Tour of Zhejiang – Writer. Traveler. Tea Drinker.

With classes over and a few weeks remaining before I leave for the summer, I’ve wanted to see my friends one last time. I’ll be changing jobs, and moving to a new part of china so it’s time to start saying goodbye to everyone here. I’ve dubbed my month of goodbyes as Becky’s Farewell Tour of Zhejiang. (Zhejiang is the province I live in.)
The first stop in my farewell tour was Shanghai. Shanghai used to be just a big city I caught the airplane from. Yet over the past few years I somehow ended up with a lot of amazing friends there. I usually go visit several times a semester to see them, but with my health problems this semester I couldn’t travel at all. So this was the first, and the last time to see them in months. And some friends are leaving China, so I had to say a real goodbye to them.

Jason and my co-worker Angus came with me to Shanghai. Our first night we went to a Canadian smoked meat restaurant in honor of Jason. He's going to school in Canada next fall so I thought he should try some Canadian cuisine. It was amazing food, btw. — Jason and my co-worker Angus came with me to Shanghai. Our first night we went to a Canadian smoked meat restaurant in honor of Jason. He’s going to school in Canada next fall so I thought he should try some Canadian cuisine. It was amazing food, btw.

Wendy, my former rascally student, now lives in Shanghai so we spent the first day with her. — Wendy, my former rascally student now lives in Shanghai so we spent the first day with her.

Wendy works for a fancy chocolate company. She treated us with a trip to one of the companies restaurants. I’m not a fancy person and usually just as happy with cheap chocolate as the fancy brand. But I’m changing my tune after going to this place. I ate only a few bites of each desert, but it was unbelievably good, and I’m dreaming of the day I can go back.

In Shanghai at Kaiba — Hanging out with Nick and Ben is pure joy. I love these guys.

Despite them having to work the next day, we went out for impromptu KTV. I met Nick several years ago in Kunming, and he's leaving China this summer after being here for 4 years. I'm gonna miss the bastard. Ben (on the right) is my "bestie" and not a day goes by when we don't chat a little. — Despite them having to work the next day, we went out for impromptu KTV. I met Nick several years ago in Kunming and he’s leaving China this summer after being here for 4 years. I’m gonna miss the bastard. Ben (on the right) is my “bestie” and not a day goes by when we don’t chat.

The next night was with, what I refer to, as the Shanghai KTV crew. Everytime I come to Shanghai we hang out and sing till the wee hours. I became friends with the group because of Ben, but they have welcomed me with open arms from the first day, and I always have a good time with them. And with this group, what happens in the KTV room, stays in the KTV room. ;) — The next night was with, what I refer to, as the Shanghai KTV crew. Everytime I come to Shanghai we hang out and sing till the wee hours. I became friends with the group because of Ben, but they have welcomed me with open arms from the first day, and I always have a good time with them. And with this group, what happens in the KTV room, stays in the KTV room. 😉

Even Jimmy, the boy I used to babysit, was able to join us. As was Wendy. — Even Jimmy, the boy I used to babysit was able to join us. As was Wendy. KTV two nights in a row is fun, but hell on the vocal cords!

We spent all day Saturday with the amazing, creative and fun Hannah. Hannah always comes up with cool things to do (like painting, helping at an orphanage amongst others) and this trip was no exception. — We spent all day Saturday with the amazing, creative, cool Hannah. Hannah always comes up with unique things to do (like going to temples, painting, helping at an orphanage finding secret clubs amongst others) and this trip was no exception. The stuff we did was so unique and interesting it deserves its own post, which I’ll write about soon.

Me and my friend Alex on Saturday. All I seem to do in Shanghai is laugh. It's a good thing. — Me and my friend Alex on Saturday. All I seem to do in Shanghai is laugh. It’s a good thing.

We ant for professional laughs later in the night, as Comedy Central's Ari Shiffir performed at a local comedy club. He was quite funny, but being in a dark, cool room at midnight was too much for my tired little body and I kept falling asleep. — We went for professional laughs later in the night, as Comedy Central’s Ari Shiffir performed at a local comedy club. He was quite funny, but being in a dark, cool room at midnight was too much for my tired little body and I kept falling asleep.

Saying goodbye to my Shanghai friends was easy. I see them irregularly anyway and our friendship is used to distance and time between visits. Next stop on my Farewell Tour is Hangzhou, where I’ve made dozens of friends over the past years I see more regularly. Saying goodbye to them will be tougher. But then that will be nothing compared to my final party in Lin’an with the people I’ve seen on a daily basis for years.
I’m grateful for this time to see everyone again, but sad that I have to say goodbye.

I feel so grateful that Ive been able to meet such amazing people who want to spend time with me. I must have done something good in my past life to deserve them. 上海朋友们我会想你们。

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