Post date: Jun 12, 2011 5:44:27 PM
Much better day today.
Still couldn't get to Macau and decided against HK if it's going to be that much trouble. Also found out they each use different currencies to each other, and to Shenzhen (though most of the big stores in Macau will take the Hong Kong dollar). Rather than have yet another set of money floating about - that I won't be able to sort out with company (for other staff trips right after mine), I'm sticking in Shenzhen.
From what I've read Dongmen is one of the more reputable places for buying things. Just as pick-pockety as anywhere else here, but I should be careful enough (I was :-) ).
It's like trying to shop in a slightly smaller central London, but with market stalls as well where-ever they fit. Some of the smaller shops look like they started as market stalls, and literally just picked up and moved in as-is.
Finally found a couple of shops selling not quite so tourist-tack, but this seems to be more of a place for clothes and food (no silk things anywhere, but did have a McDonalds, couple of KFCs and even a Starbucks!). Ate at another MoMoTeas I managed to find, chicken and scrambled egg on rice with a bright green mint and lemon cold drink (not tea).
Managed to get caught up in a Tea shop, a chain one I can't remember the name of. They were using tea sets looking identical the ones I bought at a car-boot sale a while back (pictures are on FB of them), so I tried getting translations from them. No luck, they could read it, but not translate into English (their sets were plain). I ended up trying jasmine, oolong, green tea and per'eu (not sure if this is spelt right). Only bought the jasmine, but was nice to try the others.
Ended up leaving at around 21:00, with the shops not due to shut for another two hours... but I have work in the morning and *intend* to get to bed early (didn't happen :-( not through lack of trying to get to sleep)
The staff at one of the shops I got presents was most helpful when asking about shopping in Shenzhen in general, so I might be heading out to the two other main shopping areas after work in the next few days.
Anyhow, with very achy feet, and finally feeling tired enough to sleep, I shall sign off - night.