[My Weekender] with Rebekah Pothaar

Shanghai nomadism with Rebekah Pothaar - May 08, 09

Rebekah Pothaar is a writer and editor for ChinaTravel.net and Ctrip, a staff writer for Shanghaiist and has recently started a personal blog Ho of the O, but hasn't figure out yet what she thinks of blogging. At present she is stuck on the 380th page of her first book about life in Shanghai and she wonders if the book will be finished before paper publishing becomes obsolete.

Hmmmm, still feeling the MAO-cohol from Mattia's birthday last night and I've still got traces of last night's mascara beneath my eyes. After two years in Shanghai, I've realized it's never wise to go out on weeknights.

So it's Friday again. The week flew by. I spent the long weekend in Hong Kong and the weekend before in Moganshan, so it's been a while since my last big Shanghai weekend.

This is the last weekend to train before my first ever half marathon (21 kilometers) next weekend on the Great Wall so technically, I should stay in tonight, but instead, I'm starting my Friday night by meeting Magda for drinks at FACTORY. Then I might stop in later at Lounge 18 and catch a Danish DJ duo.

Saturday starts at 9:30am when I lurch out of bed, down two glasses of orange juice, brush teeth and throw in my trainers and jog down to the metro, do the traumatic metro line switch from Line 1 to 2 at People's Square, the meet up with the marathon training group at the entrance to Century Park by 11am. As it's our last group training session before the wall, we're going to run til we drop, then reward our efforts with brunch after.

Usually we go for Azul Viva's brunch, but on Thursday I happened across Annamaya (3 Taojiang Lu) that just opened two days ago (formerly La Casina). The Japanese owner Kazu Koikeda is very enthusiastic about her healthy macrobiotic, vegetarian menu in 30-seater dining room that resembles your granny's old farmhouse in the countryside with old brick and slab hard wood floors and antique furniture. There's also another great brunch spot just a block up the street from Annamaya called The Cottage (25A Taojiang Lu) which is only a month old. The Cottage is this tiny little hole in the wall with two floors, all made of white-washed old wood, books lining the walls, art, photos everywhere. It feels like library in a tree house. So adorable and very unique to Shanghai.

After brunch, I'll take a nap, then I might head over to Shangahi Exhibition Center to check out Whiskey Live to get the evening started, after a whiskey tasting, dinner, then perhaps to Brown Sugar to check Lions of Puxi with Diana King. Then, will see where the night takes me.

On Sunday morning, I need to buy a new bicycle, cause my last six got stolen. Then I might do a bike trip to the old Jewish ghetto to take some photos for ChinaTravel.net. I've been talking to Anne Warr about doing that for a while and have heard it¡¯s a great trip. Sunday night I plan on cooking a big roast for some friends to clear the dust off my new oven. After dinner, my brother Chris and I are going to phone our mom in Canada and wish her Happy Mother's Day.

Hugs and kisses, Rebekah

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