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In “Luxe Living in Shanghai for Less than 200RMB: Part I”, we covered pampering via food, drink, shopping, and nightlife. In this installment, we’ll delve into health, hobbies, and more shopping!
Shanghai Luxury #5: Massage
In most western countries, “getting a massage” conjures up images of upscale spas and pampering. In China, the same phrase can evoke associations with pink lights and unsavory offerings of “full service”. Seeking a luxurious yet distinctly Shanghainese experience, I arrived at Sugar and Spice on Jiaozhou Lu in Jing’an for a traditional Chinese massage. The pleasant and demure service, soft music, and candles guiding me up the stairs promised a perfect way to relax after my high end “shopping” and libations the day before. I wasn’t disappointed; the soothing atmosphere provided an excellent backdrop for the skilled masseuses to pressure-point away my aches. I left wondering how anyone lives without regular massages.
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Sometimes, it seems like almost everyone in Shanghai is here for one thing. Some fly here on company-paid business class tickets from overseas, some arrive on hard seat train tickets from the fields of Anhui, and some come from the longtan down the street in crisply pressed dress shirts handwashed by their mothers. What’s the common denominator? Money. It makes the world go round, and it brings people from around the world to Shanghai.
In this city of haves and have-nots, the haves flaunt their fortunes with Louis Vuitton handbags, and the have-nots flaunt their aspirations with shanzhai versions (or, in an act of naked striving, painstakingly save for months for the real thing). Historically known as the Whore of the Orient, Shanghai has always been a place to indulge in luxury and excess. Who doesn’t want to live la dolce vita?
But what if you reach into your pockets, and find that they aren’t so deep? Maybe you’re a student, an artist, an English teacher, or you’re just trying to save your Maos for a fabulous holiday. Never fear - there are ways to capture the decadent essence of Shanghai without going broke. I tested out seven posh-sounding experiences, all for 200 RMB or less, and deliver the results of this grueling work to you here.
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It’s official. I became an MMA training fan and decided to sign up for a great MMA bargain in the Hongqiao area in Mingshen Gardens. Albeit it wasn’t that close to my area but for only 400 RMB for twelve two-hour sessions of classes, how could I resist? (That comes out to about 30 RMB per session) The plan was to have kickboxing and Muai Thai for the first hour and grappling and Jujitsu for the second hour. My initial thoughts were to join the first hour and observe for the second. Given I was new to the Hongqiao commute and , on my first day I was almost an hour late and I wasn’t about to waste the trip by just observing. This became my first experience with grappling. To be honest, I was feeling a little awkward about doing it at first since I was the only girl at the time but after a few tries it became challenging, and fun.
Grappling is very useful especially if your opponent (or attacker) gets you on the ground. It enables you to get out of tricky positions and also helps you get into the right position to gain control and dominance in a fight. Drills in light grappling involve a lot of strength and energy and is definitely a good way to build up your stamina, try out new techniques and build your confidence as well.
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The only time I’ve got out of bed before 5.30am before is to catch a flight. So the idea of this being a regular thing and to go and exercise was really beyond my comprehension. The day just does not start that early! I originally signed up for the EVENING Fitness Challenge but then the location switched (how could you!!?) so here I am, part of the MORNING JingAn team! And actually, the getting up at the crack of dawn is the easy part.
WEEK ONE, SESSION ONE (Big Brother stylee voice, please)
5.45am, Jing’An Park, it’s a bit rainy, it’s hot and very humid.
First up – running. Ok, I can do this! I used to go running, well that was about 18 months ago now. Next - push-ups. These I can’t do. I have jelly instead of muscles. Skipping – I’ve not done this since I was a kid! Oh, not like a schoolgirl, feet together you say …I hate skipping.
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Let's face it, not all of us have superb Chinese skills in order to negotiate on Taobao. Also, not all of us have limitless budgets, time or energy to spend shopping at a store, lugging the purchases into a cab and up into our flat. Being pretty new to my Shanghai apartment, I was happy to discover Shanghai Secondhand. It's an on-line store where you can buy and sell second hand items in superb condition. It's almost like an on-line moving out sale except they deliver! From your bedroom, bathroom to kitchen needs they pretty much have it. (They also sell bikes and exercise equipment too!) I was able to get an IKEA rolling hamper, an IKEA standing lamp, a steaming iron, rice cooker, electric fan and a pair of free weights. (see some pics for the samples)
Ordering from Shanghai Secondhand is very easy. All you need to do is browse through the pictures of the available items on the site (Prices are listed), then you can email or sms Jane your order and confirm your delivery day and time. If your items are deliverable by Motorbike, delivery charge is only 20RMB. It was fun to have ordered only in the morning and to have my items by the afternoon. You can test the items as soon as they arrive. If by any chance you are not happy with them, you can send them back with the delivery guy. If you decide not to keep anything, all you need to pay is the delivery charge.
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