Who Do? Chengdu, That’s Who

Ah, the beautiful room on the 27th floor of my apartment complex. It has such a pretty view of Shanghai. The ever present skyline and chilly air call out to me like ‘Ben…come on. Let’s see what the city’s got to offer. Now, I’ve heard this voice before. It’s sexy, deep and rich with an urban drawl filled with distinct promises of satisfaction (Just like…SYDNEY!!). But I had to shut this voice out because I was in my room working as hard and as fast as I possibly could. Luckily there was a slight reprieve when I, along with the rest of The Smirnoff Ten, were whisked away from cold, foggy Shanghai (I was scared on the flight because we flew out on the foggiest of foggy mornings, all the while I’m asking myself ‘How is the pilot going to see in all of this fog?’) and were relocated to Chengdu. From what I had heard this would be a more ‘traditionally’ Chinese city. Automatically I had visions of living in a village where I’d be forced to learn Chinese, but I was sadly mistaken.
Chengdu ROCKS! And yes, once again, I know I say that about every place I go, and I’m sure I’ll say it again for the remainder of this trip. However, this was the first time I would be out and about in China, and what I found in Chengdu is memories and friends I pray will last a lifetime. Of course, this is China, so yes it was cold. And in my efforts to be cute, I bought a “winter” jacket in Sydney. But not just any jacket. It’s a somewhat warm denim jacket that does absolutely nothing for my warmth and well-being. I’m normally cold, and too cheap to buy another jacket. But at least I look good (big smile!)
All jokes aside, the ten of us were teamed up with Chengdu locals to show us around the city. My partner was a sweet, short young lady named Lily and she has to be one of the coolest people I’ve met on this journey so far. And the bonus prize…she’s a hip-hop head! Woo Hoo!
On the first night we all went down to Jinli Street, we ate together for the first time in the New Year and then headed off with our partners for a traditional Chinese experience. Lily showed me the art of paper cutting, which I haven’t done in about 20 years. We both exchanged our artwork, and I keep mine in the front pocket of my very useless (but it makes me look good) denim jacket. I know I’ll always look at it and think, “Hers is so much better than mine”. Afterwards we all headed to a club called A + where we attempted to dance the night away, yet there was no dance floor. So we sort of all just bumped and boogied next to each other for a few hours and then went back to the hotel.
The next day we went back to Jinli Street for an interview with Chengdu Weekly. Lily was there, as was Akona’s partner Britney, who was one of Lily’s friends. Afterwards, the four of us left to get ready for the big Smirnoff Party later that night. Once again, in my continuous effort to be flyyy and not warm, I bought another thin ass jacket for the party. Somehow this one kept me warmer, or maybe that’s just what my mind told me in order to stop sneezing. And party we did, all of us decked out in white and silver. I’d have to say, the Smirnoff Ten are a bunch of stylish, sexy people. And creative (see John’s costume in the pics for more information on that). The party was a spectacle of models dressed in white, a sexy singer, an awesome DJ and a guy on stilts. Wow! It was like a prequel for the Shanghai even in two weeks time. I had fun and was once again reminded of a time when I first met these people only a few months ago and fell in love with them. Shout outs to Sharon who was always ready with a smile (and a megaphone). She was so cool and so receptive. Chengdu was cool at the highest calibre.
And on the next day we left. And I did not want to leave my traditionally Chinese paradise because I knew back in Shanghai there would still be that voice calling me. How long will it take before I give in and listen?