I just finished running through the Shanghai Botcanical Gardens. I did a 5 mile loop and have never in my life felt so relaxed, rejuvenated and at peace. The gardens are literally right across from my campus and it is only a 2 dollar ticket to get in. It's absolutely beautiful with several gardens, bridges and ponds. There are absolutely no foreigners in the gardens, only Chinese (you can ony imagine their reaction when I came running through the gardens with my purple sneakers, hot pink Nike running shorts and blond ponytail swinging back and forth...) I love that it is my touristy and it is a place where Chinese families go to be together. There were tons of families with little kids sitting by the ponds or biking together and everyone just looked so peaceful and calm. It is my new place run, meditate, clear my head and just take in my new life around me. The air smells fresh inside the gardens and it is simply serene. I plan on running in the gardens every morning before I go to work- no better way to start off the day than that! I am so grateful I have this beautiful new place to run and have my "me time". Here are some picture I took during my run to share with you all! I am now off to a Sichuan restaurant overlooking the Bund to celebrate my friend's birthday! Love you all XO
P.S. Please excuse any typos, I have been writing these posts from my phone...
