HAH - just around the block half way to the bank and then back to Lawsons!!!

Lawsons is a little convenience store in the middle of the block of our apartment complex (the first floor on the outside is a block of shops, restaurants, bakeries, etc. including the real estate agent from which I rented the apartment.  Actually right across the street from the South Gate of Shanghai University - awesome spot to sell goods, as the street sellers know so well, laughing!

Anyway, they take payment for the city's bills - electricity, water and natural gas.  All totaled I spent 423.40 yuan.  That's a TON for a Chinese family, but I keep the heat high and don't worry (I was also not here for a month and had a friend "take care" of the apt. so no worries!).

OH - divide by 6.85 - the prevailing rate of yuan to U.S. dollar and the bills were $84 ... OH, I forgot - HIGH speed internet was 150 Yuan or a little over $20 per month, which I already included in the $84.  I actually have to walk down another 200 feet to walk in that office! 


All told - cost me about 25 minutes!!!  Not too shaby - laughing out loud!!!

Oh, I may not have mentioned.  Our apartment complex is a gated community with at least 4 guards on all the time.  *I* never know for sure as there are cameras, etc. and who knows who is watching and where but nevermind - we are REALLY safe!!  The gate in the center is almost ALWAYS closed and the gate to the west closes at 10 pm.  That leaves only one gate (in the east) open at night (at least I think so but then I have yet to come in at 2 am - as far as you know!  grin).