Shanghai: Day 11, Part 4 – Silk Workshop

October 31, 2014 by Let's CUT the Crap! 102 Comments

After I enjoyed another lumberjack’s breakfast, we were treated to yet another factory tour. This one was about silk and the most enjoyable so far. I was impressed. I’d had no plans to shop or spend money because I didn’t need anything. My thinking changed when I surveyed the magnificent comforters, pillows and other bedding. I’m sorry now I purchased only one silk fibre pillow and a light comforter. Why I took more money than I usually carried around I can’t begin to understand. I picked my wallet clean down to the lint to pay for my bounty (Yuan and Canadian money, totaling about $150 CAD). Who knew? The price was more than reasonable. I’ve checked prices on the internet since then and I believe we did well. I’d been planning to buy new pillows in the spring anyway, never dreaming I might bring home a silk one from China.

Business was brisk. No other factory tour had ignited this much interest so far. When we arrived, in a separate room from the sales area, packages covered half the floor space. A departing group searched through to find their purchases. Once money changed hands, the goods were bundled into a compact cloth and zippered bag with handles, and the buyer’s name affixed. You didn’t see your parcel until departure.

© 2014 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles

Some advantages of silk fiber bedding:

• Silk bedding is better than down
• Half the weight of down
• Bedbugs prefer down, not silk
• Dust mites don’t like it
• Mildew resistant
• Strongest natural fibre
• Keeps its shape / doesn’t clump
• Fire resistant
• hypoallergenic
• You won’t sweat on it
• It forms to your shape / stays springy
• Lasts for years with proper care

Silk and Comforter Making:

The Life of a silk worm:

Lunch was at (Haioufang) The Seagull Palace Restaurant. Our group arrived too early. We were given a table and had to wait for the food. As more new customers arrived, our food came and the place was soon packed.

© 2014 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles

LUNCH:

Drinks as always: one glass water, coke, sprite, or beer.

Appetizers:

• Sausage slices (not sure about meat source)
• Tomato slices
• Spicy edamame beans
• Something fish dish
• Cubed cucumbers and sliced lotus root (crunchy, mild flavor and enjoyable)

© 2014 Tess @ How the Cookie Crumbles

Main:

• Tea
• Eggplant
• Egg drop soup
• Rice with eggs, beef
• Spring rolls
• Carrots, onions and potatoes (stew?)
• Panko breaded mild white fish
• Fried and breaded lotus root
• Cubed chicken
• Potato and pineapple in sweet tomato sauce
• Salad
• French Fries
• Watermelon slices for dessert

~ * ~

Chinese Saying:

Lazy child who lives at home and lives off his parents instead of working is called, ‘China Little Emperor.’

~ * ~

Next On November 7^th, Shanghai, Day 11, Part 5 – Shopping on Nanjing Road and Stories

For more related posts, click on China tab at the top of the page

© 2014 All Right Reserved TAK