18 Yu Yuan Garden
"With two suitcases and an open heart, I stepped into a city that didn’t know my past. Surrounded by new friends and unexpected moments, I realized a new life doesn’t require more—only courage."
“September 1st was the beginning of freedom—of finally moving into my own space, surrounded by new friends, timeless gardens, and unexpected conversations. In a city where no one knew my past, I felt light for the first time. Everything I owned fit in two suitcases, and for once, that was enough to carry a new life.”
The Yu Yuan Garden Adventure
Alex had organized a group trip to Yu Yuan Garden, followed by crab xiaolongbao, and I was excited to join. We met in the afternoon at the north gate or canteen, and it was my first time meeting George, who brought his friend Yimin along.
That day was beautiful but hot, and our group of 13 people—Gracie, Gracia, Melissa, Emily, Lota, Shar, Adrian, Yimin, George, Victoria, Glen, Alex, and me—wandered through Yu Yuan Garden, admiring the traditional architecture, the koi ponds, and the bustling energy of old Shanghai.
Walking through the gardens brought back memories—I had actually been here 20 years prior, but experiencing it again, now with friends from all over the world, felt completely different. It was a reminder of how Shanghai was a city that constantly reinvented itself, just as I was reinventing myself.
Thanks to Yimin’s suggestion, we took a 2 RMB ferry across to the Lujiazui area, where the Shanghai Pearl Tower and the city’s modern skyline stood tall. It was the perfect contrast—the traditional beauty of Yu Yuan to the futuristic, neon-lit skyscrapers of the Bund.
Crab Xiaolongbao & Meeting Marina and Tanya
After the ferry ride, Alex led us to a crab xiaolongbao restaurant she had planned for us. The meal was a perfect ending to the day, and it was also the first time I met Marina and Tanya from Russia. It was the start of a beautiful friendship.
