So what's going on? Let's see: I finally made it round to the New York Cafe, which sits on Urumqi Lu just south of the Jianguo Lu intersection. It's all blacks and whites with the occsional grey to break the monotony. Yvonne is there to add an extra touch of class. How is the food? I had Vietnamese spring rolls and they were delicious!! My only thought is that the floor should be something other than white -- it's too cold. But if not white, then that leaves only two choices, of course -- grey and black.

By now, the TGI Friday's on Hengshan Lu should be open, but I haven't been down there to check yet. The last time I whizzed past, it was looking warm and extremely American. But if the formula is good American food at reasonable prices, then I think it will be very successful. I just hope they do a cheesecake along with the hamburgers.

I see there's lots of Christmassy things going on in venues around town. But I have to admit that one of the benefits of Shanghai, as opposed to, say, the United States where I sent my teens, is that it is possible to escape the Xmas carols canned music which fills shops and malls and radio stations for just about the whole of December. Every year, they put up the decorations a little earlier. In New York I am told the decorations currently up on Fifth Avenue are in fact for NEXT year!!

Have a wonderful and exquisite holiday season, my loves, and a bounteous and successful 1999. Whatever the year brings to Shanghai, I am confidant we will not be bored!

Byeeeee!!!