Karaoke! (卡啦OK, or KTV)

(lobby, we went in the daytime if we had come later there would have been more people)
(I cajoled a staff member into taking this photo of us, for some reason he acted like he didn't have time)

[read the post below before reading this one!]

At one point we decided that we were through with shopping and wanted to move on to another amusing thing. This next "amusement" was Karaoke (sometimes known as KTV)! Everyone was dazzled by the front lobby! The pillars in the lobby were decked out in neon lights that change colors every few seconds. Right when you step out of the elevator (the establishment is on the 6th floor I believe) you are greeted by a loud 欢迎光临 (We welcome your patronage!). Quickly the staff asks how many people are in your party and how long you plan on renting a room.

Our group agreed on one hour to a grand total of fifty-five yuan ( about eight dollars and eight cents). All of us were then whisked off to a private room with a sofa, televison, and small screen for choosing songs and ordering snacks. The snacks are over priced so we hide our own in backpacks, under sweatshirts, and enclosed in handbags.

This was my third time to a KTV place! I finally mustered up the courage to sing! I am getting to the point where I can follow along with Chinese songs (you have to read the characters and sometimes this can be challenging if the tempo is speedy). I confess I sang English songs! Avril Lavigne is a superstar here, naturally a few of us sang one of hers.