Shanghai

Setting out on foot in Shanghai was like stepping into the future. The building designs simply have to be seen to be believed. At one point, Marty said she felt like she was in an episode of The Jetsons, and when I saw the Pearl TV Tower commanding my gaze as it thrusted upwards into the stratosphere, I could only agree. The skyline is dominated by numerous striking designs and the bustling street scene at the feet of these towering structures creates an exciting atmosphere. Shanghai doesn't necessarily feel like you are in China, at least, not when compared with the cities we had previously visited, but it was a great place to visit nonetheless.

In a significant departure from our normal lives, Marty and I spent the bulk of our first two days in Shanghai shopping for cheap clothes for our upcoming teaching jobs in Essex. In such a vibrant city, however, neither of us seemed particularly deterred by clothes shopping, which is a first in all the time we have known each other. The only troubling experience (for me, at least) was when a teenage beggar made his sales pitch to me by stating, "It must be quite hard being you, because you look so strange with your hair, blue eyes and big nose." (!!) I was left speechless by this affront, but I managed to maintain a smile and politley declined his request for money.

One of the more famous buildings in Shanghai is Jinmao tower, which has an observation deck on the 88th floor. However, the admission price is rather steep and it is actually cheaper to go to the Cloud 9 Bar on the 87th floor, order a drink and take in the view in style. Staring out at the Shanghai night, luminous from the neon light spectacular blazing off into the distance, whilst savouring a glass of red wine was a memorable experience.

Marty and I also visited the Shanghai Science and Technology Park, which had some terrific exhibits, let alone the striking architecture of the building. One such exhibit was a trio of robots, like those used in a car manufacturing plant. These particular robotic arms had been programmed to do a synchronised dance to music. It was an engaging performance, notable for the fluid movements, not the jerky ones I associated with robots in a manufacturing plant. Another exhibit was a robot which you could play a game against, with the game being similar to 'Connect Four'. I was defeated rather easily; however, Marty pushed it to its limits, literally. For you see, when there was no longer any chance of the robot winning, it mysteriously had a meltdown and terminated the game!

Whilst in Shanghai we met up with a Canadian lass whom we met back in Hoi An. She is working in Shanghai and took us out to a Maroccan bar called Barbarossa in People's Sqaure, which was only a short walk from where we were staying at the very affordable and clean Ming Town Etour Hostel. Barbarossa was having a 'Ladies Night', which in Shanghai translates to free drinks for all ladies until midnight. Of course, they managed to slip me a few drinks over the course of the evening. It was so good to all catch up again, that we made plans to meet up again the following night for dinner.

On our third day in Shanghai, we moved out from our hostel to the apartment of one of Marty's friends from her days studying in Melbourne. It was great to meet up and on our second night staying there we were treated to a night out in the French Concession. The night began at a funky little bar, before progressing to a Maroccan restaurant for dinner. Not only was the plentiful food superb in quality and taste, but we were seated in a private room with a Morrocan band! After such royal treatment and a few philosophical discussions, we were in good spirits and continued on to a bar called 'Shelter' - as in a bomb shelter. The design of the subterranean bar was a series of low roofed tunnels with a central shelter area that was a dancefloor. If a fire started, I have no doubt whatsoever that most people would have perished. We had a riotous night, filled with laughter, irrespective of the personal safety issues and the thick blanket of cigarette smoke. The guaranteed hangover that followed was one I will not soon forget, especially when considering I had a 16 hour train journey the following afternoon to Xi'an.

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