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Published: November 9th 2008
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The Bridge from Pudong to Puxi
Geographically, in some ways it is similar to HK. In that, there is a river that separates two main sides of the city. In HK, Kowloon (Airport) and HK Island (main city) are separated. Same with Shanghai, it's Pudong (Airport) and Puxi (main city). I apologize for being a little M.I.A. with my blogging. I was actually in Shanghai for a week and had limited time to blog! Sorry everyone! 😱
These next few blog entries will be posted day by day. I took the time to write emails to myself about everyday on my trip, but I just didn't post them because I didn't want to exclude the pictures.
I am holding back so as to relive the moments once again! I love the excitement and keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. Here it is.
DAY 1 - Okay... Heeeere we goooo!
My
first day in Shanghai. I arrived from the short 2 hr plane ride to Shanghai Pudong International Airport and was whisked away to customs, feeling a little nervous as it was my first time entering China - as it is known to be edgier and more rugged than HK. I had no troubles finding my place as Serina was gracious enough to put me up for the week and coordinated her driver, Mr. Li, to come pick me up at the airport!
What Service! Driving from the Airport to downtown Shanghai we had
to drive for about 40 minutes or so, it reminded me of home in Toronto. Taking the 427 and then then Gardiner Expw. It was all flat! 😱 Something that I am not accustomed to in Hong Kong, however the similarities seen in all the construction were definitely visiable, these places are greatly changing and growing all the time.
A friend of my parents and Serina, Auntie Adeline was nice enough to meet me in the apartment, show me the basics, and then took me out for a little shopping. Let me just say this once, you don't know how cheap you can go, until you come to Shanghai. There is so much to buy here for so little, it's just insane. Not to say that EVERY thing is worthless, but you can find just about anything that you are looking for (if you look in the right places and can bargain) for probably at least half the price you thought you were going to pay.
Differences between SH and HK were very apparent. First thing, everyone is on bicycles, motorcycles, or hybrids of them. Not only do you have to watch out for cars (who go by
ShangYiang Rd.
Similar to Vancouver, the trees form a tunnel. Cool! However, the air is much worse...HK is even better! the same rule as
'cars have the right of way, not pedestrians') but also the bike lane. Adeline told me that when crossing the street, you must not do anything else, but concentrate on crossing. Also, my friend Eric told me not to look at the traffic light or crossing light as you will most likely get hit that way, you must look at the bikes and cars. Amidst it all, I was happy to be seeing cars drive on the RIGHT side of the road again. But I was still confused as I had been trying to get accustomed to looking right first, before crossing. Anyway, there are sidewalks that are very poorly constructed and damaged but street vendors are everywhere, ready to hassle you and follow you with a flyer. The food can be bought with next to nothing. And is overall a much less familiar city.
You thought I was new to HK, well, SH is so much more of a challenge. Not only do I not speak, read, nor understand Mandarin or Shanghainese, they don't really speak too much Cantonese or English here. 😞I feel like an infant, constantly pointing and grunting to people, I
Vancouver Trees
See! Quite similar. feel so useless. But it all comes with the territory, and it's part of the fun in being alone in a new city.
I was taught to use the subway here, similiar to the MTR system in HK, but busier, not as clean, and older. Upon saying bye to Adeline for the night, I met up with a friend
Eric who took me out for a traditional Shanghai dinner. Food was delicious and the service was good. They still allow smoking in restaurants here unfortunately. Eric proceeded to show me around some hip and trendy areas for good shopping. We visited the famous SH version of LKF with very posh restaurants, lounges, and bars. All cobblestone and very elegantly and romantically lit at night (like The Distillery District in Toronto but cozier and more developed). A serious impressive date spot. That was the end of my first day here in SH, wow, what a place...
So different yet so familiar in many odd ways.
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