So long Shanghai...

---

It's amazing to think that I've already finished the first 2 months of this trip and my time in Shanghai is over. (sidebar: I have also now finished my MBA... such an amazing feeling!) I figured I should mark the transition from the first part of my trip to second with some reflections on it.

Shanghai is a great city. It is a great city that is evolving so fast that I'm sure the next time I am back, I will have to explore it all over again. This is the case this time around, as I had a 3 day visit 2 years ago, when there were 3 less subway lines, and quite a few skyscrapers were missing from the skyline. I wonder what it would be like living long-term in Shanghai - do they notice the changes, or does it become par for the course? It must be mind-boggling for people that have lived in the city their entire lives to see how much it has changed.

I have to say, I feel very comfortable in Shanghai. If my company asks me to come work here, I would agree with little hesitation. There is only one contingency, it would have to be for a fixed duration. Because while I like Shanghai (it is fun, safe, generally clean), the pollution scares me. I heard a story from a friend about his 4 year old son. Born in Shanghai, American citizen. He had a persistent cough that no matter what they did, wouldn't go away. They took him to many different doctors, no change. Finally, one doctor pulled him aside and asked, "Does your son have an international citizenship?" "Yes." "Then get him out of the country as fast as you can, the pollution is going to give him severe asthma for the rest of his life." My friend's wife and kids are now in the States and the cough has finally gone away. I constantly wonder what the air does to people longterm (compounded with the cigarette smoke) - what will be the result as people age? I've seen what it's done to my skin, and I'm breathing in the same particles. I'm glad I'm not here in the summer, when the heat makes the pollution even worse.

I do still love the city, and know I will be back in future. There are a few key lessons anyone visiting Shanghai should know:

- Pedestrians are at the bottom of the totem pole. You stop for everything else, no matter what the lights say. Also, try to travel in a pack. It's best to have locals in front and behind you to control when you stop and go. As well, if a motorcycle or cab is going to clip your group, you'll have a buffer in front and behind to take the damage.

- There are a few key words you need to learn: Hi, Yes, No, Thank-you, Icey (bingda). Why icey? Because when you order a beer, if you want it cold you have to tell them so. Beer is served warm here typically. So clearly, knowing the world icey is mission critical.

- Lining up will get you nowhere. As a stereotypical polite Canadian, one of the hardest things to adjust to was the "pushing culture' as I think of it. With such a dense population, people take whatever they can. There are not line-ups, and its survival fo the fittest. If you are here for any amount of time, it's not enough to get used to it, you have to participate in the pushing, or you'll never get anything done (or get on the subway). Despite this, I still often say sorry when I bump into people (or they bump into me), even I'm pushing on purpose.

- Do not stay on the Pudong side, no matter how good the deal. The subway stops at 11pm (even on Fridays and Saturdays), and it will cost you at least 60 yuan cab ride to get back to Pudong. It also lacks the character of Puxi.

- Many places may be tourist traps, but they are fun tourist traps. Do it all - Yu Garden, the antiques market, the temples, The Bund. It's great. My only recommendation is to not bother going up the Pearl Tower. Instead, go to the Park Hyatt's Century Ave. Restaurant. It's minimum 120 yuan (Pearl Tower is 100, so no diff), but has an even higher view of the city, but with the Pearl Tower included in it. Try to time it so you are there for the transition from day to night as well.

- Don't be afraid of the street food. It's cheap and delicious, and in 2 months I've had no stomach adventures caused by it (disclaimer: my vegetarianism may have helped with that)



So I guess that is it for Shanghai and me. It's been a blast, and while I'm excited to get travelling, I have to admit I was a little sad to leave Shanghai. But I know I'll be back sooner rather than later, even if it is just to get a full wardrobe tailored (it would be cheaper to fly to Shanghai for a week and do this then buy the same number of items in Toronto). But that will just give me an opportunity to see how much the city has changed since this vist, so it will be a win-win in my books.

---

Photos

Fish Tank Bicycle
Proof positive that if you dream it, you can build it.

Temple near Yuanshen Stadium
I happened across a temple while running an errand. Not on the tourist maps, it was a simpler place and much more peaceful as it wasn't flooded with tourists taking photos and gawking at those there to pray and meditate. I only took a few snaps, as I didn't want to break the spell.

Comments

[David]

Nice Advise
Well if I ever make it there I will look back to your words of wisdom sis. Sounds like you had a blast!