Arriving in Shanghai...again

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So, I’ve been back in Shanghai for 2 weeks now. On my first day I rode the super-fast, levitating Maglev train (420 km/hr), viewed some potential apartments and finally saw through my jetlag with beer and Sichuan beef.

It’s all strangely familiar… I can find my way around, ignore the street hawkers and dodge the traffic like a pro!

Our visa requirements have taken us to Hong Kong already (cool perk!). We spent our 5th wedding anniversary with a trip to the visa office, a curry and beers at a Cuban bar! Regulations have also taken us to the local fuzz (not so cool perk!). We have to register with the authorities as we’re staying in a private apartment rather than a hotel, which meant hanging out at the police station for an afternoon signing lots of papers.

Our spare time has been mostly spent flat-hunting. I’ve seen about 20 apartments already, a fairly mixed bag. Things to look out for - a proper oven (most only have a tiny microwave-size table top one if at all), decent air conditioning/heating units in all main rooms (no central heating here), a front-loading washing machine (as opposed to a top-loading one), a fridge/freezer that doesn’t stink and semi-decent furniture. Not too much to ask really… We’re now in protracted negotiations, so fingers crossed we’ll be in our own place very soon.

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Photos

full english
Hong Kong

for all your stationary needs
Hong Kong

...and fruit needs
Mongkok, Hong Kong

on the way to work
Zhabei, Shanghai

arrived at work
Zhabei, Shanghai

a shining beacon
guiding us to our temporary home