Welcome to the Jungle....the Concrete Jungle

Announcements: We have arrived safely in Shanghai

We were running a little bit late this morning in Nanjing and had to make our way through rush hour traffic in order to make it to our train in time. We took another bullet train down to Shanghai. The ride was comfortable and it took about two hours. We arrived here a little bit before noon and the weather was cloudy and it has been misting or slightly raining all day. Once in Shanghai we went straight to our hotel, dropped our stuff off and went out to explore the city. We made our way to the Shanghai museum and saw from beautiful Chinese jade and bronze sculptures. We didn't have much time in the museum because it closed about an hour after we got there. After that we went up a building that resembles a fountain pen. We could only go up about a third of the way, but it was still a great view. Minus the clouds and mist. We made our way back down and talked to Nanjing Road. Nanjing Road compares to Wangfuxing market because there are a lot of lights. The street is closed off to cars, and there are a lot of higher end stores. We walked through Nanjing road and went to the outskirts of the Bund and the old French District. However, because the weather wasn't too pleasant we decided it would be best to come back sometime again when we could see things a lot more clearly. Some of us did some shopping, while the others went back to the hotel. I find it really cool that we are able to use the Chinese that we have learned in class to navigate so easily around the city. The Chinese people are very friendly and are more than willing to help. Also, they are patient and do not get upset when we lose a word or two in translation. I find this very contradictive to the United States where people generally are unwilling to help a stranger, especially one that does not speak English all too well.
But enough of that, Shanghai is a really cool city and it contrasts very differently from all the other three cities that we have traveled to. I know that I had said that Nanjing reminded me of Seoul Korea, But Shanghai definitely takes the cake on that one. Shanghai differs from the other three cities in may ways.
First, Shanghai is more humid. It is closer to the ocean, further south, and it has a river running right through it. Second, Shanghai is a concrete jungle. There are a few trees here and there, but there are just sky scrappers and pavement everywhere. Third, the people in Shanghai seem to have more money. From what I have noticed people are a little more image conscious and dress up more. Fourth, the girls seem to be more attractive in Shanghai...hahahaha Fifth, there are a lot more caucasians. I have noticed that the Chinese people do not tend to stare at our group as we walk by. Must be that they are more used to seeing foreigners. Lastly, Shanghai is a very developed city. There aren't as many street vendors, the city is clean, I don't get the occasional wafts of sewage, the infrastructure is a bit more developed, and prices of things are a little more expensive.
So far out of all the cities that we have been too. Shanghai seems to be the best. I am not a fan of the concrete jungle, but I like the modern feel and more diversity of Shanghai.
Well there isn't a whole lot to write for tonight. Our morning was filled with travel and we took it pretty easy this afternoon. We probably won't hit up the World Expo until Sunday and Monday because we feel that the World Expo will be very busy with people tomorrow. Tomorrow is a free day where we will go back to the Bund and French District area, and explore the city some more.

Stay Frosty
Steve