Shanghai, China, 23-31 October 2005

After writing a 15 page paper in about 4 days time, and finishing my first block of classes, I traveled to Shanghai. The city was very intriguing. There is the rich and the glitz on one hand, and poverty and dirtiness on the other. Overall, a spectacular place to visit with the neverending skyscrapers and awesome skyline, not to mention the excellent food and, oh, just 20 million inhabitants. The city is very much "western" in the sense that it's technology is very modern, if not ahead of most of the world right now, capitalistic (despite the Communist government in place), and full of the many other western characterisitics and comforts you can imagine. There was even a Papa John's pizza place there, which you know I had to try!

The traffic was one of the craziest things I've ever witnessed--say your prayers as you walk across the street. Somehow it works out that most people get across safely the majority of the time. The other startingly new experience (which I was aware of in advance) was using the squatting toilets located on the floor. The first time was a challenge, but then I grew accustomed to it...of course, not every place has these kind of toilets. Matt had hired a Chinese college student, Shirley, who showed me and Emily around each day. She was so sweet and great, showing us the sights and local places to eat some great food. The prices in Shanghai were unbelievably cheap as well, which is always a nice bonus :o) Anyhow, for more photos, check the following website:http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=5b6o41r.6e4irjov&Uy=ulzvc5&Ux=0

This is Nanjing Road, filled with restaurants, hotels, and shops. So colorful!





























The gorgeous skyline of Shanghai. No photo can really capture the spectacular lights.






The Pearl Tower is a really
fancy-looking telecom tower.







Me and Emily out for a little







This is the view from the Bund (a walkway along the Hangpu river) opposite the skyline which consists of some older buildings of Shanghai. The Peace Hotel and some government offices are there.



The contrast - not-so-great apartment buildings lacking sufficient indoor lighting and perhaps even hot-water, stand next to skyscrapers; and a man pulls a cart of wood in the street next to motor-operated vehicles.