China - Shanghai

Hello everyone, I know it has been several months since I've posted anything on my blogs but I think you can understand.  When first arrived in China most websites were blocked that would allow me to write on blogs.  Heck, Facebook and uTube as well as the site where I keep my blogs are still blocked.  But I've found away around the blocking and so here I am.  Well, at least until they, meaning China, finds away to block how I'm getting here.

Anyway, I figure I'll spend the next couple of weeks trying to catch up on my travel log although you know what my memory is like.   So here goes:

I arrived in China mid-July with my first stop being Shanghai.  I can certainly share with now that Shanghai is by far the most modern city in China.  In many ways I find it more modern than even Hong Kong.  Shanghai is a fascinating city.  One half is the old, or at least older China, and the other half is modern China.  You can see this distinction while standing on the "bund."

"The word ‘bund’ derives from an Anglo-Indian word for an embankment along a muddy waterfront and that is what it was in the beginning, when the first British company opened an office there in 1846. It became the epitome of elegance during Shanghai’s history as a city of trade. Now many attractive new constructions have been erected in addition to the historical buildings. A 771-metre long retaining wall for flood control was built. Atop the wall is a spacious walkway for sightseeing. Paved with colorful tiles and dotted with flower beds and European-style garden lights. It is a good place for a leisurely stroll and a view of the Huangpu River."

If you haven't been to the "bund" you truly haven't been to Shanghai.  It is a must and is an enjoyable walk.  Also there is a huge open-air market within walking distance where you can buy just about anything.  Seriously, anything!  Since I live in Wuxi, which is about a 40 minute train ride away I come to this market maybe once a month to browse around.  It's kind of like going garage sale hopping without a car but all of the items are new and many are knock-offs.

One thing you not find few of all over China are temples.  Kind of strange for a country that barred religion for about 30-40 years.  Almost all are some variation of Buddhism however when you're not intimate with the religion I don't think it much matters.  They all look very similar in design and all of the Buddhas, and there are thousands of different ones, all begin to look the same after a while.

One of the attractions I was sure to go to was the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai.  Remember, this was my first experience in China and I have to say I've never seen so many people in one place in my entire life.  And I'm guessing I never will again.  It felt at times like all 1.3 billion were there!  Ha!  I'm finding out that the Chinese people are a kind people and are constantly trying to help me.  Either that or that want someone to bounce their English off of.  Probably a little of both.

I was able to see most of the main attraction but I must say I was quite disappointed in the USA exhibit - more like a huge advertisement than anything else.  Pretty much two films and corporate logos all over the walls and you're done.  I did enjoy the Italian, Russian and Chinese exhibits.  I know there was one other I enjoyed a lot but I can't recollect it at the moment.  I was also very fortunate to even get in the Chinese Exhibition Hall, the waiting line was literally 8 hours or more long and you had to get a reservation to even stand in line.  Not me!!!

About 9:30pm, when the last of those standing in line are about to enter I walked up to see if I could get in.  Mind you I knew nothing of the reservation scheme at the time.  When I walked up the guards (real Red Guards) came up to me asked me what I was doing.  I basically told them I wanted to get into the Chinese Exhibit and that I was a stupid American not knowing what to do.  One of the head honchos told me to go stand under this one umbrella.  About 10 minutes later he told me to move to where the line was but not int he line.  About 10 more minutes later after the last person had left the line to enter the exhibit he motioned for me to "follow that lady", and so I did.  Voila!  I'm in.  Sometimes it pays to be a "stupid American."  Enjoy the pics: