We hate to say it, but our China adventure is coming to an
end. Unfortunately, school and normal life beckons, and it is time to return to
Idaho. It was really hard to say goodbye to our students and friends in
Luoyang, but a few days in Shanghai would help to soften the blow. So off we went to the Paris of the East.
We love China. Every city that we have visited has really
been enjoyable, but it has to be said, Shanghai is something else. Maybe it was
the great shopping, or the amazing lights and buildings everywhere. Maybe it
was 19,000,000 people just going about their lives, or the multitude of
tourists like us who were also in awe.
With the help of a free map at the airport and our trusty
Lonely Planet book, we figured out how to get from the Hongqiao airport to our
hostel, which we found in possibly the best location possible. It seemed like
it was just a short walk to everywhere, so that was nice. In our short three
days here, we took a few places to heart.
East Nanjing Road was really cool. It seemed like the
Piccadilly Circus/Las Vegas Boulevard/Times Square of Shanghai. Lights were
flashing everywhere, and it was one of the great streets to walk down. Even
though it was pretty cold, people crowded the streets and there was just a buzz
that filled the air.
The Bund is probably the most famous part of Shanghai. It is
a strip by the river that overlooks the skyscrapers on the other side. You have
a great view of the World Financial Center, and the iconic Pearl Tower, along
with many other buildings. It was a really nice place to walk around and take
it all in.
Han City was a huge indoor market with hundreds, maybe
thousands of people selling all sorts of things. Clothes, electronics,
souvenirs, bags, so much stuff. Of course everyone is snapping at your heels to
make you enter their little section, and bargaining is fierce, but we
absolutely loved it. Not only is having something new fun, the process in
getting it was also entertaining. We only left when we literally had no money left.
Shanghai Museum was alright. It would have been better, but
we have been going to Museums for the last four months, so this was just more
of the same really.