Hello All,
I have just returned from an exciting trip to Shanghai! It was my first time to China and I was really impressed. Shanghai was such a beautiful and interesting city! It is one of the world's financial centers, so one's first impression is of the giant skyscrapers and overlapping highways, but there is also a real soul to the city as well. I was just struck by the pure energy of Shanghai. I really liked how people were yelling to each other from far away, laughing out loud and sometimes fighting in public. It really added a jolt to each day!
Also, I loved Shanghai's parks and public spaces. It was often quite hot there, so it was great how the trees were just left to grow, their long limbs providing cool shade for many of the cities inhabitants. Sometimes big cities can feel congested and uncomfortable, but Shanghai was just the opposite . Even the subways, which were packed with travelers at any given time, were clean and well-designed. They were really fast too!
The first night I arrived in Shanghai, I was walking with a friend in the park when we happened upon a large group of senior citizens dancing in an open area. They were listening to old music, similar to Japan's enka, and dancing the foxtrot, a popular ballroom dance. I started to imagine what it would have been like to live in Shanghai during the golden years of the 20's and 30's. It's interesting how some aspects of culture are able to continue on while others are left for the history books. Another notable memory was eating turtle for the first time. Not $$ just the insides but everything- the shell, the head and the feet. Really delicious!
If you get the chance please travel to Shanghai. You wont be disappointed!
Mr. Nic
