Shanghai yesterday and some Shanghai and Japan thoughts

Today is cold and icky out, and I went out for a bit but decided it wasn't worth it. Plus Obama seems to be taking his trip right next door, which made paths difficult to get across. So I'm chilling out this afternoon, which I probably need anyway. So I have time to point out some cool photos from yesterday. This is rather disorganized, but without benefit of a big screen and access to the blog site, it'll have to do.

The whole set is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/sets/72157622683035707/

I've been taking the Shanghai subway every which way, and it's really convenient. There's signs in english everywhere and the announcements are also in english. It's also incredibly efficient and fast, with trains coming every 2-3 minutes it seems. Pretty awesome.

Meanwhile, spitting is a big thing in China. I saw it more in Beijing last time than I have in Shanghai, but people do it alot. So yesterday I was a no spitting sign in the subway. That's all fine and dandy, but the icon for the person spitting is just too funny: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105930748/in/set-72157622683035707/

Another idosyncracy of Shanghai to some extent is that the old-school folks wear pajamas around. In going to some smaller areas that are non-touristy yesterday, I got to see many. Case in point: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105172633/in/set-72157622683035707/  and some other shots of the windy streets: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105181773/in/set-72157622683035707/

Also good in these little areas is the street food. Yesterday Sam and I got little fried balls of octopus (I think... that's what Denise said it was made of): http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105936942/in/set-72157622683035707/

Yesterday's visit to the Confucian temple was really nice, too. I got a shot of me and Confucius: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105260535/in/set-72157622683035707/ and then here's me with the pond in the quiet area in back: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4106104158/in/set-72157622683035707/  And I wouldn't be me if I didn't take photos of corners and roofs (one of many): http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105475119/in/set-72157622683035707/

It was neat to see the book fair there, too: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105256755/in/set-72157622683035707/ except for the "Kindey Black Market" book. How odd: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4106112818/

Spontaneous shot of me and Sam: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4106239246/in/set-72157622683035707/

Poor Flat Stanley almost got eaten by a lion! But the lion's a guard, so he was safe: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105340085/in/set-72157622683035707/  Flat Stanley also got tucked in with Barbie: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105420517/in/set-72157622683035707/ Actually, Flat Stanley's adventures are quite complete and he's got his own photo set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/sets/72157622731191336/

At lunch, Sam shows that I'm not the only one to take photos of food: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105353205/in/set-72157622683035707/

And here's my fav beverage, plus some tasty Macau food:http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105350425/in/set-72157622683035707/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4106123220/in/set-72157622683035707/

Meanwhile, once in the Barbie flagship store, I couldn't resist taking a photo by the wall: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105386039/in/set-72157622683035707/ and more of the wall around the spiral stairs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4106166528/in/set-72157622683035707/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105427555/in/set-72157622683035707/

The coffee house yesterday was an awesome experience. It was so strange to turn off the road into this little entryway, go down a little hallway (http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4106211682/in/set-72157622683035707/) up tight little stairs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4106209694/in/set-72157622683035707/). It was also nice hanging out in what felt like a living room with Sam, Denise, and the other lady (so sorry I can't remember her name!). They even took a photo with Flat Stanley: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4106203938/in/set-72157622683035707/

And finally, I got a pic of my hosts! This is "already in comfy clothes and ready to eat pizza" with Fabiane and Itamar. Wonderful people! http://www.flickr.com/photos/86747592@N00/4105446303/in/set-72157622683035707/

So thoughts on Shanghai:
- It's not a tourist-attraction filled city, and many residents will tell you there's nothing to do. BUT there's some cool areas to walk around, good shopping, neat architecture, and I hear some great museums (even though I didn't even get to many of those).
- It's bigger than you think, so walking even between Metro stops is not a small task.
- November is cold!
- Any kind of food you could ever want is easy to find here.
- Next time I will plan so that I come in, get measured for tailored clothes, visit some of the nearby cities and/or go to Beijing, come back for a fitting, and then kick around and pick up my clothes.
- Bringing a local shopping is really the best way to go, IMO.


And while I have a few moments, let me jot down some thoughts on Japan to remember on my next trip (or in case somebody else is going):
- Don't try to reach for the taxi door, because it will automatically open and smack you in the hand. Same if you're on the inside!
- Carry a washcloth or similar so that you can dry your hands because many places don't have towels or dryers
- I kind of like fancy toilets with heated seats. I think New England should invest in this! :)
- They drive on the left, but walking on the left doesn't help you avoid smacking into people
- Yes, you can get sick of temples after about 8-9 in 2 days.
- I don't think I've ever felt so safe wandering around cities I didn't know well!