Apparently my MSN account was Shanghaied. Either that or I left myself logged in. This is easier to do than you may think. You see everything is in Chinese...you basically have to guess on thing like log out or exit. I must have chosen poorly. On this computer, not only is everything on the screen in Chinese, but the keyboard is mostly blank. That typing class would have come in handy right now.
So those of you who spoke to aome other traveller...sorry.
I can't remember the last time i posted, so I will just start.
Shanghai is the technicolor city. Even more than HK and Times square combined. There are neon lights everywhere. There are entire 60 story building that are GIANT LED screens that show video. It is amazing! There are boats on the Whangpu that have 50' x 120' LED screens. Everything is an advert. Everywhere you look someone is trying to sell you something. This also goes for people on the streets. In fact, I am thinking of making up a t-shirt in Chinese that says:
No, I don't want a Roleks.
No, I don't want a Mont Blanc
and NO, I DON'T WANT A SEXY MASSAGE!!!
It is growing quite obnoxious.
So my adventure in charades, grunts and gestures today was to get my hair cut. Hilarious! The whole place was laughing. The funny part is that I expected it to be easy as I have a buzz cut...but no. This guy was an artist, he used scissors and a comb. I got the full treatment including 2 shampoo's. I even had the guy trim my beard. All of this for less than $10US.
My other adventure was switching my Hostel. The one I was staying at decided to turn off the air conditioning because one guest was sick and too cold. I was roasting hot and did not sleep a wink. My new alarm clock (that I got in HK and is quieter that a mouse) also tells the temp...it was 88 degrees at 3.00am.
The new place is actually MUCH nicer. It seems Every place I stay gets better. (this is a trend I hope continues). I think if I were staying here the hole time i would have enjoyed Shanghai more. (Not that I didn't enjoy it, but a lot depends on where you stay).
Tomorrow morning, I am off to Beijing and will blog more there.
Posting pics is more difficult than I thought. The connections are VERY slow and my photos are VERY large. I will try from the airport tomorrow.
Love to all. Thanks for the comments!
4 comments:
Incredible pix, Jeff. Thanks for the effort to post them.
Yep...I was one that chatted away with "you" on IM only to learn you weren't the real YOU!!!! Ahhh...very weird indeed, but I am glad that the real you is back and making a go of it. I look forward to MORE pix and bloggs...
Your chronicles have become my morning coffee break! Nice!
I chatted with your alter ego too...a few times. Then we figured it couldn't be you, b/c you started not answering and Richard imagined you must have left it on...instead of spending your Shanghai time in front of the computer. Keep up the posts, your words are quite descriptive!
Fantastic adventure you are so so lucky and wise to be doing this; you're building yourself a real treasure. I just finished reading over half the trip to Joe. He says "you are what you eat, eat organic!" ReRe enjoyed your description of hot. I think that Sapa sounds really intriguing.
Fry - you have Nik and I laughing imagining your adventures and your battles with the heat. The barber experience was funny too. Keep it up we are traveling in your virtual foot steps. Thanks for sharing.
NikJac
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