Shanghai: Pearl of the Orient or Whore of the East? Both, probably.
(Shang4 like "song" with a "sh", and hai3 like "hi")

I arrived in Shanghai (上海) this morning around 7:30. Actually, my train arrived, and so I got off it. The ride was uneventful, though I did finally put the video function of my iPod to use. I watched an episode of the American version of "The Office" along with a short film from the Sundance Channel an episode of some show called "Aliens Among Us" and another show called "I Bet You." I've never seen these shows before (except "The Office") and they were both so-so. They made me laugh a few times, though. Unfortunately, I'd seen that episode of "The Office" before... when the people were British and original. I distinctly recall that being in the BBC version's first season.

Anyway, Shanghai is beautiful. It is much more polished than Beijing. The streets are wide, but so are the sidewalks. There is a metropolitan air about the city that Beijing is definitely lacking. Public parks here are beautifully manicured, thanks in no small part to the time of the year. I went up in a tall building and saw a breathtaking view of the city. The People's Square and Park are lovely right now, and the fountain in the square was on when we went by. I've seen the Pearl building from a distance today, and I must admit, I'm less than smitten. It looks kind of tacky to me. Sorry, Shanghai, but it's pink! Why would you do that? On the other hand, the variety of architecture here is pretty amazing. The city has been colonized (or, as they prefer, "influenced") by the French, and it shows in places like the French Concession neighborhood and several churches. The influence of trade with the West is gleaming from the facade of each and every skyscraper, even the ones with hideous tops that look like pagodas or pineapples.

Tomorrow, I'm hoping to go to the Jade Buddha temple and maybe see the Pearl up-close-er.

Sidebar: Shanghai people speak Chinese like it's a language made of words. As in, I understand my taxi drivers. God bless them and use them to teach the Beijngers how to enunciate. I promise, I haven't heard a single driver yell, "Shemar di-fanr?" Which, in reality should be "Shen ma di fang?" It's refreshing.

Not so refreshing: the people here are all trying to hock Rolexes and Louis Vuitton bags on the streets. I'm not in the least bit interested. I did, however, buy a couple of T-shirts for a combined $5.72. One of them has Mao's mug on it. You know I had to do it.

T