So I live in this really crazy place. Where there are millions of people and those are just the documented ones. Common courtesies that I take for granted in the US aren't present here. I don't have to worry about getting spit walking along the streets of Chicago. But I'm also involved in a culture going through huge transformations and eating incredible food. Lots of the people that I meet are kind and helpful. Today I had a tourist from Hong Kong ask me for directions, tell me I was beautiful and kiss my hand! Life is pretty strange! Recently I've been playing more of the part of a tour guide and tourist which has allowed me to see the city in new ways and explore some of the incredible history and culture that has been going on these lands for 5000+ years.
Here are some photos of my life in Shanghai:
This is the Pudong side of what is called the Bund. See the dark spire on the right? That's a brand new extremely tall building here in Shanghai. To give you some perspective the blue one (Bottle cap opener shape aka the World Financial Center) is 101 stories tall. (Check out the info:
World Financial Tower or
Shanghai Tower )
Our good friends came for a China adventure: Miss you Michelle and Stuart!
Here are the Shanghai Three: Shanghai Tower (Left), Jin Mao (Middle: 88 floors), and World Financial (right)
The Shanghai Three from the base of Jin Mao. They are on three touching blocks. Let's just saw I hope the swampland soil underneath them holds for a long time!!
This photo is in the Jin Mao building where one of the world's tallest hotels is the Grand Hyatt Shanghai. Certainly one of the coolest atrium spaces: (looking down 31 floors):
There has been a Monet exhibit at a mall and they created Gardens in the open spaces in front of the mall. Great exhibit from Monet's personal collection (a few Renoirs!) and his own work. Awesome to see up close and personal. Thanks K11 and Monet's museum in France from orchestrating!
Wouldn't be complete without a hilarious translation sign:
View from the balcony from our floor in our apartment building. Check out the clouds over Pudong!
