People!People! — Shanghai, China
Where I stayed
Seventh Heaven Hotel Shanghai
Seventh Heaven Hotel Shanghai
What I did
When I was in new York I ws disappointed when I arrived as there weren't as many people as I thought there should have been. Then there was a public holiday. The same has happened here except that I arrived into Nanjing Road where my hotel is, on National Day. There were no special celebrations that I could see but just millions of people. Well that might be an exageration but it was close I am sure.Everyone was just strolling down the pedestrian street. I joined them. There was not one unruly person, everyone just seemed contented. Amazing!My day started very early in Luoyang as I was unsure whether the taxis would be out in force on a holiday or the crowds at the airport would make it hard for me to get to my flight on time. How wrong was I. The taxi delivered me to the airport and there was no one there except the cleaners. Far too early. Eventually people started to dribble in. But it meant I had a very long sit at the airport.
The taxis were cheaper than expected as there was no traffic around both here and in Luoyang.
I was very excited and decided to join the masses and head for the Bund.Went the wrong direction and found myself in the People's Park. There was a sculpture exhibition on there the same as the ones that we get at home but the guards were there chasing anyone who touched them.
Walking back down towards the Bund my camera went crazy.I iknew I had to get a new one while I was here but this decided that it had to be done now. Couldn't find a camera shop so went to a few department stores and found the assistants that spoke English. I am the owner of an expensive Sony camera. It works well and some of the photos have been taken with it otherwise there would be no photos.
Armed with my new camera I headed off towards the Bund. The army had been called in to help direct the traffic.They formed an impenetrable barrier and you had walk where they guided you.They were not allowed to move other than in their formations but everyone obeyed. All very serious. I was very interesting to watch.
The Bund was packed as well with all the army out to help the masses move across the streets. It was great looking across at the Pudong side of the river. I was desperate for soemone to talk talk to and found a poor unsuspecting American woman who was just strolling along. Funny but she was an English teacher from some outlying place and was quite pleased to find someone who wanted a chat. She hasn't any English speakers in her town that she has found. She said there is another Westerener at the other University in town but she is yet to find her/him.At least i have people I can talk to. We spoke for about an hour and then we moved on.
It had become dark and the whole scene changed as the place was all lit up. Quite spectacular!
The hotel is in a really great position, has clean sheets and the bathroom is better than mine at home but that is about as far as it goes. It is very noisy as there seems to be no insulation between the walls and there is a huge neon light outside my window which busses which only a neon light can do. But the room looks straight down Nanjing Street, overlooking the Sofitel. They had kept my booking so was able to use the rest of it as Agoda had already taken it from my account. At least I didn't have to hunt around for accommodation when got here.It also means I don't have to cough up any more money for my stay here.
Wandered for ages looking for food and ended up with a Ceaser Chicken Burger. I need to eat western food while I am here. The local restaurants were really full and the street food although it looks okay after being sick at the beginning of the week I won't risk too much at the moment.
Off on the Big Bus today hopefully so you will hear about it.