Exploring Shanghai

So after getting a few quick hours of sleep after arriving in Shanghai, we hit the city bright and early.  It was pretty rainy, but we survived. We went out and saw the city, which (not surprisingly) is massive. Every direction you look there are skyscrapers. It honestly feels like the city goes on beyond where the eye can see. It's nothing like I've ever seen before. Even when you go in an tunnel to get under a street that is blocked off and doesn't have a crosswalk, there's an extensive underground shopping mall system that seems to go on for miles. Across from our hotel is People's Park, which is kinda similar to Central Park in NYC in the idea that it's a set away green space to admire scenery, sculptures, ponds, amusement rides, and a really interesting/weird public work out center (complete with weights made of rocks).  Along with that there are museums and performance centers and a bunch of cool public buildings. We checked out the museum for a while, which was pretty interesting, but a little bit too historical for my attention span (sorry Mom). 

We also checked out Nanjing Road, a huge pedestrian shopping street (except for any stray vehicle that will run you over without blinking an eye). Honestly, the driving here is ridiculous. If you're crossing the street when you're not supposed to, or even when you are, you have to be ready to dodge at any moment. We've gotten a walk sign and almost had our knees taken out multiple times.  Part of the issue is that the street lights come with timers, just like most crosswalks do. So cars see that they only have 2 seconds, so they gun it to get through. Or, they see that they'll get a green in 2 seconds, so they're already halfway through the intersection. Another interesting thing: a TON of mopeds here. Definitely the vehicle of choice. Also, cars honk for everything, like to pass another car, or to change lanes, so there's always something honking. Anyways, enough about transportation issues.  Nanjing Road is the place to be. At night, it's illuminated with more flashing fluorescent lights than I've ever seen. It's not just the buildings on it, but ones blocks away even, so everything is illuminated at night. 

Other fun things I've learned about China: in general, everything is about 5/8 of the price in the US (rough estimate). Not learning how to say "no thank you" in Chinese class is a bummer (got asked if I wanted a "sexy massage" multiple times tonight). Doors that have "exit" above them, don't actually mean that they are an exit. Usually just mean it's a door to a closet, or a supply room. Finally, being an American over here is definitely exciting for locals. Me and some of the other guys were asked multiple times to take a picture with high schoolers, even a middle aged couple. 

Today we'll be heading inland to Hangzhou, where we'll be studying at Zhejiang University for the next 8 weeks. It's definitely going to be exciting to see where I'll be living for the summer!

Here's some pictures of the day in Shanghai:

 We walked to the river to see The Bund. It's the new, modern skyline on the other side of the river. Didn't have time to go over there, so we'll save it for another trip to Shanghai later in the summer.

 Nighttime on Nanjing Road.

 View from the top of our hotel looking down Nanjing Road to The Bund.

 An example of the underground mall system.  This was a 1930's historical section of it.

 Some of the colorful workout equipment in People's Park.  You can see an old man working out (?) in the distance.

 Cooper, Mike and I found bubble tea again, delicious.

Some of the bright, flashing signs on Nanjing Road.