Got up at 6 am this morning to packed and get ready for our flight to Shanghai. Our day started off a bit rocky when the cab drivers refused to put the extra suitcases we bought (for all our shopping goodies) in their front seat so we could take the cabs together- the Chinese cab drivers seem to be difficult every once in a while whether it is about finding a place they have never been before or going to a particular part of town. Also, here’s a pointer- don’t ever get into a gypsy cab that doesn’t have a meter, you’ll be charged like 20 times what a regular cab will charge—the Finnish guys from Mango told me that they paid 500 Yuan (close to 80US). For example, when we were trying to hail a cab in Benhai Park, we had an older man in a red Volkswagen with a child in the backseat try and get us to get into the back of his car. After that episode, I would like to give a shout out to my boyfriend for warning me about the sex trafficking kidnapping that happens all over the world to travelers, so I knew that getting in that car would be a terrible idea J Anyways after a few minutes of arguing, we gave up and got in two separate cabs which wasn’t a big deal since it’s like $12 to go to the airport, even though we were concerned about getting separated.
Getting around the airport to check into our domestic flight was truly an exercise in interpreting Mandarin. No one could really tell us what was going on, and since we were going fueled only by 3 hours of sleep and adrenaline it took us a few tries to get things figured out for boarding our China Eastern Flight to Shanghai. As a bonus we even got inappropriately felt up at security-yay!
In Shanghai We get the VIP Treatment
Jenn’s dad was good enough to give us some of his Starwood points to stay on the executive floor at the Westin on the Bund, a fantastic hotel with a great location in Shanghai. After being in polluted and hot Beijing for 5 days and in cramped quarters, we are definably ready for the rock star treatment with the heavenly bed, good showers, and air conditioning!
We Love Shanghai and Shanghai Loves Us
Where Beijing is utilitarian and has a uniform cultural feel, Shanghai is elegant and has an eclectic international feel. There are definitely more familiar western shops here and the more people spoke English and wore western fashions. Although Jenn and I appreciated being in the cultural center of China and appreciated understanding their history before we got to Shanghai, it felt nice to not always be confused!
Construction is everywhere in China
I love the juxtaposition of contemporary high rise and crumbling old walls
Again, juxtaposition of old and new
We spot a crowded market from our taxi
Jadee Buddha Temple courtyard
I'm in love with all these red lanterns
worshippers
One of the Jade Buddhas
A monk
Worshippers leave coins as offerings
Jade Buddha Temple
We started our day in Shanghai at 3:00 pm by going to the Jade Buddha Temple, one of the most famous functioning Buddhist monasteries in Shanghai. It’s mostly famous for having a 1.9 m tall white jade Buddha. We also caught an offering ceremony while we were in the courtyard.
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