Mad About Shanghai: Now Based In Shanghai

Well, we are still in the hotel. The deal with the apartment fell through at the last minute because we found that the price was a bit high. We are going to look at some more tonight and tomorrow and then make our final decision.

The other thing that has occupied our time incredibly is the picking up of unaccompanied baggage. We had 2 sets of unaccompanied baggage that went separately into China - what a bureaucratic nightmare that was - but I will leave the gory details until I have a bit more time to write.

All I have really done since I have been here is sit in the back of a car - either Liying's or a Taxi. The traffic is absolutely woeful, the horn is more widely used than the indicator and pedestrian crossings are simply theoretical places of where you may try to cross the road.

It has been pretty hot, at least compared to coming out of winter in Sydney, and is very humid.

The buildings are big and the city is massive - I always thought New York was a sprawling metropolis of apartment buildings and offices - its not as big as Shanghai!

The people are great! Although I haven't as yet learnt the lingo, I have had a couple of interactions with people and have been quietly observing (especially when Sabrina is talking) and I like the attitude, the thoughtfulness of people like Liying and the looks of curiosity from people as they see me at 6' 3" with a shiny shaved head walking around with Sabrina (some of them you can't quite call looks, maybe stares of amazement!)

Here are some random thoughts I want to put down to remember so I can provide more detail in the future - so don't take too much notice:

• Interesting distribution of electricity
• Shanghai cheap? Not if you are looking for a good apartment or staying in a hotel
• Buildings - tall, interesting, varied - especially corporate buildings
• Roads, lanes optional, turn right at anytime (without care - or even looking)
• Scooters, bikes, helmets and option lights at night
• Free roads - congestion, toll way - where are the cars?
• Paperwork!!
• Great food - great price

Comments

[John Guise]

Hi Brad

I live in Jing'an and I know you should be able to find 100 square-meter apartments there for around 4500-5000RMB. I think there are a number of places around the Shimen yi Lu subway station. Myself and a number of my friends have found great housing there. Try communities like Xin Fu Can Li (Taixing Lu and Xinzha Lu) or First Block (Beijing Xi Lu) for some nice places.

Hope it works out for you.

John

[Alan and Jo]

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