Watch, bag, DVD? Welcome to Shanghai

These three words were the only english words most Chinese people could say. We got harrassed quite often. Overall, Shanghai was fabulous - a thriving metropolis with an incredible skyline that is going to keep changing for quite some time.

We walked the touristy shopping area in Old Town the first day and along the Bund. We followed Marie's recommendation to the Old Shanghai Teahouse for wonderful jasmine tea that opened inside of your cup. I tried some crazy Kungfu tea, which consisted of drinking tea out of a shot glass.

We saw the acrobats with our group that night which was amazing. Crazier than Cirque du Soleil and the auditorium wasn't even packed (ball of death, etc.). People were taking flash pictures during these crazy stunts and no one said anything.

We had some of our best meals in Shanghai with the group - lots of stir fried dishes. One night we tried the hot pot with mutton that you dip into boiling broth. We took shots of rice wine - that stuff is strong! After much giggling, we managed to check out FACE per Marie, Emily's and Todd's recommendations. It was a really cool bar and beautiful decor, but I don't think we were quite sophisticated enough for it after the rice wine.

The final day, we rode the Maglev- the world's fastest train. Brennan was psyched about it and I have to admit, it was pretty amazing - you feel as if you are going at mach speed. That night, we had drinks on top of the Jin Mao tower for an incredible view of Shanghai.

Three culture shocks in China:

• The DRIVING - There is no such thing as yield to pedestrians. Every time you cross the street, you feel as if you are playing a game of chicken. And, with one of the highest death rates from automobile accidents, you are. I was just thinking how Shanghai was much more pedestrian-friendly when a car came up behind us on the sidewalk and started honking at us to get out of the way!
  
• The kids pants: Little children prior to being potty-trained wear pants with huge slits up the butt. Don't understand it, don't know if they are just meant to go to the bathroom anywhere, and even how their parents carry them without making a mess. Maybe Marie can give us some tips?
  
• The spitting- People spit (we're talking lugies) all the time and every where. I guess with such bad pollution you just have to clear your throat.