Adios Shanghai!!!

            I am going to start this post off on a negative note. Sorry. But bear with me because I promise rainbows and sunshine are soon to come. 

I have had it with Shanghai. I apologize to all my new expat friends who have made their home here and love it, but I am not cut out for big city living.  Honestly, it crushes my soul. I know it sounds extreme, but I can’t think of a more accurate term. Shanghai has a little over 23 million inhabitants.  That’s nearly tree times the population of New York City, twice the population of the entire state of Florida and 15 times the population of Idaho.  It is stifling really. 

Sadly, there is no way around it; huge modern cities and me do not mix well.  Most days I feel like I live on the subway, and it takes forever to do even the simplest things because everywhere you have to wait for something; wait in line, wait for the buss, wait for the subway, wait for an empty chair, wait for a table, and the tiring list goes on.  China’s enormous population is never more apparent than on a weekday morning in the subway.  There are actually employed personnel whose sole purpose is pushing the people into the cars so that the doors can properly close.  I am not a claustrophobic, but pressing my face up against the chest of a man I don’t know is really just no fun. 

Also as far as I can tell, Shanghai has been mostly devoured by western tendencies and cultural norms such as manic consumerism and the obsession with a fast paced life style.  Burger Kings, Dairy Queens, KFC’s, and McDonalds are found nearly every block, and a mega-mall rests every three.  High fashion seems paramount as well as having the latest electronic gadgets and most people walk the streets and ride the subways with their ear-buds in and gaze fixed on their phones. They don’t chat or look at one another and more often than not, if I catch a glimpse at their phone screen, are playing some variation of Farmville or Angry Birds. It makes me sad.

            Culture shock aside, I do not feel alive here. Like the huge super-highways surrounding the city, my mind feels entirely paved over.  I have no imagination or inspirational pushes, and mostly my thoughts are consumed with getting home so I can lie down, close my eyes and pretend I am somewhere else. This city exhausts me in every possible way, mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually; you name it, it’s spent.  It is not a beautiful or lush or cultural or even historic city, it simply is. Even its most prized landmarks are a varied shade of gray, rivers and buildings included.

            Ok now that I have expressed my distain for China’s largest city, I should also put a disclaimer on my opinion by saying, I have only been here a short time; four weeks to be exact. Hardly long enough to form a solid educated opinion. Maybe it is one of those places that has to “grow on you” over time, either way I’m glad I don’t have to stick around to find out.  I will be moving to Tianjin in two days to try my luck there instead, thank goodness.

            It’s not to say Shanghai has no good points at all.  It’s clean and the people are generally friendly. Also, if you want to shop, then Shanghai is your spot for sure. If you want to spend exorbitant amounts of money on countless things you would never possibly need then by god, get your ass over here because you’re missing out.  Not only that, but the metric system makes me feel like a sexy beast.  Honestly, I’m never weighing myself in lbs again, kilograms is the way to go.  Also saying, “Oh I ran 5 kilometers” is way more impressive than, “a little more than 3 miles”.  When I measure myself and come out at 155 centimeters, I feel a hell of a lot better than oh say 5’ 2”!!! It’s a hoot really.

            I have been doing a pretty good job of keeping busy between work, the gym and the long subway rides.  Margret and I went to the Yu Gardens, which were lovely where we had ourselves a dandy touristy day and ate lunch at my first ever sushi buffet! At $1/plate I went a little overboard…What can I say, I LOVE sushi!! We then went for an afternoon of rock climbing with her doll of a boy friend Connor, and a friend of his. It reminded me of college and even though my arms were burnings for days, I definitely intend to find a similar place in Tianjin. Thank you Margret and Conner for having me along for the day, it was a blast!!

            I managed to swing by the Shanghai Museum in People’s Square to check out their amazing calligraphy collection, and ended up staying all afternoon. It was quite a neat museum, which included and extensive currency collection, beautiful traditional garments from all the Chinese minority groups, and a fabulous ceramics display.  Afterwards, as every dutiful tourist must, I went for a stroll down the Bund to see the pearl tower.  It was mostly gray and everyone says I should have gone at night because the lights are beautiful, so for now I’ll just picture that in my head and pretend that’s what I saw.

            Last week was Dragon Boat Festival which is a national holiday so I got a nice three day weekend during which I ate much zongzi (what people eat during the festival) and my room mates and I made the biggest batch of pork dumpling you ever did see.  They were amazingly delicious and surprisingly easy to make.  I intend to repeat the process often.

            Although I will not be sad to leave Shanghai, I will miss my new friends and especially my amazing Chinese tutor, Li.  By this time next week I should be settled in an apartment in Tianjin and on the hunt for a new tutor so wish me luck!! There see, I told you I would end on a positive stroke. It's not all bad you see, just maybe not my speed.

            Meanwhile back in Idaho….. This is the picture Mom sent me of Charlie and John at the backcountry ranch…something about a ground squirrel extermination team, I don’t even know.  I would say he looks like he’s doing just fine. I miss you all and I hope all is well!! Please email me any time!!! xoxo