Becky Goes to China

(Photos added 5/30/10)

We arrived in Shanghai on the 25th, but I went to bed almost as soon as we checked in. The rest of the group went off to explore The Bund, which is walking distance from the hotel. I was disappointed I couldn’t join them, but I was too sick to tough it out.

The next day, however, the group wanted to go bar hopping. This did not appeal to me in the slightest, partly because I wasn’t yet feeling 100% and partly because it’s just not my thing anyway. So after our visits to the US. Consulate and a really freakin’ awesome tour of Baosteel, I decided to explore The Bund on my own. It was the perfect way to do it, actually, since I could move at my own pace, stop for photos without feeling hurried, and just take it all in.

First there was a large pedestrian mall with piles of high end shopping and enough neon to rival Las Vegas, then a row of older buildings which were mostly also high end shops. Finally, Nanjing Road ended at the river, and on the other side was a breathtaking view of the Shanghai skyline, all lit up, with river boats floating here and there. Simply gorgeous. If it weren’t so crowded, I could have stayed awhile just to watch the boats come and go, watch the colors change on the Pearl Tower. However, I’d had to push my way up to the rail, and then had to crouch to find a spot of rail I could use to steady my camera for a decent night photo.

Walking back, I stopped for take out at one of the two Pizza Huts I’d found along the way. It’s not even close to American quality, but it would do.