Land Ho!

12 JANUARY 2008

At 6pm last night the TSS community held a meeting in the International Lounge where it was conveyed to the students that we would in fact have class early due to the fog that was predicted to restrict us from entering the port for another 24 hours. Throughout dinner we collectively moaned and groaned at the possibility of waking up for class the next day. Around 10pm most of the TSS community was playing a large trivia game in the Student Center (a room that looks very similar to a 1970s lounge/bar) when suddenly the boat began to move. At first it appeared that the surrounding ships surrounding were actually deceiving us with their movement but for those of you who have been on a ship before you will know that there is a huge difference between sitting anchored and flipping a 180. To our amaze and wonderment we were in fact heading into the port. I awoke this morning to the grey skies and cold winds of Shanghai, however, if it weren't for those winds the fog would have never cleared and we would still be sitting in the river inside a cloud.

So, after a short parade through immigration we headed off into the unknown that is China's most eastern metropolis. I was in a group of 5 girls consisting of: Kathleen, my roommate from Canada; Kellie, from Australia; Jenny, from England; and Nia, from Wisconsin. Although we had somewhat of an idea everything that could have gone wrong, did -- well it wasn't quite that bad but at times a little nutty, luckily none of it directly happened to me. The banks are closed in China on Saturday and Sunday so we could only use the ATM. Unfortunately, Kellie's cards would not work and she was unable to get any kind of money and it is very difficult to use a credit card in China. She proceeded to call her mum (as she would say) to try to sort everything out. Long story short, it eventually worked thanks to the help of a very eager Chinese salesman. The second incident was getting a cab. If you are ever in Shanghai remember that blue and green cabs are the most reliable and any cab with the letter "X" on it's license plate is a little shady (although no one really gets them in trouble). Luckily we found a blue cab but our map only had the English equivalent to the Chinese street names. After a lot of hand gestures and the help from a travel book we were able to set the route, however, only four people can fit in a cab. Two girls jumped out knowing only the name of where to go, with no Chinese map or cell phone. We wondered if we would ever see them again.

Luckily we made it to our destination of the fabric district. Here, suits, dresses, jackets, and pretty much anything else can be made to your measurements in a couple of days. The whole thing was rather overwhelming and although I had hoped to find something getting back there to pick it up would have been a hassle. From there we walked the back streets of Old Town. I have found that in most places people are able to walk directly on the street, and it is actually unusual to see someone on the sidewalk. Also, when crossing the street making eye contact with the automobile driver does not grant you right of way in fact it means that you have seen them and should know to get out of the way.

After wondering around for a bit more and walking down the famous Nanjing Road Kathleen and I hurried back to the ship for the acrobat show. Performing at China's Circus World we saw what is considered to be the best show in Shanghai. Not only was it jaw dropping (I must admit I screamed many times) but it was theatrical, which many of the other shows are not.

Shanghai has surprised me in many ways. Its attempt to become more Westernized but keep its traditions is blatant everywhere. And, with the upcoming Beijing Olympics this summer there is major pressure to clean up the city and make it touring friendly and yet the glitz and glamour of modernity directly contradicts the collapsing buildings right next to them. It is definitely a different world, one I feel lucky to be able to explore.