Day 1: Shanghai

Hello from Shanghai!  After flying from Chicago to New York, and then taking a 15-hour flight from Newark, we arrived in China — and this time we actually have visas. 

Nic and Shanghai's 2010 World Expo mascot Haibao (Blue Gumby)

There were zero problems as we changed our money and acquainted ourselves with Haibao, the omni-present mascot for the 2010 World Expo (pictured above).  For transportation from the airport to Shanghai, we took the 430 km/hour Maglev train, which got us downtown in 8 minutes vs 1 hour by cab… nice!

The umbrella-toting masses on Nanjing Road

Upon arrival, we trudged a mile from the subway to the Peninsula in a blowing rain storm.  It wasn’t torrential, but when everybody busts out their umbrellas, the streets get crowded in a hurry.  After a short break, we returned to the rain-soaked streets in search of dinner.  Walking back down Nanjing road (pictured above), Nic led us to a restuarant called Grape.  Delicious fried noodles, sweet and sour pork, dumplings, and an enormous beer for around $10.  I like China prices so far.

Fried noodles and sweet and sour pork

After dinner, I dropped a couple bucks on a shirt and sweater as we wandered back east on Nanjing Road.  It finally stopped raining.  We checked out the Peninsula pool and called it a night.