click on the pictures to see them full size
“Don’t let a grain of sand in your shoe distract you from the beautiful beach…” (said by someone at small group)… Humidity, bugs, dirtiness, weird food, and a social culture that we Americans cringe at… but living the day-to-day with Alan and Daisy made me realize how much more there is to a “life in China” versus a “visit to China”.
I used to tell NYC visitors, “after your exhausting trip to the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty etc, come stay for a week and be a local.” I visited Shanghai four years ago and saw all the sights and sounds in a span of 2 days, but this time was a different experience. After getting a glimpse of the ex-pat life, I’d compare it to going away versus staying home for college. Sure, it is fine to stay in one place, but starting a chapter somewhere else is a whole new and fun experience.
Seeing young non-Chinese people walking to work with their iPods and coffee made me do double takes, but I was the only one staring. Shanghai is such a modern and diverse city yet so rich in culture. Alan and Daisy’s church friends include Americans, a Korean, a German, a Canadian, and many more… Again, it felt like the college experience on overdrive. It was refreshing to be surrounded by diverse, open minded adventurous people. Their zest and passion for their community was obvious.
It took me a few days to adjust, but I was driven by my insatiable desire for Xiao Long Baos aka Soup Dumplings from the corner shop (70cents/order, sure beats Joe’s Shanghai in nyc!). Being a Chinese person with zero Mandarin skills was frustrating: I think I said ‘May-gaw” or “ABC” about a hundred times.
We also got a glimpse of the legendary night-life thanks to our friend (also named Alan) and let’s just say there’s something for everyone here! Note: Green Tea and Whiskey is delicious, except for when it comes back up the next day during Ultimate Frisbee!
“It’s a small-world” has a whole new meaning when you're half-way around the globe as everyone seemed to be connected by just a few degrees of separation. The people you meet and the commonalities are astounding. Not to mention all the new relationships formed because of it.
Getting to experience the evolution and growth of China firsthand was awesome and if Shanghai is what the rest of China is supposed to be in 20 years – we better start paying attention (I’ll spare the business school analysis). An example in a recent gizmodo.com post - http://gizmodo.com/5558350/shanghai-skyline-before-and-after
Other Highlights: McDonald’s 24/7 delivery, Shopping, Meat Knuckles (including the bone marrow through a straw!), Scooter/biking, Ultimate Frisbee, World Expo, Daisy Prego…
Click here to see Steven's facebook photo album of his trip to Shanghai: Steven in Shanghai
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