Staying with the Younkins in Shanghai has helped us transition into China. They are wonderful hosts, share lots of information (having lived here almost 2 years), and have some western niceties that we may not have when we travel to other areas of China on our own (eggs / bacon / toast for breakfast, flush seated toilets, etc.).
We are appreciative of the great food options since we are not sure what we will be eating once we leave Shanghai. We did bring over protein bars, nuts, and other snacks in preparation for supplemental meals when we travel. There seems to be plenty of American chains for a backup such as Burger King, KFC, McDonald's, and even Hooters. Starbucks are everywhere.
For lunch yesterday, we ate at a river front restaurant that had a balcony with a view of the river. I had the satay beef, fried rice, and spicy prawns (served with heads still attached). It was very delicious. Last night Miss Judy, a local who helps around the house, made some tasty Szechuan dishes for dinner (I don't know the proper name for all the dishes): jiaozi (dumplings), green beans & red peppers, cabbage/greens, rice, spicy beef, and "kung pao" chicken.
The temperature has been around 23 degrees Celsius during the day and cooler at night. It is humid and hazy all the time. The weather feels warm to me (especially leaving Columbus when it was in the 40's Fahrenheit). The night cools enough to need a light jacket. We arrived in rain and it rained a bit the rest of that day. No rain since then...yet.
Last night John and I went with Ron to get massages. We had the option of a foot massage or full body (clothed). We all did the foot massage and sat next to each other. The room had a TV with the movie "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" playing - so we saw the last 30 minutes of the movie (English with Chinese subtitles). If I wasn't relaxing so much, I would have taken a photo of the John and Ron drinking beer, watching the movie, and getting foot massages. Nothing like any Girls' Night at the Spa I've experienced. : ) The great thing about the foot massages was we also got our backs, necks, head, and thighs massaged! I could get used to those massages on a regular basis!! Especially at $14 per person for 30 minutes (beer extra).
The traffic is chaotic here. The lines in the road are suggestions and there is a continuous right turn, regardless of amount of traffic. Horns are used freely and everyone merges when and where they want. No turn arrows but if a vehicle can dart across the intersection onto the street before oncoming traffic starts, it is done by as many vehicles as possible. Cars, vans, buses, motorbikes, work bikes (3-wheeled with large platform to transport items), and bicycles are "share" the streets and amazingly accidents don't happen as often as one expects with the aggressiveness.
Time to get ready for another day in Shanghai.
Today John and I went to the Shanghai World Financial Center - the building has the world's highest observatory at 474 meters. There are observations decks on floors 94, 97, and 100 with the glass floor on the 100th floor. The building has a rectangular hole near the top so there is a view through the glass floor (the building looks a bit like a hand-held bottle opener). It was hazy today so the view wasn't very far. I have included a photo of the building from the car, John standing on the glass floor, and a couple views.
The 100th floor observation deck with the glass floors. The floor, window walls, and ceilings are all reflective material and so many photos I took included reflections of myself and those around me.
As we drove around the city, most of the residential windows had laundry hanging. Very few people have washers and dryers. Clothing and linens were hanging everywhere from the short apartment buildings to the high-rises.
