So, I've been in Shanghai for about 10 days now, and I think I kinda get it. I have to admit, though, that I am not sure I like it.
The thing about Shanghai, is that it's just not ready. The city is trying very hard to be an 'international, world class city' (hence Expo 2010, etc), but to be honest, it's full of people that are not anywhere near that. I can't count how many times I've been spit on, or dodged a spit bomb since I've been here. And at the risk of sounding xenophobic, why aren't there more English speaking people here? I find myself speaking in charades or using my little translation computer a lot. I know the responsibility for speaking the local language is mine, but you'd think that in the tourist areas, there would be SOME staff that speak English.
I know that a lot of my posts here in my blog sound like a big complaint about why this city or that city is not like it is back home. I don't want this Blog to be just that. And I understand and recognize that there are significant cultural differences from country to country. But the fact of the matter is that there are some minimal world standards that should be met, regardless of where I am in the world.
So, keep that in mind, when you read about my current rants/observations about Shanghai. =)
- Construction is at a fevered pace for Expo 2010. This is Shanghai's debut as a world city, so that means they are trying to make the city ready for the millions of people they are expecting to visit. So the roads are in total chaos. The Bund, which is one of the most popular tourist areas, is completely gone. It's one big pit now, and you can't walk anywhere.
- I mentioned before, that the Metro system is modern and efficient. But what I didn't say is that the riders of the metro are far from modern or efficient. If you're unlucky enough to be on the train during rush hour, you had best be prepared to be crushed. Ordinarily, its customary to allow people to exit the train car before people enter the car. Not so, here. I've almost missed my exit a few times, because I mistakenly was too polite and didn't push my way off the train. I've since learned to put my elbows up and push my way out. If I don't, I may never get off the car.
- Some of the other oddities I've seen on the metro, and the 'regular' trains that I've been on, is that people will actually sit on the floor. They just park themselves down among the feet of others. Also, I've seen on more than one occasion, people eating food like sunflower seeds, and spitting the waste out onto the floor. Lovely.
- Their is a discernible hierarchy among street traffic. It goes like this: trucks - buses - cars - motorbikes - bicycles - oxen and other animals - people. If you're walking on the street (sidewalks included), you are expected to be vigilant for all vehicles that are coming towards you. Even crossing a street in a crosswalk is no guarantee of safety. Cars and buses will aim right for you, and you are expected to stop to let them pass. I've almost been hit many, many times by taxis here. And I am in the wrong, no matter what. It is my fault regardless. Motorbikes will drive on sidewalks if its clearer than the roads, and you are obligated to allow them to do so. If a taxi/motorbike honks their horn, that is enough legal notice. You MUST move. Pedestrians are the lowest of the low here. I wonder if it's some kind of natural cull of an already burgeoning population?
- There are a lot of vehicles here that you just won't see anywhere else. When I was in Xitang, just outside of Shanghai, I saw plenty of 3 wheeled trucks and taxis. And they were not just large motorbikes - they were large car and truck sized vehicles. They just missed a front wheel, and I am not sure why. Are tires that expensive in China? The vehicles seemed rather unstable, and look like they could be tipped over quite easily.
On Sunday, I will be heading up to Beijing for a week or so. I've been doing my research so that I can maximize the use of my time there. I know that there will be some "must-do's" when I am there, like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. I hope to see parts of the city that are not as touristy as well. But I think that might be a bit unlikely.
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