In the gritty hutongs we tried to guess "Restaurant or Pet Shop?" as we perused, with disbelief, the frogs, goldfish, crickets, budgies and terrapins lined up for sale.
And at the top of the Grand Hyatt Hotel we sipped cocktails in the world's highest bar. Bling.
I was surprised how different Shanghai was to the other places I went to. It wasn't my favorite place. I remember being really affected by the pollution (was back in 1993) - I could only last about half a day outside before having to retreat to the hotel with breathing problems. I remember when I left there - breathing fresh air again was heaven! I bet the pollution is not so bad now? We were adopted while there by a student - just approached us in the street and became our guide. He wanted to stress to us how bad the trade was in animals parts for medicine. In several shops he showed us that these goods were hidden under the main counter - just ask and they got them out....
ReplyDelete