VIDEOS!

Obviously this isn't my forte, but I thought I'd post anyway! Wish I would have figured out how to do this sooner - Well, while the video is uploading I suppose I'll begin describing my day. This is our last full day in Shanghai. Tomorrow afternoon we leave for our LONG flight back to the United States. This morning we took a trip to the silk carpet factory where we saw how silk rugs are made. Like most things that are intricate and down by hand it takes a long time. Some of the rugs take over a year to make. Glad that's not my job. Then we had Mongolian style lunch where you put all the food you want in a bowl and take it to a chef who cooks it. After lunch they took us to a marketplace that they call the "China town of Shanghai." What an experience. It's basically like Sam Moon times 100. It's craziness, I'm not kidding. Lots of trinket stuff everywhere ... scarves, jewelry, Chinese lanterns, wigs, camouflage pants, fake rolexes, fake purses, and the list goes on and on and on. For a shopper like me the first hour is fun because you can haggle .. But after about an hour, I was done. It gets old haggling (and converting in your head from yuan to dollar). And really, it is best to have small bills. Apparently you don't want vendors to give you change because they've been known to give fake money back. Many of the vendors are REALLY pushy. One lady was trying to sell me cashmere scarves (didn't know cashmere felt like sandpaper) and she actually held on to my arm while I was trying to pull away and would not let go. Then she followed me down the street. It was insane. Whoever thinks persistence is a virtue has obviously never been to the Shanghai street market.

After four hours of shopping and walking (and finally finding a Starbucks) we made our way to dinner.

After dinner most of our tour group went to some circus-like show. Terri, Caroline, Todd and I decided to pass on the show and go walk to the Bund and then to Nanging Road. Nanging Road is supposedly like the Rodeo Drive of Shanghai. I would describe it more like Rodeo Drive meets Las Vegas.

What really was the experience of the night was our cab ride home. Rule number one in Shanghai traffic code is: there are no rules - every man for himself. So after several near head-on collisions, a few possible side swipes, and a couple of potential pedistrian road kill, we made it back to the hotel.

Terri and I have been trying to figure out how to pack everything while staying within our two checked luggage and two carry-on limit. It's been a challenge, but I think we have it under control.

Tomorrow morning we have free time before leaving for the airport. Terri, Caroline, Todd and I are going to go to the Shanghai Museum (we're trying to fit one more site-seeing adventure in). What I'm really excited about is the train we're taking to the airport. The train is the Magli which goes 270 to 300 mph. I don't know all the details, but will be sure to update you tomorrow. Enjoy the ametuer video and I'll try to post some photos tonight as well!

OH, I'll be sure to post my favorite - no lie there is a Dairy Queen (Texas Stop Sign) in Shanghai. I just had to get a picture.