Week one Oct 15 Shanghai

Week-one
Homeless in Shanghai sounded a little sad, the fact is I do not have the time being sad. It is exactly a week and two days since I live in the land of plenty for the few and nothing for the rest. May be that is according to the western standard.
I am homeless because I am in an hotel apt, although first class accommodation with a view from the suite, a kitchen with microwave, a wonderful suite, and super comfee bed, American TV, a bathroom I can get lost in. while every thing I need is within reach or a phone call away. I still feel like I am a tourist. If I did not get food deliver, I go to the restaurant get food and a drink. I even have a gym and message facility, tailor shop and laundry service.
Ah, that is probably why I do not feel like home, the laundry. China do not do “ wet Landry” so it is $4 USD for a pair of undee, $3 USD for a pair of shocks or hankee. You know I do not spend money that way. $8 for a shirt is too expensive for me. I rather smell, and most people do. Ha ha.
If you are a tourist and fortunate enough to live in the tourist area, you will not see the real Shanghai. If you are like me, although live in the commercial area, in a commercial hotel for westerners, I am not suppose to know what is outside of the tree line court yard what harsh life is like. If you know me well, you will know that instead of taking the $3 taxi ride to go to work like most of the westerners do. I choose to walk an hour each day to get to my office. Along the way, I encounter Motorbike on the sidewalk trying to run over you. Bike is on the sidewalk and on the road going every which way, all the while motorcars can run red light and make illegal turns without second thought. If you choose to cross the street, you are trusting your life on your own two feet or have faith you can get to the other side without being run over.
The side way all have signal tiles layout for blind people to use. It is in a different pattern, so they can follow the street to where they wanted to go. However I do not thing they can make it cross any cross road while no one observe traffic sign or signals. My memorable experience on my first day of arrival in Shanghai is that some one tries to avoid run me over hit a lamppost and crashed. I should have taken a picture; unfortunately I was in my jet leg still.
If you want to experience of thrill of Shanghai, there is nothing more than a long Taxi ride. I guarantee you will swear all the way to your destination. There is not word to describe it. You get in, if you can get one without killing some one first at rush hour. Then you hand over the slip that had the address written. Do not attempt to think you can speak Chinese, you will end up in no mans land. (Like my 30 minute taxi ride to my bank at the end of my street. I can walk there in 10 minutes.) Then you move yourself to the center of the street, and close you eyes, or just straight on. Unless you like the thrill, the look to the side or go sit at the front seat. Once you arrive your destination, drop to the round and kiss it. You will need the blessing until your next trip.
As for my food, I can eat for $1.5 USD a night or $16 USD a night the different is Chinese food on the buffet line or sandwiches in the expat coffee shop. In only one week, I manage to get all the restaurants I go to know my name and who I am and what I like, not bad for some one speak really bad Chinese. I suppose I am a little funny, and often made stupid mistake that is why they remember me.
I also find it hard to get daily stuff; I search high and low for paper towels, until I finally remember there is no such thing in China. Where is the Windex when I need it? I ask for napkins, I got tissue, and I pay 60 RMB for it, later I found out I can get the same thing in a local grocery for less than 10 RMB.
I still can’t find Shampoo, and shaving cream. But my cousin introduced me to an expensive expat grocery. I am sure I will have all that I need as I had in the drug store in the state for half of my Chinese salary. No doubt, and don’t you think twice I am lying about it either. If you are an expat, you are the bank. They dip in, and the get cash. Poor me.
Well it is time for me to stop and may be get some shuteye. I am so tire I do not even need a glass of wine in the evening. 14 hours day on out is going to break some bones. Although it all sounded hard, and why I am here you know it is worth it. Because the sight and sound of the city is so foreign, my staff at work believes in me. That is why I am here.
A time goes by, I will write about my adventure from US to China, and my outing in the city and out. It is going to be a journey; I wish you would come with me for this wild ride.
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