Over to Pudong

  Shanghai, China
Saturday, January 26, 2008

Day Fifteen - close-ups
I was dismayed. I looked out the window and snow was steadily falling. What's to be done today? How about going across to the Pudong District to view things close-up? What about more photos? All seemed like a good idea.
As it was Saturday, the downtown area was more than overcrowded. Shanghai, being China's biggest city, suffers more than most, and I was suffering, too.
There was no let up in Chinese getting beneath my skin. One woman was almost crushed by the bumping of my little shoulder pack; serves her right, while I lashed out at others, and at a man, non-Chinese, saying "marajuana." I let him know my feelings on the subject. We just stuck forefingers up at each other.
I retreated to a noodle cafe, ordered a bowl of thin noodles with beef and soup, and withdrew into myself, recriminating. It's just not the way to behave, will create no effect, and is just a loser's behaviour. I sat in the cafe for quite awhile, mulling over these primitive instincts, and made my way back onto Nanjing Lu.
The fake sellers were out in force:
"Bags, watches, DVDs?"
I waved them away.
One seller had about five sprouted from the top of his clutched left fist,
"Fve for a hundred!"
I continued to resist.
Another, a lad, wouldn't leave me alone for a minute:
"Just look, look... look in our shop. It's in this store, very cheap. What are you looking for? Lady? Massage?"
"No, just a Star bucks."
I gave in and followed him up to another of the rooms stocked with bags, fake designer wear, suitcases, a row of the watches, shoes. I looked around....
A young woman asked me what I'd like
"I'm not really interested in anything. I've just come in to have a look."
"Isn't there anything I could interest you in?"
No, not really. I'd better be going."
"It's up to you," the woman finalised.
I bought a subway ticket to the Pudong District, Lujiazui - the next stop along from Nanjing Road East.
I passed the usual outdoor sellers as I mounted the steps: spinning tops, splat-curled-up animals, and a busker who seemed to be making a fair packet judging by the money accumulated on the ground.
Lo and behold, the lit-up tower loomed and glowed above me.Left aligned photo tag:

Pearl Tower, close at hand

Far from being 'bizarre,' it's made in its particular design because it's really Shanghai's TV and radio station. I went across to find out about ticket prices. They range from about 80 to 135 Yuan if you want to get to the highest ball. I also found out that one of them boasts and accommodates Asia's highest restaurant. Too wet and cloudy - and too late - to venture up today.
Other interesting buildings were close at hand; the Jinmao, Right aligned photo tag:

JInmao Building

soaring into the clouds, and banks, such as ICBC (Industrial and Commercial Bank of Left aligned photo tag:

ICBC Buildung, interesting angle

China). Shanghai's far from modest.
I gleaned a few perfect pictures, hands freezing off, among other like pursuers, but I used the flat tops of garbage receptacles, to get a firm caption with my mini tripod.Right aligned photo tag:

INdulging in a self-pose

Pudong, with it's jungle of skyscrapers, is far from modest, but it's the heart, not only of Shanghai's commerce, but that of China as well.
It's also 'greater than Shanghai,' according to Lonely Planet.