Shanghai, the husband city.

We arrived to Shanghai as record setting rainfall was coming to an end. Tomorrow (Friday) will be the first sunny day they've seen in a while, and the first sunshine we will see since we've been in China. The Chinese call Shanghai and Beijing the husband and wife cities. Shanghai is the husband because it makes all the money. Beijing, the capital, is the wife because it spends all the money. Some things just don't change no matter how far you get from home. Sheesh!

Things are progressing rapidly all over China, and Shanghai is the epitome of that trend. A river divides the city into east and west halves, with the old city being on the west side. Until 1991, the only way to cross the river was by ferry. In '91 China started building bridges over that river to accomodate the people and commerce. Now there are 5 bridges and six tunnels to allow people to move more easily.

By the way, the air quality seems a bit better here but I think it might be because the rain washed all the particulates out of the sky. No complaints from me!

The Rendevous Hotel is quite nice. There is a Starbucks only a couple blocks away, so I had my fix. And Leah, I bought a cup to add to your collection! My barrista was excited to practice her English and was very helpful, as are all of the staff we see in China. Here is the hotel's website if you'd like to check it out. http://www.rendezvoushotels.com/

I am really jet-lagging on this trip. I guess I should have rested better before we left! I've been sleeping in the room since about 6pm this evening, but woke up just before 11pm local time to call in to the RFD Today program with my co-host, Alan Jarand. We air that program live each day at 9am for the first time. Your local radio affiliate may air it later in the day. Go to www.rfdradio.com to listen to the program stream, or you can download the podcasts, too.

We visited Bright Dairy No. 8 today in Shanghai. It is Asia's largest yogurt factory, and is state of the art. The product was quite good. Ladies, you'd be proud to know that the men are enjoying yogurt! The Chinese have known for centuries that it is good for your digestive system, and it seems we're just figuring this out (NOTE the ads for the yogurt products at home.) Bright Dairy No 8 prodcues 200,000 tons of yogurt each year.

We then checked into our hotel and walked to a local supermarket. This is not the average Chinese's supermarket. It is for the higher income population. It's a little like a super walmart or kmart or target in that it has all your home goods as well as groceries. CHECK THE FLICKR PHOTO STREAM (ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THIS PAGE) FOR UPDATED PHOTOS. We're not allowed to take photos inside the store, so I was shooting from the hip without a flash. Please forgive the small number of photos and the quality.

 

 

The fresh, whole (and I mean whole) chickens were about a dollar a kilo as far as I could tell.

Or, take your pick of seafood.

    

 

 

Comments

[Leah Guffey]

Thank you!! I hope you are all staying dry! Sunny and 60 in the Cap City today!

See you soon! Tell everyone hello for me.