It was Chinese New Year and a lot of the stores were closed with less people out on the streets. It was quieter than usual yet I could feel that this powerhouse was on the move and moving fast with an ever changing skyline and new trends.
The three things that caught my attention the most were the amount of construction taking place (all over China), young couples following the restrictions set out by government’s one-child policy and elder people spitting in shades of yellow and white on the marble sidewalks.
I stayed at Mingtown Hikers Youth Hostel near The Bund and it was cool to hang out with like minded travellers and interesting characters. They also had beer specials and free pool which kept me occupied at night.
During the day I walked the streets of Shanghai and visited some neighbourhoods, museums, exhibition halls, tall buildings, restaurants, narrow alleys and backstreets. It was great to be out on a mission again and I completely forgot about teaching.
Having been to China twice, spending time in Taiwan and living here in South Korea near the border with North Korea, has given me some insight about East Asia. South Korea is cool (Korean’s will agree) and I am having a blast here, but South Korea will never be on China or Japan’s level in terms of regional and international dominance and as one of my friends here on the outskirts said: “Korea will always play Robin to Japan and China’s Batman”.
Shanghai was a great experience. An impressive city continuing to transform itself as a world player. It was enriching to be ‘out there’ again, navigating my way from Korea via land to Shanghai and back by air. I also found pleasure in using a two year expired student card for discount with Chinese who can’t read “expires on” or going to neon lit night clubs with other travellers and finding a way to drink for free. Rewarding actions to remind me that I haven’t lost it yet.
I won’t travel in Asia anytime soon, though there is so much more I’d like see and experience. I might one day come back, but now I am heading back to mother city Cape Town at the end of March where I will look back at an awesome time spent working and travelling in East Asia. This is by no means my last update from the Korean outskirts and I will keep this blog running as long as I am moving.
