BTC. Shanghai. One

Sunny and clear blue skies when leaving Guiyang. Rain in Shanghai

Last evening QB and I took an after dinner walk. On a main streetwepased what appeared to be a largish club (similar in appearance to a restaurant but a man was handing out leaflets). Several young women were outside shilling. QB and I were walking and holding hands. This did not inhibit two women from approaching me for what appeared to be an invite to the club. Ditch QB? Bring her in? No way to ask but suspect the former.

On the flight met a well spoken minority person, in the financial services business. His view of America, never visited but has been to Canada and has a canadian passport, is rich, religious, many driven to succeed, and much more equal distribution of wealth.

As we were discussing social welfare systems he described the need for the Chinese to save ( non-existent safety net) as a hedge fund.

As to food he said Americans eat junk food, then paused for effect, but we eat poison.

Shanghai, the Bund with its Huangpu river promenade; iconic art deco and neoclassical architecture dating from the ‘foreign concessions ‘ period can be seen from Pudong. ( pu is the river, dong is east).

Facts and fiction from guide and elsewhere. One third of shanghai is migrant population; .56 fecundity; maglev to airport can go 450 km/hour, in WWII Shanghai, alone, welcomed the Jewish people without any hassles, urban housing runs about $500 per square foot purchase price.

Pudong by subway. Newly developed section, farmland to modern business building, a glittering forest of skyscrapers, almost overnight. Guide lived in 200 sq. ft. House, five people, outhouse and now lives in a modern city, considered the best part of town at $2000 per sq. foot ( I checked twice). She is twenty two.

Major highlight : our visit to jing’an temple. See bonus pics

After dinner walked the French concession area by ourselves. The hotel is across the street. Good wonton place bypassed but a likely fusion restaurant found.