Shanghai Surprises

As I first arrived in Shanghai, I had to remind myself where I was. It was very hard to believe I was in China. The city itself was pretty dark, with thick smog and lots of construction. I was surprised at how built up Shanghai was for a third world country. My stereotypes of a third world country were broken. It was different seeing high skyscrapers go up next to what we would see as westerners, homes worse than slums. All of the things I am so used to having are a luxury to many people in China.

The traffic and driving situation in Shanghai amazed me. It was so illogical in my eyes the way in which traffic moved, but to the Chinese it is so logical. It is incredible to see how different cultures think, act etc. All of the bikes, pedestrians and cars have no mercy for one another. It looked as though there was no such thing as traffic signals or rules. The bigger the car you have, the more power you have on the street. It is so amazing to me how the pedestrians, cars and bicyclist all work together on the street. It is as if they don't work together, but maneuver when they can. This was definitely one of my biggest shocks. Sitting in the front of the bus and watching all this was quite an adventure.

I did not expect to be stared at as much as we did when we arrived in China. The way in which they stare is what is so interesting. They have absolutely no inhibitions. They will stop everything they do and stare. We are quite the spectacle to the Chinese. As I watch the Chinese I begin to wonder what they are thinking. That is probably one of the most frustrating things about China. We never have any idea what they are thinking. It does not help that we don't have any way to communicate with them.

- Nicole Jenkins