We left the hotel after breakfast and travelled by bus to Shanghai (about 2 hours) On the ride richard told us we were 'ding ding hou' which is spectacular. Sang a chorus of 'country roads' and then sandy handed out a set of lyrics that described our journey together and we sang another version of country roads (China Spectacular) Now I know you're all thinking we've become a set of camp councellors but honestly, it's been a wonderfully supportive , funny and supportive group that have made the trip so much more enjoyable. Shanghai had China's first elevator. The first western plane (Pan Am) to land in China landed in Shanghai in 1920. India sent Opium to China to weaken them and when japan invaded in the 1930's they just walked over the Chinese. There are 6 levels of highways in Shanghai and yet only 8 years ago there were just rice paddies there. In 1967-76 (during the cultural revolution) a person made 60 Yuan a month. In 1986 they made 300 Yuan a month...currently about 1400 to 3000 Yuan a month is the average wage. You volunteer to go into the army. You need a licence to drive a scooter but a helmet and insurance is optional. Our tour guide 'Chi' told us to use any cab but a red one. We have been told to watch our purses and wallets more carefully here than anywhere else we've been. this city looks the most western...buildings are new, tall and beautiful. Traffic lights are just 'decoration' so watch when you cross the road. During the cultural revolution Mao did not allow any religion or formal education. Most Chinese believe the cultural revolution was a disaster. No private businesses were allowed. medical doctors worked in the paddy fields. Chinese only ate pork because the cows were busy working in the fields. Went to the cashmere factory today..sorry..made a mistake yesterday. beautiful fabrics and coats. Ate in a mongolian Barbeque place that was downstairs in the factory. You take all the raw vegetables, meats and spices you want in a bowl and then hand it to the chef who 'grills' it in front of you. MMMMM. Went to a pearl factory after lunch and a saleswoman cut open two oyster shells: a large one from the lake that had about 20 fresh water pearls inside and a very small shell from the ocean and dug out a rounded cultured pearl. Both shells were about 3 years old. a good ocean sea pearl takes about 10 years to produce.housing prices have also increased since the highways were put into Shanghai. Eight years ago it cost a homeowner $4,000 Yuan per square metre for an apartment. Today it costs 22,000 Yuan per square metre.We saw our first rice paddy fields beside the highway as we entered Shanghai. one of the group asked our tour guide why China has not purified the water...you can guess...the cost. however about 8 5 star hotels have put in their own purification systems. We arrived to the hotel...most grand one yet. omg! Got to wander in the open street malls just outside the hotel...shopping, shopping, shopping...alsmost like Hong Kong but a better range of prices. Got on the bus about 5:30 and headed for a Thai dinner. fantastic and a nice change. Then we went to an acrobatic show...you can imagine how flexible and strong these athletes were. very impressive. We hels our breaths the whole time. it was about 1 hour and a half. we're back at the hotel. last touring day is tomorrow; nest day we head to the airport and to vancouver. it has gone by too quickly but I am looking forward to seeing family and ...drinking water out of the tap (and salad too)
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