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Jennifer's Corner

6/8/2010

Hello All,

Since my last post in February, many things are and have happened in Shanghai. First of all on April 21st the Chinese government declared a day of morning honoring over 2,000 earthquake victims in Qinghai Province a Tibetan zone of China. Like the U.S. all national flags were flown at ½ mast. Unlike the U.S., the government blocked all entertainment throughout China for the day. This included Internet games, all TV shows except for the news, movie theaters closed as well as bowling alleys or any other establishment that provided entertainment. The city was very somber that day. It's interesting that the government has that much power over such a large city.

On this day there are 10 days before the much anticipated World Expo (which starts May 1st). Shanghai has changed so much in the last 3 years since we've lived here. But the most dramatic changes have occurred in the past 6 months. Changes like, construction of new elevated walkways, new "Expo" taxi's, English signage everywhere, trash cans and recycling cans, new buildings, newly painted old buildings, pictures of shanghai on all the walls. In addition, security cards are now needed to enter apartment complexes and international schools. Gone are the DVD stores that sell the pirated DVD's. Well, really most stores just added a few secret doorways behind large bookcases that foreigners walk through to get to the illegal stash. They send an employee out to guard the door while you get to explore the inner passageways to total bliss. English DVD's that is. Gone are the pajama clad residents hanging out with friends and people are not allowed to hang their laundry outside within 1000 meters of the Expo site. I've heard the government has spent over 8 billion US dollars to beautify the city. It's amazing the transformation.

Fast forward to today (June 8) and we've been enjoying our new apartment and looking forward to the conclusion of the World Expo. Believe it or not, we were really looking forward to the Expo and all the changes we've seen to the city, guaranteed a good time for all. Although the city is beautiful and security is top priority, it is not the Shanghai we know and love. First of all the taxi drivers are getting rich! They are taking the long way to get more fares from most foreigners. It's happened to me, and many of our friends. When it happened to me the fare charged to me was more than double what it normally would cost. While I was complaining to him, I wrote down the phone number to call his manager and he lowered to fare to the proper amount. Now, I get in the taxi and start talking in Mandarin so he knows not to waste my time. In another instance I was shopping with a friend for gifts to take home with us during the summer. I wanted to buy some things I buy every year and therefore know the price I should pay. When I asked them how much for the item, they give me a price that was 10 times the amount I usually pay. I saw other foreigners in the store and said in a very loud voice that they were cheating people on the prices. She immediately hushed me and gave me the price I originally asked. (I guess they know more English then I thought!). Other places are just not bargaining anymore. They don't need to if the next foreigner coming for the Expo is going to pay their asking price.

Also, one of our favorite places to eat is the Blue Frog in the Shanghai World Financial Center. It's has a great place to sit outside and see the city. Until the Expo is over all outside seating around the SWFC is forbidden for security reasons. We haven't made it to the Expo yet, as we've heard the lines are atrocious. Our plan is to go when we return to Shanghai after the summer break.

Ok, what else… oh yea, Scott purchased his "mid life crises" sports vehicle (see side-bar). He loves it and is quite proud of the fact that he is free to go wherever he wants whenever he wants. I hope a car or a bus or a bike, all of which happens everyday here in this over-populated city of Shanghai, doesn't run into him.

We made two trips since my last update. Chengdu, China, home of the ever-so-adorable giant pandas and Phuket, Thailand for a second time. We love it there. We stayed at a different resort and went with another family. Lot's of fun.

Also, if you recall my last update mentioned our new apartment and how great it was. We found out today that we will have to move AGAIN! This is now our second time that a landlord has kicked us out of our apartment. After only 5 months living here, they sold the unit and the new owners want to move in. I personally think I sold the unit for them as we've worked very hard to clean it up and make it "presentable". So before we leave for NC (less than 48 hours!) I need to find a place to live. The landlord wants us out ASAP. During the month of June, Scott will have to coordinate moving our things and getting the new place painted. We just need a home first.

Sean and Sophie were surprisingly very cool with the move. I don't think anything fazes them anymore. So many of their friends are moving back "home" this June. I know we all just need some good 'ole fashioned North Carolina living to cheer us up! And maybe a few good cheeseburgers, pizza, Mexican food and a good piece of steak!

We can't wait to see you all!!!

Jennifer

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