Suicide scooter ride!

So after visiting Old Shanghai, on the other side of the river from where we were staying, we couldn't find a taxi driver to take us to the hotel. They were all just mad that we didn't want a ride to the airport. They were all standing around, smoking, doing nothing, earning no money, but they sure didn't want to take us to our hotel. I'm not sure what in our appearance said to them, "We need to get to the airport." Our passports in hand, or mountains of luggage? Wait, we didn't have any of those things with us. Just a few shopping bags. But they sure were mad at Neil when he didn't want a ride to the airport! So this scooter guy offered us a ride to the nearest subway station, about 2 miles away, so we could get home. I was laughing uncontrollably!! Looking back, I think it was more of a defense mechanism than anything else. The post title says it all! And it rhymes, to boot :)

Shanghai World Financial Building

This enormous glass building with the square in the top is the Shanghai World Financial Building. I took pictures of it at varying degrees of scariness (different heights, in other words). So the first one is me, outside of Neil's office, with the Shanghai financial district behind me. The next one is from the base of the Oriental Pearl TV tower. Then from the middle tier of the tower, then from the top tier of the tower (350 meters, may I remind you). Look closely at that last picture. See those little white dots on the tower? Yeah, those are window washers. Yes....Real, Live Humans. Level with me, only on the outside of the building. And it was windy! Part of China's population control plan, I suppose.

Oriental Pearl TV tower

I have never made it to the top of the Eiffel Tower, and I have been to Paris twice! The first time, we took the elevator to the first level, which took forever, and we realized if we didn't head back to the hostel we were staying in, the nuns would lock us out (and they would have, too!) So I payed for a ticket to the top, but didn't get there. The second time, I don't remember what happened. Anyway, none of that matters now. Because the Oriental Pearl TV Tower is over 100 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower, and I have been to the top of that baby! The photo of me with the sign "350 meters" proves it!

Did you know that "haddock" is a type of fish?

Hi, friends, and welcome to my blog. The one you have all been waiting with baited breath for! But enough with the fishy puns. Although the title of my blog was probably funnier to you if you already knew that a "haddock" is a type of fish. But this blog is meant to keep you all informed about our adventures while we live in Shanghai, China. And, having just returned from my inaugural trip, I thought this was the perfect time to get my blog up and running! Shanghai is lovely, as you will soon see, and the home of the 2010 World Expo! Get excited!