The weather in Shenzhen is still in the 80's, so I was very surprised when I stepped off the plane in Shanghai to forty degree weather. I was instantly freezing and could not wait to get somewhere warm. Walking around the city I felt like I could be in the U.S somewhere. Due to the French concessions in the 1920's most of the Chinese buildings had been torn down and French buildings in their stead. Walking around I felt like I could be in Portland in one of the neighborhoods. The metro system was so easy to use and the large expat community caused for most people to speak good English, so getting lost wasn't so bad with people all around to ask for directions.
One day when Elise and I were getting off the metro, a man starting talking to us. He said he was from north Korea and asked if we needed any help finding our way in Shanghai. We assured him we knew where we were going and he then told Elise that she looked like Cinderella and I looked like Snow White, and that we could call him Donald Duck. He then gave me a very awkward hug and handshake and said to Elise, "You have very beautiful skin, if you were my teacher I would wash your feet." two more awkward hugs and he finally left.
It was refreshing to get out of Shenzhen and experience a whole new side of Chinese culture. Overall it was a fun trip that showed off a very different side of the China I have experienced.
