Shanghaid in Shanghai


 Maglev Train is a futuristic train that levitates above the track using magnets.  We rode this train from the city center to the airport and back at 193 mph- 19 miles in 8 minutes.  It can reach 223 mph.  The train does not have to decrease its speed for curves since they are banked and there is nothing touching the track.  
It was a comfortable ride.  China and Germany have developed this project in a joint venture and China is building this powerful mode of transportation to connect their major cities.  Infrastructure in the U.S is crumbling while our government representatives argue, fuss and fight about who to hate and how best to move backwards rather than embrace progressive ideas.  From our observation of China and Southeast Asia, they are looking forward and planning for the future.  Construction is booming as they embrace a progressive future with modern infrastructure and a global economy.

After touring the Maglev Technology and Exhibition Center and viewing Shanghai from the 88th floor of the Jin Mao Tower, we feasted on modern Cantonese delicacies at Hakkason Restaurant.
Porcini mushrooms with Chinese greens and lotus flower.  I ordered Crispy Peking Duck not realizing it is served in sections.  First, was a crispy duck salad followed by rare duck with caviar on baby cucumber and finally duck on the bone.  My first taste of Chinese wine accompanied my meal.  The wine was red and dry somewhat like a Merlot with a strong hint of cherries.
Dessert was fabulous- orange slices covered in chocolate and encased inside this sphere of chocolate.

After dinner, we weaved our way through the extremely crowded Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street.  Along the way, we sat for a street portrait artist.  Many of the people here for the Labour Day holiday are from cities, towns and rural areas outside of Shanghai.  Quite a few of them had never personally seen or been close to an American.  Our travel consultant, Richard, had written in his World Travel Report that Chinese citizens might want to get a photo op with an American.  I spied the young man who can be seen with his father in this photograph.  He was shyly looking at us while looking away when I looked back.  I finally caught his attention and even though I don't speak Mandarin and he didn't speak English, I managed to invite him to get his picture taken with us.  He was shy and peeked at us from behind his father who convinced him to sit with us for a photo. 
This gave his little brother courage to ask for a photo with us and then the whole family stood behind us for a photo.  
The young man sitting next to me then wanted a photo with us.  Before I knew it, we were surrounded by local people watching and communicating with us using gestures, wanting photo ops with us.  We were all having a great time watching the portrait artist, smiling, laughing and gesturing while the artist created his work.  Well over twenty groups of photos were taken and when the portrait artist finished, the crowd cheered and applauded.  It was another one of my favorite moments of this worldwide cruise.  This kind of connection gives me hope for human kind on this planet.  As we left with our portrait, we were stopped for more photo ops.  It was so much fun!  
                                    Chinese version of Randy and Ruth Ann Cruisin' Together.

                                         
We strolled along the Bund on our return to the big boat.  This must be the most enchanting city skyline in the world, for which we are grateful to have shared this once in a lifetime experience with each other and with you.

“Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.” 
― Confucius

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