Back in Shanghai

We came back from S’Pore via Shanghai where I wanted to attend another presentation before returning to “work”. After S’Pore, Shanghai appeared so much more chaotic, aggressive and dirty. You know how I commented that driving skills left something to be desired? Well picture being in a taxi on the metropolitan and the taxi driver stops on the chevrons between the driving lane and the exiting lane and pops-up the hood because it would appear that there is an electrical malfunction and the dash-board is dead. Does he think that there is an on/off switch under the hood? The engine and the brakes are still working so you’d think that the driver would want to take the next exit (down-hill) and find a safe spot to stop! All I could picture was being rear-ended… I reached over to put-on the seat-belt to prepare for impact only to realize that there aren’t any seatbelts in the back seats…bloody hell…
Yesterday, we went grocery shopping at the Ritz Carlton in Shanghai~ one of the only places where you can buy refried beans, tomato paste and polenta. We stocked-up on a few “essentials” such as balsamic vinaigrette and various cheeses ~ Two grocery bags worth and it cost approx $100 bucks! I guess we’re willing to pay a high price for that comforting homey feeling. I can’t wait to move into the apartment and stay out of hotels for a while. It will be soon be four months since I had a bed that I called ‘my own’. Next trip to Shanghai, I’ll try going to a Carrefour for that European feel…