Spending Time in the Big Cities

Well not much to say about Beijing and Shanghai except that I am totally digging it. Beijing was ultra-cool because of all the hype surrounding the Olympics at the 8th minute of the 8th hour of the 8th day of the 8th month of the 8th year (i.e. August 8th 2008). When I was there the city was experimenting with pollution control as they get ready for next summer. This involved a few of the following actions: a) only allowing cars with even license plates to drive on Monday and odd ones on Tuesday; b) shutting down something like 80% of factories to ensure a "blue sky day" (one of 260 such days planned for this year) and c) fining the horkers and spitters.

In Shanghai I stayed with Jason, a good friend who left Cairo 2 years ago and moved to Shanghai with his partner Timber. They are living in something like the Club Med of Shanghai at the Racquetball Club with a pool and a jacuzzi in their back garden, tennis courts, an in-house spa and a fantastic restaurant. Needless to say in my three days there I managed to get out only for reflexology, DVD purchases and Chinese silk. The Red Bag has now been joined by a lesser quality carry-on to hold these fine purchases!