The Shanghai heat and rain can’t hold us back!
We’ve been keeping busy for the past few days. After the long ride back from Anji on Thursday, we went to the U.S. consulate and learned about life as a foreign service officer. Then, we went to Shanghai’s famous fake market for some quality bargaining and shopping therapy (our wallets are empty, but our suitcases are full!). We finished up the evening at Shanghai Circus World, where we saw incredible performances of pot throwing, acrobatics, massive trampoline jumps, and motorcycle tricks.
On Friday, we took a brief excursion to a tin factory outside of Shanghai. We got to see the entire process of how tin boxes are made and learned more about factory life in China. Later on that night, we went to the financial district where we went to the very top of the Shanghai World Financial Center to see the beautiful Shanghai skyline.
Today, the econ seminar went to meet with a real estate entrepreneur while the Chinese seminar used their language skills to haggle for gifts for the econ students. We then went to the Mercedes-Benz arena at the Shanghai World Expo area for an SNH48 concert. A Mandarin-pop group featuring 48 girls (actually, we think there’s more than 48 of them), SNH48 put on a great show and the whole group had fun dancing.
Our last day will feature an Amazing Race scavenger hunt, a trip to an old Ming garden and temple, incredible food, and karaoke. Stay tuned!
-Joanna and Ben
