Welcome to China!

It's been a long time since I've strayed from my local Fulham and been out East - over seven years in fact. However, thankfully there's not too much need to go east of even Shoredich, and when considering the far east, it's only been six years since I've been away. Considering the difficulties of traversing London, it's perhaps no surprise that I've avoided Mile End for so long, and that Asia welcomes me more regularly. Not that the two are greatly different, of course.

Both the East End and this part of China (Shanghai) share a surprising amount in common:

1. Both are up-and-coming economies and are welcoming the new rich, as the French would call them.

2. The government has thrown up large quantities of dubious concrete block housing for the populous masses in the area (as seen in this picture from my hotel window in Shanghai, or at least the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park 20 minutes from the centre).

3. Street markets are common, where a variety of local delicacies can be found, although I haven't found jellied eels over here yet.

4. Both sets of locals eat rats.

Upon arriving in Shanghai after a journey of no remarkable quality, except for being able to watch Hot Fuzz on the inflight entertainment system, I made my way into the heart of Shanghai and the Bund itself. Nine years since I was there, I was surprised by how 'modern' the streets looked - rather more like Tokyo on the East Nanjing Road than the greying dilapidated traditionally-tiled shops of the past. Walking a long to the Bund, I was accosted by various young ladies trying to sell me bags and watches - they seemed unable to see the satchel on my bag and clearly had no idea about the watch contained therein. Nice of them to offer, though. Finally reaching the Bund there was an incredibly persistent old-ish man who was adamant that he should clean my shoes, walking at pace with me until he was able to squeeze some cleaning fluid on my trainers. Almost reminiscent of Norman Tebbitt - plenty of bikes on the roads to go round too. Was it worth 2 RMB (about 12p)? I'll leave that for you to decide.

If only it was all Shanghai, though. Flying off to Chongquin (Wikipedia it for details - interestingly, Wikipedia isn't accessible here in China, something about unregulated postings causing a problem) in the centre of the country, I was met with more of the fine weather pictured above in Shanghai. You can see the stunning view afforded by a restaurant on the banks of the River Jialing, which meets the Yangtze just up from this picture. But it's not all sightseeing. I start the actual teacher-training I'm here to do tomorrow with my fellow band of trainers. There have been a few hiccups already and not just after the food we've been given. More on that to follow, with some pictures too, if I can continue this delve into the world of technology.