Travel notes from Shanghai, China
We were told or perhaps we read somewhere that former President Clinton visited the restaurant we were about to dine in. Thus, we savored our steamed fish and fried rice with much expectation. In the end, we weren’t disappointed.
After the meal, we stayed around Yuyuan Garden to look around all the shopping stalls in the area. The traditional Chinese garden was surrounded by merchants who sold pearls, jade, clothes and all sorts of bargain items.
It was not easy to miss the Starbucks coffee shop designed with Chinese architectural elements (quite an interesting sight). Just around the corner, we found a signage from a local enterprise called Sunbucks coffee.
The merchants initially talked to me in Mandarin probably thinking that I was one of the locals. Once I started talking and haggling, they realized that I was not one of them and started bringing out their calculators for easier communication.
Other sellers impressed me with their English as they tried to converse properly. You can see in certain people a deep desire to learn the international language.
We also visited other places such as the The Bund, Xintiandi, and other spots. The general impression was that Shanghai was a city open to the world since they seemed to be on a fast track towards modernization Western-style. It looked like the old stuff was easily discarded although there were remnants of the past everywhere.
It is sometimes disappointing to see the fast disappearance of landmarks and artifacts from a rich ancient culture. Modernization is not always good if cultural roots are eradicated. Balance is always key to growth.
As I entered the church, I found the tabernacle was lit but the place was practically empty. Outside the cathedral were bystanders who were shouting at me (I don’t know why) as I entered and left the cathedral. Actually, I wasn’t sure I would get out of the place alive!
In 2015, the cathedral closed for renovation. It was only recently that they re-opened.
"To better preserve the cathedral, the renovators extended the length of the project from the initially planned nine months to two years."
https://www.shine.cn/archive/metro/Xujiahui-cathedral-to-reopen-on-Saturday/shdaily.shtml
One consolation was being able to go around town alone with very efficient and well-dressed taxi drivers.
Since it was cold, the drivers wore coats that gave them a semi-formal appearance. Even if they couldn’t understand my English (the hotel gave a calling card with places to visit and the Chinese characters on them), they brought me to where I was supposed to go. Plus in the end, I received a printed receipt of my taxi fare.
Since it was cold, the drivers wore coats that gave them a semi-formal appearance. Even if they couldn’t understand my English (the hotel gave a calling card with places to visit and the Chinese characters on them), they brought me to where I was supposed to go. Plus in the end, I received a printed receipt of my taxi fare.
When I talk to taxi drivers in Manila, I sometimes tell them about my Shanghai cab experience, so they can also appreciate their jobs and realize that it is a noble profession.
Taxi drivers are the first contact of many tourists in the country. If we can provide a welcoming experience to our visitors, we can change much of the negative perception we hear abroad. Taxi drivers have a big role to play in this arena and it is no small task.
